Daughters of the Witching Hill

I just finished reading Daughters of the Witching Hill by Mary Sharratt a work of historical fiction which tells the story of the families living in the area of Pendle Forest in 1612.  The poverty, intolerance and subjection that these families faced on a daily basis was harrowing but the witch-trials that spread through their small community like wild fire was most heartbreaking of all.  Surprisingly, I enjoyed every moment of reading this book and once begun could not put it down.  The strength and goodwill of these characters make their stories both compelling and palatable.  I would recommend this book to any fan of historical fiction and those interested in the paranormal.

Set in Lancashire, England, during the infamous witch trials of 1612, Daughters of the Witching Hill reveals the true story of Bess Southerns, aka Old Demdike, cunning woman, healer and the most notorious of the Pendle Witches, and of Alizon Device, her granddaughter, struggling to come to terms with her family’s troubling legacy. Though the name of the Pendle Witches lives on, few know the hard-hitting details of the witch-hunt which tore apart a community. Set in an era of religious intolerance, political strife, suspicion and social inequality, this haunting story of strong women and family love and betrayal is more relevant than ever.

**This is an ARC I received from the Goodreads First Reads program.**