I’m afraid to say that I couldn’t get into this book. I read a few pages and just found the writing terrible and couldn’t get past it. It’s a shame as the story itself sounds great, but the writing was just so bad.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
A dark and atmospheric story with writing really evoking the mood. Perfect read for fans of witchcraft.
However, the story was hard to get into and the characters uninteresting and therefore not engaging. 
An OK read.

My favourite part of this book was the writing style. It played into the way that language was used at the time, but it never felt dry or difficult to read. It did a great job of setting up the atmosphere and reminded me of the A24 film ‘Witch’.

I was initially drawn in by the beautiful cover and reading the blurb left me intrigued about this book, however I feel this was an in-between book: not developed enough to be a novel but too long to be a novella. I think a novella format would have suited this better as it feels like too many unconnected short scenes and disjointed chapters. I also really did not relate to Evey as a main character as I feel she was spoiled and bratty and altogether unlikeable. Very disappointed with this unfortunately.

Set in 17th century England in the midst of witch hunts, young Evey's life is changed forever. With her mother killed by witch hunters and her younger sister now her sole responsibility, she's faced with a need to exact revenge on the men who took her mother away. The world building was particularly well done in this book, despite there not being much intense description, I felt as though I was riding alongside Evey on her quest for revenge. Hawkins picks his words well, nothing is redundant and succeeds in painting a vivid mental image for the reader. I couldn't help but root for Evey in her mission, even when it changed from exacting revenge to rebuilding her relationship with Dill. Without spoiling anything, I enjoyed the twist that comes near to the end of the story when we realise how the witch hunters are able to track down the women they put on trial. This definitely made the story (at a point where things were wrapping up) more interesting and gave it another dimension. The pacing moves fairly quickly which I appreciated as Evey's always moving forward, learning new information or progressing. This means that it's a great book if you're looking to dedicate an afternoon to reading as you'll get through most of it.

As for what I disliked, it was mainly the writing style. While I've said, and maintain, that the world building was brilliantly done, I found that the Old English style was confusing at times. It took me a while to get used to it and I felt it left little opportunity for rich descriptions that I would have loved to see. However, it did lend an authenticity to the setting of the story and was the main thing that drew me in. I'd also note that while I understand the importance of Anne's character, I couldn't help feel that it was rather convenient for Evey to stumble across the one person who knew her mother and would help her without prejudice. This might not be anything of note to other readers but if a story is about a revenge mission I like the character to really go through some struggles. Maybe I'm just mean!

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical depictions of witch trials and doesn't mind a more authentic writing style.

I think the simplest way I can sum up my feelings for this book is that it felt like a novel that could have been better edited into a novella. I was first drawn in by the beautiful cover however I really struggled with this book, both the way it was written, and the characters and plot. 

I found the writing style and language really hard to get into, although I can understand the dialogue may have been representative of how they spoke at the time, it was jarring to read and I didn't enjoy it. I also felt like the plot had no flow and was dragging on, it was just short scenes in lots of different places, with no world building. Additionally, it didn't make me feel emotionally connected to the characters. I feel like it was trying to write a story about sisterhood and empathy, but the way it was rendered onto text didn't quite hit the mark. Even the ending felt sort of awkward because I expected that particular development to come earlier and not just in some convenient plot timing.

Overall an interesting premise, but the writing really let it down for me. There was very little characterisation to anyone and the plot felt so rushed that it lacked the vivid descriptions I was hoping for. Disappointing since the cover is so beautiful.

I had a great time with this read! Give me anything about witches and I'm pretty much there! This was a historical tale of female empowerment, witches and revenge but also about family, friends, struggles, challenges, courage and most importantly self belief. The dark atmosphere and writing makes this a perfect read for October/winter nights. The writing style fitting perfectly for the atmosphere and setting of the story. I am very Interested to see what Finbar Hawkins Writes next! I highly recommend!

Finbar Hawkins’ debut novel, Witch, is a disturbing and enjoyable read. We are plunged into the action from the beginning, with the murder of Evey and Dill’s mother, who the local townsfolk consider to be a witch. What unfolds after that is a stunning and lyrical tale of sibling rivalry, familial love, magic, and the ties that bind. Most of all, though, this is a story of revenge and redemption — revenge for Evey’s mother’s death, and the redemption of Evey, who is fuelled by anger and grief. Though she initially stands alone in her arc, Evey eventually pulls together a family of friends around her, who help her exact retribution against those who murdered her mother. 

The magic here isn’t rainbows and kittens. It’s deep, dark, and dank — the magic of the hedgerows, of blood and desire, rage and fury, betrayal and bitterness. It’s the type of enchantment that would not be out of place in a Guillermo del Toro movie or Neil Gaiman novel — the type of magic that has consequences. And Evey is not afraid to face them, no matter what they be. 

