I am a sucker for historical fiction about witch trials. This one was just okay. The middle dragged on and on and on. I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the author Margaret Meyer, publishers Scribner, and as always NetGalley, for an advance audio copy of THE WITCHING TIDE.

Martha is a mute midwife in 17th century England, who uses a form of sign language to communicate with those who are close to her. She's so different and aloof, and there's her proximity to every still birth in the last ten years, not to mention every birth defect, every single pregnancy. Once Makepeace, the witch hunter, comes to town, it isn't long before the townspeople set him on her scent.

I read this book twice, as the first time through, I didn't keep up well with all the narrative turns. It's definitely a twisty, suspenseful tale, and the second time through, I was hooked. This time, I was more prepared for the wild plot, so I had no trouble following the many threads. Even though this book is not written in multiple timelines or perspectives, Meyer provides abundant detail about all the secondary characters, setting, and backstory. It's an immersive read about a stunningly horrible time in human history. Here are my trigger warnings for extreme violence against women and children, religious persecution, extreme gender and disability persecution, scenes of torture, death of a fetus, infanticide, SA, and more; I don't think the author or publisher provided trigger warnings, but these barely scrape the surface.

I really adore the disability rep in this book. In the time this book is set, disability can be a death sentence for one of a hundred reasons, and Meyer really shows how Martha's disability can isolate her socially. In the character of Kit, Meyer also shows the importance and value of compassion and social responsibility. Martha had become an invaluable part of Kit's family, because Kit's and Marth had devised a method of communication. This was my favorite aspect of the book and the primary reason I recommend the read. Such well drawn characters!

Rating: 🫢🫢🫢🫢 / 5 mute main characters
Recommend? Yes!
Finished May 12 & 21 2023
Format: Advance Digital, NetGalley
Read this if you like:
🫢 Disability rep
🧙 Witch stories
🗿17th century stories
⏳️ Historical fiction
👩‍🦳 Women's fiction

Immersive and gripping, this novel really does a great job at putting the reader in the story world. I'm so impressed with how the author weaves her research into the narrative and provides just the right amount of details. The pacing is a tiny bit slow at times, but overall I was eager to keep turning the pages. I wish the climax had been slightly more clever; as it is, the flood feels a smidge too convenient. The sense of anger and helplessness builds as the story progresses. I especially liked how the author explored the issue of trust within this community.

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

The story is weaved with such excellence and creativity that it made me feel as though I was present along side the characters vs just reading them from afar. I was immersed quickly into the tale and felt hooked from the first page. Characters are lovely. Setting is fantastic and story was well researched.

I don't know what I was expecting with Thornhedge, but after reading other books by T. Kingfisher, I definitely was.not expecting this.

Thornhedge is a fairytale retelling of sleeping beauty. Only sleeping beauty is a sociopathic fae or demon? Unclear. Our heroine is probably one of the most interesting characters I've encountered recently.

I really enjoyed Kingfisher's world building. I can be someone who has a tough time with world building, as many authors leave too many loose ends and their stories don't add up. Not a problem here. From Toadling's origin story all the way through the end, it held my interest. I agree with Kingfisher that the story is sweet, even with animated corpses. I really hope she does more fairy tale novellas, as I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

This book is set in the 1600’s. I immediately felt the atmosphere, felt the dirt roads under my feet and the terror of the townspeople as the Witchfinder Makepeace came to town. Pestilence, death, bad luck, poor weather and illness were just some of the things that witches were accused of, things that were acts of nature. People started pointing figures at others, saying they had been cursed. this book is a great picture of how the hysteria progressed (like the McCarty era) causing more women to be named as witches. It dragged somewhat around the middle but overall this was a very good read. Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the digital ARC. This opinion is my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the amazing publisher for the ARC of this title! I am so grateful to be auto-approved for this title!
I look forward to reading and reviewing. More to come!

An atmospheric and satisfying read. Very recommendable. I can’t say it was a favorite read but I fully respect the craft and skill of the author. Well-developed characters populate a carefully developed setting that almost works as its own character within this read. Easy to recommend to all historical fiction readers as well as those interested in witchy books.

Oof. This one was heavy. It started a little slow and took me a while to get into it. The element of our protagonist not be able to speak added to the story as it got going. As a reader I wanted to scream out, and it really made you feel immersed in the novel when the main character could not speak out. The reader feels as powerless as Martha throughout the book. The anger and helplessness as the entire village turns on one another seeps out of the pages.

Going into a book like this, any time there’s a witch hunt you have a general idea of the outcome and the shape a novel will take. I still found this book hid a few surprises. Martha held a few secrets of her own. What was not surprising was how the town slowly and viciously started accusing one another, friends quickly became enemies, simmering underlying tensions and resentments grounds for accusations. The book really was well written and gripping. I kept telling myself I was done after one more chapter and ended up finishing well past midnight. The author does also touch on how does a community like this move on after a horrific experience like this? How do they ever trust one another and move on, knowing that some were able to let loose words that condemned others to hang? Acts that cannot be undone? While a work of fiction, it was also sobering knowing this very scene unfolded across cities, towns, countries, and centuries and that those of us living today may have descended from the accusers just as much as the accused.

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

Set in East Anglia, England in 1645, the historical fiction novel The Witching Tide follows the life of Martha Hallybread. As a midwife, healer and servant who has not spoken a word for years, Martha is respected and trusted by her neighbours in the village of Cleftwater. But this delicate peace is disrupted when a group of witch hunters led by Silas Makepeace arrives, and Martha must face her past, her fears and her destiny as the witching tide rises.

🪑 The book is well-researched and based on real-life witch hunts in the 17th century in England. Meyer does an excellent job of bringing the historical setting and social and political climate to life.

🧺 The plot is gripping, with a swift pace that glides along, making it impossible not to be drawn into the story o feel for the characters as each twist of fate comes around. There are compelling themes about survival, oppression, rebellion, and identity woven throughout this narrative.

🪃 Martha Hallybread is the strong and courageous protagonist at the centre of the plot. She has a mysterious magical power, and she faces a multitude of dangers and challenges, while also showing compassion, loyalty, and resilience. This makes her a multi-faceted character that readers will come to care deeply about.

The writing in this book is interesting and does successfully capture the period it's set in. Despite that, nothing jumped out at me as I read. It felt like I knew exactly where the story was heading which isn't too shocking when dealing with historical fiction. Still though, I think there was potential for the author to make readers feel more connected to the characters and engaged in their journey.

It's the middle of the 17th century in England, where Martha Hallybread resides in a small town called Cleftwater. Born mute, Martha has lived her life communicating with hand signs, quietly working as a healer and midwife. Her loyalty lies with her master Christopher, also known as as Kit, and his pregnant wife Agnes, and her life seems nondescript until the arrival of the witch hunt that's sweeping the country. Against her will, Martha is pulled to aide the efforts of Silas Makepeace, the leader of the movement, and soon she's forced to turn against her own friends and acquaintances in town in order to save herself and her family. Yet, Martha's own mother gifted her a poppet, a small wax doll, with words to use her gift carefully...

At first glance, the premise of "The Witching Tide" was intriguing for me as most novels I've read on the topic of witch hunts were focused on Salem, Massachusetts and not any of the earlier movements that happened in other countries. The novel is told from the Martha's perspective, giving readers a chance to see into her thoughts and memories. While I did find eye-opening the sheer ridiculousness of "evidence" that was presented that led to the death of so many women, I had difficulty getting immersed into the story. The writing style felt stark and rigid at times, and Martha as a character was hard to pin down. The storyline as well wasn't terribly unique as the ending is fairly well known and predictable.

I may have just read too many novels this year that are based on similar topics, but "The Witching Tide" didn't stand out particularly for me. For those that are curious about a lesser-known period of witch hunts in history this may be worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Really awesome historical novel. I very much enjoyed this book. I think it would be even better as an audiobook.

The Witching Tide
A Novel
by Margaret Meyer

The Witching Tide, what a gorgeous cover, addictive premise, and a tense read. Loved it! Featuring a popular historical fiction theme, women are being persecuted for possible witchcraft. Enter Martha, who is a skilled midwife, has suffered tragedy and has not spoken for years. When evil comes to town in the form of an authoritative figure who is hell bent on encouraging fear, maliciousness and murder on local women, Martha must do what she can to help the others, while preserving her own sanity and innocence at the same time. The unexpected twist I loved was that a male was also accused of witchcraft as well. A good twist to be included and followed.

An addictive read that brings to light the struggle of female relationships during a tide-turning part of history. Author Margaret Meyer has written a powerful debut novel. This is a popular troupe in historical fiction, so I felt the writing could have been a little stronger so grab readers. There are so many versions of these popular historical fiction themes out there. But, still a great read. I give this a four of five stars, and look forward to seeing the fanfare that will accompany Meyer’s writings to come.

Much appreciation to Scribner publishing via NetGalley for this arc to review! All opinions are my own.

During the height of witch panics in Scotland and England, Martha is a midwife and a selective mute who uses sign language with her employer and friends. When a witchfinder puts her town in his sights, of course she is targeted. This novel, one of an enormous number about the witch panics, focuses on the relationships between women caught in the panics: the accused, the accusing, the abetting, the bystanders, A woman who is your friend today is your accuser tomorrow and is accused herself the next day and then lies to save you both....it's pretty believable, and well written, if often generally predictable. The denouement is a bit of deus ex machina when a flood sends the witchfinders out of town and a judge finds the flood's surviving, accused women not guilty of witchcraft. Is it the best witch panic novel out there? No, but it's a decent read, despite the predictability and the magical ending. It will be good for book club discussions.

Review in progress and to come.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

I'm fascinated and sad for the women in this novel. The horrors of having to watch your step is frightening indeed at least in that time period. ( Makes me glad I wasn't born then).
All it takes is one bad apple to spread his evil and poof the whole village is frightened and in an uproar.
This book will definitely make you think about the events that took place in it. I'm still thinking about those poor women. Especially Prissy.
She reminds me of Tituba.
I could feel their emotions as I read this book. Some of them weren't pleasant but mostly scary and fearful.
Emotions are the most powerful thing a human can have. Fear is the number one culprit.
I took my time to read this because I wanted to savor it it was so good.
I just finished it yesterday. This novel will definitely floor you.
5 stars for a job well done! In my opinion, all the characters got their fair share of voices and the plot was very interesting!
I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a great historical novel written about a very oppressed time in women's lives. Horrible times with such a dire outlook, but with hope. A must Read.

As soon as I read the description for The Witching Tide, I knew it was a must-read. Margaret Meyer certainly didn't leave me disappointed.

Meyer's prose is so powerful it'll crack you in half (in a good way). I repeatedly found myself awed by the subtle ways she worded things, lending a poetry to an otherwise terrifying tale.

What struck me most about The Witching Tide was this impossibility of it all. The witch trials offered virtually no happy outcomes. You're a woman who keeps to herself? Witch. In everyone's business? Witch. Never married? Witch. Rejected a marriage proposal from a drunk man? Witch. Married to a prominent public figure in the community? Witch. Meyer has encapsulated the aggravating lack of critical thinking with finesse, imbuing her characters with an intensely understandable frustration.

The Witching Tide also feels like an allegory for the power of generational knowledge as well as generational trauma. Martha's agony over her mother's fate decades on is a true testament to the immovability of grief, but the taking up of knowledge passed on to her in turn is empowering.

All told, The Witching Tide is an exquisite yet harrowing debut novel.

I really like this book. I thought that it was beautifully done.
I just reviewed The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer. #NetGalley
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The author's use of imagery is so powerful in this book. The story is well written and does an excellent job of capturing the time period. As I read this novel I felt sorry for all the women that were accused of witches and had to go through similar ordeals.

I think The Witching Tide would be a wonderful novel for any book club. I highly recommend it.