When Evalina is imprisoned for witchcraft, will her supernatural bond with animals be her curse or salvation?In 1854, Evalina Stowe witnesses the murder of her brother by Dr. Dowdrick, an enraged client at the tailor’s where they work. Desperate to stop him, she rouses a swarm of wasps that sting the doctor while she stabs him with scissors, and then flees. At a subsequent job when birds race to … birds race to her defense, Evalina is declared a witch and sent to Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary.
While imprisoned, Evalina is horrified not only to learn that Dr. Dowdrick is still alive, but he’s experimenting on inmates. Determined to get inside his Eclectic Medical School, to expose his nefarious activities, she’s passionate about protecting fellow prisoners, especially Lewin, a child thief who knew her brother, and Birdy, a kind, resilient Welsh man serving time for a worker’s death while blasting granite for the railroad.
Evalina, her friends and her “wild beasts” work against time to unmask Dowdrick’s crimes when she participates with him in a symposium, showcasing Philadelphia’s premium doctors. If they fail, not only will the doctor’s evil deeds continue unchecked but Evalina and her crew will surely be hung.Actual historical figures such as Dr. Thomas Mutter and Charles Dickens spice up this fantastical thriller brimming with historical gems set in Philadelphia’s renowned penitentiary. Won a second place spot in The 2019 Valley Forge RWA Sheila contest.
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Wow this book was more than I expected, in a really, really good way. Magical and mysterious, this read took me on a twisty, fun right ride. A totally great read for when you want something different.
WITCH OF THE WILD BEASTS
By Catherine Stone
Well I must first start by saying I liked this original take on a different type of Witch that I’ve come to associate with that word. This was a charming Historical Magical Fantasy with its own unique version of magic that had me continually being surprised. The rich detail and the main character is one whom you grow a kinship with. I like that the chapters were perfect in length and it kept me moving pretty quickly. Told through the main character’s viewpoint, kept it easy to read, organized and gives a great perspective of everything going on.
Evalina Stowe, alone with her brother, Todd, after the deaths of her parents from Cholera, finds herself supporting them both. Working at a tailor’s, things go awry when an upset patron, Dr. Dowdrick begins to choke Todd over some garments that accidentally fell on the floor. The madness and protectiveness Evalina felt made her so angry she felt a buzz of wasps surround her as she grabs a pair of scissors to stop the Dr. before he kills her brother. As her anger grows fierce, the wasps, as if summoned & directed, go and attack the Dr. while Evalina makes the scissors plunge into the Dr.’s side. She then realizes that in his anger, the Dr. did indeed kill her brother. She has no choice but to run to escape being sent to prison.
Living on the streets, she must learn to beg and find places to sleep. She looks back and is confused as to what happened at the Tailor’s. She also reminisces how growing up, birds had also taken an interest in her but she still doesn’t make much of it.
She eventually finds work on a farm working for an unkind man. During a upheaval with her boss, a flock of birds come to her defense and it doesn’t end well. Evalina is then declared a witch and sent to Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary. There she meets other prisoners and makes some beastly friends. Here it comes to her what may actually be occurring in her life with these beasts and is learning the ultimate power she actually possesses.
One day as the prisoners are working in the gardens, a familiar figure is introduced. When Evalina looks up, it is no other than Dr. Dowdrick, the man who killed her brother and the Dr. she thought she had killed. She finds out what his true intentions are for visiting and it’s risking the lives of prisoners for his own gain. Evalina is determined to find out what exactly is going on and to put a stop before more harm can come to others.
I enjoyed all the careful plotting and dark twists brought about to create Evalina’s story!
I really liked the layered use of historical figures help lend an even more authentic feel of times past and struggling times of the witch hunt days.
Not my normal go-to read but I was very quickly transported into the past with Evalina and I found it very enjoyable! I’m glad to have had the chance to give this one a read!
Thank you HFVBT for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Witch Of The Wild Beasts
By: Catherine Stine
REVIEW
A girl who commands wild beasts must be like Snow White, right? Nope. Evalina is much more than a Disney princess. One day, Evalina watches her brother die at the hands of an evil man. When she tried to save her brother, Evalina somehow summoned bees to sting the man, and she stabbed him with scissors. Assuming he is dead, Evalina goes on the run, alone with nowhere to go. Then, an incident causes her to summon birds, and she is arrested and sent to prison. Evalina soon realizes the evil man is not dead after all, and she knows that she must stop him for herself and the other inmates. Evalina will use the wild beasts she can summon in her quest.
