Name: Luke Harkness's review of The Familiars by Stacey Halls
Item: The Familiars
Rating: 3
Author: Luke Harkness

Stacey Halls

The Sunday Times Bestseller and Richard & Judy Book Club Pick **PRE-ORDER MRS ENGLAND: the brand new novel from Stacey Halls is available to pre-order today** To save her child, she will trust a stranger. To protect a secret, she must risk her life . . . Fleetwood Shuttleworth is 17 years old, married, and pregnant for the fourth time. But as the mistress at Gawthorpe Hall, she still has no living child, and her husband Richard is anxious for an heir. When Fleetwood finds a letter she isn't supposed to read from the doctor who delivered her third stillbirth, she is dealt the crushing blow that she will not survive another pregnancy. Then she crosses paths by chance with Alice Gray, a young midwife. Alice promises to help her give birth to a healthy baby, and to prove the physician wrong. As Alice is drawn into the witchcraft accusations that are sweeping the North-West, Fleetwood risks everything by trying to help her. But is there more to Alice than meets the eye? Soon the two women's lives will become inextricably bound together as the legendary trial at Lancaster approaches, and Fleetwood's stomach continues to grow. Time is running out, and both their lives are at stake. Only they know the truth. Only they can save each other. 'Assured and alluring, this beautiful tale of women and witchcraft and the fight against power was a delight from start to finish' Jessie Burton, author of THE MINIATURIST 'The new Hilary Mantel' Cosmopolitan 'Truly spellbinding' Good Housekeeping 'An intricate and sensitive portrayal of a brave, tenacious young girl carving her place in the world. A must-read novel' Heather Morris, bestselling author of THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ 'I read this in just over a day - I was completely hooked! An intriguing story about a fascinating period of history and brilliant female characters' Libby Page, author of THE LIDO 'A wonderful novel, enthralling, spellbinding, terrifying, full of twists and turns, written with heart and style - and the final chapters will have you racing to the end' Kate Williams, author of THE STORMS OF WAR

The spellbinding feminist Sunday Times Bestseller and Richard & Judy Book Club Pick

The Familiars

Torrey

Luke Harkness

Not sure about all the hype. Very average read. Nothing really happens?

In 1612 Lancaster, England, the hunt for witches has reached a fever pitch... But in a time of suspicion and accusation, to be a woman may be the greatest risk of all. Fleetwood Shuttleworth, the mistress of Pendle Hill's Gawthorpe Hall, is with child. Anxious to produce an heir, she is distraught to find a letter from her physician that warns her husband she will not survive this pregnancy. Devastated, Fleetwood wanders the estate grounds, where she catches a young woman poaching. Alice Gray claims she is a local midwife and promises to help Fleetwood deliver a healthy baby. But a witch-obsessed frenzy sweeps the countryside. Even woodland creatures or "familiars" are thought to be dark companions of the unholy. And Alice soon stands accused of witchcraft. Time is running out. The witch trials are about to begin. With both their lives at stake, Fleetwood must prove Alice's innocence. Only they know the truth. Set against the real Pendle witch trials, this compelling novel draws its characters from historical figures as it explores the lives of seventeenth-century women. Ultimately it raises the question: Was witch hunting really just women hunting?

Beatriz Pereira

It was a beautiful story about women coming together. It was really well written but it didn't have anything that will stay with me to look back on. It wasn't a memorable story. Just a beautiful story nonetheless.

It took me so much time to finish this book, maybe because of the New Age setting.

I really liked Fleetwoods' character development, her personality grew with her physical health. The plot was pretty interesting, and the friendship between Alice and Fleetwood was strong.

Eszter Baranyi

It took me so much time to finish this book, maybe because of the New Age setting.

I really liked Fleetwoods' character development, her personality grew with her physical health. The plot was pretty interesting, and the friendship between Alice and Fleetwood was strong.

'Assured and alluring, this beautiful tale of women and witchcraft and the fight against power was a delight from start to finish' - Jessie Burton, bestselling author of The Miniaturist.

Cheri McElroy

This is a wonderful debut novel based on the true events of the Pendle Witch trials of 1612. The characters are based on real people, including the main character, Fleetwood Shuttleworth. At 17, and pregnant, she befriends a young midwife, Alice Gray, who is later accused of witchcraft. Fleetwood goes out of her way to try and save Alice in an era where women’s sole worth was tied up in childbearing.

