This was a book that I had sitting on my bookcase for ages and wanted to try since reading Mrs England last year. I decided to opt for the audio version and I’m so glad I did. Kate Sobey did an excellent job of narrating this one and I found it was a quick and easy listen for me.
I adore historical fiction that focuses on early witch craft. As most of these style of books are based on real events I find is fascinating how women were treated in these times and what was deemed as ‘witch craft’. Knowing this book was based on the Pendle witch trials I was excited to get started.
Stacey Halls delicately weaves fact and fiction through this story. As we watch our protagonist, Fleetwood, desperately try to save her friend Alice, at any cost, I couldn’t help but admire her tenacity and determination. The sisterhood the two women had forged was beautifully written and showed that social standings did not matter to either.
Fleetwood’s relationship with her mother was also interesting. I was appalled to learn that Fleetwood was married at the age of 4! That is something that completely shocked me to my core and helped me understand why Fleetwood didn’t care much for her mother. Their conversation towards the end of the story gave light to some of her mother’s decisions and I felt that Fleetwood had gained some sort of closure through that.
Despite being only seventeen years of age and pregnant for the fourth time, Fleetwood was wise beyond her years and remarkable brave. I had to remind myself often just how young she was and whilst she may of been small in size she was a fighter with a hugely compassionate heart.
I adore historical fiction that focuses on early witch craft. As most of these style of books are based on real events I find is fascinating how women were treated in these times and what was deemed as ‘witch craft’. Knowing this book was based on the Pendle witch trials I was excited to get started.
Stacey Halls delicately weaves fact and fiction through this story. As we watch our protagonist, Fleetwood, desperately try to save her friend Alice, at any cost, I couldn’t help but admire her tenacity and determination. The sisterhood the two women had forged was beautifully written and showed that social standings did not matter to either.
Fleetwood’s relationship with her mother was also interesting. I was appalled to learn that Fleetwood was married at the age of 4! That is something that completely shocked me to my core and helped me understand why Fleetwood didn’t care much for her mother. Their conversation towards the end of the story gave light to some of her mother’s decisions and I felt that Fleetwood had gained some sort of closure through that.
Despite being only seventeen years of age and pregnant for the fourth time, Fleetwood was wise beyond her years and remarkable brave. I had to remind myself often just how young she was and whilst she may of been small in size she was a fighter with a hugely compassionate heart.