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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Quick and easy, with a satisfying arc to self-determination for our heroine. I liked the young-people relationships, but we basically didn't have a single mature female character in the whole thing, which is a bit sad.
This was an easy, fast paced read. I managed to get through it super fast. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed how the sixteen year old protagonist felt like she was really sixteen. She didn’t have everything figured out and couldn’t make her mind up. That made her more realistic to me. I’ve seen a lot of bad reviews for this book. My only issue is that because it was so fast paced it felt rushed. I could have done with more descriptions and details. But apart from that, a quick, easy read.
Actual rating :3.75 stars
Actual rating :3.75 stars
Review copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
Review first published on my blog: http://www.literaryfeline.com/2015/06/bookish-thoughts-witch-hunter-by.html
The Witch Hunter (The Witch Hunter #1) by Virginia Boecker
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2015
Fantasy (YA); 368 pgs
I had so much fun reading Virginia Boecker's novel, The Witch Hunter. It isn't without its flaws, but, oh, how much I enjoyed it while I was reading it! Elizabeth Grey is the only female among the witch hunters, working for the kingdom. She has not had an easy time of it, having to prove herself every step of the way. Although, it did help having her best friend Caleb by her side, encouraging her.
The witch hunters are an elite force, specifically trained to find and bring to justice those who practice magic, what is perceived to be the biggest threat to England. Elizabeth knows the dangers of magic, her parents dying because of it. She feels very strongly that it is the root of evil and takes her job very seriously.
Set in sixteenth century England, the novel immediately captures the unrest of the times as events unfold in the opening of the novel. The king is not in good favor, and there is both fear and rebellion in the air. A person can be accused of witchcraft for caring herbs in one's pocket--and burned at the stake as a result. The Reformists, magic users and their friends, are determined to put an end to the tyranny and persecution they suffer. Leading their effort is Nicholas Perevil, one of the most powerful wizards alive.
It took me a while to warm up to Elizabeth. I liked that she presented as a capable and strong young woman, but I did not especially like her total acceptance of the politics around her. Given her family's history, I suppose I could credit that, but as the story unfolded, the reader learns she used to question the whys and what fors of what she was made to do. I can't help but wonder why that stopped as she got older. For someone in her position, a job that requires her to find magic users in hiding, I would have expected more of her in terms of not taking everything at face value. In many ways, Elizabeth makes the perfect pawn with her blind faith and loyalty, a weakness she will need to overcome over the course of the book.
When suddenly she finds herself accused of witchcraft and then among those who practice it, Elizabeth finds her world turned upside down. Her enemies cannot so easily become her friends. And yet . . . their kindness and actions as well as mounting evidence against the man she's sworn allegiance to force her to re-evaluate not only what she believes about the evil of magic and its users, but what she has done as a witch hunter. Elizabeth struggles to come to terms with what is happening to her and around her.
I really enjoyed getting to know the supporting characters, from Peter the Pirate (because pirates are so rare in books like this!) to George the Fool, Fifer (an apprentice witch), to John the healer. I loved how fiesty Fifer, is and I am dying to know more about her relationship with the Revenant, Shulyer. It's always nice to see strong female characters who can hold their own against male and female opponents alike--and that is definitely Fifer and Elizabeth. I was really curious about George and his background which we get so little of. He doesn't seem to be a magic user, but he is a valuable asset to the Reformist movement. And John, who at times seemed a little too perfect, but makes for the perfect love interest in a book like this. There were a lot of long looks and not a lot of action in terms of romance in the novel, but that never bothered me, especially how little the two knew each other.
*Minor Spoiler Alert* If I had to nitpick, I do wish the book was a little heavier in terms of some of the serious issues it broaches. One of them being the issue of rape (which was off page and historical in terms of the story). Perhaps because this is a young adult novel, the subject was not delved into more deeply in terms of the impact it had on Elizabeth, but in this day and age, as much as our youth are exposed to the subject, I think it only could have only added more to the novel and Elizabeth's character as a whole.*End of Minor Spoiler Alert*
I also wouldn't have minded more historical background in terms of the time period--it's very light on the history and heavier on the fantasy. Which isn't a bad thing, and did not hurt my enjoyment of the book as I was reading. I enjoyed The Witch Hunter quite a bit, getting to know the characters, seeing how everything would play out with the various characters. While many of the plot twists I guessed early on, I found this book hard to put down. I am eagerly awaiting the next book by the author.
