veelaughtland's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed Silma Hill a lot more than I thought I would, considering I wasn't particularly in the mood for historical fiction at the time of picking this up. However, whenever there's witches involved in a book, I can't help but feel intrigued, and Maloney's novel was a pleasant surprise.
It follows Reverend Burnett and his daughter Fiona, who is suddenly accused of witchcraft after the discovery of an ancient Pagan relic leaves one man dead and the rest of the village experiencing supernatural horrors. Don't think this is in any way a horror though - this is more so a historical drama with a touch of the supernatural, that is never fully explained and leaves the reader guessing.
I thought Maloney's writing at first to be a little stodgy, but once I got a few chapters in I was captured by the surprisingly fast-paced flow of the book (despite the fact that not a great deal happens throughout the novel). I enjoyed that the chapters got progressively shorter and shorter as the action increased, and I truly felt for Fiona's character and her subjection to the cruel and panicked accusations of her former friends.
I would recommend this to people who aren't a fan of horror, but enjoy a book with some supernatural elements. Anything that follows the idea of witch trials fascinates me, and although I doubt this book is based on anything historically accurate, I still felt captured by another place and time.
I enjoyed Silma Hill a lot more than I thought I would, considering I wasn't particularly in the mood for historical fiction at the time of picking this up. However, whenever there's witches involved in a book, I can't help but feel intrigued, and Maloney's novel was a pleasant surprise.
It follows Reverend Burnett and his daughter Fiona, who is suddenly accused of witchcraft after the discovery of an ancient Pagan relic leaves one man dead and the rest of the village experiencing supernatural horrors. Don't think this is in any way a horror though - this is more so a historical drama with a touch of the supernatural, that is never fully explained and leaves the reader guessing.
I thought Maloney's writing at first to be a little stodgy, but once I got a few chapters in I was captured by the surprisingly fast-paced flow of the book (despite the fact that not a great deal happens throughout the novel). I enjoyed that the chapters got progressively shorter and shorter as the action increased, and I truly felt for Fiona's character and her subjection to the cruel and panicked accusations of her former friends.
I would recommend this to people who aren't a fan of horror, but enjoy a book with some supernatural elements. Anything that follows the idea of witch trials fascinates me, and although I doubt this book is based on anything historically accurate, I still felt captured by another place and time.
alisonfio's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting read, gripping narrative, good take on a Scottish witch hunt. I liked the ambiguity around the idol and whether the village or an individual was possessed by a witch. I wasn't 100% convinced around the ending so I have given this 3 stars. Would still recommend for a quick piece of scottish horror.
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