Daughters of the Witching HIll, by Mary Sharratt (Review and Giveaway!)

4 Stars!

ABOUT THE BOOK -

Daughters of theWitching Hill brings history to life in a vivid and wrenching account of a family sustained by love as they try to survive the hysteria of a witch-hunt.

Bess Southerns, an impoverished widow living in Pendle Forest, is haunted by visions and gains a reputation as a cunning woman. Drawing on the Catholic folk magic of her youth, Bess heals the sick and foretells the future. As she ages, she instructs her granddaughter, Alizon, in her craft, as well as her best friend, who ultimately turns to dark magic.

When a peddler suffers a stroke after exchanging harsh words with Alizon, a local magistrate, eager to make his name as a witch finder, plays neighbors and family members against one another until suspicion and paranoia reach frenzied heights.

Sharratt interweaves well-researched historical details of the 1612 Pendle witch-hunt with a beautifully imagined story of strong women, family, and betrayal. Daughters of the Witching Hill is a powerful novel of intrigue and revelation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

MARY SHARRATT is an American writer who has lived in the Pendle region of Lancashire, England, for the past seven years. The author of the critically acclaimed novels Summit Avenue, The Real Minerva, and The Vanishing Point, Sharratt is also the coeditor of the subversive fiction anthology Bitch Lit, a celebration of female antiheroes, strong women who break all the rules.




MY  REVIEW -
 This was an amazing book to read. Let me start by explaining that the only reason I gave it 4 stars was because it was a little slow in spots. Usually when a book gets slow I just skim (or read fast) over the slow spots, but this book was so interesting and full of facts I was afraid I was gonna miss something. So I ended up reading it word for word. It was a very intense book to read.This was not your fluffy, light, quirky witch book. This was a little scary, sad, very Historical and based on true facts.
Great character development! Great scene development! Great story! This takes place during the late 1500's through early 1600's in England. The first half of the book is told by Bess Southerns, "Mother Demdyke" and the second half of the book is told by her grand-daughter, Alizon. I was confused for about a page, till I flipped back and saw that it changed (my fault - it was right there in black and white).

"Throughout Pendle Forest I was know as a cunning woman, Folk called on me to heal the sick, mend their ailing cows and horses, reveal the names of thieves, bless ale and wombs. On occasion a sorry few had asked me to work curses for their own selfish designs, but I always refused."

This is an excellent trailer for the book, it is long over 6 min. but worth watching every second! Just like the book is worth reading every word.


 

THE GIVEAWAY - 
The copy I have to giveaway is USED! It is still in good condition though.
I am giving it away because it is such a great book - I want others to enjoy it!

To win this book - fill out the form below.

* Please US & Canada only.

And please only enter once -  (I go through and delete double entries).

* Winner will be chosen on June 6th.

* Winner will have 48 hrs. to respond.