Thornewicke (An Enchanters Novel #1)

She’s being watched. In the shadows of her garden, something with inhuman eyes follows her every move. For Evangeline Price, it’s just one more secret in a life suddenly filled with them.

In the gaslit world of 1883, she’s a student at a prestigious academy, but her carefully constructed reality is fraying at the seams. Animals seem to understand her, plants flourish at her touch, and frightening visions haunt her waking moments. When a mysterious illness threatens to expose her strange abilities, a cryptic invitation arrives from a long-lost aunt she never knew existed. It’s a summons to Dragonspire, the family’s ancestral home, a place steeped in secrets as deep and dark as the enchanted woods that surround it.

Drawn to the wild, magical estate of Thornewicke, Evangeline steps into a world where folklore is real and the house itself breathes with a life of its own. Her enigmatic Aunt Henoria is a woman of immense power and untold history, while Henoria’s charming ward, Rafe, offers a friendship that promises something more. But Thornewicke is not the sanctuary it seems. It is a bastion against an ancient evil, locked in a bitter feud with the neighboring Musgrave family and their cold, menacing son, Julian. A magical barrier weakens with every passing day, and the malevolent creatures of the far north are beginning to slip through.

Caught between the dawn of science and the lingering power of old-world magic, Evangeline must unravel the truth of her heritage… a divine legacy of light and power she never knew she possessed. As Julian’s dangerous obsession with her grows and the shadows of the wood press closer, she must learn to control her gifts before they consume her. For in Thornewicke, the line between a miracle and a curse is perilously thin, and Evangeline is the only one who can stop the darkness from swallowing them all.

Read the Character Compendium.

Included Tropes

Creepy Stalker / Unseen Presence: A malevolent, inhuman entity watches Evangeline from the shadows, creating a pervasive sense of unease.

Mysterious Illness / Supernatural Sickness: Evangeline’s recurring bronchitis is not a normal ailment; it triggers vivid, supernatural hallucinations.

Parental Secrets: Evangeline’s parents deliberately withhold information about her magical heritage and the true nature of her experiences.

Latent Powers / Hidden Abilities: Evangeline possesses inherent, untrained magical abilities, such as influencing plant growth and animal behavior, which gradually awaken.

The Mentor Figure: Miss Archer, the wise and observant headmistress, subtly guides Evangeline, recognizing her potential beyond conventional education.

Mysterious Mentor’s Past: Miss Archer’s abrupt departure from Ashdon is linked to a hidden past, hinting at her own struggles and a greater purpose.

Chosen One / Special Snowflake: Evangeline is identified as uniquely important, born with a powerful gift and destined for a critical role in protecting Thornewicke.

I Am Not A Witch: Evangeline struggles with the implications of her powers, fearing being labeled a “witch” and denying her true nature.

Meet Cute: Evangeline’s initial encounters with Rafe are characterized by humorous, accidental collisions, foreshadowing their romantic involvement.

Animal Companion / Familiar: Sebastian, the old cat, acts as a wise and telepathic confidant, often offering cryptic insights into Evangeline’s magical journey.

Enemies to Lovers (Potential): A complex dynamic exists between Evangeline and Julian Musgrave, marked by intense animosity, but with underlying hints of a dark, magnetic connection.

The Long-Lost Relative: Henoria, Evangeline’s estranged aunt, emerges to reveal the family’s hidden magical legacy and guide Evangeline into her destiny.

Ancestral Home / Haunted Manor: Dragonspire is an ancient, living house with secret passages and a deep, mystical connection to the magical forces of the surrounding woods.

The Feud: A bitter, generations-old conflict between the Price/Castle family and the Musgraves, fueled by land disputes and supernatural grievances, underpins much of the narrative.

Orphan / Found Family: Rafe and Lena, both wards of Henoria, are integrated into the magical household, creating a supportive, non-traditional family unit.

Telepathy / Mind Link: Evangeline develops the ability to communicate non-verbally, initially with Sebastian, and later experiences intrusive thoughts and shared visions with other powerful individuals.

