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manadabomb's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up on Netgalley but just FINALLY got time to read it while traveling for work. I was completely engrossed in it and it was my main diversion on 4 flights this past week. Lucky for you, I procrastinated so long this book is already out for you to buy!
I do love historical fiction and this didn't disappoint. We're focused on King James VI and his reign. He was obsessed with witch hunts and that is one of the primary focuses of this book. Frances Gorges (whom I'm not sure is real) is the center of this book and is the witch in question. I didn't give anything away there, you'll notice immediately why she is targeted as a witch.
Frances is from a notable family, in service to the previous Queen. But once King James comes swirling in, the Gorges are relegated to the outskirts of the Court. King James hates witches and Catholics and uses his authority to hunt down both. I would hate living in this time. Not only is a death sentence a gruesome affair but it's a spectator sport as well. So weird.
Frances is forced to Court to be the Lady of the Bedchamber to the little princess Elizabeth. Frances' uncle wants the family in good standing and pulled strings to get Frances there and in a good position. Unfortunately for him, Frances uses her healing skills to help aid Queen Anne and falls under the suspicion of Lord Privy Seal Cecil, who is in charge of the witch hunts.
Things started tumbling down for Frances and for everyone under King James' rule. This is a seriously screwed up reign and even the Queen is looking for a way out.
Totally engrossing book. I do have to say that everyone "inclines" their head all the time. All. The. Time. I get that may be how royalty acknowledges people, with an incline of the head, but goodness.
Regardless of the inclines, I'll be reading more of this author.
I do love historical fiction and this didn't disappoint. We're focused on King James VI and his reign. He was obsessed with witch hunts and that is one of the primary focuses of this book. Frances Gorges (whom I'm not sure is real) is the center of this book and is the witch in question. I didn't give anything away there, you'll notice immediately why she is targeted as a witch.
Frances is from a notable family, in service to the previous Queen. But once King James comes swirling in, the Gorges are relegated to the outskirts of the Court. King James hates witches and Catholics and uses his authority to hunt down both. I would hate living in this time. Not only is a death sentence a gruesome affair but it's a spectator sport as well. So weird.
Frances is forced to Court to be the Lady of the Bedchamber to the little princess Elizabeth. Frances' uncle wants the family in good standing and pulled strings to get Frances there and in a good position. Unfortunately for him, Frances uses her healing skills to help aid Queen Anne and falls under the suspicion of Lord Privy Seal Cecil, who is in charge of the witch hunts.
Things started tumbling down for Frances and for everyone under King James' rule. This is a seriously screwed up reign and even the Queen is looking for a way out.
Totally engrossing book. I do have to say that everyone "inclines" their head all the time. All. The. Time. I get that may be how royalty acknowledges people, with an incline of the head, but goodness.
Regardless of the inclines, I'll be reading more of this author.
cassie_ellie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Torture
Moderate: Miscarriage
judesbookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
opalamber's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
stephyyy040's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this novel, but I admit it didn't scratch my Tudor/Stuart England itch the same way the queen Philippa Gregory does for me.
The story clearly pulled lots of facts from the author's past as a historian, but never felt too preachy or education-ey. I was loosely familiar with the Gunpowder Plot before reading this novel, but it was cool to learn a bit more, for sure.
With the title of the book, I expected there to be a whole lot more of Frances either actually acting as a witch (aka, using herbs), or being perscuted as one, but the "witch" plot essentially resolved itself by the middle of the book.
I didn't realize until logging in GR that this is party of a trilogy... while I usually seem uncapable of stopping mid-series, no matter what I think of the first book, I'm not sure I'm quiiiiiite compelled enough to keep going here. Not immediately, at least. I may circle back when I'm looking for my next historical fiction read.
The story clearly pulled lots of facts from the author's past as a historian, but never felt too preachy or education-ey. I was loosely familiar with the Gunpowder Plot before reading this novel, but it was cool to learn a bit more, for sure.
With the title of the book, I expected there to be a whole lot more of Frances either actually acting as a witch (aka, using herbs), or being perscuted as one, but the "witch" plot essentially resolved itself by the middle of the book.
