The Familiars is a story that transports the reader into the early seventeenth century, at a time of superstition and witch trials. This is the story of Fleetwood Shuttleworth, who at the age of seventeen is the mistress of Gawthorpe Hall. Fleetwood has been pregnant three times and has not produced a living child. Her husband Richard is anxious for an heir and Fleetwood discovers a letter telling Richard that another pregnancy will kill her, despite this she finds herself pregnant again. She is determined that this time she will succeed in providing a healthy child. Fleetwood comes across Alice Gray a young midwife who says that she can prove the doctor wrong. This is a beautiful book from start to finish,the writing is fluid and descriptive and the story is good. Fleetwood is a strong character despite being so young. I loved this book, and the front cover is rich and sumptuousand draws the reader in.