Review first published on my blog: http://www.literaryfeline.com/2015/06/bookish-thoughts-witch-hunter-by.html
The Witch Hunter (The Witch Hunter #1) by Virginia Boecker
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2015
Fantasy (YA); 368 pgs
I had so much fun reading Virginia Boecker's novel, The Witch Hunter. It isn't without its flaws, but, oh, how much I enjoyed it while I was reading it! Elizabeth Grey is the only female among the witch hunters, working for the kingdom. She has not had an easy time of it, having to prove herself every step of the way. Although, it did help having her best friend Caleb by her side, encouraging her.
The witch hunters are an elite force, specifically trained to find and bring to justice those who practice magic, what is perceived to be the biggest threat to England. Elizabeth knows the dangers of magic, her parents dying because of it. She feels very strongly that it is the root of evil and takes her job very seriously.
Set in sixteenth century England, the novel immediately captures the unrest of the times as events unfold in the opening of the novel. The king is not in good favor, and there is both fear and rebellion in the air. A person can be accused of witchcraft for caring herbs in one's pocket--and burned at the stake as a result. The Reformists, magic users and their friends, are determined to put an end to the tyranny and persecution they suffer. Leading their effort is Nicholas Perevil, one of the most powerful wizards alive.
It took me a while to warm up to Elizabeth. I liked that she presented as a capable and strong young woman, but I did not especially like her total acceptance of the politics around her. Given her family's history, I suppose I could credit that, but as the story unfolded, the reader learns she used to question the whys and what fors of what she was made to do. I can't help but wonder why that stopped as she got older. For someone in her position, a job that requires her to find magic users in hiding, I would have expected more of her in terms of not taking everything at face value. In many ways, Elizabeth makes the perfect pawn with her blind faith and loyalty, a weakness she will need to overcome over the course of the book.
When suddenly she finds herself accused of witchcraft and then among those who practice it, Elizabeth finds her world turned upside down. Her enemies cannot so easily become her friends. And yet . . . their kindness and actions as well as mounting evidence against the man she's sworn allegiance to force her to re-evaluate not only what she believes about the evil of magic and its users, but what she has done as a witch hunter. Elizabeth struggles to come to terms with what is happening to her and around her.
I really enjoyed getting to know the supporting characters, from Peter the Pirate (because pirates are so rare in books like this!) to George the Fool, Fifer (an apprentice witch), to John the healer. I loved how fiesty Fifer, is and I am dying to know more about her relationship with the Revenant, Shulyer. It's always nice to see strong female characters who can hold their own against male and female opponents alike--and that is definitely Fifer and Elizabeth. I was really curious about George and his background which we get so little of. He doesn't seem to be a magic user, but he is a valuable asset to the Reformist movement. And John, who at times seemed a little too perfect, but makes for the perfect love interest in a book like this. There were a lot of long looks and not a lot of action in terms of romance in the novel, but that never bothered me, especially how little the two knew each other.
*Minor Spoiler Alert* If I had to nitpick, I do wish the book was a little heavier in terms of some of the serious issues it broaches. One of them being the issue of rape (which was off page and historical in terms of the story). Perhaps because this is a young adult novel, the subject was not delved into more deeply in terms of the impact it had on Elizabeth, but in this day and age, as much as our youth are exposed to the subject, I think it only could have only added more to the novel and Elizabeth's character as a whole.*End of Minor Spoiler Alert*
I also wouldn't have minded more historical background in terms of the time period--it's very light on the history and heavier on the fantasy. Which isn't a bad thing, and did not hurt my enjoyment of the book as I was reading. I enjoyed The Witch Hunter quite a bit, getting to know the characters, seeing how everything would play out with the various characters. While many of the plot twists I guessed early on, I found this book hard to put down. I am eagerly awaiting the next book by the author.
