Book One – Widdershins

Release Date: July 1st 2017
Publisher: Impress Books
Pages: 250
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

‘Did all women have something of the witch about them?’
Jane Chandler is an apprentice healer. From childhood, she and her mother have used herbs to cure the sick. But Jane will soon learn that her sheltered life in a small village is not safe from the troubles of the wider world.

From his father’s beatings to his uncle’s raging sermons, John Sharpe is beset by bad fortune. Fighting through personal tragedy, he finds his purpose: to become a witch-finder and save innocents from the scourge of witchcraft.

Inspired by true events, Widdershins tells the story of the women who were persecuted and the men who condemned them.

Review

Widdershins is a beautiful, thought-provoking tale inspired by true events. The story follows two main characters – Jane Chandler who is learning how to be a healer, using herbs and lore to cure the sick. Meanwhile, John Sharpe has endured a hard childhood – his mother died during his birth and his father blames him for this. After enduring vicious beatings from his father he is sent to stay with his Uncle, a pastor. He finds purpose in becoming a witch-finder and rooting out all trace of witchcraft.

This story fascinated me right from the very beginning. The story is well paced and full to the brim with atmosphere. I really enjoyed Steadman’s writing style and was captivated by these two vastly different characters and how their stories would converge. I was really intrigued by the fact the story was based on true events and this made parts of the story all the more heartbreaking. I felt the characters were well developed. I ended up reading the book mostly in one sitting because I just had to know where the story was going to go next. If you’re looking for a compelling historical fiction tale will keep you turning pages long into the night, this series should definitely be on your wishlist.

Book Two – Sunwise

Release Date: April 1st 2019
Publisher: Impress Books
Pages: 208
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

When Jane’s lover, Tom, returns from the navy to find her unhappily married to his betrayer, Jane is caught in an impossible situation. Still reeling from the loss of her mother at the hands of the witch-finder John Sharpe, Jane has no choice but to continue her dangerous work as a healer while keeping her young daughter safe.

But, as Tom searches for a way for him and Jane to be together, the witch-finder is still at large. Filled with vengeance, John will stop at nothing in his quest to rid England of the scourge of witchcraft.
Inspired by true events, Sunwise tells the story of one woman’s struggle for survival in a hostile and superstitious world.

Review

Sunwise is the second installment in Helen Steadman’s Widdershins series, focusing on the witch trials in England and Scotland. Following on from the events in book one, the story follows Jane as her lover Tom returns to find her married to the worst person imaginable. She’s stuck in an impossible situation, still trying to cope with the loss of her mother at the hands of John Sharpe and find a way to protect her daughter. As Tom tries to find a way for them to be together, Jane knows the witchfinder is still out there and John will stop at nothing to rid the world of witches and their magic.

I ended up picking up Sunwise almost immediately after I finished Widdershins, partly because I was so keen to see where the story was going to go next and partly because that cover is just beautiful. I really enjoyed both installments in this series but I must admit that this second book was my favourite of the two. Having gotten to know the characters I was absolutely hooked and desperate to see where the story would take them. Both main characters are really well developed, Jane is trying to do her best to protect those around her and John has become this dark and despicable person. The atmosphere was even tenser in this story and I loved the way Steadman’s writing brought the sights and sounds of the 1600s to life.

This historical fiction series feels incredibly well researched. I loved all the details surrounding the herbs and rituals, It’s a compelling story, one that historical fiction fans will absolutely fall in love with. While this is my first time reading from Helen Steadman it will definitely not be the last and I cannot wait to read more from his author.