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A review by what_heather_loves
The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"The Longing was still intimidating in the light of day. The sheer height of it made my mouth run dry...It was the most beautiful building I'd ever laod eyed on, and the saddest. Both cathedral and asylum. A monument to hooe, and to loneliness."
Set over three timelines and told from four perspectives – mother Liv and eldest daughter Sapphire in 1998 and middle daughter Luna in 2021 as well as a 1662 perspective from, initially, someone unknown - this is haunting and atmospheric story is set on remote Scottish island, Lòn Haven. In 1998, Liv is an artist and has been engaged by the reclusive owner to paint a mural on the internal walls of the Island’s lighthouse ‘The Longing’ – she is also fleeing from something, which has fractured her family.The lighthouse is dilapidated and has a history of witch huntings and the Island is full of supersticious and unwelcoming locals. Liv learns that the cave beneath the lighthouse was once a prison for witches.
By 2021 we know the family of women, aside from Luna, went missing. Where did they go and how does it connect with The Longing's connection with witches? Luna returns to the island twenty two years later to find out.
I found this started slow and whilst it picked up, the three different time periods and four perspectives were somewhat confusing, plus there are so many characters. The characters are mainly well fleshed out, with Liv having her own problems to cope with as well as trying to keep her family together, but I wanted to know more about the 1662 witches and the grimoire. Despite some of the villagers appearing welcoming, there is a sinister undercurrent, which makes for an eerie read, but I struggled a little with the supernatural element (personal choice, some will love it).
A standalone novel that combines the paranormal with science fiction and a thriller revolving around a single-parent family and the lighthouse’s past history, this is great Halloween reading
Set over three timelines and told from four perspectives – mother Liv and eldest daughter Sapphire in 1998 and middle daughter Luna in 2021 as well as a 1662 perspective from, initially, someone unknown - this is haunting and atmospheric story is set on remote Scottish island, Lòn Haven. In 1998, Liv is an artist and has been engaged by the reclusive owner to paint a mural on the internal walls of the Island’s lighthouse ‘The Longing’ – she is also fleeing from something, which has fractured her family.The lighthouse is dilapidated and has a history of witch huntings and the Island is full of supersticious and unwelcoming locals. Liv learns that the cave beneath the lighthouse was once a prison for witches.
By 2021 we know the family of women, aside from Luna, went missing. Where did they go and how does it connect with The Longing's connection with witches? Luna returns to the island twenty two years later to find out.
I found this started slow and whilst it picked up, the three different time periods and four perspectives were somewhat confusing, plus there are so many characters. The characters are mainly well fleshed out, with Liv having her own problems to cope with as well as trying to keep her family together, but I wanted to know more about the 1662 witches and the grimoire. Despite some of the villagers appearing welcoming, there is a sinister undercurrent, which makes for an eerie read, but I struggled a little with the supernatural element (personal choice, some will love it).
A standalone novel that combines the paranormal with science fiction and a thriller revolving around a single-parent family and the lighthouse’s past history, this is great Halloween reading
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Chronic illness and Violence
Minor: Abandonment