This is a magical debut full of strong women, magic and fast action. The chases involving the witch hunters are dramatic and keep you holding your breath until the very end. The writing is beautiful and the character of Evey is described in intimate detail as we learn her torment and anguish following her mother's death. This is balanced well with the characters of Dill and Anne, who see the good in Evey and help her with her quest.

I was first drawn in by the beautiful cover, and hoped it would be the perfect book for autumn. However, I really struggled with this book, both the way it was written, and the characters and plot.
I found the writing style and language used really hard to get into, although the dialogue may have been how they spoke at the time, it was jarring to read, and I didn’t enjoy it. There were also times when I wasn’t really sure what was going on due to the choppy writing style. I also felt like the plot had no flow, it was just short scenes in lots of different places, with no world-building.

I don’t think it helped that I didn’t like any of the characters either. Evey and Dill’s relationship was unbelievably frustrating, and this meant that I wasn’t as invested in their fate as I should have been. Other characters were quickly introduced but lacked any characterisation so also fell a bit flat. I think a big issue is that the story moves at such a fast pace that very little time is then left to flesh out characters and their motivations.

Overall an interesting premise, but the writing really let it down. There was very little characterisation to anyone, plus the plot felt so rushed that it lacked the vivid descriptions I was hoping for. Disappointing since the cover is so beautiful.

I received a copy of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was immediately drawn to this beautiful cover and even more intrigued when I read the blurb but sadly this book just wasn’t for me.

At the start of story, we see Evey and her younger sister Dill witness the murder of their mother by a group of witch hunters. Evey swears to avenge her death and we see her set off to seek that vengeance.

Witch should have been a quick, easy read for me but unfortunately I didn’t like the writing style or language used, the story didn’t grip me like I expected it to (which made it drag) and I didn’t particularly like any of the characters which meant I just wasn’t interested in the outcome.

1.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for a honest review

To begin with I was not a fan of this book, but it grew on me.
I liked the overall story that it told though the way in which it was written was confusing at times and a little off-putting though the style of writing was historically correct for the time period in which the story was based.
Overall this book was an easy, quick read and I cannot fault the author as it must've taken a lot of time and research to have the characters speak in the way they did.

Evey and Dill are the daughter of a healer and watch as their Mother is brutally murdered by witch hunters. They must now save themselves. They must run.

Evey vows to seek revenge on the men who killed their Mother. Evey and Dill set off on their journey. So far into the journey they meet their Aunt Grey and Evey feels it safest for Dill to stay with her.

Evey embarks on her quest for revenge. Along the way she meets some enemies and also Anna who becomes her closest friend. When Evey realises that her sister Dill has been captured by the witch hunters and is to stand trial her quest becomes even more urgent.

The darkness rises in Evey. She must keep it at bay but can she rescue her sister and the other innocents from the gallows before it's too late.

This book bought me great deal of nostalgia. It reminded me of the magic I felt as a child when I would sit down and watch The Chronicles of Narnia. I was hooked from the first page.

I really felt close to the sisters on their journeys and it reminded me of the bond I have with my own sister. My heart broke for them and I gasped at certain scenes.

It is beautifully written story that will pull you under to a dark, magical and mystical world.

I was drawn by the cover on this I’ll admit it and sadly the book didn’t match the gorgeous cover, I just wasn’t drawn or interested by the story, I found it dull and hard to keep interested at all. The writing style wasn’t for me and it just didn’t flow at all.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Thank you to Netgalley and Zephyr publishing for e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Hawkins has created a dark atmospheric book which is a perfect short read. However; this is not a fluffy autumn book and contains some distressing scenes. I would advise readers to find a full list of Trigger Warnings.

Witch follows the tale of young Evey and her journey to avenge her mother, who was brutally murdered for being a Witch. Evey and her sister, Dill, must find the coven for safety, and avoid the witch hunters.

I found this book to be unique in its writing style; quite short lines that read like verse. It could sometimes be hard to get into and follow, but for the most part, worked like a charm in the bleak world that Hawkins created.

Although the world is bleak and full of despair, there are heartwarming moments of light, in the form of friendship and family.

