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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
This book was soo good it exceeded my expectations.
Elizabeth reminded me of Celaena so much that I loved her immediately.
Elizabeth reminded me of Celaena so much that I loved her immediately.
The Witch Hunter was a fast-paced read that hooked me from the very first chapter. The characters were amazing and I loved the blend of adventure, magic, and romance. I'm very excited to read the sequel, The King Slayer.
A story full of captivating characters, relations. A new and different take on witches and witch hunting. Worth a read.
4.5 stars. Really enjoyed it. It was a fun and entertaining read. Will post a longer review later.
A solid 3.5 stars. Entertaining and I enjoyed the characters. I hope the second book goes into more detail of the world and we get to know the characters better.
*Thank you to Little Brown Books for Young Readers via NetGalley for providing me a digital ARC of this novel to review*
Witches, alternate history, phenomenal characterization -- how was I not going to enjoy this book?
It's a fun sensation going into a book blind, which is what I did with this novel, and it yielded a delightful reward. Virginia Boecker has crafted a slow-burner of a story with characters that are out of this world entertaining, from our heroine, Elizabeth Grey, to every one of the supporting cast that appears along the way. I love ensemble stories, especially ones with a wild host of very different characters. Boecker's character-crafting and developing skills are clearly her forte. Every person in this novel has a unique voice and personal ambitions/interests that exist outside the collective goal.
Set in an alternate 1500's, the story kicks off with a relative bang as we first meet our heroine, Elizabeth Grey, witness a witch burning at the stake. But she's not there to watch: she's there to capture someone else. Elizabeth is a very real, very grounded heroine. She's not only a product of the world in which she lives as well as the --later revealed to be totally horrific -- training she has received. She's clever and brave but also equally vulnerable and emotional. In other words: she's human and flawed. But the best part of Elizabeth is that, at the end of it all, she's a genuinely decent human being. Also, she develops immensely over the course of the novel.
The side characters range from a King's fool to a father-and-son pirate and healer team to a fiery witch and even partially-deaf lords. Every single character that enters the story is a joy to read, not always because they're nice or good, but because they are interesting. John, Fifer, Peter, and George are a crew I'd be more than happy to join up with and have on my team. Absolutely excellent.
If I have one criticism of the novel, it's the ending. It's an odd pacing, at first taking it's time and then careening full-gallop to a conclusion that doesn't really give the characters time to breathe or digest, or even grieve. If this is a standalone, an epilogue would have been a welcome addition; if this is the start of a series, which I suspect it is, then I suppose the pacing could have been slowed and stretched just a hair. Other than that, a wonderful, entertaining debut!
Witches, alternate history, phenomenal characterization -- how was I not going to enjoy this book?
It's a fun sensation going into a book blind, which is what I did with this novel, and it yielded a delightful reward. Virginia Boecker has crafted a slow-burner of a story with characters that are out of this world entertaining, from our heroine, Elizabeth Grey, to every one of the supporting cast that appears along the way. I love ensemble stories, especially ones with a wild host of very different characters. Boecker's character-crafting and developing skills are clearly her forte. Every person in this novel has a unique voice and personal ambitions/interests that exist outside the collective goal.
Set in an alternate 1500's, the story kicks off with a relative bang as we first meet our heroine, Elizabeth Grey, witness a witch burning at the stake. But she's not there to watch: she's there to capture someone else. Elizabeth is a very real, very grounded heroine. She's not only a product of the world in which she lives as well as the --later revealed to be totally horrific -- training she has received. She's clever and brave but also equally vulnerable and emotional. In other words: she's human and flawed. But the best part of Elizabeth is that, at the end of it all, she's a genuinely decent human being. Also, she develops immensely over the course of the novel.
The side characters range from a King's fool to a father-and-son pirate and healer team to a fiery witch and even partially-deaf lords. Every single character that enters the story is a joy to read, not always because they're nice or good, but because they are interesting. John, Fifer, Peter, and George are a crew I'd be more than happy to join up with and have on my team. Absolutely excellent.
If I have one criticism of the novel, it's the ending. It's an odd pacing, at first taking it's time and then careening full-gallop to a conclusion that doesn't really give the characters time to breathe or digest, or even grieve. If this is a standalone, an epilogue would have been a welcome addition; if this is the start of a series, which I suspect it is, then I suppose the pacing could have been slowed and stretched just a hair. Other than that, a wonderful, entertaining debut!
There was a slow beginning, but the book definitely speed up near the end, and I could not put it down. It was sort of refreshing reading a fantasy set in the 1500s rather than a dystopian or contemporary novel.
The main character definitely has flaws, but is strong and I really liked her.
George was really funny, thought he might have been a love interest, but once John was in the picture, I couldn't help but ship John and Elizabeth.
I wonder if Caleb is really dead or not.
This could have been a stand alone book, just with a sort of reader think of the rest of the story, but I am glad that there is another book coming out.
The main character definitely has flaws, but is strong and I really liked her.
George was really funny, thought he might have been a love interest, but once John was in the picture, I couldn't help but ship John and Elizabeth.
This could have been a stand alone book, just with a sort of reader think of the rest of the story, but I am glad that there is another book coming out.
[4.8 stars ] ☆☆☆☆
I honestly thought 2019 would be a bad reading year (majority was so far) but this book sort of turned it around for me.
Thought I do appreciate the short chapters and well thought out character development I did think the story was bit too fast. Yes I do know its fast paced fantasy full of very well described action but it ddint give me enough time to actually become attached to the main character, Elozabeth and I wish I knew more about her emotionally. Other than that minor detail I liked the book.
I honestly thought 2019 would be a bad reading year (majority was so far) but this book sort of turned it around for me.
Thought I do appreciate the short chapters and well thought out character development I did think the story was bit too fast. Yes I do know its fast paced fantasy full of very well described action but it ddint give me enough time to actually become attached to the main character, Elozabeth and I wish I knew more about her emotionally. Other than that minor detail I liked the book.