Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Witch of the Glens
- Author: Sally Watson
- Narrator: Kirksvoice
- Length: 06:36:17
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 14/03/2020
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy
- ISBN13: SABLIB9789589
It’s a rare thing to stumble upon a tale that sweeps you off your feet and carries you across time and place, but “Witch of the Glens” by Sally Watson, narrated by Kirksvoice, does just that. The moment I pressed play, I was transported to the rugged hills of 1644 Inverness, Scotland – a landscape as wild and untamed as the teenage protagonist, Kelpie, herself. The story unfolds like a windswept path through the Highlands, full of twists and revelations, and Kirksvoice’s narration only deepens the journey, making this free audiobook experience one worth savoring.
I first encountered this tale on a rainy afternoon in a small Scottish village near Loch Ness, where I’d ducked into a café to escape the drizzle. With my headphones on and a steaming cup of tea in hand, I let “Witch of the Glens” fill the space around me. It reminds me of a time when I was driving through the Atacama Desert, listening to “One Hundred Years of Solitude” – the way the narrator’s voice seemed to weave magic into the surreal expanse outside my window. Here, too, there’s a kind of alchemy at play. Kelpie, a girl kidnapped by Gypsies as a child, doesn’t remember her origins but carries the weight of her ‘Second Sight,’ a clairvoyance hinted at by her blue-ringed eyes. That detail struck me – those eyes, a mark of something otherworldly, felt like a thread connecting her to the hidden histories I’ve chased across continents.
The heart of this historical fantasy beats with themes of identity and self-discovery, set against the tumult of Scotland’s Covenanters and Catholics clashing amid the English Civil War. Kelpie’s journey – from a scrappy outsider longing to be a witch to a young woman finding her place – mirrors the personal transformations I’ve witnessed in my travels. I think of the grandmother I met in Oaxaca, her voice curling around tales of spirits and resilience as the evening shadows grew long. She taught me how a good storyteller uses silence as much as words, and Kirksvoice captures that same intimate quality here. His narration is steady yet evocative, letting you feel the chill of the glen air and the ache of Kelpie’s yearning. You can almost hear the rustle of heather underfoot or taste the smoky peat of a Highland fire.
Sally Watson’s writing shines in its vivid sensory descriptions, painting the Scottish Highlands with a brush dipped in mist and memory. The political and religious tensions of 1644 weave seamlessly into Kelpie’s personal stakes, grounding the fantasy in a palpable reality. Her ‘Second Sight’ isn’t just a gimmick – it’s a lens into her struggle against societal prejudice, a theme that resonates deeply in a world that often mistrusts what it doesn’t understand. The audiobook experience amplifies this, with Kirksvoice giving life to every character, from Kelpie’s fierce defiance to the softer, conflicted tones of those around her. His pacing is spot-on, letting the story breathe where it needs to, though I’ll admit there were moments – particularly in the quieter scenes – where a touch more dynamism could’ve lifted the tension.
This isn’t a perfect tale, of course. The historical backdrop, while rich, occasionally overshadows Kelpie’s inner journey, and some listeners might find the Gypsy portrayal leaning on old tropes. Yet these are small quibbles in a story that otherwise brims with heart. The audio quality, provided by LibriVox, is clean and clear – remarkable for a free audiobook – and at just over six hours, it’s a compact yet immersive listen. It’s a testament to the power of oral storytelling, a craft I’ve come to cherish from evenings spent listening to locals spin yarns in far-flung corners of the world.
For comparison, “Witch of the Glens” sits comfortably alongside works like “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” by Elizabeth George Speare, with its blend of suspicion and self-realization, though Watson’s Scottish setting gives it a distinct flavor. There’s a whisper of “The Bear and the Nightingale” by Katherine Arden too, in its fusion of clairvoyance and historical fantasy, but Kelpie’s scrappy resilience feels uniquely her own. Fans of science fiction and fantasy will find plenty to love here, even if the ‘science fiction’ label feels more like a nod to genre convention than a true fit – this is fantasy through and through, steeped in the magic of the past.
Who should listen? Anyone who craves a tale of adventure and belonging, especially those with a soft spot for Scotland’s lore or the thrill of a free audiobook find. It’s perfect for a long drive or a cozy night in – anywhere you can let the Highlands unfold around you. Kirksvoice’s performance elevates it beyond a simple reading; it’s a companionable voice guiding you through Kelpie’s world. If you’re new to audiobooks, this is an accessible entry point, and if you’re a seasoned listener, it’s a hidden gem worth unearthing.
Reflecting on it now, “Witch of the Glens” feels like a story I’ve carried with me – like a stone smoothed by a river, tucked into my pocket from some distant shore. It’s a reminder of why I travel, why I listen: to find those human connections that echo across time. Sally Watson and Kirksvoice have crafted something special here, and thanks to LibriVox, it’s yours for the taking. So go ahead – download it, press play, and let Kelpie lead you through the glens. You won’t regret it.
Until our next journey, with warmest regards from the road,
Marcus Rivera
