It was good, but too short. The ending suffered because it was too abrupt, maybe with an extra 20, 30 pages or so, it would have been a bit less rushed.
But the world-building was clear and intricate, really rich and fun to read. The characters were equally well-crafted. All in all, it was good.

There is soooo much with going on within this story within a limited number of words.

Though the world building was all very interesting and creative, with what appears to be both religious and magical elements, it was also a lot to take in, in a very short amount of time. Renegades, rangers, witches, hunters, godsmen and a set of gods make up the different factions of people out there. Some are allies, some give each other a wide berth, and I honestly was confused quite a bit about how they all functioned. Adding to that, there are all kinds of animals—I am not quite sure what they are, but they were very fascinating. To top it off there are then distinct personality types that have emerged: alphas and dependents. Alphas tend to have a driving need to take care of others. Through purchasing or stumbling upon them, the alphas essentially take others into their care, providing shelter, clothing, teaching lessons and even intimate acts. Dependents are those who rely upon the alpha to provide for them; in some cases, eventually becoming alphas in their own right one day. The interactions between alphas and dependents aren’t what is typically associated with familial roles, instead blurring the lines where they are parent/mentor/teacher/lover/friend or a combination of any of those, depending on the individuals within the household. None appear to be related by blood rather by choice and/or circumstance.

There are several characters involved in this story. Ghost, who is the Witch’s apprentice. Witch—she seems to be somewhat of an alpha figure to Ghost, but their relationship differs from what appears to be the typical alpha and dependent situation. Gerry—he is not quite an alpha in his own right yet and is still a dependent but has the personality type to become an alpha. Gerry’s Alpha, Mother, who has taught him how to be a hunter. And finally, Conn, Mother’s other dependent, who creates some of the tension within the story and doesn’t exhibit any alpha traits.

Ghost’s character and his purpose intrigues me, and I do want to find out what him being the first male witch means, and what abilities he has that seem to have a role to play. Gerry is a solid character who I immediately took a liking to. Really, the only character who rubbed me in a bad way was Conn, but he is also interesting because there seems to be more than meets the eye with that one. Though they did catch my attention, none of the characters were fully fleshed out for me, just a little insight to each personality but not enough to really develop a connection.

When Gerry and Ghost meet, Gerry finally finds someone he is driven to take care of and intends to mate Ghost as well as take him on as his first dependent. There are certain traditions that appear to be required in order to court an intended dependent for the purpose of mating, or taking them over as a responsibility, and Gerry intends to do it right. Everything takes place in less than forty-eight hours, so it does have that insta-element. I am not sure if that is common in this society or not, as it wasn’t really explored.

Ghost Sight is intriguing and entertaining, but it didn’t quite make it past good for me. While imaginative, it was also confusing. The potential was there to make it great, as I do love a good fantasy world, but in this case the shorter length of the story proved to be a detriment. With such elaborate and complex world building, I like to understand how everything functions—the magic and religious elements appear to be at the core of the story—but somehow lack any focus and remain mostly unknown to me. It is clear something catastrophic happened at some point in history—the story “runes” are referenced as well as a basic explanation of when the godsmen arose and eradicated certain things and took control (to a degree). For me, despite all the intricate pieces that intertwine, there was a lack of anything really tangible for me to picture the world on the whole. Between the world building, a romance, a kidnapping, and what appears to maybe be some sort of prophesy and/or destiny for Ghost and Gerry, everything came off as sort of half developed. For a foundational book in a series, I really like to come out feeling more confident in my understanding. And although I think I have the gist of everything, it still took me a really long time to get into it, and I still have a lot of unanswered questions about the world itself.

I liked Ghost Sight but feel it could have used quite a bit more page time to develop all the different characters, the relationships, and the world in which it all takes place. There was enough to keep me interested in checking out the second book, but I don’t feel fully invested just yet.

Reviewed by Lindsey

The book had very interesting premise and caught my eye immediately. It was an pleasant read but it did not hold my attention for long and I often found myself looking for something else.

Somewhere between 3.25 and 4 stars lives this novella. Sometimes short stories feel perfect in their length, self-contained little vignettes that tell you everything you need to know -- even if it's not much. This was not that story.

However, the relationships rang true. A deeper, lengthier exploration of them would have been nice, but what there was was good. Mother, Conn, and Gerry's relationships got a lot of air time and deserved it. (Conn and Mother both need good slappings for different reasons!) The Witch, enigmatic woman she is, has all the attention she desires. But, Ghost and Gerry, as the romantic pairing, had more of my interest and, I felt, deserved a longer burn. There was an odd hiccup of time during their first night together where it seemed like a scene of them meeting each other at an earlier time would have evened out the narrative but instead the reader is given a mystical sense of destiny.

