THE FAMILIARS A NOVEL “A beautiful tale of women, witchcraft and the fight against power.” –Jessie Burton, New York Times bestselling author of The Miniaturis “The Familiars is a must-read novel.” –Heather Morris, bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz IN 1612 IN LANCASTER, ENGLAND, THE HUNT FOR WITCHES IS RAMPANT… BUT IN A TIME OF SUSPICION AND ACCUSATION, TO BE A WOMAN IS … BUT IN A TIME OF SUSPICION AND ACCUSATION, TO BE A WOMAN IS THE GREATEST RISK OF ALL
1612 Pendle Hill
Young Fleetwood Shuttleworth is with child again. As the mistress of Gawthorpe Hall, she is anxious to provide her husband with an heir. But none of her previous pregnancies have come to term. Then she discovers a hidden letter from her physician that warns her husband that she will not survive another pregnancy.
Distraught over the frightening revelation, Fleetwood wanders the woods of Pendle Hill, where she meets a young local woman named Alice Gray. A midwife, Alice promises Fleetwood she can help her deliver a healthy baby. But soon Alice is drawn into the frenzied accusations of witchcraft sweeping the countryside. Even the woodland creatures, the “familiars,” are suspected of practicing the dark arts. Can Fleetwood trust that Alice is really who she says she is?
As the two women’s lives become intertwined, Fleetwood must risk everything to prove Alice’s innocence in order to save her own unborn child. The hunt for witches reaches fever pitch. Time is running out. The trials are about to begin. Both their lives are at stake. Only they know the truth. Only they can save each other.
Set against the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612, this rich and compelling novel draws its characters from historical figures as it explores the lives and rights of seventeenth-century women, ultimately raising the question: Is witch-hunting really just women-hunting?
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Set amidst the Lancashire witch trials of the early 17th century, this novel brings the complexities of that dark time in history to life through the story of a young woman, Fleetwood Shuttleworth, and her midwife, Alice Gray. The plot twists and turns, keeping you engaged and wondering what will happen next, but what I love most about this book is the way that the challenges that Fleetwood and Alice face are grounded in the historical details of the time, while also speaking to contemporary issues surrounding women, power, and the body.
I know nothing about the witch trials in England and this book is based on a true tragedy. I found it totally riveting. Beautiful historical details.
Set around the area & time of the Pendle witch trials, I found this a most interesting read. The characters are crafted with a great deal of insight & the rolling countryside around Gawthorpe Hall described with beautiful detail. The most intriguing fact is that the author has researched fully & has built this work of fiction upon documentary facts, which adds drama. On occasion I did find the main character a little bit weak, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
Really enjoyed the story line. Found the book easy to read. Could put myself in the story. Historical setting of witch hunters! Very enjoyable
I read from an arc for an Amazon Vine review.
I liked the idea of strong women character but it felt out of place given the time period this was set. That being said it felt like a well-researched story and I found myself slowly liking Fleetwood Shuttleworth especially as she fought for her friend’s survival. The world building was really amazing too. I liked getting to know about the different counties and characters. The ending for me was a little flat I guess I was expecting more given what Fleetwood was facing. Definitely a unique story with some interesting characters.
The Familiars is an intricate and sensitive portrayal of a brave, tenacious young girl carving her place in the world. A must-read novel.
Assured and alluring, this beautiful tale of women, witchcraft and the fight against power is a delight.
Recommended for fans of historical fiction.
‘The Familiars’ is a well written historical novel about Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a young wife who is married and discovered that she is pregnant for the fourth time. After a string of miscarriages, and a note that suggests that she may die during childbirth, Fleetwood is desperate for answers and to live.
A strange encounter enables her to cross paths with a golden-haired woman named Alice Gray. Alice is unusual and Fleetwood discovers her trespassing on her land, acting very strangely. She sparks up minimal conversation, and finds herself intrigued by Alice and her ways.
Fleetwood manages to convince Alice to become her midwife, certain that she can help her child to live, in exchange for money. Alice promises to help, and becomes one of Fleetwood’s only friends.
But with mysterious animal sightings, and a man left mauled citing witchcraft, Alice finds herself mixed up amongst the accusations, and Fleetwood needs to help save her friend in order to help save her own life and child’s.
This book made for an intriguing read, i was drawn into the story straight away by the animal attack. Fleetwood is innocent in her young age, and as a reader you share in her innocence of the dangers around her. It was a very well thought out book, with lots of drama and i completed reading it all in one sitting.
