The Witchfinder's Serpent
by Rande Goodwin
Narrated by Nick Mondelli
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Pub Date Sep 12 2023 | Archive Date Sep 30 2023
Greenleaf Audiobooks | Greenleaf Book Group Press
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Description
When fifteen-year-old Nate Watson moves to Windsor to live with his mysterious Aunt Celia, the last things on his mind are witches and magick and ancient vendettas. While Nate focuses on building a new life for himself and his younger brother, making new friends and adjusting to a new high school, he can’t escape the feeling that something isn’t as it seems.
Nate’s search for answers leads him to a forbidden, locked door in Aunt Celia’s mansion. Inside, he finds a witch’s workshop full of mystical artifacts, some dating back to the time of the earliest Puritan settlers. It’s no coincidence that Nate is now living in the very same town where, forty-five years before the Salem witch trials, Alse Young was hanged as America’s first witch.
Could magick be real? Nate remains skeptical until he picks up the witchfinder’s serpent—a powerful, demonic bracelet that wraps itself around his arm and permanently imbeds itself into his flesh. Now Nate must confront the truth about Aunt Celia’s unlikely ancestry—as well as his own. And with her help, he must find a way to remove the bracelet before the serpent’s previous owner returns—an ancient and powerful enemy who will stop at nothing to get it back.
Advance Praise
“Witches, warlocks, and high school—what could be more frightening? Rande Goodwin's The Witchfinder's Serpent delivers an exciting blend of magic and intrigue.”
—Michael Jan Friedman, New York Times best-selling author
“The Witchfinder’s Serpent reimagines the early American witch trials as the backdrop to a very modern YA adventure—but with a clever twist that leaves the reader on the edge of their seat until the very last page.”
—Amber Benson, author and actor, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
“In the 1640s, Britain’s Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins, scoured the English countryside with one purpose—to accuse, bring to trial, and publicly execute as many ‘witches’ as he could be paid to identify. History says he died at a young age of a mysterious illness, but suppose he fled to America instead . . . ? Rande Goodwin's debut novel, The Witchfinder's Serpent, is a fun, fact-filled tale of revenge that weaves past with present as all hell breaks loose in a quiet New England town.”
—Steve Alten, New York Times best-selling author of MEG and The Loch
“Rande Goodwin’s The Witchfinder’s Serpent is a delightful debut novel that builds upon a fascinating period of human history.”
—Peter David, New York Times best-selling author
Marketing Plan
- National trade marketing and sales campaign.
- Advance distribution of Digital ARC via NetGalley to reviewers, bloggers, journalists, librarians, booksellers, and media
- Online marketing campaign including targeted advertising, advance giveaways via Goodreads, and trade advertising via Publisher's Weekly and School Library Journal
- Watch for author and book updates at www.randegoodwin.com
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9798886451368 |
| PRICE | $17.95 (USD) |
| DURATION | 10 Hours, 7 Minutes, 41 Seconds |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Educator 411823
Thank you Greenleaf Audiobooks, Greenleaf Book Group Press, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic audio review copy of this book. Great world building, clear descriptions rooted in actual historical events (Salem witch trials), and masterful narration made this a wonderful story that I enjoyed a lot.
Heather M, Reviewer
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version.
I will say that the book was entertaining and it was a pretty fast read ( at least for me). It would be perfect for Halloween month.🎃
I believe this was listed for YA which I usually don't read, but the synopsis intrigued me.
Andrea B, Reviewer
R.L. Stine meets Stephen King in #TheWitchfinder’sSerpent debut novel by #RandeGoodwin Dark and creepy.
Jess S, Reviewer
Get ready to be charmed by The Witchfinder's Serpent by Rande Goodwin, narrated by the enchanting Nick Mondelli. This debut novel casts a spell of excitement that's pretty irresistible.
In this debut novel, Goodwin conjures a magical brew of adventure and enchanting escapades amidst the angsty lives of teenagers and flashbacks to how their lives all became entwined like thick ropes of ivy wrapped around an old house from the times of the Pilgrims. The plot unravels with twists and turns that'll leave you curious how it all ends. With a cast of characters as diverse as a potion ingredients list, you'll find yourself immersed in a realm of laughter and suspense.
