Becoming Crone (The Crone Wars Book 1)

I was drawn to this due to the lead being an older character & truly wasn't disappointed. As I got about halfway I purchased the remaining four & couldn't put them down. Great fun with a giggle or two mixed in with any sad bits. They will be read again!

I am always delighted to come across heroines of a certain age who feature in fantasy adventure stories, especially as I’ve now also reached that certain age. That said, I’m allergic to the trope whereby they suddenly have access to an elixir that helps them overcome creaking joints and smooths out the wrinkles. Or find themselves wielding a magic sword with the skill and ease of a thirty-something swordmaster. So my track record with this sub-genre is a tad patchy.I’m delighted to report that Claire is none of the above. In fact, at the start of the book she is hosting her own sixtieth birthday party with nothing much to celebrate. Her ex-husband has left her for a much younger woman with whom he has started a second family, her son and daughter-in-law are increasingly treating her as an elderly nonentity and she feels as if she’s spent her life putting everyone else first with not much to show for it. The problem is – on the cusp of becoming properly old, she has no idea what she really wants for herself… This could have been a really dismal opening, but for Claire’s wry humour which I found very appealing. The story starts quite slowly, something I didn’t mind as it gave me plenty of opportunity to bond with Claire. This is important, as she narrates the tale in first-person viewpoint.However, once the action does start rolling it quickly picks up speed. I liked the fact that her transition from the normal everyday to the fantastic isn’t smooth or easy. Her attempts at magick are either non-existent or overwhelming to the point of catastrophic and she’s hopeless in any physical fight. Although she does have a gorgeous werewolf protector and a gargoyle assigned to train her. Hawke writes action vividly with some nicely original touches – I’ll never look at a garden gnome in the same way again – and while the shafts of humour continue, there is also loss and heartbreak.Claire’s journey throughout the book is well handled, so that I believed in the character throughout. I’m keen to continue reading this series to discover what happens next. And the bonus is that the next two books are already available, so I won’t have to wait to tuck into A Gathering of Crones. Highly recommended for urban fantasy fans who enjoy older protagonists. While I obtained an arc of Becoming Crone from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.8/10

Great story, fun characters, wonderful banter, and lot of danger. It was an absolute pleasure to read this book. Can't wait to see what happens next.

I enjoyed the style of writing and especially the funny moments linked to our heroine’s age…particularly as I have already been there! However, I was not so keen on some of the blacker, rather sad moments, and this put me off getting the next book in the series. I usually read to escape the world’s constant barrage of death and destruction, I want more humour and happiness in my books please!

Advanced in years as I am, I was interested in the idea of a 60 year old woman possibly having more to give , more to receive, and maybe even a new love? Lots of laying down of foundations and a working knowledge of myth, legend and paranormal worlds will soon help you sink into this book. I'm definitely off to get the second.

I received an advance review copy for free via Book Sirens and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.I liked the idea of this book, which takes the trend of "midlife" fantasy to the next level. Overall its an ok read but for me the pace was on the slow side. Things speed up a couple of times but it also gets bogged down with sections of dialogue which make any progress grind to a halt. Written as giving the main character information on her situation they are also obviously intended to fill in the reader but I'm afraid I found it rather dull. Theres more action towards the end but for me it was all too bitty and tackled in an over-complicated fashion. I have to admit I speed read most of the latter part of the book as it just didnt hold my interest. I think this book may appeal to others so wouldn't suggest to dismiss it based on this review. It just wasn't for me.

Oh my Gosh! I loved this book cannot wait to read the others. So your 60? Divorced with a grown up son and a wonderful grandson, your best friend lives next door. However you also have a bad habit of not sticking up for your self. What happens next is nothing you ever dreamed about ( well maybe just a little).

Brilliant all the way through. Helped me get my head round some of the stuff ladies of Lady Claire’s age need help with but in a different way. Loved every page and twist in the book.

A sixty-year-old Chosen One, a protagonist that will save the world if she can find her reading glasses, a hero that has drifted away from purpose with the advancing years: this is Claire Emerson. She is relatable, likeable and admirable. I LOVED this book. The world-building that we see unfolding through Claire’s amazed eyes is sometimes humorous, and always an adventure. I look forward to reading further in the series and recommend Becoming Crone. Well done, author Lydia M. Hawke!

This book hooked me in right from the beginning, when protagonist Claire Emerson celebrates her 60th birthday. Weird things occur, starting with the massing of crows on the maple tree in her yard.And how refreshing it is to encounter a mature protagonist. Claire is recently divorced, and also concerned she has reached that point in her life where she’s past her prime. Instead, she discovers magic is real, and finds new purpose and new friends.As a woman, I found Claire real and relatable. I loved seeing through her eyes as she is drawn kicking and screaming into unimaginable new adventures and dangers. I also loved the world author Lydia M. Hawke has skillfully created, her original take on the Arthurian legends, and the book’s great cast of characters.One warning: this book is fast-paced. Claire barely had time to take a breath, and neither did I. Well done! I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Did you ever wonder why the Chosen One usually is a hormonally challenged teenager without any clue?Wellt, not this one. In The Crone Wars, the heroines just turned 60 when she finds out she is a witch, and destined to save the world.Urban/witch fantasy, witty and funny. I recommend for a light read.

A great story, an ageing heroine who is believable, interesting characters, relatable family issues and a whole bunch of out of this world shenanigans! This is a very good start to what promises to be a great series. I am very much looking forward to the next book.

It’s a fun book that delivers what it promises.the heroine is good though a little older in her outlook than her age.The world holds together well.