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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Clare Marchant for the eArc of The House Of The Witch
My first from Claire Marchant and I really enjoyed this historical fiction that was set in two time periods. We have Adrienna in the present day who has moved up to Norfolk from London to a few months to concentrate what she really wants from life. We also have Ursula in 1646, a local midwife and medicine women who is well known to the villagers and because she stood up for herself, was deemed a witch.
It soon becomes apparent with the lovely foreshadowing what these women have in common and what they have to battle to stand their ground against toxic people. I really loved the underlying flow for this book. Without saying much apart from feminine power and how we should brace that. For me, Its a very powerful book.
I loved both women from each timeline, they have been built up to be great role models. Both different, but similar qualities. What connected me to them, was they felt human. Perfectly flawed but loveable all the same.
The House of The Witch reminded me of and runs in the same vein as SlewFoot by From, which I loved and even though Clare has taken a less horror genre root. It's still horrifying how women have been treated in the past.
4.25 stars for Storygraph. 4 stars for other sites.
My first from Claire Marchant and I really enjoyed this historical fiction that was set in two time periods. We have Adrienna in the present day who has moved up to Norfolk from London to a few months to concentrate what she really wants from life. We also have Ursula in 1646, a local midwife and medicine women who is well known to the villagers and because she stood up for herself, was deemed a witch.
It soon becomes apparent with the lovely foreshadowing what these women have in common and what they have to battle to stand their ground against toxic people. I really loved the underlying flow for this book. Without saying much apart from feminine power and how we should brace that. For me, Its a very powerful book.
I loved both women from each timeline, they have been built up to be great role models. Both different, but similar qualities. What connected me to them, was they felt human. Perfectly flawed but loveable all the same.
The House of The Witch reminded me of and runs in the same vein as SlewFoot by From, which I loved and even though Clare has taken a less horror genre root. It's still horrifying how women have been treated in the past.
4.25 stars for Storygraph. 4 stars for other sites.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
fast-paced
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
1646 and in a small Norfolk village Ursula has foresworn men after witnessing so much violence towards women, she lives alone and makes her money as a midwife and healer. Into her orbit comes a physician newly arrived from Cambridge but when she spurns his advances, he swears to destroy her. 2024 and Adrianna has moved into a small Norfolk cottage as part of her recovery from a work-related breakdown. She loves her new life but also feels that a message from the past is waiting for her to uncover it.
I have mixed feelings about this book because both sections, the old and modern-day, are actually really good stories. However, I didn't feel that they gelled as well as they could and by switching the narrative I also felt that both stories were rather under-played, especially Adrianna's understanding of the actions of her boyfriend. Having said that, it's a good story and the research about the witch trials in East Anglia is solid.
I have mixed feelings about this book because both sections, the old and modern-day, are actually really good stories. However, I didn't feel that they gelled as well as they could and by switching the narrative I also felt that both stories were rather under-played, especially Adrianna's understanding of the actions of her boyfriend. Having said that, it's a good story and the research about the witch trials in East Anglia is solid.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Really enjoyed this, it wasn’t your usual happy ending and I liked the dual narrative crossing the mirrored timelines. Ending was a bit rushed.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed the switching between the time periods but I must say that in the 2024 time period, the main character's blatant excuses and aloofness to what was going on with her significant other got old fast. I understand that that might make her issues more relatable as many women may be in similar situations but I found it annoying and half the time I really wished we could go back to Ursula's time. I enjoyed Ursula's story. Although, I wondered why her sense of self preservation didn't cause her to move after everyone turned on her, her story demonstrated resilience and was extremely inspiring. Her story was the story of many women across the times who have suffered at the hands of evil; something that still happens in present day. I would have gave this book at least 4 stars but there were too many moments where I was completely annoyed with the character from 2024 which brought down my rating. I see why the author did it this way but personally 2024 almost caused me to DNF.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eCopy to review
I really enjoyed The House of the Witch, it is a fascinating duel timeline historical novel set in the Norfolk Broads near Norwich. It follows the life of Ursula a local wise woman during the 1600s as she is deemed a witch by a man she spurns and Adrianna who flees London following burnout in her job. Adrianna uncovers Ursula's journal is is drawn to uncovering her tale and in doing so is able to reveal some truths about her own life.
Full of great characters, and a well paced plot with Ursula's feelings of fear and determination not to give in leaping of the page
I really enjoyed The House of the Witch, it is a fascinating duel timeline historical novel set in the Norfolk Broads near Norwich. It follows the life of Ursula a local wise woman during the 1600s as she is deemed a witch by a man she spurns and Adrianna who flees London following burnout in her job. Adrianna uncovers Ursula's journal is is drawn to uncovering her tale and in doing so is able to reveal some truths about her own life.
Full of great characters, and a well paced plot with Ursula's feelings of fear and determination not to give in leaping of the page
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A