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chapter1_page1's review
3.0
⭐️ 3 ⭐️
The Hemlock Cure is a good, solid read.
Beautifully written by Joanne Burn, the characters are realistic and well-rounded (some more likeable than others). I found the setting and history of Eyam particularly interesting.
Overall, I thought it was a little slow-paced, and I didn’t really connect with any of the characters but still found it an enjoyable, entertaining read.
Many thanks to the publisher for the copy, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
The Hemlock Cure is a good, solid read.
Beautifully written by Joanne Burn, the characters are realistic and well-rounded (some more likeable than others). I found the setting and history of Eyam particularly interesting.
Overall, I thought it was a little slow-paced, and I didn’t really connect with any of the characters but still found it an enjoyable, entertaining read.
Many thanks to the publisher for the copy, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
mazza57's review
4.0
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The narrative uses historical fact to weave an historical fiction around the lives of some of the villagers of Eyam Derbyshire in the time of the 17th Century plague. The main Character is Mae, a girl of 15 or 16 who lives with her father, a religious bigot and frightening man with a history of crime only to be imagined, who believes her a witch and is attempting to manage her death.
The narrative is pacy and full of, at first, unidentified threat. That threat tremors under the narrative line and kept me immersed in the story line. I did however feel that it took longer to build than I expected and that the end came and went almost too quickly. ely a good read for me and i would be drawn to other books by this author
This was definit
The narrative is pacy and full of, at first, unidentified threat. That threat tremors under the narrative line and kept me immersed in the story line. I did however feel that it took longer to build than I expected and that the end came and went almost too quickly. ely a good read for me and i would be drawn to other books by this author
This was definit
annarella's review
4.0
There's plenty of things I loved in this book: the vivid and well researched historical background, the herb lore, and the style of writing.
It was an informative and fascinating read and I liked how the mix of fiction and facts worked.
But it's also terribly slow and nothing seems to happen even if the atmosphere is dark and there's a lot of sense of menace.
You have to be patient because it's an interesting read.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It was an informative and fascinating read and I liked how the mix of fiction and facts worked.
But it's also terribly slow and nothing seems to happen even if the atmosphere is dark and there's a lot of sense of menace.
You have to be patient because it's an interesting read.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
thebooktrail88's review
4.0
Get this on your TBR pile because...
This peaked my interest as it is inspired by the true story of the so-called ‘plague village’ of Eyam in Derbyshire. Eyam has a very interesting claim to fame. It is the village a the centre of the plague out break in 1665. The villagers of Eyam decided to cordon off the village, allowing no one in and no one out in order to try and keep the plague contained. This is a story of the plague of 1665 but it sadly felt very relevant. Today’s COVID pandemic will make this novel all the more poignant.
I liked the way the book was written from the POV of a woman. Mae, lives with her father, the village apothecary. She works with him and really wants him to accept her as his assistant but these are strange and dangerous times for women. Especially difficult times for those who know how to mix potions and medicines. She does study this however with the local midwife and wise woman. However, their knowledge of herbs and the more natural remedies is going to bring trouble to their doors.
As well as Eyam, we get to travel to the plague capital city of London. This brings the small and isolated village into stark contrast and it shows how the plague ravaged the streets, people’s lives and the entire country as a result. Those poor villagers, miles away, were never far from my mind.
The writing weaved in and around the puzzles and problems of the day and the pacing didn’t always flow as well as I would like. Mae as a main character was fascinating. The novel contained themes of medicines, witchery goings on and a great deal of darkness. How fascinating to find out about how an entire village tried to protect themselves from the unknown. Although the timing and POV jumped about a bit, by the end of the novel, when the entire story reveals itself, you’ll be pleased you read this book slowly and immersed yourself in a very fine historical fiction experience.
See the locations in this novel here: Enter The Hemlock Cure - the plague village
lucyp747d4's review
4.0
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for approving me for an ARC of this book. I read this with my fellow Tsundoku Squad member, Wendy. As lovers of historical fiction we were very intrigued by this one and couldn’t wait to buddy read it together.