The characters were strong, the atmosphere strong and gothic, and the ending satisfying. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Alice Belle

** spoiler alert **
           I am appalled on how such an amazing book, such amazing work and talent are being wasted on the last few pages. It is atrocious, the book was fantastic, do not get me wrong, it's just the little details that magically end up getting fixed in the last few pages like a disney tale. I like to suffer, while reading. Books can show how harsh real life is, because when you close the book and go outside, not everything is a pink bubble. For example in this book Fleetwood finds out about his husband's affair, and allows him to mantain that girl the lord knows where as she is raising his children? At the end of the book I thought she was going to go to her childhood home to murder her and add some final action or cliff hanger but she just burns it down? Like... missed opportunities... missed opportunities everywhere.

Tessa Francis 

First book I read after being in a very long reading slump and it totally inspired me to start reading again. It’s such an easy read yet so interesting and full of depth. Thoroughly enjoyed

Julia

Imie Kent-Muller

Firstly - thank you so much Zaffre Publishing for sending this my way. 

The Familiars by Stacey Halls is another one of those books that blends a number of genres wonderfully. Inspired by the true history of the Pendle Witches, Halls has weaved a tale of friendship in a time when trust was hard to find. Secrets lurk everywhere and the main character is just trying to carry her baby to term. 

This haunting debut tackles friendship, class, judgement, witchcraft, relationships and so much more in a way that leaves you holding onto this book completely spellbound. 

This is an absolutely wonderful book!

Shannon Thomas

I’ve known I would love The Familiars since I read the blurb when it was released. It’s taken me quite some time to get around to reading it!
The Familiars is historical fiction, centred around the Pendle Hill Witch Trials. Fleetwood Shuttleworth is 17 and pregnant with her fourth child, but after losing three children it’s not thought that she or the child will survive the pregnancy. More than a story about the witch trials that took place in Lancashire, it’s a story about strong, resilient women. Unexpected friendships, love, loyalty and inequality.
Despite having the physical book, I listened to the audiobook version and it took me a little while to get into it but once I did I was infatuated. Stacey Halls finds the perfect balance of telling a true historical story whilst immersing you in a fictional book. The plot definitely kept me on my toes and there were some curveballs that I certainly wasn’t expecting.
It’s a very hyped book, and completely worth every bit of praise and adoration it’s had.
Shockingly, I actually knew very little about the Pendle Hill Witch Trials, but reading this has led to me looking into it and wanting to learn more. What more can you really ask for in an historical fiction book?
It was so beautifully written, I read The Foundling earlier in the year and it’s evident Stacey Halls has such a huge talent when it comes to writing historical fiction.

Katarina Rose Watson

My friend has been asking and asking for me to read this for YEARS and I would just like to say I am very sorry he did not pressure me harder. IT WAS SO GOOD.

Young Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a noblewoman, is with child again. None of her previous pregnancies have borne fruit, and her husband, Richard, is anxious for an heir. Then Fleetwood discovers a hidden doctor's letter that carries a dire prediction: she will not survive another birth. By chance she meets a midwife named Alice Grey, who promises to help her deliver a healthy baby. But Alice soon stands accused of witchcraft. Is there more to Alice than meets the eye? Fleetwood must risk everything to prove her innocence. As the two women's lives become intertwined, the Witch Trials of 1612 loom. Time is running out; both their lives are at stake. Only they know the truth. Only they can save each other.--Provided by publisher.

Moray Lyle McIntosh

I'm always drawn to novels about the Pendle Witches. I grew up a fell miles from Pendle Hill and my family is related to several of the women executed. This is an enjoyable story with and engaging cast of characters and a plot that employs the main historical facts while making good use of the uncanny elements of the accusations and the "witches". There's an authentic period flavour to the story and the themes resonate today, with women stripped of their agency and voices and left vulnerable the the whims and accusations built on patriarchy, from the King down. It's disappointing that the trial itself is absent but its a well-crafted and enjoyable tale that is still all too relevant today.

Judy McClure

Nickie Mohler

Historical fiction. 
Witches. 
 Those are the words that made me want to read this book. I was not disappointed. Set in 1612, this book really paints a good picture of what it would've been like then. I enjoyed it, and I think I will add it to the books I like to read around Halloween.

I received a copy from Net Galley.

Cassandra Brickey

Paulina 

Piękna okładka i piękna opowieść.
O przyjaźni i sile.

Vicki Hesketh

Just before we get into this I just need to state that I received this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. 

This is a really well researched and wonderfully written book based on the Pendle Witch Trials. The story takes place in my local area and it was really wonderful to read something that takes place in such familiar places. I found the main character is really strong-willed though she can be naive at times; throughout the book, she really fights for what she believes in.. 

The book does leave you guessing as to the truth of the pendle witches and explores the motives behind the accusations made by the people in power at the time. I honestly couldn't put this book down and finished it within a day, however it isn’t one that stayed with me after finishing it and I personally found it hard to relate to the main character (though she was strong in her motivations).

