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monithetigerempress's review
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for a review.
The Famine Witch is a book set in Belfast in 1847 in a time called ‘The Great feminine’ or ‘Black 47’
I quite love reading books that are historical fiction and this one was no exception. The authour has done a really good job writing about the historical event and I really enjoyed reading and learning about this historical event.
This book is atmospheric, in credit for its heavy usage of descriptions. Every word strings beautifully together, not leaving the most minute of details to chance and perfectly encapsulating the ambiance of the setting
While I mostly enjoyed reading this book, I did sometimes feel like I had to stop reading and take a break to focus.
I’d overall rate this book a four out of five stars. It’s a great book and I think a lot of people will enjoy this.
The Famine Witch is a book set in Belfast in 1847 in a time called ‘The Great feminine’ or ‘Black 47’
I quite love reading books that are historical fiction and this one was no exception. The authour has done a really good job writing about the historical event and I really enjoyed reading and learning about this historical event.
This book is atmospheric, in credit for its heavy usage of descriptions. Every word strings beautifully together, not leaving the most minute of details to chance and perfectly encapsulating the ambiance of the setting
While I mostly enjoyed reading this book, I did sometimes feel like I had to stop reading and take a break to focus.
I’d overall rate this book a four out of five stars. It’s a great book and I think a lot of people will enjoy this.
cydchristine96's review
3.0
This was a dark gritty book told in a plague era where people fended for themselves and relied heavily on superstition and religion it seemed.
The black witch targets those for vengeance and bloody hands is the source of murder, darkness and fear in their town. The book follows maggie & Jinx at its core with other POVS painting a full picture of what plagues the town and its inhabitants.
I really loved maggie, she was compassionate, savvy and her dutiful care for her brother was my favourite part. I love how full circle everything comes at the end. Every character seems to get what they deserve.
The black witch targets those for vengeance and bloody hands is the source of murder, darkness and fear in their town. The book follows maggie & Jinx at its core with other POVS painting a full picture of what plagues the town and its inhabitants.
I really loved maggie, she was compassionate, savvy and her dutiful care for her brother was my favourite part. I love how full circle everything comes at the end. Every character seems to get what they deserve.
ceres_reads_books's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Everyone who likes dark, historical fantasy seriously needs to go read this book! I loved it so much. This story takes place in Belfast in 1847 and everyone is either dead or dying because of famine and diseases running rampant. Now, in this lovely setting there are evil ghosts and witches running rampant. And of course lots of churchly influences that don’t make the situation better.
The main characters are absolutely amazing. There is a super powerful oldest sister witch and the most adorable naughty little brother. These two had such an amazing brother sister dynamic and Jinks is just sooooo cute.
We also get to see a lovely friendship form when two young women take on all the dark and powerful forces in the town.
Now, it is indeed really dark and there’s lots of gory moments (So check trigger warnings) but I’m not going into too much detail, bc I’m not about to spoil the plot -and fun- for anyone.
What I will say is that there’s some influences from Irish mythology, which is really cool, because you don’t see that often.
I really hope I’ve convinced you to go give this book a try. The amazing characters, unique setting and battling ghosts, what more can you want?
Special thanks to NetGalley and Stephen Black for giving me the opportunity to read an review this book! All opinions are my own.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Stephen Black for giving me the opportunity to read an review this book! All opinions are my own.
sallyreads_'s review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
The Famine Witch was an enjoyable read based in Belfast, Ireland in 1847, during the Great Famine/ Irish Potato Famine, and follows two creatures from Irish folklore; The Black Lady known as a Cailleach and the Abhartach. The Abhartach and the witch are both enemies, fighting over the lands ridden by death, disease and hunger as the Cailleach seeks her revenge on the descendants of the folks who hung her as a witch, two centuries prior. Now as history repeats itself, Maggie Malone is the town's new religious scapegoat, a hysteria driven by religion, hunger, and greed of the wealthy. Maggie has to do what's right to protect her brother and herself from the malicious forces set out to get them, both ancient and human.
