Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - The Familiars

A good story. Could have used a little haircut, and a deeply flawed main character that I don't think I liked... And a heaping dose of classism. I wanted a little more historic in my fiction, I think.

Content Warnings

creativeworld's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book was a lot slow paced than Mrs England and I didn't enjoy it as much. The characters were based on real people during the witch trials which I loved! The second half really picks up so if you are struggling stick with it, it does get more exciting toward the end.

Content Warnings

deliriah's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

andrea_carroll123's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

buckinghambattleship's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious medium-paced

3.0

Would not recommend but I kept reading to know the end

Content Warnings

laurenparham's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Hate a husband redemption story but I did still enjoy this book!!

Content Warnings

bybookandbone's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I don't think I have the words to describe everything I loved about The Familiars. Fleetwood is an incredibly sympathetic character. Just as I was getting irritated with her inaction, we discover that she is only 17, been married for four years and is pregnant with four miscarriages behind her. That's just so much for a young person to take. Plus the childhood neglect and abuse... absolutely horrific.

Throughout the book, Fleetwood has to deal with being seen as nothing more as an interactive uterus in an expensive dress.
I don't want to say much more than that without spoiling the story, though I wish it had ended with the violent murder of her husband, Richard, and his friend Rodger.

Alice is one of the women accused of witchcraft and Fleetwood's only friend, as well as the only midwife who has actually helped her with her difficult pregnancy.
Don't be fooled into thinking this book is about the Pendle trials, it's set around them but at the end of the day, it's Fleetwood and Alice's story.

Spoiler

I still wish they ran off together

Content Warnings

More...