Cadı Avcısını okuyalı çok olmadı aslında ama serinin ilinci kitabına başlayınca çoğu şeyi unuttuğumu farkettim. Yenide okumaya karar verdim. İlk okuduğumda çok sevmiştim, şimdi kitaba daha çok aşık oldum sanırım. Yazarın anlatımına bayılıyorum. Biraz da olsun esprili bir dili var ve oldukça sade. Kitap akıp gidiyor. Kitabın geçtiği dünyayı çok sevdim. Kitabın ana karakteri olan Elizabeth okuduğum en iyi kadın karakterlerden birisiydi ✨ Okuyun, okutturun. Bu serinin değeri bilinmiyor 🤓
THANK YOU Little Brown BYR for approving me for THE WITCH HUNTER. I really wanted to like this book! But unfortunately, I did not. All the way through the tone was lighter and younger than I expected for the storyline. The heroine Elizabeth doesn't think deeply about anything or spend much time analyzing situations she encounters or things that have happened to her. She was essentially a robot. Because of this, I struggled to connect with her. Though I expected her to go through a transformation in beliefs throughout the book, it seemed like she was mostly just regurgitating other people's answers. Just a different set of people. The plot was pretty basic and not very surprising - . I didn't feel deeply invested in any of the characters. The romance didn't move me, though I thought the guy was sweet. (Even so, I didn't understand how they could be in love by the end already). Sadly, I was very underwhelmed with this story.
I had a major issue with one part of this story: (This is a big spoiler.)
It really bugged me that Elizabeth never appears to feel that strongly about what happened, and she seems more concerned about the witches herbs she has to prevent a pregnancy, than what she experienced. It completely rubbed me the wrong way and made me feel uncomfortable. I just couldn't understand why that plot was added and then not fully addressed. Elizabeth even expresses sympathy for the king by the end of the book, and all throughout the story she mentions him repeatedly in passing like he didn't affect her. She also indicates that she deserves her initial fate of being sent to prison because she broke the law by getting the herbs (anything related to witches is bad!). I could have handled it if this was her initial reaction, since she's clearly been brainwashed by her previous life. HOWEVER, I needed to see a firm turn around and clear understanding that she was RAPED against her will. That she was UNJUSTLY treated and that it was NOT okay and NOT her fault. Or at least some sort of FEELING about the whole situation! But none of this happened! It was all sort of a non issue to Elizabeth. And no one else in the book tries to say anything deeply about this to Elizabeth either, although it's indicated that they've figured out what happened. It hugely affected my reading of this book and my connection to her, because I couldn't understand how this could be the case.
Love Triangle Factor: Mild/none More of a progression.
Cliffhanger Scale: Low. Part of a series and drama set up for the future. But this part ends solidly.
Spoiler
the only thing that surprised me is that Elizabeth doesn’t find out she’s actually a powerful witch by the end of the book.I had a major issue with one part of this story: (This is a big spoiler.)
Spoiler
Something happens to Elizabeth before the book begins (she is raped by the king - who never appears in person in the book) and it is a catalyst for the events of the plot. It was a situation that I considered to be a Big Deal, and yet it was never fully explained and barely addressed - mostly just in passing. It almost seemed like the author was trying to cater to a young audience by being vague and roundabout about the whole thing, but it just ended up being confusing and rage inducing for me. IMO something like this requires more direct attention. If it wasn't going to be properly handled, I think it should have been completely removed.It really bugged me that Elizabeth never appears to feel that strongly about what happened, and she seems more concerned about the witches herbs she has to prevent a pregnancy, than what she experienced. It completely rubbed me the wrong way and made me feel uncomfortable. I just couldn't understand why that plot was added and then not fully addressed. Elizabeth even expresses sympathy for the king by the end of the book, and all throughout the story she mentions him repeatedly in passing like he didn't affect her. She also indicates that she deserves her initial fate of being sent to prison because she broke the law by getting the herbs (anything related to witches is bad!). I could have handled it if this was her initial reaction, since she's clearly been brainwashed by her previous life. HOWEVER, I needed to see a firm turn around and clear understanding that she was RAPED against her will. That she was UNJUSTLY treated and that it was NOT okay and NOT her fault. Or at least some sort of FEELING about the whole situation! But none of this happened! It was all sort of a non issue to Elizabeth. And no one else in the book tries to say anything deeply about this to Elizabeth either, although it's indicated that they've figured out what happened. It hugely affected my reading of this book and my connection to her, because I couldn't understand how this could be the case.