Mondelli's voice dances through the narrative like a spell, creating an auditory spell that you won't want to break. The Witchfinder's Serpent is a bewitching blend of magic and intrigue, a book that's sure to cast a smile on your face. So, if you're ready for an enchanting ride, grab your broomstick and let Mondelli's narration whisk you away into this fantastical world of wonder.
Thanks to Greenleaf Audiobooks, Greenleaf Book Group Press via NetGalley for the advanced audio copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Heidi G, Educator
I actually listened to the audiobook and it was a lovely "back to school" and "eagerly anticipating autumn" mood. Hopefully much of what it felt was missing or underdeveloped will be revealed in future books since this is labeled the first of a series. As witchy ya goes it was a fun embellishment of what were clearly well researched historical elements. Orphans and a mysterious auntie, a forbidden room, witch bottles and crows, magic and transfiguration . . . now we wait for Book 2!
Librarian 1222941
You can read the synopsis.
I was looking for a middle grade book. This was a little more than that.
Gives all the spooky Fall vibes I love.
I love the history lessons. The fact that some of these characters were real people is an aspect I really enjoy.
It was like reading a mash up between The Crucible and Hocus Pocus. There was a point where I was like, "He just lit the black flame candle."
The grandma scene was a little creepy 😳
I can't wait to see what happens with little brother in book two.
I'm now planning a dream trip to this town to learn more about the Young family and what they experienced.
This definitely was not the book I was looking for, but I'm glad it was the one I found.
I received this as an ARC on Netgalley.com
Thank you for letting me have a first look at this series.
theresa h, Educator
The Witchfinder's Serpent
by Rande Goodwin
The two timeline story of the conflict between perception and reality. Started during the pandemic this book looks at the turmoil of modern life, and the problems of colonial life. A story of magic and the wonder of gifts of nature. The book moral concept shows the insidious nature of greed and power. How people manipulate others for their own gain? It is a great opening into a world of magic, and responsibility. This balance is needed in YA readers to show children that propaganda and power struggles are not only in history but we are subjected to them today.
The Audible version is an easy day read, as the voice of the reader breezes through the story.
Tiffany F, Reviewer
What a fun read. Perfect for the upcoming fall season. I loved the magical realism in the book. The humor was also well done. I love the found family aspect. I can't wait to see how the story unfolds as the series progresses.
Kristan M, Reviewer
I really enjoyed this audiobook by this debut author. It’s the perfect young adult witchy book to get you in the mood for spooky season. It also made you wonder if it were based on a true story, and sure enough, there’s an interesting historical basis that is explained after the ending. It makes me want to read non-fiction, which I rarely am interested in. I look forward to this author’s other books in the future!! The narrator, Nick Mondelli, did a great job with telling the story and I am going to check out to see what else he has narrated! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!
Reviewer 1113805
The Witchfinder's Serpent by Rande Goodwin is an enchanting story of two young brothers who following a personal tragedy find themselves putting their lives back together with the help of an aunt they never knew existed. Their Aunt Celia generously welcomes them into to her home, they had free reign in the house to do as they pleased except to enter one closed off room.
Nate and His brother attend a new High School, make new friends, and start putting their life back together, But to Nate something just doesn't seem right, and he becomes determined to find out what Aunt Celia is hiding behind that door. When all his digging opens a door to an unexpected room he encounters a magical bracelet that permanently attaches to his wrist he endangers them all. As the previous owner wants that bracelet and will stop at nothing until it is returned.
This book is an enchanting story full of magic and the evil that wishes to control it. A fun read geared towards Young Adult and Teens.
I received the audiobook narrated by Nick Mondelli who delightfully brings this story to life.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Amber D, Reviewer
I really enjoyed this witchy book. I loved how it went back and forth from the past to the present. The mystery pulls you in from the start and makes you not want to stop reading. I did not see some of the twists coming. I loved the creepy mansion and Aunt Celia. I will be reading more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Audiobooks for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Elizabeth J, Reviewer
When I read the synopsis for this book, I knew I had to grab it! I enjoy reading stories that have an air of mystery in them and this one was no different. With a story told through flashbacks in time, along with present day, this story shared history of witches and it's presence in the present world. Even though Nate was new, he quickly found a support system of friends who were there to back him up and defend him. I found myself wanting to keep reading to find out what was going to happen! Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Audiobooks for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
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