In medieval Locklear, Agnes harbours a dangerous secret—she can touch fire without being burned. As war rages beyond the town and whispers of witchcraft echo through its streets, Agnes navigates arranged marriages, rivals' schemes, and the threat of the hangman's noose.
When a desperate bargain with a local widow goes awry, Agnes's world erupts in flames—she is accused of witchcraft. In a society that fears female power, can Agnes find the strength to forge her own destiny?
What did I think?
I absolutely loved Rachel Grosvenor's magnificent debut, The Finery, so I couldn't wait to read her next novel, Witchborne and it is as stunning as I thought it would be. I love novels about witches/healers and their persecution so Witchborne is going straight on my favourites list.
17 year old Agnes has been born with the gift of fire but it's a gift that she must keep hidden or she will be accused of being a witch. With her brother away fighting in the war against the crown, it falls to Agnes to bring back respectability to her family by being matched with the tanner's son at the Spring Feast. Nobody asks Agnes how she feels about this, she is just expected to go along with the arrangement.
Agnes is very feisty and I loved her. She shouldn't have to keep her gift hidden but the consequences of showing who she really is could be deadly. It's heartbreaking to think how women were treated in the past and even something as innocent as visiting a local healer to help conceive could see both women branded as witches. It made me ask myself the question: "What makes a woman a witch?" and the answer "the church" springs to mind. Heaven forbid people should believe in something other than whichever god is being forced down their throats.
Mesmerising, compelling and immersive, Witchborne is a hugely atmospheric novel that immediately draws the reader in and refuses to let go. I really couldn't put it down once I picked it up and I read it in two sittings (it would've been one sitting if I'd picked it up earlier in the day). A very highly recommended read and another magnificent novel from Rachel Grosvenor.
I received a gifted ARC to read and review; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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