Love Triangle Factor: Mild/none More of a progression.
Spoiler
Elizabeth is in love with her childhood best friend Caleb when the book begins, but she's mostly moved on from him when she meets the real love interest. She doesn't waver between them and it's always clear that Caleb isn't right for her.Cliffhanger Scale: Low. Part of a series and drama set up for the future. But this part ends solidly.
*I received an ebook copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/3.75
While I didn't have extremely high expectations for Witch hunter, I had put the book in my wishlist and I was actually quite intrigued by the summary. I'm not a huge fan of witches honestly, but Witch hunter was a quick and enjoyable read, which was exactly what I needed. Four stars might be too much because the book itself has some flaws but overall they didn't bother me too much.
Witch hunter tells the story of Elizabeth Grey, a sixteen-year-old girl, who, has the title says, is a witch hunter. Since her parents' death she has had to rely on Caleb, a boy who quickly became her family, who is also the reason why Elizabeth hunts witches. However, everything changes when Elizabeth is accused of treason and sentenced to die. The only man that can save her from her destiny is in fact a wizard, and the same wizard she should have started hunting.
When I finished this book I thought I would give it three stars. It probably doesn't deserve four stars but...I've had a rough week and Witch hunter came just after I gave like three two stars rating, so I'll round it to four stars for now and see if I change my mind or not.
The thing is Witch hunter does have some flaws, because sometimes the characters are a little bit too flat and the world-building needs to be a little bit more polished but in the end these two aspects of the book didn't bother me much. I was quite hooked from the start and enjoyed the story more and more. I liked the characters, probably the secondary ones even more than Elizabeth, but what made me actually close an eye over their lack of depth was that they are an extremely cute and funny group to follow. I really liked the setting as well, even If I would have loved to see a little bit more of world-building. The ending left me wanting for more and I can happily say that I will pick up the sequel next year, wanting to see where this story goes.
3.5/3.75
While I didn't have extremely high expectations for Witch hunter, I had put the book in my wishlist and I was actually quite intrigued by the summary. I'm not a huge fan of witches honestly, but Witch hunter was a quick and enjoyable read, which was exactly what I needed. Four stars might be too much because the book itself has some flaws but overall they didn't bother me too much.
Witch hunter tells the story of Elizabeth Grey, a sixteen-year-old girl, who, has the title says, is a witch hunter. Since her parents' death she has had to rely on Caleb, a boy who quickly became her family, who is also the reason why Elizabeth hunts witches. However, everything changes when Elizabeth is accused of treason and sentenced to die. The only man that can save her from her destiny is in fact a wizard, and the same wizard she should have started hunting.
When I finished this book I thought I would give it three stars. It probably doesn't deserve four stars but...I've had a rough week and Witch hunter came just after I gave like three two stars rating, so I'll round it to four stars for now and see if I change my mind or not.
The thing is Witch hunter does have some flaws, because sometimes the characters are a little bit too flat and the world-building needs to be a little bit more polished but in the end these two aspects of the book didn't bother me much. I was quite hooked from the start and enjoyed the story more and more. I liked the characters, probably the secondary ones even more than Elizabeth, but what made me actually close an eye over their lack of depth was that they are an extremely cute and funny group to follow. I really liked the setting as well, even If I would have loved to see a little bit more of world-building. The ending left me wanting for more and I can happily say that I will pick up the sequel next year, wanting to see where this story goes.
This book was incredibly well written. The plot kept me hooked! It was all so good! Why can't the other one be out now!?
This review was written for The Review Diaries
You can read the full review here
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Children's Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
When you put comparisons to Game of Thrones and Graceling on the blurb for a book, I’m going to go in with very high and excited expectations. Unfortunately comparisons like that tend to end up as reader bait, rather than because the books bear any sort of resemblance, and ‘Witch Hunter’ is just such an example.