Ms. Navarre is strong in world-building, giving tantalizing glimpses. Others have explained the basics of it, so I'll leave that to them. Suffice it to say, while I wanted to know more about the world they lived in, what really got me was the civilization that came before and lay in ruins around them.

In the final analysis, I really liked the story and as soon as I have more in my book buying budget I'm getting the sequel.

Title: Ghost's Sight (Witch's Apprentice Book One)

Publisher: NineStar Press

Author: Morwen Navarre

Price: $3.99 US

Generations ago, the cities fell and the ground shook. The old ways were lost. The Godsmen marched through the ruins and the countryside, burning the old books and declaring a new way and a new religion. Henceforth, people would worship only the Eight. Well, except for the Witches, who refuse to bow to anyone and salvage every bit of the old knowledge and technology that they can find. ... Gerry is a skilled hunter, scout, and guardsman, apprenticed to Mother. Ghost is a foundling, white-haired and green-eyed, taken in by the local Witch and taught her ways, despite the fact that there are not supposed to be any male Witches. When they meet, it is love at first sight. Unfortunately, Ghost's visions warn of danger ahead, Gerry's co-apprentice Conn is jealous of his new relationship, and a rogue ranger is haunting the woods around the village ....

I generally steer clear of apocalyptic fiction; I don't enjoy the horror of watching a civilization collapse. On the other hand, I do like what might be called post-rebuild stories. I love to see how people pick up the pieces and the new societies that they build in response to the flaws and fall of the previous societies. Ghost's Sight is one such book.

Navarre does a terrific job of building Gerry and Ghost's world. With the exception of the relics used by the Witches, the technology is roughly medieval-level: animal skin clothing, hand-built homes, bows and arrows. The magic practiced by the Witches is a combination of nature-based (herbal remedies and so forth) and ancient tech-based (wands that knit torn flesh with light, bone powder to fix fractures). While the cities to the west engage in slavery, Gerry and Ghost's people are egalitarian, with no prejudice based on gender or sexuality. Their society has also come up with a creative solution for taking care of orphans and neglected children: the alpha and dependent system. Mother is an alpha, highly trained in a particular profession, who has sworn to care for Gerry and Conn, to provide for all their needs, and to train them to be hunters, as well. In their case, there is also a sexual component to their relationship; some readers may find that objectionable, but there is nothing manipulative in the arrangement; it actually reminded me of the erastes/eronemos relationship in ancient Greece.

While the religion of the Witches is never fully explored, polytheism is the norm. The people honor seven deities, leaving the eighth usually unnamed or called, simply, the End. Their theology is laid out in a simple children's rhyme:

The Father: he protects us,

And the Lady: she guides us.

The Hunter: he culls,

And the Farmer: she nurtures us.

The Sea: he gives dreams,

And the Moon: she gives love.

The Seeker: she walks alone,

For the End hides above.

The Seeker is described as the holder of "hidden lore" and the mate of the End. While the Moon is the Goddess of love, it is said "the Lady would use the Moon's light to guide people to their true loves." (While never stated outright, since the Seeker and the End are a pair, I would hazard the guess that the Father and the Lady, the Hunter and the Farmer, and the Sea and the Moon are also pairs.)

Ghost and Gerry are terrific characters. Ghost is shy and introverted, most comfortable around the Witch or on his own exploring the woods and ruins. He is surprised by his immediate attraction to Gerry, and that he can be himself around the hunter. Gerry is compassionate and supportive of those around him, and it is obvious that he will one day be an alpha in his own right, with a large household to train and protect. Their supporting cast -- the Witch, Mother, and Conn -- are intriguing and, at least in Conn's case, much more than they initially appear to be.

Ghost's Sight is an engaging introduction to a new fantasy series. I look forward to reading future volumes, and learning more about Gerry and Ghost's world. Recommended to fans of Jolene Dawe's Caleyna Summoner series, C.S. MacCath's "Yundah," Rhys Ford's Black Dog Blues, and The Rule of Luck by Catherine Cerveny.

Interesting world building in a post apocalyptic setting where mankind has been reduced to scavengers and starting again, as hunter/gathers and where witches are healers. Ghost is a sweet and very innocent character, a rare male witch with the sight. I really liked the gentle relationship between Ghost and Gerry, even though it was almost instalove, but in this world alpha leaders take on dependants, who aren't necessarily lovers, but who they become responsible for.

