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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
The book of witching is a dual timeline set between the present day in Glasgow and 1594 in the Orkney Isles. It begins with the horrific discovery of a badly burned girl by a ranger and her dog on the Isle of Gunn, Orkney. At first the ranger thinks the girl is dead, her injuries are so dreadful, but she feels a faint pulse, the girl is still alive.
We then travel back in time to 1594 when Alison Balfour is living on Gunn with her husband William and children Edward and Beatrice. Alison is alone in her cottage, outside she hears the call of an owl. An owl is an omen, and this one's call is a bad omen. Alison can just feel it....
The girl is flown out to Glasgow infirmary. Her mother, Clem, is called in to the hospital. She is told of her daughter Erin's injuries, her condition is critical and Clem fears the worst. Erin has very severe burns. Clem has no idea what has happened. Erin went to Orkney with her boyfriend Arlo and their friend Senna. She left her young daughter Freya in her grandmothers care. Clem calls Erin's estranged father Quinn, he needs to know even though he hasn't had contact in years. It transpires that Arlo's body was found on Gunn and Senna is missing. Together Clem and Quinn take it upon themselves to find out exactly what happened on that island...
We learn all about Alison as we go back in time to the witch hunts. As Alison's story progresses we are given an insight into how women accused of practicing witchcraft were treated and the horrors they were put through.
It's obvious C.J Cooke researched thoroughly for this book. It's actually based on the true story of Alison Balfour, accused of Witchcraft in 1594 in Orkney. Her story is fascinating but heartbreaking. The author does not hold back, it's brutal and honest and I found some parts really difficult to read. The book is extremely well written with the two timelines coming together perfectly towards the conclusion. And oh wow that conclusion just blew me away!! A must read - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
We then travel back in time to 1594 when Alison Balfour is living on Gunn with her husband William and children Edward and Beatrice. Alison is alone in her cottage, outside she hears the call of an owl. An owl is an omen, and this one's call is a bad omen. Alison can just feel it....
The girl is flown out to Glasgow infirmary. Her mother, Clem, is called in to the hospital. She is told of her daughter Erin's injuries, her condition is critical and Clem fears the worst. Erin has very severe burns. Clem has no idea what has happened. Erin went to Orkney with her boyfriend Arlo and their friend Senna. She left her young daughter Freya in her grandmothers care. Clem calls Erin's estranged father Quinn, he needs to know even though he hasn't had contact in years. It transpires that Arlo's body was found on Gunn and Senna is missing. Together Clem and Quinn take it upon themselves to find out exactly what happened on that island...
We learn all about Alison as we go back in time to the witch hunts. As Alison's story progresses we are given an insight into how women accused of practicing witchcraft were treated and the horrors they were put through.
It's obvious C.J Cooke researched thoroughly for this book. It's actually based on the true story of Alison Balfour, accused of Witchcraft in 1594 in Orkney. Her story is fascinating but heartbreaking. The author does not hold back, it's brutal and honest and I found some parts really difficult to read. The book is extremely well written with the two timelines coming together perfectly towards the conclusion. And oh wow that conclusion just blew me away!! A must read - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
fast-paced
medium-paced
I read the first half of this book very quickly and was especially interested in Alison and her storyline. The second half dragged on for me, and the connection between the two timelines didn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense. I kept waiting for a big revelation on why these stories were intertwined, but what was provided felt super weak. Overall glad I read it, but had high hopes based on all the hype I heard about this book.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No