The blurb (plus the comparisons) had me very excited going in, but unfortunately the book really didn’t live up to any expectations I had and I ended up feeling incredibly disappointed and frustrated and nearly gave up on the book half way through.
This was due to terrible pacing, truly awful dialogue and a protagonist who suffers from a terrible case of one dimensionalism. There was nothing that made Elizabeth feel like a real person, I never got a real sense of who she was, what she wanted, anything that made her into anything more than a cardboard cut-out. She supposedly has these extraordinary fighting skills – she’s supposed to be the best Witch Hunter there is – but she never shows that. We see her in two fights, one where she accidentally kills someone and the second she just ends up hair pulling and slapping. Not exactly living up to the hype. She let’s herself be pushed around and manipulated and never seems to possess anything remotely resembling a spine. Where are the strong heroines I was promised? Don’t make comparisons to two novels with incredibly strong female characters if you then can’t deliver.
In fact all of the characters were cardboard stereotypes, none of whom had enough going for them to lift the novel up into something readable. The dialogue is awkward and cringe worthy, and we never learn anything much about any of the other characters. They’re just there to provide background decoration, fluttering sensations in the stomach area and occasional pieces of information.
The plot wasn’t much better. The ban on the magic is unexplained and that leaves a lot of gaping plot holes all over the place so that the story trips over itself several times. As a result the story is clunky and frustrating and never feels remotely believable. The pacing also leaves a lot to be desired as nothing really happens for the first three quarters, other than Elizabeth mooning over two different boys and a lot of wandering around the countryside, hair pulling and pretty dresses. None of that is enough to lift the novel up into something interesting to read and when the climax hits, it is too little too late.
All in all this was an incredibly disappointing read. All of the promise in that blurb and none of it is delivered. Terrible pacing, awful characters and dialogue, I was left feeling sorely disappointed by this one.
You can read the full review here
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Children's Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
When you put comparisons to Game of Thrones and Graceling on the blurb for a book, I’m going to go in with very high and excited expectations. Unfortunately comparisons like that tend to end up as reader bait, rather than because the books bear any sort of resemblance, and ‘Witch Hunter’ is just such an example.
The blurb (plus the comparisons) had me very excited going in, but unfortunately the book really didn’t live up to any expectations I had and I ended up feeling incredibly disappointed and frustrated and nearly gave up on the book half way through.
This was due to terrible pacing, truly awful dialogue and a protagonist who suffers from a terrible case of one dimensionalism. There was nothing that made Elizabeth feel like a real person, I never got a real sense of who she was, what she wanted, anything that made her into anything more than a cardboard cut-out. She supposedly has these extraordinary fighting skills – she’s supposed to be the best Witch Hunter there is – but she never shows that. We see her in two fights, one where she accidentally kills someone and the second she just ends up hair pulling and slapping. Not exactly living up to the hype. She let’s herself be pushed around and manipulated and never seems to possess anything remotely resembling a spine. Where are the strong heroines I was promised? Don’t make comparisons to two novels with incredibly strong female characters if you then can’t deliver.
In fact all of the characters were cardboard stereotypes, none of whom had enough going for them to lift the novel up into something readable. The dialogue is awkward and cringe worthy, and we never learn anything much about any of the other characters. They’re just there to provide background decoration, fluttering sensations in the stomach area and occasional pieces of information.
The plot wasn’t much better. The ban on the magic is unexplained and that leaves a lot of gaping plot holes all over the place so that the story trips over itself several times. As a result the story is clunky and frustrating and never feels remotely believable. The pacing also leaves a lot to be desired as nothing really happens for the first three quarters, other than Elizabeth mooning over two different boys and a lot of wandering around the countryside, hair pulling and pretty dresses. None of that is enough to lift the novel up into something interesting to read and when the climax hits, it is too little too late.
All in all this was an incredibly disappointing read. All of the promise in that blurb and none of it is delivered. Terrible pacing, awful characters and dialogue, I was left feeling sorely disappointed by this one.
