Megge of Bury Down is the first in a fantasy/historical fiction series that takes place in 13th century Cornwall, England. Unfortunately, this book just didn’t work for me, even though historical fiction with a bit of magic or fantasy is one of my favorite genres. I listened to the audiobook, narrated well by Jan Cramer. The first half was very slow, consisting of a lot of family history, with not a lot happening. It was a bit difficult to keep all the names and relationships straight - I am not sure if it would have been easier if I were reading rather than listening. At about halfway, the story finally picked up and then it was a rush of events to the end of the book, which ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. I did really enjoy learning about how the women in the book did their healing and how they lived.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rowan Moon for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Megge wants nothing to do with her families legacy. After she touched her mothers Book of Seasons she heard someone whisper "murderer" and she has refused to touch it ever since. But it is always there taunting her, talking to her. So she tries instead to focuses on herding and learning to weave and spin wool. Her Aunt has a Book of Time both books handed down through generations and protected by a guardian who can unite both books. But Megge is frightened of them both, she seems to have a natural affinity for healing and helping her mother tend to the sick but Megge continues to refuse to touch or even look on her mothers book. She is worried what it would mean for her to take it up. When an Abbot comes and starts asking questions about her family she knows they are all in danger but doesn't know what to do.

The narrator has a wonderful lilting brogue that gives life to this story of a young Megge and her family. Steeped in superstition and folklore, this is the perfect setting for this tale of a family cursed and a young girl with a huge weight thrust upon her and her not sure if she wants or can handle it.

I thought the book was a bit slow to start but then got sucked into the story and very much enjoyed it. There are a lot of characters and some have lived before thus having 2 different names so you really need to pay attention. I was a little taken aback by how abruptly this first book ended but it did make me look forward to the 2nd in the series.

Set in 13th century England, this book tells the story of Megge - one of the women of Bury Down - healers and protectors of the Book of Seasons.  At six years old, Megge is expected to accept a vow to protect the book.  When she touches the book, it burns her hand and she refuses to take her vow.  Will family tragedy force her to take her place as protector of the book?  

A bit of a slow start, but it grabbed my interest and held it through the rest of the book. The book is well-written with a rich cast of strong women characters - Megge, her mother, Brighida, Morwen and Aleydis.  The book ends on a cliffhanger, but I am looking forward to book 2 - The Lady of the Cliffs.

Megge of Bury Down is a compelling coming of age story with themes that resonate today. Set in 13th century England, it is about a young girl who struggles with walking the path set for her by her mother and female ancestors of becoming a healer, or walking the path that she chooses for herself. Megge remains strong and learns ways to calm herself, all the while standing up to her family and peer pressure. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jan Cramer, who did a wonderful job portraying the magic behind this story. I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook from NetGalley and leave this review freely and in my own words. This book is apparently the first in a series and I look forward to learning more about Megge and her family.

Maggie is only a young child of six years when she is brought to a special place in the woods to become one of the women of Bury Down. Unfortunately, things do not go as her mother planned. “Murder!” The book speaks horrible things to Maggie and it hurts her. Rejecting the book, Maggie spends her time learning new skills and tending the sheep. Her mother keeps pushing her to accept the book, but still Maggie refuses. We follow Maggie as she grows into a young woman and how the book is always there, taunting her. Eventually a man, a supposedly holy man, comes to town and tears Maggie’s world apart. Deeply buried secrets are bright to light and Maggie’s innocent childhood comes to a close. The narrator for this audiobook was perfect for this tale. The story ends abruptly, but one I enjoyed greatly.

This is my first audible book from NetGalley. It had the makings to be a pretty good read. From the blurb…right up my reading alley. But, it fell short, basically because of the narrator.

I can usually listen to just about any book. But this narrator was just not for me. If she was reading an exciting part, she speeded up and got louder and louder. She was overly dramatic and just not my style.

I hate to leave a two star review for any author…they work hard for their craft. But, this is about the audible book. Just did not meet the cut.

I received this audible book from NetGalley for a honest review.