I didn't realize until logging in GR that this is party of a trilogy... while I usually seem uncapable of stopping mid-series, no matter what I think of the first book, I'm not sure I'm quiiiiiite compelled enough to keep going here. Not immediately, at least. I may circle back when I'm looking for my next historical fiction read.
findingthefantasticstory's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was just about the witch trials but it ended up being so much more. I loved the characters and the twisting plot.
ml03's review against another edition
2.0
Frankly, this book is a good one for those seeking basic reading or like historical tales. It is not a terrible book, but not the kind that made me absolutely crazy for it.
The good thing about this book is that it has a real historical setting and real people in it. It does well in placing characters in locations that are not made up. The topic of witchcraft and the witch trials is very interesting and the book does show how ridiculous small details and accusations could've gotten you hanged/burned/tortured back in the day.
However, the book's characters are very plain or have personalities equal to vanilla ice cream. Most of the time I wished to bang this piece of literature against those said characters for the choices they made. I admit though, it's rare that any book gets me this emotional or exasperated. Still, nothing surprising happened in the story. It could be better if there had been character or relationship development at a deeper level.
The good thing about this book is that it has a real historical setting and real people in it. It does well in placing characters in locations that are not made up. The topic of witchcraft and the witch trials is very interesting and the book does show how ridiculous small details and accusations could've gotten you hanged/burned/tortured back in the day.
However, the book's characters are very plain or have personalities equal to vanilla ice cream. Most of the time I wished to bang this piece of literature against those said characters for the choices they made. I admit though, it's rare that any book gets me this emotional or exasperated. Still, nothing surprising happened in the story. It could be better if there had been character or relationship development at a deeper level.
essysdean's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
francesca_mirime's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bleadenreads's review against another edition
4.0
Plot: Elizabeth the 1st has just died and the royal court quickly scrambles to make ready for their new king, James Stuart who brings hypocrisy and superstition to the royal court. Frances, a talented young healer is dragged unwillingly back to court as part of her uncle's ambitions and quickly finds herself under scrutiny...
Review: I've been wanting to read this book for ages due to @thelibrarybat high praise! This was a wonderfully engaging work of historical fiction that ended my reading slump.
I love historical fiction set in the 17th C, but I've never read anything set during the reign of James the 1st. I thought Borman's depiction of the king to be v historically accurate and brilliantly brutal. His fickle nature and obsession with witches lent itself really nicely to the plotting and ambitions of the royal court, as it created an overall tension to the novel as no one felt safe. People are driven to extreme action in desperation for power and the characters can trust no one, but Frances is still drawn to Tom Wintour (what a charming man, well done Borman).
This is book one of a trilogy that I will definitely be reading more of, as I love the time period and any depictions of medical history/natural remedies. Frances was fierce, intelligent but also dangerously naive at times. I look forward to see how she learns from her experiences in the next two novels.
SPOILER
I thought it was really clever how Borman slowly drew you into a plot without you realising that it was *the plot*. When the pieces all came together I couldn't tear myself away from this book even though I knew how the plot ended, the main characters were fictional so their fate was unclear.
Review: I've been wanting to read this book for ages due to @thelibrarybat high praise! This was a wonderfully engaging work of historical fiction that ended my reading slump.
I love historical fiction set in the 17th C, but I've never read anything set during the reign of James the 1st. I thought Borman's depiction of the king to be v historically accurate and brilliantly brutal. His fickle nature and obsession with witches lent itself really nicely to the plotting and ambitions of the royal court, as it created an overall tension to the novel as no one felt safe. People are driven to extreme action in desperation for power and the characters can trust no one, but Frances is still drawn to Tom Wintour (what a charming man, well done Borman).
This is book one of a trilogy that I will definitely be reading more of, as I love the time period and any depictions of medical history/natural remedies. Frances was fierce, intelligent but also dangerously naive at times. I look forward to see how she learns from her experiences in the next two novels.
SPOILER
I thought it was really clever how Borman slowly drew you into a plot without you realising that it was *the plot*. When the pieces all came together I couldn't tear myself away from this book even though I knew how the plot ended, the main characters were fictional so their fate was unclear.