I loved this historical fiction about a woman in 1300's Ireland who was accused of being the first witch because she successfully ran an inn and just happened to have four husbands who died under mysterious and not so mysterious circumstances. But it is so easy to see why they accused her of being a witch, because they didn't like her. I loved at the beginning of the chapters there were snippets of gossip. I really enjoyed this take of Alice Kyteler but I wish there had been more details and depth. I wanted to know her better than I did by the end of the novel. Highly recommend!

imaginative, gorgeous writing. just missing a component that would bring me to cone back to it. i found it hard to fall deeply into the story and stay there.

The prose of Bright I Burn is fantastic. Alice is a strong character. She worked a highly patriarchal society to be a successful woman, in a time where it was impossible. However, if you are unaware of Alice and her historical origins, you may be struggling to understand a lot of the book. It would be beneficial to look up basics of the actual historical figure prior to reading to merge some of the missing pieces. The formatting of the book was interesting, bouncing between Alice's narrative and the community conversations. This allowed the reader to piece together the public opinion of Alice and what she thinks.

I went into this expecting a fantasy historical book featuring witches but instead found a historical book with a serious tone about Medieval Ireland. I love learning about things and I love a good history book; however if you're looking for a fantasy this isn't it. It's a realistic look at life during this period. Aitken did a wonderful job working the era, showing you what Alice was living through, and maintaining a strong focus on the main character allowing her narrative to shine through.

A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Really intrigued by the play gossip has in this book, and the form and snippets help to move the plot along from what is otherwise all Alice’s perspective. She’s very focused on her own goals which isn’t always a terrible thing, if you don’t mind a few dead husbands along the way. Alice herself can be both a badass and challenging to root for at different points throughout the book. If you’re looking for a lot of witchcraft lore, you might be disappointed, as this book leans toward the everyday decisions of ambitious women who get ahead of everyone else and is hated for it.

Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book was definitely intriguing, the implementation of it just didn’t really do it for me personally. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t memorable either

I thought I would enjoy Bright I Burn by Molly Aitken, but it was slow-going for me. I did appreciate the story of real-life Alice Kyteler and am grateful to Aitken for depicting how terribly hard it was to be a woman in Ireland in the thirteenth century, but I found the writing style difficult to get through. I'm glad I stuck with it, though, because I wanted to learn what happened to Alice. Now to read more historical sources about her!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for honest feedback.

This book. Sigh, so good, where to begin?

My familiar approves 🐈 and that’s the best approval a book can ever have. Bright I Burn is an exploration of power, sexuality, womanhood, and resilience. Oh, and gossipy townsfolk. It is inspired by the story of Alice Kyteler, the first woman in Ireland to be formally charged with witchcraft. Also who here doesn’t love a good Irish tale?!

We follow Alice as she created a morally questionable path in an immoral world. Fans of Weyward by Emilia Hart or The Book of Gothel will probably enjoy this book. Although, Airken’s writing is a bit more lyrical.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cannongate for the ARC! 📚✨

"In thirteenth-century Ireland, a woman with power is a woman to be feared."

I LOVE historical fiction (and nonfiction) about how women were considered witches.

This book's plot had me interested from the start. It would be perfect for the fall season! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This lyrical historical fiction is based on Alice Kyteler—namesake of our female MC—who was the first woman condemned as a witch in Ireland back in the 1300s. Kyteler leads what would (especially then) be considered a scandalous life, having had four husbands. This historical fiction closely follows the real life story of Kyteler and while exquisitely told, I was hoping for more of a lean in to the fiction and, therefore, the witchcraft. I suppose I was hoping for more of a story along the lines of “Weyward” or “The Lost Apothecary” so my own expectations failed me; it felt more like a historical retelling rather than historical fiction and that made it difficult for me to truly connect with. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more on audiobook but as a physical book, I struggled.

Thank you Knopf and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Available 09/10/2024!

Bright I Burn
by Molly Aitken
4⭐️

I don’t think I’ve read a book like this in a while, this was way out of my usual scope but so good! I loved the style of writing and the way this story is told. Alice is such a strong FMC, she is flawed and real in the way strong and fierce women always are.

There’s a few things that weren’t super clear to me because of the ambiguous way in which they were written but maybe this was on purpose.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6608922392

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley.
The blurb mentioned this being about the first woman accused of witchcraft.
Her sin was to want the power and wealth of a businessman like her father. She may also have left a few husbands in her wake, but she learned that from her father as well. The book has a good storyline that moves along with good timing. Sometimes it seems more like an epic poem because of the beauty of the words.

I read the blurb of this book and couldn’t wait to start and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I was intrigued right from the beginning- the plot was quickly paced and Alice is a character to be reckoned with. The story felt well researched and cared for. I’ll be interest to see what Molly Aitken writes next.

