I don't know what I was expecting with Thornhedge, but after reading other books by T. Kingfisher, I definitely was.not expecting this.

Thornhedge is a fairytale retelling of sleeping beauty. Only sleeping beauty is a sociopathic fae or demon? Unclear. Our heroine is probably one of the most interesting characters I've encountered recently.

I really enjoyed Kingfisher's world building. I can be someone who has a tough time with world building, as many authors leave too many loose ends and their stories don't add up. Not a problem here. From Toadling's origin story all the way through the end, it held my interest. I agree with Kingfisher that the story is sweet, even with animated corpses. I really hope she does more fairy tale novellas, as I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

This book is set in the 1600’s. I immediately felt the atmosphere, felt the dirt roads under my feet and the terror of the townspeople as the Witchfinder Makepeace came to town. Pestilence, death, bad luck, poor weather and illness were just some of the things that witches were accused of, things that were acts of nature. People started pointing figures at others, saying they had been cursed. this book is a great picture of how the hysteria progressed (like the McCarty era) causing more women to be named as witches. It dragged somewhat around the middle but overall this was a very good read. Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the digital ARC. This opinion is my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the amazing publisher for the ARC of this title! I am so grateful to be auto-approved for this title!
I look forward to reading and reviewing. More to come!

An atmospheric and satisfying read. Very recommendable. I can’t say it was a favorite read but I fully respect the craft and skill of the author. Well-developed characters populate a carefully developed setting that almost works as its own character within this read. Easy to recommend to all historical fiction readers as well as those interested in witchy books.

Oof. This one was heavy. It started a little slow and took me a while to get into it. The element of our protagonist not be able to speak added to the story as it got going. As a reader I wanted to scream out, and it really made you feel immersed in the novel when the main character could not speak out. The reader feels as powerless as Martha throughout the book. The anger and helplessness as the entire village turns on one another seeps out of the pages.

Going into a book like this, any time there’s a witch hunt you have a general idea of the outcome and the shape a novel will take. I still found this book hid a few surprises. Martha held a few secrets of her own. What was not surprising was how the town slowly and viciously started accusing one another, friends quickly became enemies, simmering underlying tensions and resentments grounds for accusations. The book really was well written and gripping. I kept telling myself I was done after one more chapter and ended up finishing well past midnight. The author does also touch on how does a community like this move on after a horrific experience like this? How do they ever trust one another and move on, knowing that some were able to let loose words that condemned others to hang? Acts that cannot be undone? While a work of fiction, it was also sobering knowing this very scene unfolded across cities, towns, countries, and centuries and that those of us living today may have descended from the accusers just as much as the accused.

Please be advised I received a copy of this book in exchange from NetGalley for an honest review.

Set in East Anglia, England in 1645, the historical fiction novel The Witching Tide follows the life of Martha Hallybread. As a midwife, healer and servant who has not spoken a word for years, Martha is respected and trusted by her neighbours in the village of Cleftwater. But this delicate peace is disrupted when a group of witch hunters led by Silas Makepeace arrives, and Martha must face her past, her fears and her destiny as the witching tide rises.

🪑 The book is well-researched and based on real-life witch hunts in the 17th century in England. Meyer does an excellent job of bringing the historical setting and social and political climate to life.

🧺 The plot is gripping, with a swift pace that glides along, making it impossible not to be drawn into the story o feel for the characters as each twist of fate comes around. There are compelling themes about survival, oppression, rebellion, and identity woven throughout this narrative.

🪃 Martha Hallybread is the strong and courageous protagonist at the centre of the plot. She has a mysterious magical power, and she faces a multitude of dangers and challenges, while also showing compassion, loyalty, and resilience. This makes her a multi-faceted character that readers will come to care deeply about.

The writing in this book is interesting and does successfully capture the period it's set in. Despite that, nothing jumped out at me as I read. It felt like I knew exactly where the story was heading which isn't too shocking when dealing with historical fiction. Still though, I think there was potential for the author to make readers feel more connected to the characters and engaged in their journey.

