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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
I needed a witchy book for October and this fit the bill. It’s based off a true event from 1594. In a tiny village in Scotland, a young mother is burned at the stake for suspicion of witchcraft. She is the first known execution in that area for witchcraft and there is a lot that points to political motivations. That was my favorite part of the story - I won’t even describe the other part that follows another young mother in 2024. Mostly cool but there were couple plot points that I didn’t love or really understand. I definitely was most interested in the 1594 storyline.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Book of Witching is a captivating blend of historical fiction, mystery, and supernatural intrigue. Set against the backdrop of a hauntingly atmospheric Scottish landscape, the novel follows three interconnected women who are linked by a mysterious and ancient book with witchcraft ties.
CJ Cooke's writing is beautifully descriptive, immersing you in a world of eerie charm and unsettling tension. The novel’s pacing is well-balanced, slowly unfolding layers of mystery, while building the emotional depth of its characters. The women at the story’s core are complex, and Cooke masterfully weaves their personal struggles with the unfolding of the darker, supernatural events surrounding them.
One of the strengths of *The Book of Witching* is its strong sense of place. The Scottish setting is rich with folklore and history, which adds a sense of authenticity to the witchcraft themes and enhances the story’s atmospheric tension. The historical elements, particularly those surrounding witch trials, are explored with depth, making the novel both thought-provoking and chilling.
While the novel is gripping, there are moments where the plot feels a bit predictable, and some secondary characters could have been more developed. The resolution, though satisfying, could have benefited from a little more ambiguity to leave the reader with more lingering questions.
Overall, *The Book of Witching* is an engaging and atmospheric read that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries with a supernatural twist. Cooke has created a compelling narrative that blends the past and present seamlessly, and it’s a book that’s difficult to put down once you’ve started. It’s a solid, enjoyable read!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
mysterious
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
No
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The premise of this book was great and I loved the current day storyline. The other storyline from the past felt disconnected and unnecessary until the very very end. I may reread it to see if I pick up anything that helps connect the two storylines now that I’ve read it once and know the ending
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No