I loved Megge of Bury Down by Rebecca Kightlinger! Megge is a young girl who has come of age to take on an apprenticeship with her mother to learn of her healing powers, but to do so she must accept and protect the Book of Seasons, an ancient book that will teach her what she needs to learn. When she does, the book speaks to her and she jumps back, burned and frightened and refuses to take the oath. This refusal changes her life and that of her family and sends them on a path that no one expected.

Thank you to the author, Rowan Moon and NetGalley for the audio file of this novel in exchange for my honest review. I can't wait for the next installment!

AudioBook Review:
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 4 Story 5

Starting a bit slowly, we are introduced to Megge at age 6, daughter of the seer of Bury Down in Cornwall, and subjected to all of the ‘superstitions’ and isolations that the questions (and fears) that surrounded healers in the day. Questions about witchcraft, learning the potions and ointments, the nature that surrounds them, as well as protection of the book – one that chronicles their art and is valuable to more than just Megge and her mother.

We follow Megge as she comes to understand the power of the book, and her fights for her own ‘recognition’ within the family, as her cousin Brigida is the “golden child’ of her generation. Alternating forces pull at Megge as she struggles to find her place, her acceptance and her own footing in a world that isn’t always kind or open to her. Filled with historic references, details and plenty of something simply magical – we see Megge grow and start to discover her own worth and strength –and are drawn into the next moments.

Narration for this story is provided by Jan Cramer who presented the story with flair: we understood that Megge was ‘finding her place’ while those around her were either seeking to help or hinder that progress. Magical moments, the feelings of despair and elation, and the little bits about the book, the process and even the social ostracizations all allowed the story to slowly develop and leave me wanting more .

I received an AudioBook copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aO2 /”> <a> I am, Indeed</a>

Megge of Bury Down is a tale of magic, wisdom and the strength of women to persevere through the harshest conditions. Past hatred and misdeeds transcend time to reappear and cause pain and disaster, yet the women continue and survive. The narrator of Megge of Bury Down does a fantastic job bringing the listener into tale. Rabecca Kightlinger captures the personalities of the characters and makes you part of their story.

What a story! It was slow to start, and, just as I became invested in the characters, it ended, leaving me wanting the next volume immediately. But what a fascinating coming-of-age tale of healers and shepherds, weavers and blacksmiths. This is the kind of book one can read as a tween and then reread as a teen and then again as an adult, making new connections to the characters each time.

Jan Cramer as narrator is fantastic! Her voices ring true and help keep the many characters sorted out.

This would make a great addition to any library collection.

I want to give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars. The book focuses on Megge throughout her childhood with her aunt, cousin, and mother and learning her path in life, which is a story of magic, healing, and time/reincarnation. The description of the characters and the time period was done exceptionally well. The pacing of the story was a little off, though, with some aspects of the story being a bit slow. There is a good bit of action toward the end, but I felt it tried to rush through some of the other bits and leave open-ended for a sequel. The narrator made the story and characters come to life.

This book was a nice work of historical fiction focusing on witchcraft and witch persecution, with added magical elements of actual witchcraft. It was also a coming-of-age story about Megge growing up and coming into her own and finally embracing her true magical, witchy path.

The audio narration was very pleasant, and I loved Jan Cramer's voice and accent. Her reading was perfect for the story and made for a comforting listen, though the story definitely became fast-paced and intense at several places.

My only criticism is that this book ends so abruptly, more like it is a television episode that will be resumed the next week, rather than a book. I very much dislike that method of ending books in a series.

This was an interesting coming of age tale of Megge and her discovery of what her purpose of life truly is. The path shown to her never seemed what she perceived it at. With the difficulty that women had during this time period, the thoughtfulness that went into her daily activities withing the household and community. I cant wait till another chapter in her life begins.