Very interesting plot. Quick pacing that was mostly enjoyable but sometimes felt like I would have enjoyed certain plot points fleshed out a bit more.

"Bright I Burn" masterfully reimagines the life of Alice, the first woman condemned as a witch in Ireland. Set in the thirteenth century, the novel captures Alice's transformation from the daughter of a wealthy innkeeper to a formidable businesswoman. Her determination to defy societal constraints is both inspiring and empowering.

The clever use of town gossip cut scenes adds layers of intrigue and tension. Despite some occasional pacing issues, the story comes together well, mirroring Alice’s unpredictable life.

"Bright I Burn" is a breathtaking act of imagination, breathing life into a historical figure lost to time. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction with strong, complex female character.

I wish this book had been longer. A very interesting tale of one woman's life. I didn't want it to end. So many women went through similar situations back then, and scarily it still happens today to a point. A very good book that I highly recommend.

Now, I am my own creation, and it’s far too late to change me.

Told in a lyrical and bard style, Bright I Burn breathes historical fiction life into the first recorded person condemned for witchcraft in Ireland, Alice Kyteler. The story brings readers in when Alice is nine years old in 1279 Kilkenny, Ireland. At this age, Alice learns an important truth of how woman are valued, their ability to give their husbands heirs and to always remember to stay at least one step ahead of the men in her life. Her desirability is a hindrance, first avoiding her father, and a help as it leads to her being able to marry who she wants. I liked how the story did touch on Alice's privilege, class and race, and how that protected her at times. From this important formative year, the story jumps year to year as Alice grows, plotting, planning, and maneuvering to gain riches for herself and her son, knowing this leads to protection and choices.

Successful women don't always fair well in history, though, and knowing an important part of the historical outcome, each year that goes by, with Alice marrying and playing a part in her widowhood, jealousy, envy, and anger grow among the townspeople and certain men in power, there is a feeling of dread. There are moments, where you want to start to agree with her son, have her be less for safety, but then you rally and know she shouldn't have to. However, Alice isn't portrayed a perfect character, she has pride, desire, and selfishness, making her all the more accessible. She feels stifled by her first husband, has her sexual liberation with her second, grows more centered with her third, and lets some of her rage out on her fourth.

The story was throughout good with dripping with disdain pointing out the hypocrisy of the church and it's clergymen. When Bishop of Ossory, Richard Ledrede arrives in Kilkenny, you could feel the rising tension and building fervor of him using economic strife and men's fear and want to control women, from the pulpit to slowly poison. Alice in her late fifties/early sixties alluring and intimidating men, them not knowing how to deal with these feelings causing anger, felt like a tale as old as time. While the true historical texts don't know what ultimately happened to Alice, I liked the ending the author imagined. An historical fiction story that took a real life and imagined filled in places, it will make you want to rage and, maybe, wish for a time that poisoning wasn't so detectable.

Thank you Knopf and NetGalley for the ARC!
I had heard the name Alice Kyteler before in school, but never learned much about her. I think this is a strong, well-researched, beautifully written introduction to her story. I really did enjoy the style of prose and Alice’s unforgiving, straightforward voice. The only setback for me was that I didn’t feel particularly connected to her, like there was a certain level of depth missing. But overall, this novel is well worth a read, and very hard to put down.

Not what I thought the book would be about. The synopsis was very interesting, but once I got to reading, it was like a whole another story. It's more about Alice's life and so very little about witchery. The writing style was very hard for me to grasp and it was so hard to follow along. At times, I found it hard to understand what was happening.


Thank you Netgalley, Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage catalog for the ARC.

I found this novel based on history to be a fascinating read ,I knew nothing Alice was a really interesting character her story made for a compelling read.Molly Aiken has an excellent style of writing.#netgalley #knopf doubleday

"Bright I Burn" by Molly Aitken is an extraordinary novel that weaves a rich tapestry of myth, magic, and raw human emotion. Aitken's storytelling prowess is on full display as she crafts a narrative that is as enchanting as it is profound.

The novel follows the journey of Rós, a young woman who finds herself entangled in the ancient, mystical traditions of her homeland. Aitken's ability to blend folklore with contemporary issues is seamless, creating a world that feels both timeless and utterly relevant. The prose is lush and evocative, painting vivid images that linger in the mind long after the final page is turned.

What truly sets "Bright I Burn" apart is its depth of character development. Rós is a compelling protagonist whose growth is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, each bringing their own unique perspectives and adding layers of complexity to the story.

Aitken's exploration of themes such as identity, belonging, and the power of storytelling is handled with great sensitivity and insight. The novel resonates on a deeply emotional level, making it a powerful read that stays with you.

In summary, "Bright I Burn" is a masterfully crafted novel that captivates from beginning to end. Molly Aitken has delivered a stunning work of fiction that is sure to appeal to fans of literary fiction and fantasy alike. Highly recommended!