Paula Brackston

My name is Elizabeth Anne Hawksmith, and my age is three hundred and eighty-four years. Each new settlement asks for a new journal, and so this Book of Shadows begins… In the spring of 1628, the Witchfinder of Wessex finds himself a true Witch. As Bess Hawksmith watches her mother swing from the Hanging Tree she knows that only one man can save her from the same fate at the hands of the panicked mob: the Warlock Gideon Masters, and his Book of Shadows. Secluded at his cottage in the woods, Gideon instructs Bess in the Craft, awakening formidable powers she didn’t know she had and making her immortal. She couldn't have foreseen that even now, centuries later, he would be hunting her across time, determined to claim payment for saving her life. In present-day England, Elizabeth has built a quiet life for herself, tending her garden and selling herbs and oils at the local farmers' market. But her solitude abruptly ends when a teenage girl called Tegan starts hanging around. Against her better judgment, Elizabeth begins teaching Tegan the ways of the Hedge Witch, in the process awakening memories--and demons--long thought forgotten. Part historical romance, part modern fantasy, The Witch’s Daughter is a fresh, compelling take on the magical, yet dangerous world of Witches. Readers will long remember the fiercely independent heroine who survives plagues, wars, and the heartbreak that comes with immortality to remain true to herself, and protect the protégé she comes to love.

The Witch's Daughter

A New York Times Bestseller: Part historical romance, part modern fantasy, The Witch's Daughter is a 'lyrical and spell-binding' take on the magical and dangerous world of witches (Mary Sharratt, author of Daughters of the Witching Hill) In the spring of 1628, young Bess Hawksmith watches her mother's body swing limp from the Hanging Tree. She knows that only one man can save her from the same fate - Gideon Masters, the Warlock. She knows, too, that his help comes at a steep price. In present-day England, Elizabeth[HT1] has built a quiet life for herself. She has spent the centuries in solitude, moving from place to place, surviving plagues, wars and the heartbreak that comes with immortality. Her loneliness comes to an abrupt end when she is befriended by a teenage girl called Tegan. Against her better judgment, Elizabeth opens her heart to Tegan and begins teaching her the ways of the Hedge Witch. But Gideon is hunting her still. He will stop at nothing, determined even after centuries to claim her soul. And now, Bess is not fighting to save herself alone: now, she must protect the girl she has grown to love like a daughter. "A lyrical and spell-binding time travel fantasy featuring an immortal witch who must summon all her powers to defeat the evil hounding her through the centuries." --Mary Sharratt, author of Daughters of the Witching Hill "Women will certainly love the independent, feisty female characters, but the narrative is wonderfully imaginative and the plot fast-moving and filled with action. . . Highly recommended for witches and warlocks alike." --Historical Novel Society "Brackston's first novel offers well-crafted characters in an absorbing plot and an altogether delicious blend of historical fiction and fantasy." --Booklist

Vanessa

Jessica Ford

I love historical fiction about witches, and this book did not disappoint. I loved how the story went back and forth between present time and Elizabeth's past. I hope Brackston continues to write about witches.

In the spring of 1628, young Bess Hawksmith watches her mother's body swing limp from the Hanging Tree. She knows that only one man can save her from the same fate - Gideon Masters, the Warlock. She knows, too, that his help comes at a steep price. In present-day England, Elizabeth has built a quiet life for herself. She has spent the centuries in solitude, moving from place to place, surviving plagues, wars and the heartbreak that comes with immortality. Her loneliness comes to an abrupt end when she is befriended by a teenage girl called Tegan. Against her better judgment, Elizabeth opens her heart to Tegan and begins teaching her the ways of the Hedge Witch. But Gideon is hunting her still. He will stop at nothing, determined even after centuries to claim her soul. And now, Bess is not fighting to save herself alone: now, she must protect the girl she has grown to love like a daughter.

