Wednesday, June 10, 2015

BOOK REVIEW: THE WITCH HUNTER BY VIRGINIA BOECKER


Title: The Witch Hunter
Author:  Virginia Boecker
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal
Series: Not that I could find
Source: Digital Copy Courtesy of Edelweiss

Book Summary:  (Via Goodreads) Elizabeth Grey is one of the king's best witch hunters, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and doling out justice. When she's accused of being a witch herself, Elizabeth is arrested and sentenced to die at the stake. Salvation comes from a man she thought was her enemy. Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal: he will save her from execution if she can track down the person who laid a deadly curse on him. As she's thrust into the world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and all-too-handsome healers, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate

Characters: Elizabeth, Caleb, John, Fifer, Blackwell

What I Loved: Where to start, where to start?!  There was so much I loved about this book!  First I LOVE historical fiction so this book to start was right up my alley.  The setting is the 16th century England and from the start you really feel as if that is where you are.  Kings and queens, an internal struggle for power intermixed with the descriptions of an English village and life in it make you feel as though you are right there.  One of my next favorite things is anything dealing with the supernatural and I love the take on it in this book.  You are led to believe that these supernatural beings are the “bad ones” and Elizabeth and the other witch hunters are doing their noble duty and riding the country of them.  However as the story progresses and you learn along with Elizabeth that not everything is as it seems. This change of thought process is complicated for Elizabeth and those around her trying to understand how she became what she was.  I also loved Elizabeth.  Yes, she is a strong character but what I loved more was that as she was discovering the deception and twisted truths behind her training and upbringing she was struggling with loyalty, truth and consequences of choices. Things that all of us struggle with (in our own ways) from time to time and its these struggles that make her a totally believable, and relatable character.  The supporting cast of characters also should not be overlooked,  they are unique and interesting,  each adding so much to the story. This is one of those stories that grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let go!

What I could have done without:.  I will be honest in saying that there wasn’t much I didn’t like about the book.  It was a great read that my students will love to read!


Final Grade: A

Review by Janine