Lucy Hacker

I finished this lovely book last night. I’m a sucker for historical fiction, so it was always going to be a winner. It’s a great story, and really nicely written - an impressive debut novel by Stacey Halls. It only took me two days to get through, which is unheard of for me: I couldn’t put it down, and also it was quite an easy read, which was perfect for me at the end of a busy half term in school where my brain is a bit fried 😄🙈 It is lacking a bit of depth in my opinion - there was scope for a lot more exploration into the actual witch trials, but this was glossed over somewhat in favour of the protagonist’s narrative. The writing was a bit clumsy in places, and I’d have liked if a bibliography had been included too, so I could read up a little more on the history myself - but that’s probably just me being nerdy. An enjoyable read, that I’d definitely recommend for a bit of easy escapism. 7/10. I’ve given it 4 stars out of 5 but it’s more like a 3.5.

erin s

Seventeen-year-old noblewoman Fleetwood Shuttleworth is pregnant for the fourth time (!). Her three previous pregnancies have ended in miscarriages; frightened for her health and the heir within her womb, Fleetwood convinces Alice Grey, a young peasant she found lurking on her estate, to become her midwife. Meanwhile, fervent servants of King James spread their witch-hunting mania, ensnaring Alice and a number of impoverished local women in the accusations. Despite her husband’s resistance and the threats of incarceration and denunciation, Fleetwood tirelessly attempts to free her midwife and discredit the noblemens’ arguments against the accused.

The theme of animal familiars weaves throughout the novel, with domesticated and wild animals alike making frequent appearances. The isolated English countryside provides an evocative setting for this Gothic tale, and the constant gaslighting and condescension directed at Fleetwood during her pregnancy added an extra level of feminine horror. Well-written and suspenseful, this is a timely book that understands the importance of communication and companionship.

Danielle H.

4.5 but I'll round it up. Thoroughly enjoyed this!

2.5 stars, if goodreads would allow. The first half was painfully slow. Whilst it did pick up in the second half, it wasnt enough to make up for it. Disappointing, I thought I'd really enjoy this one!

Imzy

The Familiars is a historical fiction set in the 1600s when witch trials were customary. 

The protagonist Fleetwood Shuttleworth is a 17 year old woman, wife to the famous Richard Shuttleworth. She is pregnant after three miscarriages and is afraid of not being able to produce an heir for the Shuttleworth house. Fleetwood finds a midwife, Alice Gray, who is mysterious but seems to know her trade very well. However, Alice gets accused of witchcraft and is sentenced to be hanged.

The story follows Fleetwood and her struggles with pregnancy and trying to clear the name of her new midwife. Along the way, many secrets are unfolded from her husband, his friend, and her mother.

It's a compelling read and has you hooked from start to finish. The historical aspects of the book were done perfectly. Another thing I loved was that there wasn't so many main characters. The book was in first person in Fleetwood's POV and the backstories of all the secondary characters weren't all known. I think a problem with other books is that the author tries to fit in thorough backstories of all the characters and it becomes so tedious to read. But for this book, we were just in Fleetwood's mind, and knew however much she knew about the other characters.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to fans of historical women fiction.

Anyaconda

The Familiars is hard to review. I mainly picked it up because it contained witches in the description, but I did have a few issues with it. 
It is not a bad read or badly written by any means, I think it was just the wrong story for me.

We follow Fleetwood, who desperately and obsessively tries to carry a child to term, she's had three miscarriages before and gets pressured from all sides to finally produce an healthy heir for her husband.

That is also the main focus of the story line. The constant bad feelings Fleetwood experiences and she's not even fighting it one bit. I wanted her to say so badly that she is more than just a vessel to produce children.
It was hard to read and I got really angry and frustrated throughout the book, although all of those issues were or are still common in society back in the days or in more conservative countries around the world.

I certainly had a lot of feelings about this book. I can recommend it to readers who enjoy a slower-paced, character-driven read with topics like childbearing, miscarriages and witch hunts. Sadly it wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Jana Pashovska

Lured by its very interesting premise of witches and familiars and the fact that it was based on the actual Pendle Witch Trials of 17th century England, I was quite disappointed by the actual realization of the book. It somehow left me unsatisfied despite its relatively happy ending, but it wasn't all together an unpleasant read. The style of writing was simple but lovely, and it delved into a few rather important themes, such as the poor position of women during those cursed times and the absolute power of patriarchal values that destroyed countless innocent lives. All in all, it was a fine introduction to this author and I may be tempted to read another of her books.

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The Familiars by Stacey Halls

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