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The Witch's Daughter: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 5,791 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
My name is Elizabeth Anne Hawksmith, and my age is three hundred and eighty-four years. Each new settlement asks for a new journal, and so this Book of Shadows begins… In the spring of 1628, the Witchfinder of Wessex finds himself a true Witch. As Bess Hawksmith watches her mother swing from the Hanging Tree she knows that only one man can save her from the same fate at the hands of the panicked mob: the Warlock Gideon Masters, and his Book of Shadows. Secluded at his cottage in the woods, Gideon instructs Bess in the Craft, awakening formidable powers she didn't know she had and making her immortal. She couldn't have foreseen that even now, centuries later, he would be hunting her across time, determined to claim payment for saving her life. In present-day England, Elizabeth has built a quiet life for herself, tending her garden and selling herbs and oils at the local farmers' market. But her solitude abruptly ends when a teenage girl called Tegan starts hanging around. Against her better judgment, Elizabeth begins teaching Tegan the ways of the Hedge Witch, in the process awakening memories--and demons--long thought forgotten. Part historical romance, part modern fantasy, The Witch's Daughter is a fresh, compelling take on the magical, yet dangerous world of Witches. Readers will long remember the fiercely independent heroine who survives plagues, wars, and the heartbreak that comes with immortality to remain true to herself, and protect the protégé she comes to love.
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"There is enough background given in previous reviews and it's not my style to spoil the fun for others; book jackets provide enough of a synopsis. That being said, I found The Witch's Daughter to be a truly engaging story with great imagination. The interesting twists and turns kept my attention throughout. I'm looking forward to the next book by this author."
— Chris (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Lushly written with a fascinating premise and an enthralling heroine, The Witch's Daughter will linger long in memory after the last page has been savored. Highly recommended.
— Sara Poole, author of The Borgia Betrayal -
A beautifully written, brilliantly crafted page-turner that completely invests you in the lives and loves of the witch's daughter. A true reading event.
— Melissa Senate, author of The Love Goddess' Cooking School -
A lyrical and spell-binding time travel fantasy featuring an immortal witch who must summon all her powers to defeat the evil hounding her through the centuries.
— Mary Sharratt, author of Daughters of the Witching Hill -
Brackston's first novel offers well-crafted characters in an absorbing plot and an altogether delicious blend of historical fiction and fantasy.
— Booklist -
This pleasantly romantic historical fantasy debut flips lightly between the past experiences of ageless witch Elizabeth Anne Hawksmith and her present-day life in Matravers, England... Bess's adventures are fascinating.
— Publishers Weekly -
With her first novel, author Paula Brackston conjures up a riveting tale of sorcery and time travel. By mixing feminine heroism with masculine might, Brackston successfully captivates readers with characters Bess, an immortal witch, and sinister dark lord, Gideon…. It's almost impossible not to root for the underdog in this magical twist on the classic David vs. Goliath tale. Plus, the skill with which Brackston weaves her characters through time makes this book a fascinating take on global history.
— Marie Claire -
Stretching her tale over several centuries, British-based Brackston brings energy as well as commercial savvy to her saga of innocence and the dark arts…. History, time travel and fantasy combine in a solidly readable entertainment.
— Kirkus -
An engaging, well-written novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and fantasy alike.
— Portland Book Review -
Part historical romance, part modern fantasy, The Witch's Daughter is a fresh, compelling take on the magical, yet dangerous world of witches. Readers will long remember the fiercely independent heroine who survives plagues, wars, and the heartbreak of immortality to stay true to herself, and protect the protégé she comes to love.
— NightOwlReviews.com -
The Witch's Daughter is a wonderful combination of historical fiction and paranormal. Brackston's story alternates between past and present as she mixes tales of Elizabeth's early life with the present day, tying in historical events including Jack the Ripper and the horrors of WWI... Overall, a really enjoyable read.
— BookBitch.com -
Readers who enjoy historical fantasy built around an epic struggle between good and evil should enjoy this original take on the theme.
— HistoricalNovels.info -
An enjoyable read.
— Genre Go Round Reviews -
This tale spans centuries and walks the line between good and the darker side of magic. Magic and those who possess it have been feared and persecuted throughout most of human history. Find out what it is like to live for hundreds of years, mostly in solitude, and have to struggle with having the power to help people, but being afraid to use that power.
— Affaire de Coeur -
Women will certainly love the independent, feisty female characters, but the narrative is wonderfully imaginative and the plot fast-moving and filled with action. This novel is highly recommended for witches and warlocks alike.
— Historical Novel Society -
The combination of stories from the past and the present meld nicely, and the author adds some clever twists so the reader never knows exactly from whom the next Gideon apparition will arise. Perhaps the best twist is the ending--leaving an opening for another book, but at the same time furnishing the reader with quite a satisfactory ending.