It's the middle of the 17th century in England, where Martha Hallybread resides in a small town called Cleftwater. Born mute, Martha has lived her life communicating with hand signs, quietly working as a healer and midwife. Her loyalty lies with her master Christopher, also known as as Kit, and his pregnant wife Agnes, and her life seems nondescript until the arrival of the witch hunt that's sweeping the country. Against her will, Martha is pulled to aide the efforts of Silas Makepeace, the leader of the movement, and soon she's forced to turn against her own friends and acquaintances in town in order to save herself and her family. Yet, Martha's own mother gifted her a poppet, a small wax doll, with words to use her gift carefully...

At first glance, the premise of "The Witching Tide" was intriguing for me as most novels I've read on the topic of witch hunts were focused on Salem, Massachusetts and not any of the earlier movements that happened in other countries. The novel is told from the Martha's perspective, giving readers a chance to see into her thoughts and memories. While I did find eye-opening the sheer ridiculousness of "evidence" that was presented that led to the death of so many women, I had difficulty getting immersed into the story. The writing style felt stark and rigid at times, and Martha as a character was hard to pin down. The storyline as well wasn't terribly unique as the ending is fairly well known and predictable.

I may have just read too many novels this year that are based on similar topics, but "The Witching Tide" didn't stand out particularly for me. For those that are curious about a lesser-known period of witch hunts in history this may be worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Really awesome historical novel. I very much enjoyed this book. I think it would be even better as an audiobook.

The Witching Tide
A Novel
by Margaret Meyer

The Witching Tide, what a gorgeous cover, addictive premise, and a tense read. Loved it! Featuring a popular historical fiction theme, women are being persecuted for possible witchcraft. Enter Martha, who is a skilled midwife, has suffered tragedy and has not spoken for years. When evil comes to town in the form of an authoritative figure who is hell bent on encouraging fear, maliciousness and murder on local women, Martha must do what she can to help the others, while preserving her own sanity and innocence at the same time. The unexpected twist I loved was that a male was also accused of witchcraft as well. A good twist to be included and followed.

An addictive read that brings to light the struggle of female relationships during a tide-turning part of history. Author Margaret Meyer has written a powerful debut novel. This is a popular troupe in historical fiction, so I felt the writing could have been a little stronger so grab readers. There are so many versions of these popular historical fiction themes out there. But, still a great read. I give this a four of five stars, and look forward to seeing the fanfare that will accompany Meyer’s writings to come.

Much appreciation to Scribner publishing via NetGalley for this arc to review! All opinions are my own.

During the height of witch panics in Scotland and England, Martha is a midwife and a selective mute who uses sign language with her employer and friends. When a witchfinder puts her town in his sights, of course she is targeted. This novel, one of an enormous number about the witch panics, focuses on the relationships between women caught in the panics: the accused, the accusing, the abetting, the bystanders, A woman who is your friend today is your accuser tomorrow and is accused herself the next day and then lies to save you both....it's pretty believable, and well written, if often generally predictable. The denouement is a bit of deus ex machina when a flood sends the witchfinders out of town and a judge finds the flood's surviving, accused women not guilty of witchcraft. Is it the best witch panic novel out there? No, but it's a decent read, despite the predictability and the magical ending. It will be good for book club discussions.

Review in progress and to come.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

I'm fascinated and sad for the women in this novel. The horrors of having to watch your step is frightening indeed at least in that time period. ( Makes me glad I wasn't born then).
All it takes is one bad apple to spread his evil and poof the whole village is frightened and in an uproar.
This book will definitely make you think about the events that took place in it. I'm still thinking about those poor women. Especially Prissy.
She reminds me of Tituba.
I could feel their emotions as I read this book. Some of them weren't pleasant but mostly scary and fearful.
Emotions are the most powerful thing a human can have. Fear is the number one culprit.
I took my time to read this because I wanted to savor it it was so good.
I just finished it yesterday. This novel will definitely floor you.
5 stars for a job well done! In my opinion, all the characters got their fair share of voices and the plot was very interesting!
I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a great historical novel written about a very oppressed time in women's lives. Horrible times with such a dire outlook, but with hope. A must Read.

