Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
HQ (2023), 352 pages
Description
The stage is set and the witch-hunt is about to begin. England, 1645. After his half-brother dies, aspiring playwright Nicholas Pearce is apprenticed to Judge William Percival, an infamous former witch-hunter who is under pressure to resume his old profession.
User reviews
LibraryThing member OpheliaAutumn
This book was definitely super interesting!
The writing was gorgeous, and made me feel like someone from the witch trials time period might have written it, making me believe the characters do exist.
This in-depth view of the atmosphere during the witch trials, and adding some fantasy elements to it,
I liked a lot of the characters, and still think about them as people that might have existed.
The main issues for me where that during many moments I felt like I was missing something, some information maybe, as if it was a sequel and I hadn't read the 1st book (it's not, it's a standalone book)? The pace was a bit off in the middle of the book, which to be honest I didn't mind that much as I liked the worldbuilding, but I also felt like the magic was under-developed and under-utilised in the book. I wanted more, to see more, understand more, and get a sense of what it feels like to hear the dead sing. We only read the lyrics for each song when Nicholas was hearing something, but it didn't feel real enough to me, so I was starved for more for most of the book.
That said, I enjoyed it a lot, it was different to a lot of books I've read so far and was really rewarding in the end.
I want to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins for gifting me an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.
The writing was gorgeous, and made me feel like someone from the witch trials time period might have written it, making me believe the characters do exist.
This in-depth view of the atmosphere during the witch trials, and adding some fantasy elements to it,
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made it fascinating and definitely good food for thought.I liked a lot of the characters, and still think about them as people that might have existed.
The main issues for me where that during many moments I felt like I was missing something, some information maybe, as if it was a sequel and I hadn't read the 1st book (it's not, it's a standalone book)? The pace was a bit off in the middle of the book, which to be honest I didn't mind that much as I liked the worldbuilding, but I also felt like the magic was under-developed and under-utilised in the book. I wanted more, to see more, understand more, and get a sense of what it feels like to hear the dead sing. We only read the lyrics for each song when Nicholas was hearing something, but it didn't feel real enough to me, so I was starved for more for most of the book.
That said, I enjoyed it a lot, it was different to a lot of books I've read so far and was really rewarding in the end.
I want to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins for gifting me an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.
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Language
Original language
English
Physical description
352 p.; 9.45 inches
ISBN
0008566658 / 9780008566654
Local notes
England, 1645. After his half-brother dies, aspiring playwright Nicholas Pearce is apprenticed to Judge William Percival, an infamous former witch-hunter who is under pressure to resume his old profession. In a country torn apart by civil war, with escalating tensions between Catholics and Protestants, Royalists and Roundheads, and rumours of witchcraft, Nicholas hides a secret: the dead sing. He hears their secrets, but will he find the courage to speak up to save innocent lives, even if it means putting himself in great danger?
Signed by the author, #48 of 350 numbered copies. Digitally stencilled page edges with brambles and mouse.
Signed by the author, #48 of 350 numbered copies. Digitally stencilled page edges with brambles and mouse.