Ancient Journals / Forbidden Knowledge: Virginia Dare’s old journals serve as a primary source of exposition, revealing the secret history and true nature of the Guardians.

The Love Triangle: A subtle but clear romantic conflict arises from Lena’s unrequited feelings for Rafe, while Rafe and Evangeline develop a burgeoning relationship.

The Protector / Defender Archetype: Alistair serves as Henoria’s dedicated magical protector, and Rafe takes on a similar, often physical, role in defending Evangeline.

Legacy of Power / Generational Gift: Magical abilities are inherited and manifest strongly in the firstborn females of the family, tracing back to their ancestor, Virginia Dare.

The Seer / True Sight: Lena possesses a unique gift that allows her to perceive reality beyond illusions, seeing the true, often monstrous, forms of spirits and magical beings.

The Big Bad: Julian Musgrave is the primary antagonist, a powerful Dream Caster who manipulates events, torments Henoria, and seeks to control or destroy the Guardians.

Dream Weaver / Dream Manipulation: Julian’s power allows him to invade and manipulate the dreams of others, using them for torment and psychological control.

The Reveal / Hidden Parentage: We discover the identity of Lena’s long-lost mother.

Similar Novels

The manuscript is categorized as New Adult Historical Fantasy. Books in this genre often feature protagonists discovering powers, hidden magical societies, historical settings, and romantic subplots.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (All Souls Trilogy): Features a protagonist discovering latent magical abilities, a hidden world of supernatural beings, ancient family legacies, a strong academic/historical setting, and a powerful love interest who is also a protector.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin: A historical fantasy with a reluctant witch protagonist, a forced marriage/enemies-to-lovers dynamic, discovery of hidden powers, and a conflict between magic and religion.

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson: A historical-ish fantasy where books are sentient and dangerous, a young woman discovers her own magical abilities, deals with powerful magical entities, and has a protective love interest.

The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman: A fantasy series with a protagonist who is part of a secret organization, deals with different magical worlds/realities, and has a strong sense of a hidden magical community.

A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Flesh and Fire Series): While more explicitly romantic fantasy, it features a chosen one with immense power, a powerful protector/love interest, ancient magic, and a world hidden from mundane eyes.

Prominent Themes

The Burden of Inheritance: Evangeline’s struggle to accept and wield the powerful, sometimes dangerous, magical gifts passed down through her female lineage.

Coming of Age / Self-Discovery: Evangeline’s journey from a naive schoolgirl to understanding her true identity, purpose, and capabilities as a Guardian.

Choice vs. Destiny: The recurring tension between individual free will and the predetermined path laid out by fate or magical heritage.

The Nature of Good and Evil: Exploring the grey areas between absolute good and evil, particularly through characters like Julian and Lena, and the allure of dark magic.

The Power of Love and Connection: The strength derived from familial bonds, friendship, and romantic relationships, especially the magical bond between Guardians and Defenders.

Trust and Betrayal: The impact of deception, secrets, and perceived betrayals on relationships, and the necessity of genuine trust in a dangerous world.

Community and Acceptance: The challenge of being “Gifted” in a society that fears and condemns magic, highlighting the importance of finding a supportive community.

The Conflict Between Science and Magic/Faith: Nikola Tesla’s scientific rationalism clashing with the undeniable magic of Thornewicke, and Alistair’s efforts to reconcile faith with supernatural realities.

Sacrifice: Characters making profound personal sacrifices, of comfort, reputation, or even life—to protect others or fulfill their duties.

The Importance of Knowledge and Truth: The quest for hidden knowledge through ancient journals and Lena’s “True Sight,” emphasizing truth’s power to reveal and heal.

The Role of Women and Empowerment: Challenging patriarchal societal norms and expectations, portraying women as powerful, intellectual, and capable leaders.

The Fragility of Boundaries: The literal and metaphorical boundaries separating the mundane from the magical, and the constant threat of their collapse, allowing evil to seep through.