Witch Of The Wild Beasts is a truly unique story. The time period was one of great injustices. This comes across clearly in story. The poor were squashed by the rich. The evil man, for example, is a murderer. Because he’s a doctor, this guy is respected and free. Wealth and position were everything and never questioned. Then there’s Evalina-poor, homeless, ragged-so, she must be a criminal and sent to prison. Evalina is a good person dealt a terrible hand in life. Nothing is easy, but she never gives up. Evalina’s persistence is inspiring, and it further endears her to the reader. I cared what happened to Evalina and her friends. The secondary characters were excellent, too. The atmosphere felt authentic and was accurate in my opinion. This story is an amazing experience with unforgettable characters, and I highly recommend it.
This was a great book, with a very interesting story line!
So believable!
Very well written with great characters and a splash of romance blended in with suspense. It amazes me that writers can be so gifted.
WITCH OF THE WILD BEASTS by Catherine Stine was very Uniquely designed and the storyline had me intrigued. Also she is a New Author for me and took me to another World of Magic that was different than what I have read before. It was very unexpected and the whirlwind had me sucked in which I devoured this BOOK in one sitting.
It is a historical, paranormal and mystical fiction story plus had dark twists of events that will have you on a wild journey.
This was a very interesting book. Evalina worked to support herself and her brother. She didn’t know she could talk to animals at first. But when she would talk to animals they would respond. After she witnessed her brother die she ran and hid till she need food. Evalina has to over come so much in her life.
Ive read many different books on magic but I have to say, throw a murder in and the way magic comes to them, this is a very interesting book. It was like a roller-coaster up and down but the author kept you reading right to the end.
This is my very first book from author Catherine Stine.
My heart really went out to young Evelina Stowe, having to endure all those hardships as a young girl. Watching her brother being killed to being imprisoned for being a witch. Who would thing that talking to “Beasties”would be the only way to get people to believe you are innocent of the crimes you are accused of.
The storyline was a bit slow for me in the beginning but picked up and proved to be an awesome read. Meeting the love of your life and making new friends during this hardship was really an eye opener for me.
Loved this book and will read more from this author in the future.
4.5 stars
This is not your typical kind of story about a witch. I’m not usually a fan of historical books, but throwing in the paranormal aspect worked to keep me invested in the story. It was easy to read and had some great secondary characters. Evalina, having witnessed the death of her brother, becomes an extremely determined and fierce character that you will be cheering for her to succeed.
Not the usual kind of books I like to read but was still a great read!
Evalina has lived a hard life and when her brother is murdered it gets even harder. As she arrested and imprisoned she learns the man she thought was dead is still alive. She tries to find a way to out his crimes.
This is a unique read with great characters. It was great to read about Evalina’s unusual talent in the time period of the story. As each character develops you will feel for their past. This read was historic, paranormal, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. It will keep you reading to the end.
This story was delightful it wasn’t all rainbows and stars it had some terrifying moments too but Eva’s story made you think just a bit about creatures big or small. Eva ended up in jail after a series of events that made people believe she was a witch but instead of wallowing in despair she found a way to cope. Not at all what I thought it would go but much better.
Can’t wait to read this one!
Will the witch Evaline and her familiars be able to stop a mad pseudo-scientist experimenting on prisoners? Find out! A different story with many twists and turns.
Witchcraft and supernatural bond with animals, oh bring it on!! lol
She can control wild beasts and insects to do her bidding. When a cruel doctor comes into the shop where Evalina and her young brother Todd work, he strangles Todd to death just because Todd dropped his cloths on the floor. Evalina stabs him with a scissors and runs because no one would believe her about what the doctor did. She eventually finds work on a farm and befriends the birds she is supposed to kill, and when the farmer confronts her one of the birds flys down his thoat and he dies. She is imprisons as a witch. But while in prison she makes several friends, finds love, and with the help of her friends (and her animal friends) is able to get justice for her brother Todd and the prisoners the doctor has experimented on. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Started of good quickly turned boring
I really did not like this book. I never connected with or cared for any of the characters and the story fell flat.