Carol Bailey

This book takes us through the life or lives of Elizabeth as she is stalked by a man who helped make her into a witch. For the most part I found the pacing of the book enjoyable and the switching back and forth from current day to the historical was not difficult to follow. The author clearly delineates when the reader is in the past or reading about a past "life" for Elizabeth.
Oddly enough I started to struggle with some of the pacing about 2/3 through and felt like there were entire sections that didn't add much to the narrative. At this point I found myself skimming looking for the point where I needed to pay closer attention. 
The ending if the book leaves it open for a sequel and I saw that there is a second in the series but from the preview provided it does not appear to have any real correlation to the Witches Daughter. 
If you enjoy stories with a historical bent this could be the book for you

A story of a woman’s life in four parts.

The story is beautifully written, but at times a bit slow. 

Megan BV

A story of a woman’s life in four parts.

 The audio was really well done. 

The story is beautifully written, but at times a bit slow. 

Amy Maddess

My name is Elizabeth Anne Hawksmith, and my age is three hundred and eighty-four years. Each new settlement asks for a new journal, and so this Book of Shadows begins... In the spring of 1628, the Witchfinder of Wessex finds himself a true Witch. As Bess Hawksmith watches her mother swing from the Hanging Tree she knows that only one man can save her from the same fate at the hands of the panicked mob: the Warlock Gideon Masters, and his Book of Shadows. Secluded at his cottage in the woods, Gideon instructs Bess in the Craft, awakening formidable powers she didn't know she had and making her immortal. She couldn't have foreseen that even now, centuries later, he would be hunting her across time, determined to claim payment for saving her life. In present-day England, Elizabeth has built a quiet life for herself, tending her garden and selling herbs and oils at the local farmers' market. But her solitude abruptly ends when a teenage girl called Tegan starts hanging around. Against her better judgment, Elizabeth begins teaching Tegan the ways of the Hedge Witch, in the process awakening memories--and demons--long thought forgotten. Part historical romance, part modern fantasy, Paula Brackston's New York Times bestseller, The Witch's Daughter, is a fresh, compelling take on the magical, yet dangerous world of Witches. Readers will long remember the fiercely independent heroine who survives plagues, wars, and the heartbreak that comes with immortality to remain true to herself, and protect the protégé she comes to love.

A Novel

Elizabeth Garza

This book was really well written. It didn't go to heavy on metaphors or fancy language. It was a story told as if the character were next to you and literally telling you her story. If you're a reader that really enjoys action, don't read this. If you're a reader that wants that passionate, fire-burning romance, don't read this. If you're a reader that likes for the author to really use his or her literary tools to a max (i.e. not to common word choice, lots of metaphors, different type of sentence structuring), don't read this. Well, let me rephrase: Don't read this unless you are willing to accept this writer as she is. And don't get disappointed if she doesn't live up to certain dramatic or situational expectations because I really don't think that was her point with this book. 

I really think all people should read this book. It's a good story, and who doesn't love a good story?

Woo boy, where to start?

I can't stand Bess. She's annoying, repetitive, and quite boring. She never truly learns how to tell where or who Giddeon is, despite the obvious overtones of standoffish behavior and giving her clues that could help her run away. I could tell who he was every time in the flashbacks. 

The first flashback was too long and dry in my opinion. Yes, we get it the Witch hunters were bad after the plague. That was driven home several times with little variation. Next she went to be a nurse, and he found her there with the Ripper. I don't really get why the Ripper had been involved, unless there was supposed to be the inference that Giddeon was the Ripper, which makes absolutely no sense. Finally, we have World War II I believe, and that was pretty terrible as well. 

All in all, I wish it had been better edited and maybe focused less on Giddeon and more on the life of a witch. There were parts that I liked, mainly involving Bess telling us about how she made potions or her connection with nature. Otherwise it just seemed like Brackston didn't know where she wanted to go, or how to get there.

I only managed to finish this after getting the audiobook, as reading it was very slow and dull.

Courtney Shipley

I listened to the audiobook and it was great! The only reason this is getting 4 stars is that at times I felt it went slow and then it rushed to the end. But the entire time I was listening to this book I was sucked into Bess' world!

Brook

Fun book about passing witchcraft on, and the perils of accepting anything from a man, or a warlock.

The Witch's Daughter

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