I am excited to explore more of this new to me author’s work, and I would highly recommend to all historical fiction lovers, or anyone interested in a good read.
Enthralling, spellbinding, terrifying, full of twists and turns, written with heart and soul.
Gripping, complex well-written characters, and a great story of the intersection of witchcraft and womanhood.
At its heart, “The Familiars” is a tale of female friendship. In a time when women were viewed with suspicion by the church and many of the menfolk, the Pendle witch trials of 1612 took place. Women could be witches, you see, with powers given by dark forces.
A young, wealthy woman who has experienced several miscarriages (and her husband’s waning affections) hires a midwife she trusts. This mysterious gal comes from an oppressively poor area, but her ministrations seem good natured – that is until the local “witch hunter” employed an odd child named Jennet who pointed fingers at many, including the midwife. The heroine used every asset available to her to try to save the life of her midwife and friend.
Based on real events, Stacey Halls applies her imagination to recreate the terrifying time the time in England leading to 17-19 August, 1612. The cover is a lush piece of art which succeeded in enticing me to the story within.
Enjoyable book, fiction woven around the plight of the Pendle witches. Very good first novel and I look forward to reading more from this author. Also absolutely loved the cover of the paperback edition!
I’ll admit, the cover hooked me. I just loved the medieval tapestry-like look to it so I picked it up and read the back. Bought it immediately and read it in like a day. I loved it! Magical realism rooted in historical fiction of 17th cent. England? Sold.
“Neighbours denouncing neighbour,- it was the most reliable traits of humanity, and was how the dungeon was filled in first place. Rumours could spread, faster than disease and could be just as destructive”
I first saw this as book recommendations from Amazon and instantly fell in love with cover. So, The story set in 1612, based on true events from the Pendle Witch Trails is great for historical fiction.
“The Familiars” story as narrated by Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a 17year old married and pregnant for the 4th time. Having lost previous 3babies even before full term. She is desperate to give her husband, Richard a heir. But, her world turns upside down when she finds the letter from doctor, stating she may not survive another pregnancy. While she struggle with her thoughts between life and death, she by chance meets Alice Gray.
Alice Gray, -a wise woman, a midwife who knows to work around herbs and can help healthy pregnancy. She promises Fleetwood to help her deliver a healthy baby. And so the life of both gets intertwined with each other. However, nothing is as easy as one expect it to be. Alice is soon accused for witchcraft. Earlier witchcraft was considered to be a crime and witches were punished to “death”.
Now Fleetwood must risk everything she got and do anything it takes to free Alice. Only she can help save Fleetwood and her baby.
I loved reading this book. The plot is very strong and gripping, was very hard to put down the book. However, I wish the author had written bit more about Alice or about the Witch Trails. I also understand that the narrative was from Fleetwood perspective so I wish author comes up another book as sequel or telling about witches or Alice.
The Familiars is a brilliant work for a debut Author and definitely my new found favorite author the year. This book has my love and the cover. Cannot wait to read the 2nd book by the author.
Bought it on the Queen Victoria in the book shop and couldn’t put it down … Spell bounding … looking forward to the next book .. a very well written masterpiece…
An exceptionally well-written, richly atmospheric, impeccably researched historical novel based on the Pendle witch hunts, with a memorable heroine. A gripping and haunting read,
Really an excellent historical novel of 17th Century women and witchcraft. Beautifully written and I loved the imperfect but adventurous main character. Read it in two very self-indulgent big gulps. Highly recommended.
The Familiars, written by Stacey Halls, is a fictionalized account of the Pendle witch trials. The novel opens with Lady Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a 17-year-old woman who is pregnant and unwell. Thrice she has been pregnant, but each time, her baby died before birth. Desperate to finally have a healthy child and terrified that this time she might die too, Fleetwood employs the services of a young midwife by the name of Alice Grey. With Alice’s help, Fleetwood regains her health, and she and her unborn child begin to thrive.
Meanwhile, accusations of witchcraft inundate Lancashire, and Alice is implicated. Determined to prove her friend’s innocence and with time rapidly running out, these women must work together to save each other from certain death.
For the complete review, go to https://kindredconnection.wordpress.com/2019/02/25/the-familiars/.
An intriguing story about a fascinating period of history full of brilliant female characters.