- Author: Stacey Halls
- Publisher: Bonnier Zaffre
- Series or Standalone: Standalone
- Genre: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Paranormal
- Source or Bought: Bought
- Goodreads Rating: 4.03
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βDeath is the way unto lifeβ

Synopsis:
Fleetwood Shuttleworth is 17 years old, married, and pregnant for the fourth time. But as the mistress at Gawthorpe Hall, she still has no living child, and her husband Richard is anxious for an heir. When Fleetwood finds a letter she isnΒΉt supposed to read from the doctor who delivered her third stillbirth, she is dealt the crushing blow that she will not survive another pregnancy.
When she crosses paths by chance with Alice Gray, a young midwife, Alice promises to help her give birth to a healthy baby, and to prove the physician wrong.
When Alice is drawn into the witchcraft accusations that are sweeping the North-West, Fleetwood risks everything by trying to help her. But is there more to Alice than meets the eye?
As the two women’s lives become inextricably bound together, the legendary trial at Lancaster approaches, and FleetwoodΒΉs stomach continues to grow. Time is running out, and both their lives are at stake.

My Review:
This is the best book I’ve read so far this year! I found it so wonderfully original and interesting. It was well paced for its style (slower than a thriller, quicker than a Dickens novel). For me what made this story so wonderful is the people and the friendships. I felt so connected to Fleetwood and Alice and really cared about their story, it was truly amazing to witness the courage of vastly different women in such a dangerous time.Β
I loved all the twists and turns in the plot, especially the major one at the end *no spoilers* which I somehow didnβt see coming. The story is beautifully woven together and for me there was no plot holes or boring moments, I was enraptured the whole way through. What I also enjoyed was how we never had it confirmed whether any of the accused were witches, there are lots of little threads that imply it but I think its left up to us the reader to decide.
For me what is most chilling about this tale is the truth in it, real women were tried and executed in Pendle based on the testimony of a little girl. Coincidentally, I attended Lancaster University and was even part of Pendle College which has a witch as its emblem. One of my haunts in the local town was a pub called the Pendle Witch, on one of the walls is the tale of Jennet Devize, the little girl who testified against her whole family and condemned them as witches.
To Conclude:
I went into this novel thinking it would be a book about witches. However, for me, this is truly a book about friendship. I honestly couldnβt recommend this book to you enough and Iβm so glad that its now in my library and my heart. Happy Reading.
My Rating: 5/5

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Great review, the book sounds very good! And the cover is gorgeous!
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It’s beautiful isn’t it π
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I’ve just picked up this book, looking forward to reading it now after your review!
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I hope you love it! π
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That cover is beautiful and your review has totally convinced me to get this, a book about friendship usually wins me over anyway, great review!
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Its only Β£4.99 on Amazon right now π Yay! I hope you love it, either way I’d love to know your opinion π
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Been interested in that because of the historical era and admittedly also the cover (so beautiful). Glad to see you liked it!
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It is the prettiest! I would love to know what you think if you do read it π
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Mind blowing review
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Please read my first post
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I gotta read this book after your review! It seems like such a beautiful story that actually has depth and I look forward to reading it π
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It’s so good! I’d love to know what you think of it π
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I finished reading this one a few weeks ago as well! I enjoyed it so much. I think the book was so lovely and atmsopheric, and incredibly well written. As you said – it was so unique and original. I don’t think I have read anything quite like it. And I love that their friendship was at the center of the story. Great review xx
My recent post: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2019/02/the-familiars-book-review/
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I’m so glad we had a similar opinion π I’ll go check out your post now π
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This sounds like such a good story, what time period is it set in?
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Early 1600’s I believe π
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I’ve been considering this book and your review has definitely convinced me to pick it up!
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Yay! I hope you love it!
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Great review!! A friend of mine saw my review about a certain book and was like you should read the reviews of this writer, and sent me the link. Am so thrilled he did!! I
And the book, wow, I definitely want it!!
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I hope you love it!! π
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I do love it! I love reading books and talking about them too!!
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Wonderful review, I have this on my wishlist as it sounds great.
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Its a good one ππ
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I’ve had my eye on this for a while and your review has convinced me. It sounds awesome
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Its fab and its such a pretty book too!
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π
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omg so loved this book too!! π
great review – I can’t believe you went to the university and there was a pub with that name??!
thanks for sharing
-Lena
http://www.lenasnotebook.co.uk
x
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Lancaster loves their pendle witch heritage π
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Great review!
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Thank you π
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Wonderful review! I love your review on it, I do have it on my TBR list and will try to get to it soon.
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I hope you enjoy it π
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Great review! I’m now even more convinced that I should read this. And the cover of this book is simply stunning π
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It’s Beautiful ππ
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I liked this one too.
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