— The National Examiner (UK)
The Witch's Daughter Listener Reviews
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Deborah, 6/26/2015
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" I agree that the plot was formulaic. By the second flashback, I could figure out the ending. Still easy and enjoyable enough read for maternity leave. "
— Wendy, 2/18/2014 -
" I was surprised that this book ended up being the main character's journey through time, hitting several well-known historical events. Read it for our book club, and had a great discussion after finishing it. Not as fantasy-themed as it sounds, which was good for me since I'm not super into the witchy stuff.. "
— Kat, 2/3/2014 -
" a quick read with some good characters. "
— Maria, 1/21/2014 -
" I had such high hopes, even ignoring the poor reviews that I should have heeded as warnings. The first few pages held promise, but then something happened, the character turned cold, and I didn't feel an intimacy at all in the writing. I do not have an issue, as some seem to, with stories written as a journal after all, my favorite books are Anais Nin's diaries, so long as the emotions are genuine. The only character I remotely liked was the evil villain, as he was the most interesting one. Would a darker turn have salvaged this novel? I doubt it, but it would have been a lot more fun. I found myself not caring what happened to Bess, nor her boring teenage apprentice, who seemed more like a shadow of a teenager. How was I supposed to believe any man, especially a warlock, would chase this boring woman through time? I must have been spoiled by my years of reading Alice Hoffman's novels, meaty stories full of magic and life where this one was more of a bleached bone. Or did I just miss something? You be the judge. This story was just not for me. "
— Lolly, 1/17/2014 -
" This was a great book ! Very different from the books I normally read, so it was very refreshing. The story moved along nicely . I want to be a witch now !! (a good witch , with lots of cool stones and herbs in my house , lol ) Happy I discovered Paula Brackston.. "
— Lisa, 1/15/2014 -
" Wonderful, made me cry "
— Chris, 1/8/2014 -
" I didn't love this book. There were parts interesting enough to get me to finish the book. But a lot of the time I found my mind wandering to other places. Some of the scenes were a bit much for me and one in particular had me questioning whether or not to finish. I also found it to be somewhat repetitive. I felt I was reading the same thing over with different characters. "
— Megan, 1/7/2014 -
" A nice beach read! "
— Brandy, 12/22/2013 -
" Surprised at how much I darn loved this. Review coming up soon. "
— Claire, 12/14/2013 -
" the beginning kept me interested and as for the end it happened to fast , maybe there will be another book ? I liked it "
— Shawn, 12/7/2013 -
" It seems the ending was rushed. (Publisher's deadline?) Elizabeth, the main character, is interesting and should have been handled better to preserve future story lines. Also, didn't get the love story through the ages, bit. Didn't seem that way to me; but read it for yourself and decide. "
— Mikeegan43, 11/30/2013 -
" Enh. Did not live up to its potential from any aspect and so became a light fluffy ho-hum read. "
— txtrvlgal, 11/19/2013 -
" I couldn't put this book down. "
— Margo, 11/6/2013 -
" Meh, it was ok. It's about a witch that has lived for 300 years hiding from the man who made her a witch. The flash backs of her life are the best part. "
— Erica, 10/31/2013 -
" It was not bad but could have been so much better. Undeveloped characters and themes that could have been much more fully explored. Wouldn't rush to read another by the same author. "
— Arna, 10/16/2013 -
" Good read. Enjoyed the first half of the book much more than the second. Wasn't all that impressed with the end, but still worth the read. Probably won't pick up the Winter Witch, though... "
— Dana, 10/16/2013 -
" This book was ok. A little too much description and not enough story. The ending just didn't make sense. If you want a good book about witches, read The Discovery of Witches. "
— Lee, 9/29/2013 -
" This is a quick, easy read. It gives a glimpse into the past as the three-hundred plus year old witch recalls her life. Light reading, perfect after a day of work. "
— Bettyp, 9/10/2013 -
" Liked it,....on to her next book. "
— Laura, 9/3/2013 -
" I liked the book, but it was a little predictable. "
— Carrie, 8/13/2013 -
" I find that I am giving a lot of books three stars as of late. It is not that I didn't enjoy the book; I did, but I did not find it incredibly original. It was a good story, a quick read, but it did not inspire me or challenge me. It was just good. "
— Kathy, 7/7/2013 -
" Waiting for a sequel... "
— Eblis, 5/24/2013 -
" A very enjoyable read, I found it hard to put it down. "
— Rachel, 3/29/2013 -
" Pretty good. Several historical perspectives. The end got a bit tedious with too much angst. "
— Alison, 3/6/2013 -
" Loved her writing style and the story as a whole! Great read! "
— Jacqueline, 1/27/2013 -
" The ending was very lame. "
— Tammy, 1/9/2013
About the Authors
P. J. Brackston is the author of several books, including The Witch’s Daughter, The Winter Witch, Nutters, Gretel and the Case of the Missing Frog Prints, Once upon a Crime, and The Case of the Fickle Mermaid.
Marisa Calin is an actress, novelist, and multiple Earphones Award–winning narrator born in England and educated in New York at the American Academy of the Dramatic Arts. An artist with a flair for everything literary, she has written a young adult novel, You & Me, which received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.
About Marisa Calin
Marisa Calin is an actress, novelist, and multiple Earphones Award–winning narrator born in England and educated in New York at the American Academy of the Dramatic Arts. An artist with a flair for everything literary, she has written a young adult novel, You & Me, which received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.