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Steve Griffin
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Swift: The Story of a Witch (The Secret of the Tirthas) Kindle Edition

by Steve Griffin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 out of 5 stars 8 ratings

"It is instantly engrossing, with darker undertones, and starts with a cliffhanger that catapults you right into her tale. Like a good fairytale does, the setting, characters, plot and actions feel condensed like compressed magic..." Sherry Ross, author of Return of the Vinetropes

When she materialises in a woodland glade, Hattie Swift knows she's special, a witch from beyond this world. But why is she here?

A chance encounter with an honest man leads to marriage and a new life in the cottage by the magical glade where she entered the world. She begins to create a garden and uncover the mysterious portals hidden there.

But soon she finds the terrifying creatures that exist through the portals, including the fearsome Jiangshi and worse. Will she live long enough to discover her fate? And at what cost to her husband and family?

Swift is an action-packed prequel novella to The Secret of the Tirthas fantasy-adventure series, in which the origins of the magical garden of portals is revealed…


Praise for The Secret of the Tirthas:

“I started reading this book last week and could not put it down”

"The Tirthas series is probably my favorite contemporary fantasy series to date."

“The best book I’ve read this year.”

“The plot was original and unpredictable and I loved the characters”

“I was enthralled by the fluidity of the writing and the vivid descriptions of Kashi”

“A great read for children and adults alike and very reminiscent of books I loved as a child such as The Secret Garden, Tom’s Midnight Garden, the books of Alan Garner and, of course, The Chronicles of Narnia”

“The writing is pacy, precise and evocative… a wonderful mystery book for anyone, not just kids”

“A thrilling, fast paced and wild ride… filled with portals, secrets, mystical creatures, demons, magic, Wicca, and a mongrel of a dog named Mr. Tubs”

“An entertaining and exciting book… I can’t wait to read the next adventure!” The Guardian on book 1, The City of Light
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  1. Print length
    81 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    July 2, 2022
  5. Reading age
    13 - 17 years
  6. File size
    2.6 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B5PS2TDL
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ independently
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 2, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 81 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 17 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 8 ratings

About the author

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Steve Griffin

Steve Griffin

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Steve Griffin is the author of fourteen books, known for his supernatural thrillers full of ‘twists and turns’ including the bestselling Ghosts of Alice series and his Christmas ghost story, Black Beacon. He has also written a fast-paced mystery series for young adults, The Secret of the Tirthas, with the first book, The City of Light, called ‘entertaining and exciting’ by The Guardian. Steve loves exploring the Surrey Hills, where he lives with his wife and two sons. He enjoys a good indie gig and is a lifelong fan of horror movies. To keep updated on his writing, hit Follow on Amazon or connect on social media: @stevegriffin.author.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
8 global ratings

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To read Swift before or after the series is your choice.
5 out of 5 stars
To read Swift before or after the series is your choice.
Swift is a prequel to the Secret of the Tirthas series featuring 13 year old Lizzie Jones. I read Swift, Hattie’s story, with much anticipation and I was not disappointed. I had read this Young YA series (13 yrs and up) a few years ago and loved it. This backstory added a mystic and magical element to the Tirtha series and part of Lizzie’s family history. I felt as if I was witnessing those events of Hattie’s life and knowing the effect they would have on a future generation. Hattie’s actual role is minimal, however it adds just the right amount of mysticism to bring out the magical flavor of the story…much like stirring in a bit of sugar to a cup of tea. To read Swift before or after the series is your choice. There are no spoilers in Swift.. An Insightful ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Linda L. Oliphant
    5.0 out of 5 stars To read Swift before or after the series is your choice.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Swift is a prequel to the Secret of the Tirthas series featuring 13 year old Lizzie Jones. I read Swift, Hattie’s story, with much anticipation and I was not disappointed. I had read this Young YA series (13 yrs and up) a few years ago and loved it. This backstory added a mystic and magical element to the Tirtha series and part of Lizzie’s family history. I felt as if I was witnessing those events of Hattie’s life and knowing the effect they would have on a future generation. Hattie’s actual role is minimal, however it adds just the right amount of mysticism to bring out the magical flavor of the story…much like stirring in a bit of sugar to a cup of tea. To read Swift before or after the series is your choice. There are no spoilers in Swift..

    An Insightful ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    Customer image
    Linda L. Oliphant
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    To read Swift before or after the series is your choice.

    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2022
    Swift is a prequel to the Secret of the Tirthas series featuring 13 year old Lizzie Jones. I read Swift, Hattie’s story, with much anticipation and I was not disappointed. I had read this Young YA series (13 yrs and up) a few years ago and loved it. This backstory added a mystic and magical element to the Tirtha series and part of Lizzie’s family history. I felt as if I was witnessing those events of Hattie’s life and knowing the effect they would have on a future generation. Hattie’s actual role is minimal, however it adds just the right amount of mysticism to bring out the magical flavor of the story…much like stirring in a bit of sugar to a cup of tea. To read Swift before or after the series is your choice. There are no spoilers in Swift..

    An Insightful ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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  • Sherry L. Ross
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling Prequel to the Tirthas Series
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The Tirthas series is probably my favorite contemporary fantasy series to date. It is written for the YA market, but as an adult who loves to read and write fantasy, I like to keep up with what is out there in the marketplace. I love these books. So I was excited to read this new release, a prequel to the series.

    In the series, there is a magical garden with secret portals to other places and times. The protagonist, a 13-year-old girl, Lizzie, discovers these portals and they take her on many adventures, often at great danger to herself and others. There is Evil out there, and our young heroine, growing in confidence, has a natural inclination toward bravery. That is because she has a good moral compass, so she makes the best decisions she can. The series unravels many secrets and mysteries, including the strange Unknown Realms: the mysterious place where all the evil entities in this story fear to go. And the conclusion is fabulous. But how the garden of portals, in Lizzie’s own back yard, actually came into being, we don’t fully understand. We do know that, Hattie, a character who is related to Lizzie, has some role in its history.

    Hattie is the protagonist in this prequel, Mr. Griffin’s novella, Swift, The Story of a Witch, and what a delight it is. It is instantly engrossing, with darker undertones, and starts with a cliffhanger that catapults you right into her tale. Like a good fairytale does, the setting, characters, plot and actions feel condensed like compressed magic. Hattie appears out of the forest, already a young woman, knowing her name and not much more. But she soon realizes that she possesses certain gifts. Her instinct tells her she is a witch, maybe from another world, but she doesn’t know her purpose. She meets a man of high character and kindness who lives in the woods on the edge of town and they marry. Their marriage is strong, even though the villagers are a bit wary of Hattie and they have two children, a daughter and a son. Hattie is knowledgeable of the healing arts, using the wild flora on their property and in the surrounding forest. She begins to plant a beautiful garden with herbs, flowers and vegetables, and in the process, uncovers the portals that exist in the land, sacred spots that have been hidden there, probably for ages. She seems to have the power to recognize their energy and discover them.

    But these portals also open up and unleash terrible dangers. And eventually, immense danger threatens her and her family. You find yourself at a frightening climactic moment. What happens takes your breath away.

    It was wonderful to read this prequel, after having read the five books in the Tirthas series. But, if I had not read the books first, this prequel would be a wonderful way to start the adventure. And I might add, I would love to see Hattie in another book and continue her tale. I hope the author has this in mind.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ian H
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super pace and tension, combined with wicked description.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 11, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Having read the excellent Alice and the Devil, I was very keen to get back into one of Steve Griffin’s books. I wanted a quick read and the novella Swift caught my eye. It’s a prequel to The Secret of the Tirthas series and, based on this book, I will be returning for more - unless I get diverted to one of his other books first.
    A witch materialises in a woodland and realises she has special powers and connections to other worlds. In this works, she meets an ordinary man and they settle down together, but she is constantly tempted back to the garden she has made around portals to other worlds to see what awaits her. Not everyone and everything she meets is friendly and she soon finds there are dangerous creatures and people there. She has opened up a Pandora Box, but does she have the skills and resources to deal with it?
    A great story which had me on edge throughout. I’m in awe of the writer’s descriptive skills and handling of pace and tension. Loved it!
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  • Mrs 1943
    5.0 out of 5 stars Surprised myself
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 21, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Having been an avid reader, I kind of stopped. I now bought half a dozen books of my usual genre, a few selected and this was picked. I'm not a fan of fantasy type novels but I was very pleasantly surprised. A short book that I read in 2 days and I was enthralled. Fast pacing and kept my attention the whole way. I won't go down the fantasy genre but a random that I enjoyed.
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  • elisabeth korn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Prequel to a great series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 4, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I'm a fan of The Secret of the Tirthas so I've been looking forward to this prequel for a while. I wasn't disappointed ! It takes place a century before the series and it's the story of Hattie Swift , the first witch of Hebley , who discovers the magic portals that Lizzie will eventually find too.It's darker than the rest of the series ( which I like Hattie is a fascinating character and I really wanted to know what's going to happen to her right from the cliff- hanger opening.
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