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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can see why this book is recommended for fans of Weyward. I loved the setting of the beach cottage next to the church and the dual timelines. The 1646 timeline stole the show, but unfortunately, the 2024 timeline was a little rough and chaotic to read.
The overall message of the book is sound. The ending saved this book for me because it started to lose me towards the middle.
The prose was great, and the scenes were really painted. However, the dialogue was clunky and unnatural. Characters constantly monologue pages of exposition that really took me out of the story.
There were a lot of continuity errors, too, mostly in the 2024 chapters and most of them have nothing to do with the actual plot. The first time Rick was coming to visit, he mentioned researching a restaurant to make reservations for a night out. But he arrives, and no reservations are mentioned (or attended). The next time they make plans for his visit, he says he's got a work thing Friday night, so he'll be there Saturday afternoon. But Adrianna ends up in London on Friday, and he tells her that he had plans that weekend, so he wishes she'd told him she was coming. Adrianna also criticizes Rick for sleeping his day off away, but then she immediately naps for hours.
Everything wrapped up nicely but I wish there was a little more in the resolution section. It wraps their stories up so in the last couple of chapters.
The overall message of the book is sound. The ending saved this book for me because it started to lose me towards the middle.
The prose was great, and the scenes were really painted. However, the dialogue was clunky and unnatural. Characters constantly monologue pages of exposition that really took me out of the story.
There were a lot of continuity errors, too, mostly in the 2024 chapters and most of them have nothing to do with the actual plot. The first time Rick was coming to visit, he mentioned researching a restaurant to make reservations for a night out. But he arrives, and no reservations are mentioned (or attended). The next time they make plans for his visit, he says he's got a work thing Friday night, so he'll be there Saturday afternoon. But Adrianna ends up in London on Friday, and he tells her that he had plans that weekend, so he wishes she'd told him she was coming. Adrianna also criticizes Rick for sleeping his day off away, but then she immediately naps for hours.
Everything wrapped up nicely but I wish there was a little more in the resolution section. It wraps their stories up so in the last couple of chapters.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
The House of the Witch by Clare Marchant is a dual timeline novel set in Norfolk. One timeline is set in the present day where Adrianna is escaping to the countryside for a break from the stress of her job and city life. The other is set in 1646 featuring the witch hunts in East Anglia at that time.
Both timelines were equally compelling and I quickly became emotionally invested in the strong characters of Adrianna and Ursula. These two women linked by a cottage, showed strength and resilience in order to face their adversaries.
This was my first time reading a Clare Marchant novel but it will not be the last. I really enjoyed the authors writing style and attention to historical details. My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with a digital review copy.
Both timelines were equally compelling and I quickly became emotionally invested in the strong characters of Adrianna and Ursula. These two women linked by a cottage, showed strength and resilience in order to face their adversaries.
This was my first time reading a Clare Marchant novel but it will not be the last. I really enjoyed the authors writing style and attention to historical details. My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with a digital review copy.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
My first Clare Marchant novel and it won't be my last!
A very well written dual timeline book about the power of standing up for yourself among all odds.
The more I read, the more the timelines were tied in a way. in the 1600's it was a woman that had seen hardship all her life and trauma at the hands of men. In the present day it was a woman who needed to know just how strong she was when she wasn't being a victim of foul play.
I loved the way the characters were so real to me that I felt their emotions alongside them. Because of this, most of the book had me feeling extremely angry in a way that good writing can do when it taps into your head and makes you resonate with the characters and situations.
The endings were good although I wish there were more on the familiar and the part it played or more to Addie's story than feeling what she feels. I guess I just wanted to read more!
I thank Netgalley, Boldwood Books and of course Clare Marchant for the opportunity to read the book and leave this review with my honest opinions.
A very well written dual timeline book about the power of standing up for yourself among all odds.
The more I read, the more the timelines were tied in a way. in the 1600's it was a woman that had seen hardship all her life and trauma at the hands of men. In the present day it was a woman who needed to know just how strong she was when she wasn't being a victim of foul play.
I loved the way the characters were so real to me that I felt their emotions alongside them. Because of this, most of the book had me feeling extremely angry in a way that good writing can do when it taps into your head and makes you resonate with the characters and situations.
The endings were good although I wish there were more on the familiar and the part it played or more to Addie's story than feeling what she feels. I guess I just wanted to read more!
I thank Netgalley, Boldwood Books and of course Clare Marchant for the opportunity to read the book and leave this review with my honest opinions.
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fabulous dual timeline novel. Times were hard enough for Ursula, a herbalist, in the 1630's without the unwanted attention from the new Dr Oliver Bruton. Resisting his wish to make her his mistress she puts herself in danger of being accused of witchcraft.
2024 and Adrianne moves into a cottage on the North Norfolk coast, she finds a journal hidden in the fireplace and sets about transcribing. She soon realises that her life is very similar to the author of the journal.
I love Clare Marchants books, she has the amazing ability to take her readers back in time and give a great overview in how life used to be. This novel is perfect for lovers of historical fiction and in a similar style to Barbara Erskine
2024 and Adrianne moves into a cottage on the North Norfolk coast, she finds a journal hidden in the fireplace and sets about transcribing. She soon realises that her life is very similar to the author of the journal.
I love Clare Marchants books, she has the amazing ability to take her readers back in time and give a great overview in how life used to be. This novel is perfect for lovers of historical fiction and in a similar style to Barbara Erskine
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced