Thank you to Netgalley and Catherine for letting me read this amazing book.
Usually, I wouldn't say I like historical fiction but this book was simply good albeit a bit heartbreaking. Once I started it I couldn't put it down. It did have an ominous feeling that something big was about to go down that kept me reading nonstop. I have read about Witch trials before (mostly articles) but never the storybook set around that time. This was my first story read and the details of the trials in Europe were gruesome. I feel for all those people who were wrongly accused and died during that time. One of the lowest points of humanity in history.

The book was good, strong plot and a strong conclusion. I have written a detailed review. It's on my blog.

A very well written book. You can clearly see the extensive historical research put into All the Parts of the Soul. This book is an interesting take on the witchcraft hunts of the 16th century and doesn't shy away from the true horror of what many women went through.

However, I did find it a bit too gory for me, and at certain point I skimmed through some scenes. Overall, it was an interesting book with a vast background into the horror and terror of the witchcraft hunts.

Thank you NetGalley and Quill and Crow Publishing House for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This story was very well written, and the historical research came through on every page. It was an interesting take to have the POV be from a 'witch hunter', and having access to his personal thoughts and morals throughout the book was shocking. Henry, from the get-go, was an abrupt, shocking character that left me wide-eyed every few pages.
This wasn't my cup of tea, and from 50% on, I struggled to continue and not DNF it; however, I think someone who enjoys historical fiction with a touch of horror and witchcraft would enjoy this book for a cozy, cold night.

Thank you to NetGalley, Quill and Crow Publishing House and author Catherine Fearns for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was very well-researched and quite horrifying at times. I felt that the pace really slowed down from about a third of the way through to about 75% of the way through, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless!

Thank you to NetGalley, Quill and Crow Publishing House and author Catherine Fearns for providing me with this eARC.

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting to read something in this time period, especially as I am swiss and not a lot of novels are set here. It was well written and had a nice flow.
But my god, I think Henry has replaced Holden Caulfield as my most hated literary character of all time. He's such a naive, entitled, disgusting, mysogynicstic, sadistic and just all around horrible person. And through the whole novel you are hoping for some growth or character development... but nothing. So, so frustrating!! So if you don't like a dislikeable MC I'd stay away from this. Otherwise, it's 100% worth the read.

Wow what a book. I really enjoyed this in depth book about witch hunting! What a rollercoaster of emotions. Too see the process through a witch hunters eyes was a very unique experience. The details and history were perfectly written without losing any flavor of the story. I don't want to write too much about the story. I say if you like reading about history and witch hunting this should be on your top ten list. I flew through this book.

So, I picked this up because all of the themes sounded right up my alley: historical fiction, historical horror, plagued and European witch trials. Sadly I realized quickly this was not the book for me, it is just too horrifying it has a misery to it that I just can’t stomach. I love the horror genre but this was too much for me it was way too graphic and disturbing. DNF 63%.

All the Parts of the Soul takes you on a fascinating looking at the witch trials in Geneva. I have been always fascinated by this and getting a chance to read about it even moreso. Our male lead Henry Aubert seems like a simple man but has many hidden secrets about himself that even he does not know. Our female lead is a former nun and wife named Louise De Peney. She's a wise woman and healer of considerable note and eventually accused of witchcraft. These two characters are vastly different yet have common threads between them. I highly recommend this book. Until next time Happy Reading!

I would like to thank Quill and Crow Publishers for this ARC I received for an honest review through Netgalley.

All the Parts of the Soul by Catherine Fearns is a profound historical horror released in an age that would do well to remember what we humans have done to each other before.

What I loved
1. The format this story is presented in drops the reader right into the mind of a witch hunter and shows his descent from an average man into the dark and woman hating being he will become.
2. Tragedy is not shied away from in the writing of what could have been a genuine connection for our main character
What was more difficult for me
1. Torture is hard to read and the acknowledgement by the character that many of these women were innocent was just rough

Who would I recommend this title for
Readers of historical fiction wanting to dip into the horror genre will find themselves at home in the pages of All the Parts of the Soul.

"The only way in which I am trapped is in being a woman. I am afraid. I have no rights."

"If I think of someone constantly, does it then mean I am in love? Or does it mean I have been possessed, bewitched?"

"All our best and worst plans are made in the middle of the night."

All the Parts of the Soul is a beautifully written historical fiction describing a series of witch trials in Savigny, circa 1545. The narrative is presented as a series of diary entries from Henry Aubert, a Geneva junior magistrate instructed by John Calvin himself to root out the devil in Savigny. The story portrays Auberts transformation from an inexperienced magistrate to a seasoned witch hunter, including his struggle with justifying his persecutions, and falling in love with Louise de Peney, an intelligent local woman.

I have read many fictional novels about witchcraft and witch trials, but this is the first I've read from the point of view of the witch hunter. It was interesting (terrifying) to watch the transformation, and how quickly Aubert accepts torturing people, supports accusing innocent women, all in the name of God. Make no mistake, this is no love story. For many women this is a horror story. It is particularly frustrating reading this (historically accurate) narrative because you can feel the pain of these women, who have done nothing wrong except be intelligent, be beautiful, be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and to be completely at the mercy of these disillusioned men.

A particularly dreary weekend allowed me to devour this novel in less than 24 hours, and in that time, I have enjoyed discussion of many of the events in this book with my fiancé (this would be a great book for a book club). It's easy to draw parallels between the witch trials and modern misogynistic views of women. A man can do no wrong. A woman can do everything wrong.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the digital ARC of "All Parts of the Soul", in exchange for my honest review. I highly recommend.

I enjoyed the Gothic feel of this book. It is an interesting concept to me seeing how easily prejudices are formed and transformed to suit your needs. The writing is very good but, sometimes it felted a little disjointed. I would definitely try another book by Catherine Fearns.

This book might be one of my favorite reads this year. And if it doesn't get you fired up then you're reading it wrong lol. It covers the European Witch Hunt and the thousands of people that died. It was such a beautiful dark historical fiction book, and one that if you like fiction or historical fiction you should definitely check it out. Witches, plagues, black magic all of the above.

An eye opening and brutal account of the treatment and views of women during this time in history. Such a well written story steeped in historic research, which makes the reading so much more immersive and at the same time terrifying.

Although difficult at times to read from the POV of the main character and his perception of women, it was necessary to the story to fully understand the extent of men’s total lack of empathy towards females. Louise was of course the sunlight of this book, and her strength and empathy shone through the pages. My heart broke for her.

One quote that really stood out to me, which puts into perspective just how expendable men felt women were, was: “Even if we make a mistake, it is better that a few unfortunate innocents burn than a single witch go unpunished.”

A very dark but important read.

Many books have tackled the witch hunt and its attendant horrors. This one may not end up as the definitive version of that story, but it certainly doesn’t shy away from the grim realities of the era.

All the Parts of the Soul is at its strongest in its sweeping and evocative descriptions of the landscape, of cramped plague-ridden Geneva and its hauntingly beautiful environs where witches lurk. Even if its central conceit is perhaps a little played out, there is always something to find here. A retort which flips a conversation on its head. A turn of phrase which sings. Protagonist Aubert’s naivety wears thin, but it’s worth enduring his indoctrinated nastiness for the dark glimpses of Calvin’s ‘new world’.

Henry Aubert is a delusional misogynistic coward, entirely by design. It’s unpleasant to spend very long in his head, but this is a short book, and Fearns has plenty to say about all would-be inquisitors. Yet for all that, from time to time Aubert breaks through his conditioning to offer some desperate and poignant thought about the human condition.

His tragedy - beyond gallows and pyres - is that he never quite makes it all the way to being human.

Certainly hard to get the mind around the atrocities committed during the witch trials. I liked this book, and it has left me thinking. Have we really left this craziness behind or do we just have other names for today? Very good read. Thank you for the ARC!

I enjoyed this book. It’s funny how it was able to stick with me. I started reading this book Back in Oct, got away from reading for quite some time yet I still had this book with me when I picked it back up to finish it.

“Thou shalt not permit a sorceress to live.”

This was a wonderfully dark and grim historical fiction. I loved the concepts: witches, plagues, dark magic, etc. and was so frustrated at times with the archaic perceptions of women!

You can tell the author put so much work into her tale, from all the descriptive details, to the chapter titles, and richly developed characters.

This is one story you won’t want to miss reading!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & Quill and Crow Publishing House for a copy!

This was the perfect book to read during October. Witches, magic, death, historical fiction. Everything you need for a nice cozy haunting night. When i started this book, it was hard to get into because of the writing style but once i got familiar with it the pages started to fly by. I really enjoyed the storyline and the haunting mystery aspect.

Book Review 📚
All The Parts of The Soul by Catherine Fearns - 4/5 ⭐

I can't remember the last time I picked up a brilliantly amazing dark historical fiction. Actually, I don't remember ever picking up a DARK history fiction, full stop. Fantastic.

The best thing about this book was just how easily you get lost it in. There was nothing enjoyable about it, but in a good way! It was compelling in the story of the Geneva Witch Trials. A lot of thought and detail went into the book. I was engrossed and couldn't put it down. It was super dark and really had me questioning so much!

I absolutely loved that the POV was from a witch hunter rather then a witch. I thought that was an incredible touch, to see it from a different person.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quill and Crow Publishing House for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

All Parts of the Soul has a piece of my heart. This was beautifully dark and highlighted a twisted part of European history that people often forget - the witch-craze that killed around 50,000 people.

I think this was so well researched, utilising historical facts mixed with fiction to create an incredible story highlighting what women faced in the sixteenth century but from a male perspective. A unique take on witchcraft stories, as this was told through the male recluse turned magistrate who was tasked with hunting witches in a small village.

I felt myself getting so angry while reading from his perspective, but obviously, that was the point, and I think it was well executed (excuse the pun). Overall, it was a beautiful historical fiction story that pulled on my heart strings and made me emotive, so it's a great read.