I really liked the layout of this story. We had the main chapters which followed Mae and her story but interspersed were entries from Wulfric’s diary as well as Leah, Mae’s older sister. These diary entries gave not only insight into Wulfric’s state of mind but the events that lead up to both Leah and her mother’s death.
During the story we are also introduced to Isabel, the local midwife who feels a strong attachment to Mae. As Isabel was Mae’s mothers friend she too feels protective of her and is constantly worried for her safety. As a woman in the 1600’s though there is little she can do without causing too much distress on her own family. I adored the relationship between these two women and it was my favourite part of the story.
I could not help but feel for Mae throughout the story. I was constantly worried what was going to happen to her and did not trust her father at all. At points I was almost scared to read on for fear of Mae’s life! This was a slow burning read where all the small events lead up to a dramatic finale. I kept hoping and praying that Mae would finally be free of that dreadful home but I hadn’t quite imagined events to unfold as they did.
Seeped in history this is a story that is full of mystery, tension and hope. Perfect for any historical fans that lovely a little apothecary and witchcraft thrown in!
I really liked the layout of this story. We had the main chapters which followed Mae and her story but interspersed were entries from Wulfric’s diary as well as Leah, Mae’s older sister. These diary entries gave not only insight into Wulfric’s state of mind but the events that lead up to both Leah and her mother’s death.
During the story we are also introduced to Isabel, the local midwife who feels a strong attachment to Mae. As Isabel was Mae’s mothers friend she too feels protective of her and is constantly worried for her safety. As a woman in the 1600’s though there is little she can do without causing too much distress on her own family. I adored the relationship between these two women and it was my favourite part of the story.
I could not help but feel for Mae throughout the story. I was constantly worried what was going to happen to her and did not trust her father at all. At points I was almost scared to read on for fear of Mae’s life! This was a slow burning read where all the small events lead up to a dramatic finale. I kept hoping and praying that Mae would finally be free of that dreadful home but I hadn’t quite imagined events to unfold as they did.
Seeped in history this is a story that is full of mystery, tension and hope. Perfect for any historical fans that lovely a little apothecary and witchcraft thrown in!
chanelchapters's review against another edition
3.0
I found myself skimming it quite a bit. It was ok, rather depressing though.
jazhands's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0
zoesinclair's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
whimzycal_pages's review
5.0
4.5 stars
A dark and compelling read.
This book is based on the true events of The Great Plague of 1665-1666. It's set in the city of Eyam where they quarantined themselves to prevent further spread of the disease. The main characters are purely fictional, however, there are some side characters based on real people too.
This book will hook you in and not let you go until you are done. It's dark and suspenseful and eery; the atmosphere created in this book is like none other. The book is paced in a beautiful way with the story unravelling so satisfyingly. There was not a moment while reading that I was bored. The characters are mysterious and intriguing. This author did an excellent job of keeping the reader interested. The way the POV of Mae was written was also very unique. I loved the use of diary entries and past memories to help slowly unwind the story. I could not have predicted where the story would go in the end, and finally finding out what the title meant was extremely gratifying.
All in all, it was a very satisfying read and I commend the author for this amazing piece of work.
Surrounded now by so many broken wings, who is to carry me?
A dark and compelling read.
This book is based on the true events of The Great Plague of 1665-1666. It's set in the city of Eyam where they quarantined themselves to prevent further spread of the disease. The main characters are purely fictional, however, there are some side characters based on real people too.
This book will hook you in and not let you go until you are done. It's dark and suspenseful and eery; the atmosphere created in this book is like none other. The book is paced in a beautiful way with the story unravelling so satisfyingly. There was not a moment while reading that I was bored. The characters are mysterious and intriguing. This author did an excellent job of keeping the reader interested. The way the POV of Mae was written was also very unique. I loved the use of diary entries and past memories to help slowly unwind the story. I could not have predicted where the story would go in the end, and finally finding out what the title meant was extremely gratifying.
All in all, it was a very satisfying read and I commend the author for this amazing piece of work.