A review by kcalle
The Book of Witching by C.J. Cooke

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

This book was really hard to read, subject matter-wise. So much of the witch trial process breaks my heart and brain - and I don’t think this even comes close to what horrors Men of God have done to women and families for power and greed, or simply because they can. 

There were multiple times where I felt confused or like I missed something in the description of a scene - there would be talk of looking through a window when the characters were out in the woods, or certain medical descriptions that just didn’t add up. I think the writing was fine but maybe the editors got a little carried away?

Things pick up and I became more invested in the story about 40 pages from the end of the book - i don’t know that it redeemed how sad and upset I was at being reminded how little women have been (and continue to be) valued in modern history. It was a rough one.