This was a fabulous historical fantasy! This was a well written story that starts out a bit slow but so worth it to stay with it! This story is so interesting it’s a coming of age story, a finding your true self story, a story about what family and society expect from you. Megge is a child when the story starts in a family of strong women healers but it is the 1200’s so you can guess parts of this book because healers weren’t always accepted as such! But is Megge ready or willing to be in line to inherit the book of healing? Something happens that makes Megge not want to be in the “family business” .
I won’t spoil anything for anyone but I highly recommend this very well written historical fantasy.
Wonderfully narrated by Jan Cramer she did an amazing job she really brought the emotions and characters to life. I will definitely be listening to her again!
I look forward to reading anything else this author puts out and I look forward to more books in this series!!
4 stars
I received this audiobook from Rowan Moon Publishers and Netgalley for a fair and honest review.

Set in 13th century Cornwall, this is a delightful book about strong, purposeful and courageous women healers. It is in the main a coming of age story about Megge, starting out at the tender age of 6 years old, who will be on a pathway to find out who she is and the magical responsibility she is meant to inherit, but which she is resistant too.

I only dabble with audio books, and on the whole enjoyed the narration, although did find the voice a bit sing song-y at times. On the whole the tone was in keeping with the historical setting and times depicted. It also kept me drawn into the story and clearly able to picture the settings, characters and events.

All the key characters are likeable, true and wise. Megge herself is easy to like – her true heart and reasoned thinking well ahead of her years. It is described as a historical fantasy, and whilst it is, I saw it more in keeping as a YA read, and would consider that it sits best in this category. It has a gentle cadence. It captures well the simplicity and routines of life at that time. The focus on how to use a loom, offered a rich and insightful of an old art. A lot of research has gone into the writing. There was a darker edge to it, no real transferrable tension, but an undertone that forms part of the ending that gives it legs & sets it up perfectly for the next book Lady of the Cliffs.

Pacing Off; Complex World Confusing

Book and Audiobook Review:
I am still relatively new to audiobooks, and this is the first fantasy book that I've listened to. I also read along, which I think helped me to understand some of the complexity of this story—and its multigenerational cast of characters—more. The book stars a Cornish, Dark Ages little girl called Megge who was born into a family of healers and seers, and she is supposed to follow in her mother's healing path. She resists this strongly, not wanting to read from the book that has been passed down through the generations. I felt like the pacing was off in this book. The first part felt very slow and repetitious, as it seemed like similar things kept happening, like Megge’s mother helping heal someone when Megge happens to be there to help out—sometimes willingly, sometimes resisting. The pace does get faster, but the two different parts of the book—the first part more about Megge’s family and then the Blackfriars' part—felt too different and were a little disjointed. After all that went before, the ending felt abrupt. I mostly liked the narrator of the audiobook, though some of her tones, especially for the moments when Megge’s mother was perhaps whispering (unsure) or talking quickly (??), sounded a little harsh for the words. All in all, I feel ambivalent about this book. I wish the pacing had been more even, and that certain things had been explained better—like the large cast of characters and the deep family history. The author has woven a complex world, but it was certainly confusing at times.

*received audiobook for free from netgalley for honest review* Really liked this book, didnt care much for the ending though! it wasnt bad i just dont care much for such open ended, endings i suppose lol, really liked the characters tho

A mystical story set in centuries past Cornwall about a relectant girl who needs to follow in the footsteps of her family is healers. I really liked the fact that it is mostly focused on the relationships between women. The world building was great and I would like to read more installments.

4,5 Stars. Megge of Bury Down was such a whimsical read. In my case I listen to the audiobook. The narrator did a fantastic job in portraying the magic behind the story of women healers. I enjoyed every bit but the thing that I missed was a little bit of action in the middle of the audiobook


Netgalley was.unable to find book with ISBN "9781734316841" on Goodreads. However, I wrote the feedback on goodreads.

I chose this book because of the historical fiction and was curious how fantasy would play in. I typically really enjoy stories about female healers in the 13th century. The characters were well developed and written clearly. Maggie’s turmoil is palpable, and the reader experiences her aging and maturing with these fears. The first half of the book was quite enjoyable as the tension builds and we wait to discover secrets with Maggie. I did not particularly enjoy the second half as it lost the focus of healers and turned more specifically to witchcraft and a darker style.
The narrator, Jan Cramer is an excellent storyteller who manages to keep all the characters distinct while preserving the beautiful language and accents.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions and views expressed are my own and freely given.