While I admire the premise of the story, I felt like the Black Lady's vengeance was a bit ambiguous, her feud with the Abhartach was not as tense and she became a vengeful creature even towards those who follow her path, using her followers as stepping stones for her selfish cause, seemingly similar to what the wealthy of the town did to regain control of the poorer masses when they made Maggie their sacrificial lamb.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While I admire the premise of the story, I felt like the Black Lady's vengeance was a bit ambiguous, her feud with the Abhartach was not as tense and she became a vengeful creature even towards those who follow her path, using her followers as stepping stones for her selfish cause, seemingly similar to what the wealthy of the town did to regain control of the poorer masses when they made Maggie their sacrificial lamb.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
theinkthief's review
4.0
In "The Famine Witch," Stephen Black crafts a dark and atmospheric fantasy that weaves together elements of folklore, magic, and historical intrigue. Set against the haunting backdrop of the Irish Potato Famine, the novel immerses readers in a world where the line between reality and the supernatural becomes indistinguishable.
The story unfolds during one of Ireland's darkest periods—the devastating Potato Famine of the mid-19th century. Maggie Malone and her brother Jinks are struggling to survive, when Maggie discovers her latent magical abilities as she grapples with the harsh realities of famine, oppression, and a looming supernatural threat.
"The Famine Witch" skilfully intertwines historical events with elements of fantasy, presenting a nuanced exploration of the human condition during times of crisis. The novel delves into themes of survival, sacrifice, and the consequences of wielding extraordinary powers in the face of overwhelming adversity. Black's atmospheric writing captures the desperation of the era while infusing a sense of magic that adds depth to the narrative.
As a reader, I was drawn to the richly textured world that Black created, blending the harsh realities of history with the mystical elements of fantasy. The characters are well-drawn, and as well as being compelling and relatable, with a journey resonates emotionally. The author's ability to evoke a sense of time and place, coupled with the suspenseful plot, kept me engaged from start to finish.
While "The Famine Witch" is a strong and immersive read, some readers may find that the pacing fluctuates, with moments of intense action followed by slower, more contemplative passages. It would also be more helpful if the trigger warnings were printed at the beginning of the book, rather than the end, so the reader can tell what may or may not trigger them within the book without having to go looking for a list. The inclusion of a list is to be commended though, because I know so few books that do this, but should still have one.
In the realm of historical fantasy, "The Famine Witch" stands alongside works like “The Poppy War” by R.F. Kuang or Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series, offering a unique perspective on a specific historical event infused with magical realism. Black's approach sets this novel apart, skilfully blending history and fantasy to create a narrative that is both thought-provoking and enchanting.
"The Famine Witch" is recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural. It's a compelling choice for those interested in exploring the human experience during times of crisis, as well as for fantasy enthusiasts who appreciate a well-crafted blend of magic and historical authenticity.
Stephen Black's "The Famine Witch" is a captivating exploration of history and fantasy, weaving a tale of resilience, magic, and survival. With its evocative prose and well-realised characters, the novel immerses readers in a world where the ordinary collides with the extraordinary. A solid four-star rating for a book that successfully merges historical drama with the enchantment of fantasy.
The story unfolds during one of Ireland's darkest periods—the devastating Potato Famine of the mid-19th century. Maggie Malone and her brother Jinks are struggling to survive, when Maggie discovers her latent magical abilities as she grapples with the harsh realities of famine, oppression, and a looming supernatural threat.
"The Famine Witch" skilfully intertwines historical events with elements of fantasy, presenting a nuanced exploration of the human condition during times of crisis. The novel delves into themes of survival, sacrifice, and the consequences of wielding extraordinary powers in the face of overwhelming adversity. Black's atmospheric writing captures the desperation of the era while infusing a sense of magic that adds depth to the narrative.
