The Witchfinder's Serpent
by Rande Goodwin
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Pub Date Sep 12 2023 | Archive Date Nov 27 2023
Greenleaf Book Group | 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 | 9798886450903 |
| PRICE | $27.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 320 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Dea S, Reviewer
I have a mild obsession with the Salem witch trials (and anything witchy, really) so was excited for this book. The author does a wonderful job world building and bringing to life a sleepy little New England town, a spooky mansion, a mysterious witch's workshop. The imagery and descriptions are lush and vivid - I was completely immersed in Nate's world. The dialogue and behavior of our protagonist is age appropriate, and the historical research is sound - the presentation of the history of the Salem witch trials will not overwhelm young readers but is substantial enough to keep adults interested. Overall a lovely read.
Judy D, Reviewer
Kudos to Rande Goodwin for a great debut novel! [book:The Witchfinder's Serpent|196931960] was a fun, paranormal mystery going back and forth from occurrences in the past to present day.
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.
My Thoughts:
I'm always up for a new book about witches, their history, and the fictional imaginings of what one could do. The historical facts woven into the book were well-researched. The characters of Nate and his brother were perfect for the roles in the story. I liked the mystery surrounding Aunt Celia. This would probably make a really good movie, probably for children over 10 up to adults. There's some scary stuff, but kids would really enjoy it. This is the first book in the series, and I look forward to the next. I'll definitely grab it if I can.
Thanks to Greenleaf Book Group through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on September 12, 2023.
Lynell W, Reviewer
Grab your October book club girls!! This book was a fantastic witchy book! I loved the story and the back and forth between the Salem witch trials to the present. I loved it!!
Reviewer 1044071
4.5
I loved this book and flew through it! I love almost anything to do with witches and the witch trials, so I love that Rande Goodwin used actual names, dates, and events in this book! I would love it if this book had a sequel sometime in the future because I would instantly devour it. I had a couple of the plot twists right, but not all of them, so it was still plenty enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. Very well written for a debut novel!
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