A quick and enjoyable read.

Six Word Summary: Surprisingly sweet post-apocalyptic fantasy love story.

My Thoughts: I straight up loved this little book. Initially I sat down to read one or two chapters but I ended up reading it all in one sitting. I devoured the book, loved the characters, and want more!

To me Witch's Sight reads as a fantasy novella but really the world is set in what feels like a post-apocalyptic, paranormal space. The characters and world surrounding them felt real and over the course of the 27,000 words was incredibly fleshed out.

The main focus of the story are the characters Ghost and Gerry. I really liked these two, the way in which they first interact had me smiling and eager to read more. Ghost is a shy character who is both a seer and a witch. However, don't be fooled my his tentative nature, Ghost knows his mind, is emotionally intelligent, and can use his 'magic' with the best of them.

Gerry is a dependent who wishes to one day strike off on his own as an 'alpha.' In this instance, an 'alpha' is someone who looks after and provides for dependents. I was a sucker for how Gerry treated Ghost, and how we were given insight into how the two felt for each other.

I enjoyed the pair so much that as soon as I finished the eBook, I was right onto Goodreads to see if there is a sequel.

Good news: Yes, there is a sequel.

Bad news: It was published by a company that has since closed.

Hopeful news: I am hoping that Nine Star Press will release the sequel. Since the cover of Witch's Sight features the words, 'Witches Apprentice Book One,' :P methinks a sequel is on the horizon. I cannot wait!

Best Bits:

*Gerry and Ghost are so adorable. I really enjoyed their sweet and endearing relationship.
*The emotional journey that you see Conn undertake. I will admit, initially I didn't like him but it was great seeing him mature over the course of the novella.

Favourite Quote:

"You're the one that I saw. The Moon shone, and the Sea sent his dreams, and all of them were of you.'

Recommendations: Give Witch's Sight a go if you're looking for not only a sweet romance but a really engaging story line and world. As I said before, the book was quite a quick and entertaining read with the mesh of genres combining to create an impressive impression.

This was a fairly good read. What I wanted was more. More of how we got here, was the a major war, disease or even an alien attack :). I liked the MC’s but they seemed disjointed. They go from meeting to Gerry wanting him forever in the span of one night. I enjoy insta-love in shifter books because of the whole mate, mine mentality. I’m just not real sure of their feelings as you don’t get anything really in-depth between the two. Also ghost is a witch, why didn’t he get away from the thug that took him. And I couldn’t stand Conn, even what he did in the end didn’t redeem him in my eyes. I do want to continue on with this series because maybe we will get more.

Short but sweet. The first male witch in an age and a hunter looking for a future. I liked how much plot there was considering the length of the story. Conn was a bit of a pain, Gerry didn’t really leave an impact but Ghost was sweet.

I have to admit, this story took me a little while to get into.

Their culture was largely based on Alphas (no, not the shifting kind) buying or finding "dependents", who would then act as either their apprentices, pseudo-children, bed warmers, or simply servants.

Then I read how Gerry's Alpha was named "Mother". And he was a *dude*. Bring on the head scratching, right?

There were also witches, hunters, rangers, renegades and all sorts of oddly-named game animals, so yeah, catching up definitely took me a hot minute.

But when I was finally up to speed, this was a pretty entertaining, mildly-magical fantasy story, which I pictured as being set in the Middle Ages. Ish.

I immediately liked every single character, other than Conn, Gerry's lazy, possessive, younger 'brother', of sorts. Except that Gerry and Con slept together in the past. Once again adding to my earlier confusion, but whatever. You do you, bro.

The odd thing was, though, I didn't really feel like I truly got to know either Ghost or Gerry that much better than any of the other main side characters, so a bit more history about both MC's would've been greatly appreciated.

When Gerry's path first crossed with Ghost's, Ghost had never been with anyone before, so Gerry's attention and affection for Ghost felt a bit like a cross between first love and insta-love, not that I found that bothering me all that much. It was a shorter story, after all.

One of my favorite characters ended up being the Witch. Although she could be a bit of a bitch, she never failed to have Ghost's back and recognize his worth as both a witch and a kind, caring young man.

I only remember there being two sexy scenes, which were well done, but I did find that the one at the end of the story felt a bit unnecessary, bordering on gratuitous.

One thing that I would've liked in the story was more active magic being practiced on-page by the Witch and Ghost. Yet, even when Ghost's life was in danger as the story ends, nope, no magical blasts to get him safely back to his beloved Gerry.

Overall, I'd rate this one at around 3.5 stars and I'll definitely be reading the second book in the series.