As a reader, I was drawn to the richly textured world that Black created, blending the harsh realities of history with the mystical elements of fantasy. The characters are well-drawn, and as well as being compelling and relatable, with a journey resonates emotionally. The author's ability to evoke a sense of time and place, coupled with the suspenseful plot, kept me engaged from start to finish.
While "The Famine Witch" is a strong and immersive read, some readers may find that the pacing fluctuates, with moments of intense action followed by slower, more contemplative passages. It would also be more helpful if the trigger warnings were printed at the beginning of the book, rather than the end, so the reader can tell what may or may not trigger them within the book without having to go looking for a list. The inclusion of a list is to be commended though, because I know so few books that do this, but should still have one.
In the realm of historical fantasy, "The Famine Witch" stands alongside works like “The Poppy War” by R.F. Kuang or Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series, offering a unique perspective on a specific historical event infused with magical realism. Black's approach sets this novel apart, skilfully blending history and fantasy to create a narrative that is both thought-provoking and enchanting.
"The Famine Witch" is recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural. It's a compelling choice for those interested in exploring the human experience during times of crisis, as well as for fantasy enthusiasts who appreciate a well-crafted blend of magic and historical authenticity.
Stephen Black's "The Famine Witch" is a captivating exploration of history and fantasy, weaving a tale of resilience, magic, and survival. With its evocative prose and well-realised characters, the novel immerses readers in a world where the ordinary collides with the extraordinary. A solid four-star rating for a book that successfully merges historical drama with the enchantment of fantasy.
nrskelley's review
3.0
The famine which is a historical fantasy book set during the Irish potato famine in 1847. Maggie and her brother Jinx are slowly starving along with the rest of Belfast before they are swept into an unbelievable world of witches and demons.
I found the book to be a good solid read. My heart broke for Maggie and her brother just trying to survive. There are quite a few TW for this book which the author lists in appendix B:
Grave desecration
Death by execution
Extreme poverty/starvation
Gore
Implied infant death
Violence toward women
Misogyny
I honestly don’t think you could have a book set in this time period without those things but if they trigger you best to avoid this book. Otherwise give this book a chance. The only reason I’ll give it a 3 vs a 4 is because there seemed to be a lot of repetition in explaining things which drives me bonkers.
I found the book to be a good solid read. My heart broke for Maggie and her brother just trying to survive. There are quite a few TW for this book which the author lists in appendix B:
Grave desecration
Death by execution
Extreme poverty/starvation
Gore
Implied infant death
Violence toward women
Misogyny
I honestly don’t think you could have a book set in this time period without those things but if they trigger you best to avoid this book. Otherwise give this book a chance. The only reason I’ll give it a 3 vs a 4 is because there seemed to be a lot of repetition in explaining things which drives me bonkers.
sncardini's review
Book didn’t hold my attention. Typically, books that focus on multiple characters will identify each chapter with a header of their name, but in this book there was no indication of who the main character of the chapter is. This made it confusing to read at times and a bit harder to follow.
emabat's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
allrianne's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
*Netgalley provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
4.25/5
I loved how descriptive this book was, I was immersed in the story from the beginning. The pace of the book is quite slow, which made the book feel much longer than it actually was.
My only issue with the story is the dialogue seemed a little unrealistic. Everyone spoke in the same formal way, from the ship captain, to the preacher and his daughter to the poorest of the poor. It would have been nice to see some variation to the dialogue which portrayed more accurately people of different backgrounds actually talk. In general this didn't really reduce my enjoyment of the book, but sometimes it could be jarring and pull you out of the story.
4.25/5
I loved how descriptive this book was, I was immersed in the story from the beginning. The pace of the book is quite slow, which made the book feel much longer than it actually was.
My only issue with the story is the dialogue seemed a little unrealistic. Everyone spoke in the same formal way, from the ship captain, to the preacher and his daughter to the poorest of the poor. It would have been nice to see some variation to the dialogue which portrayed more accurately people of different backgrounds actually talk. In general this didn't really reduce my enjoyment of the book, but sometimes it could be jarring and pull you out of the story.
katiereads82's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0