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pintsizedhelen's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
larawade's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
emkam's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Infertility, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
laurennb's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sarina_langer's review against another edition
4.0
This book wasn't quite what I expected, but not in a bad way. I thought it'd be dark and gritty and action-packed, but I found it quite calm and relaxing to read. Having said that, I find books other people find horrifying either calm or boring or interesting or all of the above, so this may be more a reflection on myself than the book :P
There are two POVs, Sarah's and Daniel's. I didn't care about Daniel's POV to begin with and wished it was all Sarah, but from around halfway through I appreciated his insight more and saw more of what he added to the narrative.
Speaking of Sarah and Daniel, I thought this would be pure historical fiction (which isn't normally my genre at all), and while it is that, the real centre stage belongs to the tragic romance between Sarah and Daniel. I was rooting for them so much! But I don't want to say any more because it would spoil things ;) In some ways, it ended exactly as I thought it would, but in other ways it ended nothing like what I expected.
This is a great read for lovers of historical fiction and tragic romances alike!
My thanks to the author and NetGalley for letting me have an ARC.
There are two POVs, Sarah's and Daniel's. I didn't care about Daniel's POV to begin with and wished it was all Sarah, but from around halfway through I appreciated his insight more and saw more of what he added to the narrative.
Speaking of Sarah and Daniel, I thought this would be pure historical fiction (which isn't normally my genre at all), and while it is that, the real centre stage belongs to the tragic romance between Sarah and Daniel. I was rooting for them so much! But I don't want to say any more because it would spoil things ;) In some ways, it ended exactly as I thought it would, but in other ways it ended nothing like what I expected.
This is a great read for lovers of historical fiction and tragic romances alike!
My thanks to the author and NetGalley for letting me have an ARC.
charlottethebookharlot's review against another edition
4.0
In 17th Century Lancashire Sarah Haworth and her family are barely surviving; her mother and Sarah herself have the mark. They are cunning women and with the arrival of a new magistrate it's the worst time to be a witch.
The narrator did a fantastic job at conveying the characters and the story itself was slow to start but enthralling. The novel was atmospheric and really brought to life the witch trials of that time and has made me want to read further into this period.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the audiobook in return for an honest review
The narrator did a fantastic job at conveying the characters and the story itself was slow to start but enthralling. The novel was atmospheric and really brought to life the witch trials of that time and has made me want to read further into this period.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the audiobook in return for an honest review
emigri's review against another edition
3.0
I just didn’t connect with this characters as i wanted to. I still recommend though because the story in itself is really interesting.
sabrinaslivingliterature's review against another edition
3.0
*Trigger Warnings*
*Rape, paedophilia, physical harm, murder, beating, Abortion*
In the spring of 1620 in a Lancashire fishing community and the memory of the slaughter at Pendle is tight around the neck of Sarah Haworth. A birthmark reveals that Sarah, like her mother, is a witch. The Haworth family live in the plague village near a God-fearing community presided over by a seedy magistrate. A society built upon looking the other way, the villagers’ godliness is merely a veneer. But the Haworth women, with their salves and poultices, are judged the real threat to morality.
When Sarah meets lonely farmer’s son Daniel, she begins to dream of a better future. Daniel is in thrall to the wild girl with storms in her eyes, but their bond is tested when a zealous new magistrate vows to root out sins and sinners. In a frenzy of fear and fury, the community begins to turn on one another, and it’s not long before they direct their gaze towards the old plague village … and does Daniel trust that the power Sarah wields over him is truly love, or could it be mere sorcery?
The start of this book is a bit slow but once things start to happen it is very difficult to put down. The writing is well done and the story flows well. The tension and fear of the people in the village is conveyed well and the feeling of everyone being able to tell the new magistrate something to get him off their back and move the blame to another is captivating to read. The feelings of prejudice, fear and helplessness is intense and I really enjoyed this book overall.
However, I had a few issues with parts of the plot the "I'm not like other girls" narrative is weak and the only other girl we are introduced to is Molly, who is portrayed as bitchy and unlikable but also as boring where Sarah is wild. For a "feminist" book I think this trope is out of place and would rather it not be present.
As well as this the overdone romance plot of misunderstandings to create tension and conflict is overdone and seems out of place again, Daniel is not described as stupid and knows how Gabriel is yet believes him over Sarah? I found this difficult to believe.
Overall the writing was good and atmospheric but clichés kept it from being a great read but I look forward to reading more work by this author
*Rape, paedophilia, physical harm, murder, beating, Abortion*
In the spring of 1620 in a Lancashire fishing community and the memory of the slaughter at Pendle is tight around the neck of Sarah Haworth. A birthmark reveals that Sarah, like her mother, is a witch. The Haworth family live in the plague village near a God-fearing community presided over by a seedy magistrate. A society built upon looking the other way, the villagers’ godliness is merely a veneer. But the Haworth women, with their salves and poultices, are judged the real threat to morality.
When Sarah meets lonely farmer’s son Daniel, she begins to dream of a better future. Daniel is in thrall to the wild girl with storms in her eyes, but their bond is tested when a zealous new magistrate vows to root out sins and sinners. In a frenzy of fear and fury, the community begins to turn on one another, and it’s not long before they direct their gaze towards the old plague village … and does Daniel trust that the power Sarah wields over him is truly love, or could it be mere sorcery?
The start of this book is a bit slow but once things start to happen it is very difficult to put down. The writing is well done and the story flows well. The tension and fear of the people in the village is conveyed well and the feeling of everyone being able to tell the new magistrate something to get him off their back and move the blame to another is captivating to read. The feelings of prejudice, fear and helplessness is intense and I really enjoyed this book overall.
However, I had a few issues with parts of the plot the "I'm not like other girls" narrative is weak and the only other girl we are introduced to is Molly, who is portrayed as bitchy and unlikable but also as boring where Sarah is wild. For a "feminist" book I think this trope is out of place and would rather it not be present.
As well as this the overdone romance plot of misunderstandings to create tension and conflict is overdone and seems out of place again, Daniel is not described as stupid and knows how Gabriel is yet believes him over Sarah? I found this difficult to believe.
Overall the writing was good and atmospheric but clichés kept it from being a great read but I look forward to reading more work by this author
lisakimmence3's review against another edition
5.0
It's been ages since I've read a 5-star book. I'm entirely grateful to this novel for giving that rating back to me. Loved all of this so much.