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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
In Wessex, England in 1628, Bess Hawksmith's mother is tried and hung as a witch. Poor and alone in the world, the only hope Bess has of surviving the lynch mob that will focus on her next is to become a witch herself. That means making a bargain with the mysterious and dangerous warlock, Gideon Masters. The price of that bargain and the choice to accept a witch's powers come to haunt Bess through the decades, all the way to modern times where Bess finds an unexpected apprentice. The story alternates between first-person journal entries in the present day, and focused third-person memories from the past, and for the most part is well-written. Bess herself is likable, and as a reader I was sympathetic to her situation. And overall, it was an enjoyable read. I did have two beefs with this book, though. The first was the antagonist, aforementioned Gideon Masters. He was very one-dimensional. He seemed to have been written only to give Bess something to strive against, and it's never clear exactly what he wants from her. Sex? Her life? Her soul? It's very murky. The second beef I had with this book is how quickly things wrapped up at the end and how out of nowhere the method of that wrapping up was. It was neither satisfying nor entirely believable given that there had been no mention at all of this method & accompanying details until the end. I have no idea if this is meant to be the start of a series, but I almost hope there's at least one more book just to give that ending a bit more resolution. But again, overall, not a terrible read. Entertaining and well-paced.
DNF.. audio book expired because I was not interested in keeping up with it. It did not hold my attention.
Thoroughly enjoyed all the different stories within the story. Full review to come.
Kind of just ended after centuries of chasing. Very interesting at times, and at other times very slow. Reading the Winter Witch now and hoping it's a little more exciting!
It was decent. And I don't know if that's because I usually don't read books this "adult" or if it was really just kind of mediocre. My favorite scenes were when she was at her house and the whole description of it because it was just so cozy to me, but a lot of the plot was a bit off. I really enjoy how this author writes, but what they write about is just not for me.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well written and flowed at a nice pace. The characters became very personal to me. I'm glad I read it and recommend it highly.
This book was boring. Really boring. The characters were predictable and by the end of the book, I wasn't attached to them, I was just glad it was over. If I didn't have to participate in a discussion, I would have put this book down after five pages and I wouldn't have missed anything.
There's such a wealth of witch stories out there. Choose a different one.
There's such a wealth of witch stories out there. Choose a different one.
slow-paced
This was a pleasant read, I was expecting just to be entertained, given the nature of the book, and it did deliver that. When I see others who write about things being formulaic or being able to anticipate every plot twist, I often wonder if they ever just dial back a little and allow themselves to be entertained. I promise that if you don't work it too hard, a couple of the plot twists at least will surprise you. I quite admired some of the early parts of the book where the author described the surroundings, especially of Bess' present day home. I have to laugh at myself whenever I think that an author really did his or her research regarding the historical aspects of their work, since I am no expert in history - I think what I really mean is that the historical information seems to have been seriously and plausibly approached. I recommend the read if you are willing to consider the possibilities of witchcraft.
This book follows the story of Elizabeth Hawksmith, who was made into an immortal witch at the age of 15 under extraordinary circumstances, and who spends the next 350 years running from the creature of darkness who made her. The story is told in very lengthy flashbacks from the present, for the benefit of another teenager drawn to the mystery and magic of Elizabeth's nature.
I almost wish this book had stuck to historical fiction. We get glimpses of three very dark periods of human history in Elizabeth's life, and they are interesting and detailed views of each time. But they are viewed with an unsubtle lens, and in most cases with a kind of naivete one would not really expect from an immortal supernatural being. Teenage Bess is dramatic and stupid in a way I could forgive for a modern teenager. Eliza of the 19th century seems much less annoying, but still willfully blind (as she must be in order for the plot to move forward). During WWI, I suppose it is possible the horrors of that war could blind anyone to what is plainly before her, but by then I find it increasingly hard to believe that not only can she not spell, but that she has not taken better care to hide herself. Like actually changing her name, for example. She goes on about how afraid she is to get close to anyone, how she's always on the run from the bad guy, yet anytime something suspicious happens or she has a bad feeling about someone, she doesn't seem to be able to connect the dots until (of course) it's almost too late.
In short, I found the historical elements to be interesting if a bit long-winded, but the supernatural elements of this story just don't add up for me.
I almost wish this book had stuck to historical fiction. We get glimpses of three very dark periods of human history in Elizabeth's life, and they are interesting and detailed views of each time. But they are viewed with an unsubtle lens, and in most cases with a kind of naivete one would not really expect from an immortal supernatural being. Teenage Bess is dramatic and stupid in a way I could forgive for a modern teenager. Eliza of the 19th century seems much less annoying, but still willfully blind (as she must be in order for the plot to move forward). During WWI, I suppose it is possible the horrors of that war could blind anyone to what is plainly before her, but by then I find it increasingly hard to believe that not only can she not spell, but that she has not taken better care to hide herself. Like actually changing her name, for example. She goes on about how afraid she is to get close to anyone, how she's always on the run from the bad guy, yet anytime something suspicious happens or she has a bad feeling about someone, she doesn't seem to be able to connect the dots until (of course) it's almost too late.
In short, I found the historical elements to be interesting if a bit long-winded, but the supernatural elements of this story just don't add up for me.