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A Widow in Waiting is a historical fantasy novel by Anne B. Walsh, set in 1786 England and Ireland. Volume I of the Chronicles Of Glenscar, it will be followed by Playing With Fire, Shadow's Dancing, and The Highwayman's Apprentice.

The Chronicles of Glenscar postulate the existence of a hidden village along the eastern coast of Ireland, called Glenscar, where magical abilities called "powers" are commonplace. A power consists of the ability to affect either other people or the natural world, such as persuasion (the ability to make others do as one orders them) true dreaming (seeing either the future or the far-away present in one's dreams), fire calling (being able to summon and control fire), or water sculpting (being able to shape and control water). Any given person will have only one power, though a married couple may use one another's powers to some extent.

A Widow in Waiting follows the adventures of a young woman who was first named Eleanor Langley, and is now Eleanor de Maine, the widowed Lady Farnton. Her husband Alfred had the rogue power of persuasion, and used it to force her into marriage, but Eleanor escaped through the agency of a mysterious highwayman who stole her wedding ring (in which some of Alfred's control of her was anchored) and found her way to Glenscar. There she met John Marlowe, son of the local landowner and a true dreamer, who had been seeing her in his dreams for years and had fallen in love with her. Alfred followed her to Glenscar and was killed there, though the circumstances are mysterious.

By the societal laws of the day, Eleanor should return to her father's home and go through a set period of mourning, at least six months, before she can marry again. She is willing to do so if it means she will eventually have her chance to marry John (whose kind ways and clear concern for her have won her heart), but her father has a "better" second husband in mind for his daughter than some penniless Irish horse breeder. To add to the fun, Eleanor has a power of her own, that of moving, which she must train in secret, though she has the help of her nurse, Annie. Six months seems both far too long and not long enough.

Will love and patience win the day, and Eleanor join hands with John at last? Or is she doomed to live and die a Widow in Waiting?


This novel provides examples of:

  • All There in the Script: There is a glossary in the back of the book giving pronunciations for the Irish names and phrases, as well as the meanings for the latter. If you want the meanings of the names, kindly consult the relevant useful notes.
  • Chained Heat: After their botched attempts to steal each other's magic, Thunder and Grace cannot go more than about twenty or thirty miles from each other or they will start to weaken as the magic draws on their strength to maintain the link between them.
  • Code Name: Every member of the Warbirds has a "calling-name" they use in public, and for one of them to reveal their true name is a major sign of trust and intimacy.
  • Deal with the Devil: Those with powers keep them secret largely to prevent accusations of such dealings. However, such deals are possible, and it's theorized that Alfred made one to strengthen his power.
  • I Know Your True Name: Apparently, for a demon to know your birth name gives it power over you. This is one of the reasons the Warbirds use "calling-names" and only share their real names with those they most trust.
  • Magical Romani: The Warbirds are a caravan of Romani who all have magical powers (they recruited from the other clans to give those with powers a place to belong). They also play up the "mystical Romani" stereotype when dealing with outsiders as camouflage.
  • Meaningful Rename: When John and Grace are dealing with the people of Glenscar (and close friends) they are Seán and Gráinnenote , respectively.
  • Sex Magic: It is apparently possible to steal magic through sex, though it fortunately doesn't work if the sex was non-consensual or if either party was married. In addition, when people with powers marry and consummate the marriage each gains at least some access to the other's power.
  • Translation Convention: There are assorted names and phrases in Irish throughout the book which are given with their modern spellings. This is a good thing, because prior to the 20th century simplification of spelling Irish was even harder for a native anglophone to comprehend.

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