As soon as I read the description for The Witching Tide, I knew it was a must-read. Margaret Meyer certainly didn't leave me disappointed.

Meyer's prose is so powerful it'll crack you in half (in a good way). I repeatedly found myself awed by the subtle ways she worded things, lending a poetry to an otherwise terrifying tale.

What struck me most about The Witching Tide was this impossibility of it all. The witch trials offered virtually no happy outcomes. You're a woman who keeps to herself? Witch. In everyone's business? Witch. Never married? Witch. Rejected a marriage proposal from a drunk man? Witch. Married to a prominent public figure in the community? Witch. Meyer has encapsulated the aggravating lack of critical thinking with finesse, imbuing her characters with an intensely understandable frustration.

The Witching Tide also feels like an allegory for the power of generational knowledge as well as generational trauma. Martha's agony over her mother's fate decades on is a true testament to the immovability of grief, but the taking up of knowledge passed on to her in turn is empowering.

All told, The Witching Tide is an exquisite yet harrowing debut novel.

I really like this book. I thought that it was beautifully done.
I just reviewed The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

The author's use of imagery is so powerful in this book. The story is well written and does an excellent job of capturing the time period. As I read this novel I felt sorry for all the women that were accused of witches and had to go through similar ordeals.

I think The Witching Tide would be a wonderful novel for any book club. I highly recommend it.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy of this book! I love all things witchy and this book was exactly what I needed in my life. I love historical fiction on the witch trials and witches and this book just fit everything I love in one. This is such a tragic story, but all historical witch stories are. I love the power of women shown in this book and the story. Margaret Meyer used amazing writing and details to really make you feel like you were from this time and in the book while reading.

The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer is an excellent historical fiction that takes a look into a witch hunt during 17th century England.

I have always been fascinated by the culture, superstitions, religious associations, and societal attitudes concerning “witches” and sadly their persecutions and endings. Looking back at the storms, one can see it all coming to the surface from a multitude of avenues, and this complex web is spun…leaving us with this end result. This example is of no exception.

It was fascinating to go back to East Anglia during the 1600s when under the rule of James I of England/IV of Scotland, a lot of investigations, fears, trials, punishments, deaths, and internal/external changes were taking place in England were reignited. Those fears continued with his successors for a time as well during this century, and the cultural implications that this creates is massive.

The author does a great job bringing this example to us in her novel.

Very impressive.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Scribner for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Bookbub, Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/5/23 per publisher request.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this eARC.

I love history fiction that regards witches and feminism. This was interesting and held my attention, I can't believe I finished it as fast as I did.

The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer is a historical fiction book set in the 1600s in a fictitious town on the coast of England near the water. It is about women who were killed for being able to out-think men, who were stronger and more able to achieve. It was an age when men were afraid and caused entire villages to become stifled with panic, and unable to stop the "tide" of searching out those who were considered "dangerous" to others. The thinking was to stop the "tide" of witches before they were able to teach others their tricks and spells. In that way, there were also women who were afraid of other women.

Meyer also creates a male character who is accused of witchcraft because he supported women. I am sure there is historical support for that, the book seems very well-researched from the facts that I know, so I assume it happened at times although rare.

Martha is a midwife and is also skilled in all types of healing. She is unable to talk so she uses signals and gestures to make herself understood. She finds herself in the middle of the search of her town for witches. Things unfold in expected and unexpected ways.

The book is un-put-downable, and a fresh telling of an old story that bears repeating. If this is a debut novel by Margaret Meyer, I will be keeping my eyes open for more,