You guys know I’m mad for witches, right? So I absolutely couldn’t resist the idea of The Familiars, which is set during the Pendle witch trials – and even on top of my high expectations, I was surprised by how beautiful, fluid, and atmospheric the writing is. This is a gorgeous book inside and out.
Book: The Familiars by Stacey Halls
Read before: I read the first three chapters in E-ARC format, then came back to the paper book a month later so I had time to savour it.
Ownership: Physical ARC provided free of charge by Bonnier Zaffre for fair review. All opinions my own.
From the very beginning of this book, there is such a strong sense of voice that you can’t help but fall in love with Fleetwood. Seventeen, and pregnant for the fourth time (hopefully, the first successful time), she has run into the woods after finding a letter that her husband has concealed from her, in which her doctor says that another pregnancy would surely kill her. There’s such an overwhelming amount of emotion in all Fleetwood’s prose – I instantly wanted to defend her and stand by her as she realises that her marriage is not the dream she thought it was. Fleetwood is at once very mature and very young, and I thought that she was captured perfectly as a young woman striving to be perfect in a world which really only allows a very narrow definition of female perfection. I’d do anything for Fleetwood.
Much of the emotional drama in the story revolves around Fleetwood’s husband’s betrayal, and the solace that she finds in Alice Gray’s friendship and midwifery. Alice is a woman with knowledge of plants and healing. She knows women’s medicine, and lives independently – all fine reasons, in a witch-hunter’s mind, to condemn her as a witch. Her friendship with Fleetwood is a fascinating study in the way that two very different women work, and their every interaction is so well-drawn that I felt like I was in the room. Befriending Alice makes Fleetwood realise that for all her limits, she has an immense amount of privilege as a rich man’s wife, and her character growth is just wonderful. Alice is the catalyst that makes Fleetwood coalesce into an adult, into her own woman.
Oh, just every moment of this book is so beautifully written. I lost myself in the pages and barely noticed I was even reading. Everything about this seems to have been written to appeal to me: strong, flawed women; deep platonic friendships; the claustrophobia that is so often missing in male-authored historical fiction; proper historical cunning women with medicinal herbs… Look, if you weren’t already suckered in by that astonishingly beautiful cover, then just trust me. You’ll want to read this.
Five out of five cats (or should I say, familiars!).
My copy of this arrived this morning and I’m now even more excited to dive into it and savour everything about Alice Grey, The Pendle Witch Trials and life from that perspective. I think it has to be one of the most beautiful looking books of the year and I’m praying the same can be said for the content. From the outset, I think it might end up becoming one of my favourite books this year.
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I really think that it will! It’s so wonderful!
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I enjoyed this book last year especially the socio-political context trumping supernatural, but I found there something missing… I think it was the pacing and whilst Fleetwood and Alice were beautifully written, it seemed others weren’t as rounded out. But I would definitely read more by the author though to see how she grows as a writer.
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Ah, interesting! I really liked that we had such a limited perspective from Fleetwood’s point of view – she is kind of self-centred, so I think it makes sense that the other characters weren’t as open, if you see what I mean? She hadn’t cracked them, so we didn’t get to. But yes, I am eagerly awaiting another book from Stacey!
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I liked that too, we had a 17 yo voice (even if from modern perspective) which was interesting BUT I still don’t quite know why she thought Richard was so wonderful? Other than that he was better than ‘the alternative’ which I didn’t find enough for her fervour.
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Ah, falling for mediocre guys as a teen is a time-honoured tradition, haha!
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True, I guess knowing her name let alone wanting to marry her would pass for some teenage crushes!!
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I love your review. I saw this one but didn’t really look into much. I’ll definitely be adding it to my list. I love all things witches 💙
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Oh, then you are in for a treat! 😀 Thank you so much!
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Excellent review, Asha. I am interested in reading some historical fiction books on this subject, and this one sounds like it is very well written. Nice cover, too!
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Thank you! I hope you check this one out.
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Thanks for the great review, this sounds fascinating. Have you read The Witch Finder’s Sister by Beth Underdown? It’s on a similar topic.
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I haven’t, but it’s been on my list of things to check out for ages! I must get round to it…
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That cover! Wow. ❤ I love books that steal your heart.
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I love the cover so much!
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Arr matey, a great review of a great-sounding book. But how can it not be? It be about witches!!!
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Exactly my thinking! Witches are great!
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I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!
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Aw, yay!!
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That cover is so beautiful! This is a great review by the way; it makes me want to consider picking this one up!
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Thank you! I really hope you do check it out!
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Great review! Adding it to my TBR!
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Thank you! I hope you enjoy the book!
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This sounds like a great read! Glad you loved it.
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I’ve been seeing this book around and I’m always intrigued by the ARC since it has no title on the cover. Seems like they built up the mystery well. Glad the book is fabulous!
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The ARC design was just so amazing! And I’m glad the insides matched up to the promise, too 🙂
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