Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!
Although Alice wasn’t-in my opinion-a witch, she also wasn’t a very nice person. It could be said that she was trying to make her way, the best she could, in a world run by men, in a time that wasn’t very friendly to strong women.

I had a really hard time liking Alice and that make it hard to get through this one. She was pretty narcissistic and that is a trait that is hard for me to read through. I love a strong female MC but I don't love when someone mistakes being a jerk for strength.

I was surprisingly drawn into this 13th century story. While the premise and themes sounded appealing, the story's execution was a bit disappointing. A worth while effort that was not short on research. Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the ARC of this book.

This was a wild ride especially considering that this was the first woman, Alice Kyteler, was condemned for practicing witchcraft in the 13th century. I didn't realized Alice was an actual person. I read the synposis and seemed interesting. I usually do not pick up books that are Historical Fiction and Literature but I was pleasantly surprised.

This book follows Alice Kyteler and her life. Alice was a very strong-willed and smart woman and married 4 different men throughout her lifetime and became very wealthy. The way this book portrayed women who spoke their minds was astonishing. Her life was rumored all the time with the townspeople. It was funny how the townspeople would gossip about her. Somethings never change! Gossip never dies.

Alice became acquainted with a woman called Petronilla and her daughters. She was very close and had a special friendship with her.

I must admit that I understood the storyline but I was confused with its symbolism and analogies. It talked a lot about animals and that's where I was confused. Overall, I understood the main concepts of this book. Alice was fierce and accommodated her life with the time that she was living. It seemed that at moments she was ahead of her time.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Historical fiction based in thirteenth century Ireland based on the story of Alice Kyteler who saw how her mom was treated unfairly and wanted better for her life. The writing style was not for me; however, I did find it interesting.

Historical fiction about the first woman condemned to burn as a witch. In 1325 Ireland, Alice Kyteler was strong and very outspoken, no wonder she was found guilty of witchcraft. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Aitken returns with another emotionally resonant and lyrical novel, this time about grief, family, and the strange beauty of letting go. Her prose is luminous, bordering on the mythic, while remaining grounded in emotional truth. A powerful exploration of love’s afterlife, and the mess it can leave behind. The lush Irish backdrop provides a stark contrast to the vitriol and danger women faced amidst accusations of witchcraft.

This book was ok. The story had some interesting moments but I struggled to stay connected overall. I wish there had been more development of the characters.

There are often books that show the reality of women accused of witchcraft starting with the Salem witch trials, but as long as there have been women, there have been accusations of witches. This did an excellent job depicting the how and the why with characters who were multi-faceted and compelling.

This witch book set with the background of Ireland was a revelation of woman, injustices, and strength. It was well written with historical context that made me want to learn more about European witch trials,

I was drawn to this book based on the life of Alice Kyteler. The first female in medieval Ireland to be accused of being a witch. I thought the story would be interesting and along the lines of the Salem Witch trials. Nope. It is a story of feminism, deaths of husbands and the Bishop of Ossory, Richard Ledrede defending the Medieval Catholic Church. The story was an interesting take on the Alice’s life. However, I found some of the verbiage not in line with the time period.

Thank you #NetGalley, # Knopf,Pantheon,VintageandAnchor, #MollyAitken and #BrightIBurn for the ebook for my honest review.

I really loved the historical aspect of this book and the way feminism really stood out, and all of the troubles women have faced over time. This book was an amazing piece that I would definitely consider buying in the future, and am very greatful for recieving an ARC of.

Very beautifully written book about a woman in the middle ages and her desires. It took a minute to get into the writing style, but once I did, I was hooked. It's written in a style that feels a bit poetic, but it is still easy to understand what is happening. I found the main character to make decisions and take actions that didn't always make a lot of sense, but I do think that was part of her personality rather than a lack on the author's part.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read about powerful women - those in situations where during witch hunts they may have been called witches - and are interested in the middle ages in Ireland. It was very interesting to learn about!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I struggled a bit to find a connection with this book, Bright I Burn by Molly Aitken. Set in 13th century and based off of the life story of the first woman accused as a witch, it seemed to be a captivating plot. However, I was disappointed in the lack of character development and the disjointed flow of the story of this fascinating woman. At times I also questioned the historical accuracy of the feelings and concepts expressed and acted upon, as well at the language and sexual proclivities openly conveyed. I believe there was so much more potential in this story and will give it 3 stars. I received this as an ARC, all opinions are my own.

Bright I Burn has the bones of a great story, but it badly needed to be fleshed out.
We have zero character development, and not enough depth to provide any emotional connection.

DNF

*I received a free copy from Kopf.*

Bright I Burn was inspired by the true story of the first woman to be accused of being a witch in Ireland, Alice Kyteler.

You definitely have to be in the right (somber) mood for this. I'm not really into historical fiction but this was intriguing enough to take a chance. Alice was married 4x (and accused of murdering all of her husbands and stealing their money). Did she kill them? Probably but not through sorcery but rather science and potions using poisonous herbs.

It was a slow read but interesting if you stick with it.

Alice Kyteler, daughter of a prosperous innkeeper and moneylender in Kilkenny in 1279, is an outspoken and haughty young woman who developed a thick skin out of self-preservation against those who covet her beauty and power: “I am sixteen years alone in this skin, and with each season, their hunger for me increases.” Alice has the dubious renown of being the first woman condemned for witchcraft in Ireland, but in Molly Aitken’s fierce portrait, Bright I Burn, this false accusation by a malicious bishop is just one part of her extraordinary story.

Unlike the stereotypical independently-minded female in medieval-set fiction, Alice knows she must marry – “Few would choose a woman banker if she were unwed” – and has a succession of rich husbands. Whispers follow when they die under suspicious circumstances. The novel has been critiqued for its lack of large-scale worldbuilding, but I found the scene-setting well-drawn, with a close focus fitting its subject. While not guilty of the satanic crimes she was tried for, this bold, earthy Alice, with her uncompromising determination to exist on her own terms, is the defiant opposite of innocent.

2.5 stars
Unfortunately I only made it 40% into this one. The time jumps really took me out of the story because it was really hard to figure out what was really going on. By the 40% mark, I still didn't understand who the main character was or what the story was. There seemed to be very little character development and very little happening. I wish I had been able to keep going but I just didn't have the interest. Bummed because I had been excited about this one.

Molly Aitken’s Bright I Burn is a dark and mesmerizing exploration of grief, memory, and the haunting consequences of family secrets. The novel follows the life of a young woman struggling to piece together her identity while grappling with the ghostly presence of her past. I will say, this book felt SUPER rushed.

Bright I Burn was an excellent read. I loved the historical setting and interpretation of the persecution of witches,