“Good apple, bad apple. Good witch, bad witch.”
A spell bounding tale full of revenge, regret and most importantly, witchcraft; Witch is the perfect historical fantasy for the autumn season. It’s beautifully atmospheric and a heart wrenching tale full of family and fierce female friendships.
I think it is important to note that this book deals with some upsetting and potentially triggering topics such as loss of a parent and torture so I would recommend finding a full list of trigger warnings if you are sensitive to certain topics.
Witch follows Avey who is forced to flee her home with her younger sister Dill when witch hunters torture and kill her mother. Full of anger and desperate for revenge she goes on a journey to settle her debts but begins to find herself, and the powers within herself, along the way.
The writing style was pretty unique in my opinion and really paired well with the story to provide a rich atmosphere, that I wasn’t expecting. I read a lot of this story outside and it did definitely conjure up images of magic and the wild forces of nature. It is easy to believe the 17th century setting and yet I couldn’t put my finger on exactly why, it just seems effortless. It made it so easy to get sucked into the story.
In a similar way the pacing was really well done. The chapters were pretty short without feeling rushed which I enjoyed and I sped through the book as a whole. That being said the plot itself is very simple and doesn’t have layers to it really so if you are looking for something more intricately crafted in that respect then this might not be for you.
As much as I enjoyed our main character, she is not particularly special and could be interchanged with many other protagonists. In no way is she badly written, it is just clear that she is more a vessel to allow the story and its messages to unfold more than anything else. That being said I did find her interactions with some of the side characters very charming and pleasant. There isn’t much depth but at the end of the day this is a relatively short standalone.
The messages in this book were so beautifully intertwined with the narrative in a way that they felt solely organic and in no way forced. Loss, family, guilt and anger where such vital parts of the story yet by the end it still seemed hopeful and overall good, fair and just.
As a debut novel Witch excites me and I cannot wait to see what is coming next from this author.
Rated: 4 Stars

I so wanted to love this book, but I really struggled with the writing style and language.

That being said, I loved the overall premise of this book and the elements of mystery and magic worked into it.

I was drawn in by the beautiful cover and premise of the book, however I could just not get involved with the story line. The beginning started off strong with two young siblings getting away after their mother is murdered for being a witch and then the aftermath for revenge, but I think it was the style of the writing and dialogue that made me not enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

Evey sees her mother murdered because she was a witch and that results in a promise and a mission. The promise to keep her sister safe and the mission: revenge on her mother's killers.

With short but so full of meaning sentences, almost like it's in verse, Hawkins has a very unique style of writing, certainly poetic, absolutely gripping. The narrative is seemingly soft, quiet but powerful, the language indicative of the era but easy to read. Full of sharp and creative descriptions. I love how birds are a constant in this story, helping our protagonist any way they can.

Dealing with the pain, anger and melancholy of grief, the growing pains of realization. How we can be much stronger than we ever imagined. The complexity and dilemma of avenging the wrongs done to you: To revenge or not to revenge? Or is it justice?

Danger, suspense and a terrible betrayal that changes the course of the story. A testament to faith, in yourself and others, to finding compassion and hope in the midst of even absolute despair. This book was achingly beautiful, soul-whispering and maybe it imprinted a little on my heart.

REVIEW: ‘Witch’ by Finbar Hawkins didn’t meet my high expectations

The tale doesn’t quite pack the punch I’d hoped for.

Although the premise of Witch was exciting, I felt the novel’s execution was somewhat lacking.

The concept of Witch is an exciting one. Set in the seventeenth century, Finbar Hawkins delves into history to bring this story of witches and witch-hunters to life. While I can appreciate the knowledge and research that has gone into the story, the delivery of the tale left me wanting.

Primarily, the pacing felt off. The story moved very quickly, and while some readers may find that aids the plot, it put me off-kilter. There was very little time dedicated to fleshing out the characters or setting. Instead, the action was front-and-centre, which left it falling flat.

Evey is a strong-willed and fierce teenager. Her need to avenge her mother is understandable, and helps to create an emotional atmosphere that, at times, really makes you feel for her and Dill. However, Dill is written in a very similar vein. She is also strong-willed and fierce, and although she arguably has more goodness inside her, she differs little from her older sister.

I was rushed through the novel without getting a proper sense of the girls as individuals, and with each voice sounding the same it made for a somewhat boring cast. Despite the age difference between the sisters, their speech made this nearly impossible to notice; Evey’s actions were particularly discordant with her adolescence.

I think the writing really let Witch down. Where the concept was promising, the lack of detail when it came to creating rounded characters meant I never fully connected with the story. Furthermore, its fast pace and lacking descriptions meant I was often confused about how or why certain events took place

Overall, Witch didn’t really provide anything new. Although the look into the witch trials of the UK was a promising topic, the writing didn’t deliver. The tale was very straightforward without any surprises to keep readers on their toes.

2.9 stars.

The book started out well with the two sisters escaping after their mother was murdered for being a witch and then the revenge. The words did not flow, however, and I found it difficult to read for this reason. I think the sentences and structure should have been shorter and edited To flow. The dialogue was also difficult.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the plot of this one, finding it quick and easy to read, but I do think that certain character elements could have been more fleshed out.

