Witch

By: Finbar Hawkins

Narrated by: Gemma Whelan

Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Narrated by actress and comedian Gemma Whelan, best known for playing Yara Greyjoy in the HBO fantasy-drama series Game of Thrones

In 17th-century England, civil war rages and witches have become pawns in a plot to oust the king. Red-haired Evey does not want to be a witch, but she cannot deny the magick coursing through her veins. In a country seething with civil war, superstition, dread and dark forces are at work. A storm is coming. After witnessing the brutal murder of her mother by witch-hunters, Evey vows to avenge her and track down her killers. Fury burns in her bright and strong. But she has promised her mother that she will keep Dill, her little sister, safe. Dill: the gifted one, their mother's favourite. Dill, who their mother entrusted with the scrying stone, which should rightfully be Evey's.

Battling a terrible jealousy of Dill, Evey seizes the scrying stone and abandons her little sister with their Aunt Grey at the coven in the woods. Even though Evey longs to be free she has a promise to keep and she cannot rest until justice is done. She sets off to town where the men who murdered her mother are gathering for the witch trials. But as the lust for blood and retribution rises to fever pitch, will Evey keep true to the bonds of sisterhood and to the magick that is her destiny?

A breathtaking debut about the power of women, witchcraft, fury, revenge and the ties that bind us.

©2020 Finbar Hawkins (P)2020 W. F. Howes

So so

This book has tons of potential, but I could not get into it. I really wanted to like it but I wasn't pulled into the characters in a detailed and personal way. I can't put my finger on the part I didn't like. I think it was potentially really good but fell short of 5 stars.

Wonderful performance of a wonderful story

The perfect addition to any fall reading list, I recommend to anyone and to everyone!

very entertaining!

I enjoyed the added bits of history, and the characters were interesting. It balances dark and sad moments with action and relationships very well

captivating

I was spellbound by the words and how they painted this captivating story. Beautifully written!

Great story

This is a great story, it isn't the longest but still leaves you engrossed the whole time. I love the emphasis on women as witches, revenge, and compassion all in one. Whelan was also a very good narrator and left you really feeling for the characters. Her voice was also very smooth and nice to listen to. Sometimes she was a little slow, but I seem to think all narrators are a little too slow for my liking. Maybe that's me - luckily there is a speed up button! I generally have to do it around 1.5 to make it sound more natural. Beautiful story. Story: 5/5, Narrator: 4/5.

Otherness

Finbar Hawkins gave Evey a voice that is expressive and belies a sense of otherness. A young woman, forced to care for her young sister upon the sudden and brutal attack and death of their wise woman mother, Evey is terrified and alone. I found the story interesting and felt drawn to the young woman’s plight.

Such a beautiful written and narrated book

The only bad thing about this book is it that it wasn't longer. I fell in love with the story and the vioce of the narrator. I am sad to say I finished it but I would recomend it to anyone considering the listen.

Decent book

Decent book and story but the action scenes and dialogue were a bit confusing and unclear on what was happening. It was good but I probably wouldn’t recommend to a friend.

Sincere Storytelling

I enjoyed the heartfelt performance and the charming folktale style of writing. I was impressed with the freshness and authenticity of the characters as the story focused on the family bonds that have often been overshadowed by the formidable power of covens in darker portrayals of witches. This story highlights the compassion that can be found in the heart of witches as mothers, daughters, sisters, healers and defenders of the community. Witches are human beings and they have hearts of gold.

Very Empowering Story

The author did an excellent job and telling a story of a young girl growing through her own insecurities with a magical element to it. I loved the storyline and the narrator did and splendid job.