Witch

Hawkins has set this complex and gripping story in 17th century England when witches were feared by a deeply suspicious population, shot through with misogyny. Eveline of the Birds-or Evey, as she prefers to be called – has always suppressed and denied her magical powers, pulling away from her mother and her younger sister Dill, feeling on the outside of their small circle.

However, things begin to change when Evey and Dill witness the murder of their mother by four men. This incident opens the story and it is sickeningly brutal in its clarity, intensely focused viciousness and joy in slaughter. Hawkins uses archaic forms and structures of language, which immerse the reader more fully into the 17th century. Evey is consumed by a desire for revenge and, honouring her mother’s last wishes, she takes Dill to the coven led by their Aunt Grey. However, she has already decided to leave Dill in the safety of the coven while she pursues their mother’s killers. Sadly, the coven is not the safe haven their mother hoped it would be.

Evey’s search for the men is the major storyline in the remainder of the book-and a wild and riveting story it is, full of betrayal, deceit, brutality and cunning. With the help of her friends Anne Greeneyes and Peter Merchantmen and, at last, her realisation that she has found her ‘witching way’ and can use it as the powerful weapon it is, she triumphs. But the triumph is also finding her identity, becoming what she knows she really is and encouraging other women to be the same. Evey and her like are powerful women, working together to battle the dark forces which move in men and black-hearted witches alike.

This is more than an absorbing read – it is cinematic and it educates: be what you know you can be.