The opening to this book was a little difficult to read, in two senses of the word. The writing feels a little unusual when you first come to it, the dialect particularly, so that takes some getting used to, but also the graphic nature of the opening scenes makes them emotionally hard to read.

I really wanted to love this one; the historical period and the exploration of witches (and the perception and treatment of witches at that time) should be right up my street, but how little I connected with the MC meant I wasn't fully invested in her quest for revenge, or what happened to her.

This was a good book, but not a great one. A slightly disappointing 3 stars from me.

The voice in this book is incredible. It's screams an authentic, historical British accent - I want to say rural West Country, but my ability to pin down dialects isn't always reliable! I could really hear the accent as I read, thanks in parts to the "non-standard", that helps to bring it alive

Part of the way the voice is built is through atypical prose structure. It is written in prose, but the sentences are much shorter than normally found in fiction, and a lot of them are sentence fragments. It might take a bit of time for a reader to get used to it, as it is a very different structure than "typical" prose, but it brings the cadence of the words out.

WITCH is a historical fantasy the slowly leans into the fantasy as the book goes on. At first, it feels more like a historical fiction novel, where claims of witchery is a weapon used against independent women by those with a grudge. However, as the novel goes on, fantastical elements are slowly introduced as Evey sinks deeper into her anger - until the magic-stuffed finale. By this point, there is no denying that it is a fantasy novel. The gradual alteration works so well as a mirror to her emotional state.

I also really liked that the historical setting is never explicitly referenced in book. You can tell from the descriptions that it is Rural England, and from the world building slipped into conversations, it is possible to infer what is happening. This is England around the Civil War, but Finbar Hawkins trusts the reader to understand that because it's only backdrop - not a crucial element of the story.

Witch is an incredibly powerful and deeply emotional story that held me enthralled from the opening pages.

Evey and her younger sister Dill witness the brutal murder of their mother by the local witchfinder and his men. Evey makes a promise to avenge her mother’s death by killing the men. Leaving her nine-year-old sister with their Aunt, she seeks vengeance alone. However, she soon finds herself with a new friend, the local Lord’s daughter, Anne and together they embark on a dangerous mission, a mission which will see them forging unbreakable bonds and taking courageous risks to seek vengeance.

This is a heartfelt story about the strength, courage and determination it takes to right wrongs, to re-dress the balance of nature. A story of delving deep into your inner psyche and finding yourself, of self-belief and finding a transformative power within … a story of fury, of healing, of magick.

It is also a story of friendship, family, betrayal and fear encapsulated in a deep-rooted magick which is at the heart of the story. Those in positions of power seek to use and control the women who can channel the magick for political gain, but they also fear, and are suspicious of, these women so seek to destroy.

The raw grief, pain and anger which is tearing the sisters apart is heartbreakingly portrayed. I found the complicated relationship between Evey and Dill a real strength of the narrative. There is deep love, but also jealousy and brutal honesty caught up in their relationship with magick, their mother and each other. They both have admirable inner strength and incredible reserves of courage. They suffer, they endure, but they rise above their persecution. The other main female in the story, Anne, has also suffered great loss at the hands of men, and is empathetic, kind-hearted and courageous. I really enjoyed the friendship between her and Evey.

Overall, this is a deeply atmospheric, rich and emotive story which is both heart-breaking and uplifting.

A witchy tale! I loved the overall plot of this book and I grew to love the characters too. I especially liked Anne!

Initially I found this book rather difficult to get into, however I stuck with it. I think it was the writing style that I found hard to personally connect with. However I also understand that other people would appreciate and enjoy this style of writing as it sounds more appropriate for the time in which the story is set.

On the other hand I really liked the overall idea of the plot and the story itself, however once more it was difficult at times for a smooth read due to the way it was written. I however cannot fault the core of the plot as I did enjoy that, I also think this would translate quite well into a film or television show.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book as it was definitely an experience, however I did find it quite hard to connect with until the near end. But my love for Dill and especially Anne is still soaring high!

Witch follows Evey, a young woman used to living in the woods with her mother and little sister Dill. The three of them enjoy a quiet existence, occasionally coming to town to use their skills as witches to help those suffering sickness, or to help delivery babies. The three of them a good people, and haven't been hurtful to anyone, yet can't escape the brutal prejudices of their time.

When their mother is dragged from her home, beaten and killed by a group of witch hunters Evey and Dill are forced to flee the only home they've ever known. Setting out to find their aunt, Evey is consumed by only one thought, the thirst for revenge.

