The Witch Elm is a novel written by Tana French, an Irish crime writer, and published in 2018. The story follows the protagonist Toby Hennessy, a young man who experiences a life-altering event after being brutally attacked in his own home. After the attack, Toby is left with physical and psychological scars, struggling to come to terms with what happened to him. Seeking solace, he retreats to his family's ancestral home, Ivy House, where he hopes to find peace and heal. However, his plans are disrupted when a human skull is discovered inside an old witch elm tree in the garden. As the investigation unfolds, Toby becomes intertwined in a series of secrets, lies, and hidden connections that have haunted his family for years.
Overview
Like the two Lost Omens books before it I consider this to be a perfect sized expansion digest book for those who wish to get more out of the setting or direct their players to further information but don't want to overwhelm themselves or their players.
It won't provide the same sorts of deep dives that the Inner Sea series of 3 hardcovers do but it is a near essential book for those looking to run Golarion set games for the first time and who wish to really ramp up their players connection to the world.
There are also some domains which at least to me exist only to justify the presence of certain deities, and some are just plain weird or marginal, granting very niche-type spells that will rarely get used in an average campaign. You ll also discover new domains, feats, and spells to customize your character, and an exhaustive index of hundreds of deities from the Pathfinder setting you can worship and the mechanical benefits of doing so.
As the investigation unfolds, Toby becomes intertwined in a series of secrets, lies, and hidden connections that have haunted his family for years. He learns that the mysteries of the past can have a lasting impact on the present, and he must confront his own past to uncover the truth. Throughout the novel, French explores themes of identity, memory, and the complexities of human nature.
Pathfinder Lost Omens: Gods & Magic Special Edition
No fantasy setting is complete without a pantheon of powerful deities for its characters to worship or fear. Whether you're a sneaky rogue asking the god of thievery for a blessing on your next heist or a valorous crusader calling the might of your patron down upon the forces of evil, faith and the forces behind it are key to every character's identity. Within this volume you'll find details on the gods and non-deific faiths of the Age of Lost Omens from the perspective of their clergy and lay worshipers. You'll also discover new domains, feats, and spells to customize your character, and an exhaustive index of hundreds of deities from the Pathfinder setting you can worship (and the mechanical benefits of doing so).
An indispensable 136-page resource for both players looking to flesh out their characters' motivations and Game Masters aiming to bring the evil cults, zealous evangelists, and holy warriors of their campaigns to life, Pathfinder Lost Omens: Gods & Magic is an essential addition to any Pathfinder Second Edition campaign!
This deluxe special edition is bound in faux leather with metallic deboss cover elements and a bound-in ribbon bookmark.
Available Formats
Pathfinder Lost Omens: Gods & Magic is also available as:
- A 128-page hardcover
- A 128-page PDF (includes single-file and file-per-chapter versions)
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So this book gives you a quick glance over all of the deities, and that's about it. For that it's great. However when you pull out a lore book, you want to use it to create adventures, locations and NPCs.
Toby's journey takes him on a dark and twisting path, where he questions his own sanity and is forced to confront his own flaws and vulnerabilities. The Witch Elm is a psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. French's writing is atmospheric and skillfully weaves together the elements of mystery, family drama, and psychological suspense. The characters are well-developed, with complex motivations and hidden layers. The novel also delves into important questions about justice, morality, and the consequences of our actions. Overall, The Witch Elm is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that explores the depths of human nature and the lingering effects of the past. It is a suspenseful tale that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end, and is sure to leave them pondering the complexities of the human psyche..
Reviews for "The Witch Elm: A Linguist's Perspective on Witchcraft Terminology"
1. Jane Smith - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to reading "The Witch Elm" as I had heard so many great things about it. However, I found myself disappointed and underwhelmed. The pace of the book was incredibly slow and it took over half of the book for any real action to take place. The characters were also unlikable and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their experiences and the overall plot. While the writing style itself was good, I just couldn't get into the story. It's a shame because I had high hopes for this novel, but it fell flat for me.
2. John Doe - 1/5 - "The Witch Elm" was an absolute slog to get through. The main character, Toby, was insufferable and I found it hard to sympathize with him. The plot meandered aimlessly and lacked any suspense or excitement. The ending felt unsatisfying and left many loose ends. Overall, I found this book to be incredibly boring and I struggled to maintain interest throughout its pages. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping mystery or thriller.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2/5 - As a fan of Tana French's previous works, I was eager to dive into "The Witch Elm." However, I found the story to be slow-paced and lacking the captivating storytelling I had come to expect from the author. The book seemed to be more focused on exploring Toby's character and his internal thoughts, which led to long passages of introspection that felt monotonous and repetitive. The mystery itself was convoluted and did not provide enough intrigue to keep me engaged. Overall, I was disappointed with this novel and it did not live up to my expectations.