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A review by bibliobethreads
Cunning Women by Elizabeth Lee
4.0
Cunning Women is described as a book for fans of The Essex Serpent (one of my favourite books) and The Mercies (on the TBR) so I was excited to get to it with the #HFBOOKCLUB
Packed full of atmosphere and tension, this novel follows a small fishing community in the early 17th century. Our female lead, Sarah has a birthmark that marks her as a witch, just like her mother. Torn between her desperation to just be an “ordinary girl,” and her curiosity for what her powers could bring her, Sarah hopes that her younger sister, Annie is not marked by witchcraft. On meeting a farmer’s son Daniel, she begins to hope of a normal life with the potential for love.
However, the family are already shunned by many of the community for their strange ways and when a new magistrate is appointed, determined to root out all evil and ungodly ways, Sarah’s dream (and the lives of her family) are in real jeopardy.
I had so many mixed emotions regarding this book. I loved the setting, and thought some of the characters incredibly intriguing, specifically Sarah who wasn’t your atypical “perfect” female lead. Saying that, I couldn’t really connect with the relationship between Sarah and Daniel. The connection between them seemed to accelerate so quickly that it made it difficult to believe in. I’m quite particular with romance in novels - it has to feel authentic and sadly in Cunning Women, it didn’t quite hit the mark.
That isn’t to say though that I wouldn’t read anything else by this author. I liked the writing style, the setting and the obvious research that Elizabeth Lee has undertaken to write this novel.
3.5 stars
Packed full of atmosphere and tension, this novel follows a small fishing community in the early 17th century. Our female lead, Sarah has a birthmark that marks her as a witch, just like her mother. Torn between her desperation to just be an “ordinary girl,” and her curiosity for what her powers could bring her, Sarah hopes that her younger sister, Annie is not marked by witchcraft. On meeting a farmer’s son Daniel, she begins to hope of a normal life with the potential for love.
However, the family are already shunned by many of the community for their strange ways and when a new magistrate is appointed, determined to root out all evil and ungodly ways, Sarah’s dream (and the lives of her family) are in real jeopardy.
I had so many mixed emotions regarding this book. I loved the setting, and thought some of the characters incredibly intriguing, specifically Sarah who wasn’t your atypical “perfect” female lead. Saying that, I couldn’t really connect with the relationship between Sarah and Daniel. The connection between them seemed to accelerate so quickly that it made it difficult to believe in. I’m quite particular with romance in novels - it has to feel authentic and sadly in Cunning Women, it didn’t quite hit the mark.
That isn’t to say though that I wouldn’t read anything else by this author. I liked the writing style, the setting and the obvious research that Elizabeth Lee has undertaken to write this novel.
3.5 stars