I was initially intrigued by the description for Witch, and have enjoyed similar books to this in the past. I was hoping for a book that would put Evey through a journey that would help her to learn about herself and her life as a witch, and whilst the book does give us this I never really connected with her as a character the way I wanted to.

The book is told from Evey's point of view, and as such we spend a lot of time getting to hear her thoughts and how she feels about everything that's happening. However, one of the downsides to this is that the majority of the book is written in some strange ways, using slang and language that's not quite familiar. Whilst this does help to make the book feel like it's happening in a different era, it sometimes made it hard to connect with Evey as a character as I wasn't completely sure what she was trying to say.

This happened a lot whilst Evey was talking with her sister Dill, mainly due to the two of them having this strange kind of shorthand, but did ease a little as the book went on and Evey was able to set out on her own as her mission for revenge begins for real.

Once Evey sets out to make her mothers killers pay the story actually moves quite quickly, and has a good pace as events unfold over what is only a day or two in the narrative. The benefit of this is that you never get a moment to really slow down and get bored. New characters are introduced pretty quickly, and weave in and out of the narrative at a pace that sometimes feels a little convenient at times though.

Despite the pace of the story, and the relatively short length of the book, it took me longer than I thought to actually get through the book. This was in part because once I put it down I was a little reluctant to go back to it. It took me a while to realise that this was despite how appealing the story sounded I never really felt gripped by it, and didn't really care how Evey's story went. Her quest for revenge never grabbed me because I never felt invested in her as a person. Yes, it was awful what happened to her family, but Evey just came across as jealous and self-centred, putting herself before anyone else, even her sister.

She's also incredibly reckless, and instead of plotting or planning how she can kill the man who murdered her mother she simply announces herself to them when she comes across them, which results in her having to run away, or be rescued by others. Once would have been bad enough, but the fact that she does it again really boggles the mind. Evey is a reckless and self centred protagonist that I found hard to like, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing, and speaks well to someone who might be going through trauma and still trying to find themselves in the world.

Witch was a book that I found difficult to get my head round at times, but was glad that I took the time to read. It was never what I was expecting, and managed to do some new and interesting things that definitely make it stand out. I can't guarantee that you'll enjoy reading this one, but it's one that will definitely stick in your mind for a good while.

‘Witch’ is a relatively short novel, coming in under 300 pages, with a simple narrative; Evey and Dill’s mother, the town witch, is murdered by witch-hunters, and Evey vows to enact revenge. The language used reflects the historical setting and Evey’s young age. Many will love this as a quaint, atmospheric tale – but I found myself irritated by Evey and put off by a narrative style which made the story feel very superficial.

Evey is, to be quite frank, not a very nice person. Much of this can be forgiven due to her young age and the shock of watching the death of her mother – but she spends the entire story either complaining or making horrifically rash decisions, and it gets quite tiring to read about. Her interactions with her sister, Dill, are believable – they fight like real siblings, with true sibling grievances – but the pettiness of it all isn’t fun to read. In a novel where everything else is kept deliberately light and whimsical, the protagonist needed to be a strong anchor – Evey isn’t that person.

Most of my grievances with this book say more about me than the novel itself. I prefer my magic systems explained, with clear rules and limitations – the witchcraft in this book is a mysterious thing with no clear rules, and is also far less prominent than the title might suggest. I like character-driven fantasy – this is definitely plot-driven, with Evey never developed as a character beyond her base motivations. I prefer difficult situations to be solved by brains rather than fortuitous coincidences – this book has nothing but fortuitous coincidences. My difficulties with this book almost exactly mirror my issues with another whimsical fantasy from earlier this year, Feathertide – so if you enjoyed that, you might find this up your street too.

I should mention that, while this is written in a very light style, it touches on some dark subject matter. Despite the child narrator, it’s definitely an adult novel with adult themes.

What about the positives? This is a quick read, easy to consume in one sitting – but also easy to consume in small bites, the narrative simple enough that nothing will be forgotten. It’s also an interesting exploration of attitudes towards witchcraft – people decrying it in the daylight but turning to witches when things get tough. It’s enlightening peering back to a time when witch trials were commonplace; for most of the novel, the historical fiction is more prominent than the fantasy.

Overall, this isn’t the book for me – but I’m sure plenty of others will enjoy the style it’s written in, and it’s nice delving into a shorter novel amidst the trend for increasingly long fantasy stories. Recommended for fans of atmospheric, whimsical books, historical fantasy, and child narrators.

If I’m honest I really struggled with this. I hate when authors change spellings of words to match an character’s accent or way of speaking as I find it makes it really hard to read the book and feels a bit cringy. It really put me off and I kept wanting to put it down to the point where it’s been sat on my side for a month and I really don’t want to pick it up to have to wade through that again.