Highly recommended. 

I received an e-ARC from the publisher, Head of Zeus, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wasn't a book for me
I ended up giving up on it. But I think it was more a me problem then the actual book. 
I didn't realise it was a middle grade novel when I requested it

It's great read and a thrilling story about revenge and redemption with an unique voice. Sure, it's a book about witches but also about family, friends, struggles, challenges, courage and most importantly self belief. I highly recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. 

Unfortunately I couldn’t really get into this book and it has become a DNF. 
Based on the version I read, I found that the writing was quite clunky and didn’t flow in a manner to help me immerse myself into the story. 
I will might try it again in the future, and if I do I will amend my review to updated opinions.

I read this while camping in a tent in the middle of a storm and it terrified me! Genuinely creepy and disturbing with lots of twists and turns this is a dark tale of murder, magic and revenge. I was a little confused about the mechanics of the magic towards the end but the overall affect was dazzling. Warning for younger readers- the mother's death at the very beginning is incredibly violent and shows a level of studied cruelty that would suggest 13+ in terms of readership.

A historical tale of female empowerment, witches and revenge. This book is beautifully written the narrative were in depth and lent themselves nicely the the dark atmosphere of the book. I am very Interested to see what Finbar Hawkins 
Writes next. A brilliant  novel!

I struggled to read this at first due to the style of writing but once I got used to it I found I really enjoyed it.

3.5 Stars

My favourite element of the story was the writing style. The odd confusing sentence would catch me off guard (only because it's somewhat archaic) but mostly I found it had a lovely flow, and the uniqueness of Evey's voice made a story I feel I've read before feel more fresh. I also really loved her relationship with her sister, and her friendship with Anne. Ooooh and I adored the illustrations (I actually ended up reading this in physical format, so I'm not sure if they're in the ARC, but regardless, they are beautiful!).

I don't really have complaints about this book. Everything was good, and it was a lovely autumnal read, beautifully written. I feel like the writing style and Evey's voice will stick with me more than the story itself though, hence my rating.

Set in the 17th Century, ‘Witch’ tells the story of Evey and her younger sister Dill, who witness the murder of the their mother by witch hunters. Evey vows revenge on the men who were there that fateful day. Trying to deny the magic that courses through her, Evey takes Dill to her Aunt, whereupon she leaves her, jealous of her more powerful magical ability and wanting to punish her for seeming like her mother’s favourite. The hunters soon become the hunted, and Evey’s own powers manifest into something she never realised she was capable of. Finding help along the way from those sympathetic towards her, she finds that not everything is black and white, and that those you love and trust the most aren’t always what they seem. 
A wonderful debut novel by Hawkins, capturing the atmosphere of superstition and dread that surrounds these events.

A thrilling tale. Felt very authentic, however the writing style did make the action scenes hard to follow

Firstly, i want to say thanks to the author and publisher for this chance to review this book.

I'll start with things i liked about his book. The dialogue and writing style made it easy to believe this story was set in the past, and it gave a really good feeling for the atmosphere and setting of the story. The author managed to write in a way i haven't seen many authors use these days, so that was a nice change.

The beginning of the story was quite good. I was hooked on what was going to happen at the beginning. The events that followed really made me feel for the main character and want her to succeed in getting her revenge. The cruelty of the witch hunters makes them great antagonists for the story. The scenes here, and later in the story, when the main character confronts her enemies and takes them head on really stood out the most to me.

The only two issues i had with this story is that sometimes i felt like events happened too quickly to be believable. For instance, I'd be reading something about a character meeting someone one night, only for the main character to trust this person completely by morning. It wasn't terribly annoying to read, but it still just seemed too unlikely to me to sit right.

The other issue i had is that sometimes the character's attitudes changed quickly and didn't really seem to fit in with their earlier actions, and this was slightly more off-putting. Dill especially seemed to do this. If i remember right, there were times she seemed to be suddenly upbeat ad laughing when moments ago she and her sister were running for their lives scared. This kind of thing didn't happen too often though.

Overall, i liked the book and would recommend to anyone who would enjoy a fantasy story about witches and revenge. Solid 3.5 stars!

I will update this review nearer publication date to be included on goodreads.

I really enjoyed this debut by Finbar Hawkins. I found that Witch had a really interesting plot and it's a very quick read, perfect for this time of year. Witch does cover some dark topics though, so readers should check out for any trigger warnings. The characters were interesting, it's an atmospheric novel filled with revenge and a fast pacing.

I enjoyed this book in the end, but it was a bit difficult to get into the story. The characters grew on me and ultimately I found the story interesting too. Would recommend if you have an interest in reading about witches. 
Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.