I can't believe this is a debut novel. Immersive, dark, and beautifully written, The Leviathan is an absolute triumph.

I am so thankful that I had the chance to read an advance copy of this beautifully written book.

The story is set in 1643, the story has many layers surrounding the story of Thomas Treadwater who is a veteran returned to war to suspicions of witchcraft all culminating in a darker tale of a hidden sea creature.

I would recommend this book and can almost guarantee that it will be a huge hit once it is released. The writing style is wonderful and hard to believe this is a debut novel. I look forward to reading further stories by this author.

A wonderful gothic novel set in the 17th century what is not to love!
This from the perspective of an elderly Thomas Threadwater as he recalls the fallout of his return from fighting in the Civil War and finding his family and estate in utter disorder. Accusations are made and Witch hunter enters the fray. As the he slowly unravels the truth, many horrors surface and seem impossible to face. The Leviathan is a wonderful novel, and Rosie Andrews has created a fascinating mixture of historicial and gothic fiction. The split timeline is executed perfectly and the chapters from the older Thomas are particularly are often heartbreaking.
I absolutely would recommend this to anyone

I was really pleased to be granted an ebook copy of The Leviathan by Rosie Andrews as I had seen so many people on social media sharing their pictures of the physical proof and raving about it. Plus historical fiction and creepy weirdness together? I am in! Show me where to sign up!

There is of course another famous book called the Leviathan, by Thomas Hobbes which is more of a treatise on what Hobbes perceives as the "correct" way to govern society. Hobbes argues that an absolute monarch is the best way to live. That Andrews main character is, at the start of the book anyway, a soldier in the New Model Army fighting the Parliamentarian cause in the English Civil War perhaps is an indication as to what she thinks about that idea?

The book opens with Thomas Treadwater returning to his village in Norfolk, having served in the New Model Army. He has been away for a while and on his return, he finds his father extremely ill, his sister, Esther behaving oddly and a servant girl (taken on by the family in his absence) in Norwich jail standing accused of witchcraft.

We then discover that Thomas was sent to join the army after he disgraced his family while residing in the home of his tutor, John Milton. Yes THAT John Milton, who features as a character in the book with a neat explanation of how Milton's blindness began. I studied Paradise Lost at school and we learned a little of Milton's life while looking at the poem, so I really liked this fictional twist on his life.

The book unfolds as Thomas tries to protect his family and home from the invasion of a dark evil. I found the possession passages really genuinely disturbing, and fascinating as the demon predicts events far in the future of the timeline of this book, but which we know as 21st century readers came to pass.

I think you can read this book in two ways, a straightforward horror story or you can apply a Biblical versus Hobbesian lens instead. Either way, it's very clever how Andrews has married the two.

If I have any criticism it is that I would have liked a wee bit more tension, that might have stemmed from the way the timeline in the book develops as we do see Thomas in the future at some points, so we know that he survives before the final battle takes place. Otherwise a great read, very clever, highly recommend.

Norfolk, 17th century. Thomas Treadwater is returning from war to find his sister Esther in hysterics, his father having suffered a stroke and all their sheep dead in the field. Blame is laid on a suspected witch, Chrissa Moore, now in jail together with the Treadwaters’ maid and the maid’s mother. There are obvious signs of evil, but what if this evil is closer than anyone suspects?
A great big writhing oil painting of the apocalypse!

I loved this! Set in 1643 Thomas Treadwater returns home from the war to find mystery and chaos in the home he shares with his sister and father.Suspicions of witchcraft,and a beguiling serving girl all serve to confuse Thomas who considers himself a modern rational man.As he begins to delve into resolving the ensuing madness there emerges an even darker side to the tale with the shadow of a hidden sea creature affecting them all.
This has many layers and you feel yourself being dragged downwards into the mire that surrounds Thomas and his family.It’s a perfect winter read

Beautifully written and gloriously unnerving, Rosie Andrews’ stunning debut is a dark and sumptuous tale of witches, shipwrecks, of family, loyalty, superstition and sacrifice that with resonate long after it’s finished.

“She is awake…”

Norfolk,1643. As England’s civil war rages on, Thomas Treadwater is summoned home by his sister, who accuses a new servant of improper conducts with their widowed father. By the time Thomas arrives, his fathers is insensible having suffered a stroke and the servant has been imprisoned for witchcraft.

Thomas is a rational man but as he unravels the mystery of what has happened, he uncovers a tale not of superstition but something dark and ancient and linked to a shipwreck that occurred years before.

“Something has awoken, and now it will not rest”

I really enjoyed reading this! The world building and setting was absolutely incredible. The characters are expertly written and rich in complexity—I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of John Milton (of Paradise Lost fame.) I loved the lyrical prose and historically accurate language which I felt added authenticity and realism to the narrative.

The mystery that Thomas uncovers was absolutely incredible,though rather heartbreaking at times. Nevertheless, Andrews has woven a rich tapestry of gothic suspense with emotionally evocative prose that I found addictively compelling.

Set in England during a time of political unrest and religious fanaticism, The Leviathan is an incredibly original,richly researched and ambitiously atmospheric read—perfect for fans of Stacey Halls, Sarah Perry or Bridget Collins.

Also, thanks to Bloomsbury/ Raven Books and NetGalley for the e-arc.

The Leviathan begins with a witch hunt but ends with a hunt for a beast of biblical proportions. From the opening chapter when Thomas discovers his father’s sheep lying seemingly unharmed but dead, strewn across the field, we are left with the uneasy feeling that something larger is at play. Thomas then discovers his father is incapacitated, leaving his trembling younger sister pointing a damning finger at his servant lover. The lady is arrested on suspicion of witchcraft and remanded into custody. Thomas has to unravel the threads and sort the make believe from reality. Thomas is a man of logic and deals in facts, he also finds it hard to believe that his father could be seduced and overcome by the devil. When the facts don’t piece together in a satisfying way, Thomas digs deeper into the accused witches’ past and indeed his own father’s past.

It is his father’s diaries that hides a lurking secret – a baby with a murky heritage, whispered tales of ancient sea serpents and plague-ridden shipwrecks. Thomas soon faces the realisation that it is not witchcraft at play in his life but a much older, more horrifying power. I love how this tale is woven over the backdrop of civil war in the 17th century. As King Charles I looses his head, a defining and symbolic moment in British history, power too is shifting beneath the waters of the ocean. As one reigning Monarch reaches his end, another ancient power seeks to display its might. The Leviathan is both a mythical and biblical creation, mentioned in several biblical verses, it is said to be a symbol of the power of God’s creation, perhaps sent to remind us that whilst mankind seeks to rule over the land masses and parliaments, it is God who has control over the earth. This novel is thought-provoking on many levels as it forces the reader to contemplate their own miniscule nature whilst also acknowledging our powerlessness over our very existence.

An e-arc was provided via NetGalley for an honest review.

The Leviathan, the debut novel by Rosie Andrews, follow Thomas Treadwater as he returns from fighting in the English Civil War and discovers that things at home are fraught with danger.

With his father suffering from an unknown illness, the household staff accused of witchcraft and his sister terrified, Thomas must unravel these mysteries to discover what has really been happening in his absence and, in the process, his lack of belief in the supernatural is seriously tested.

Set across two timelines, the 1643 troubles Thomas faces and a flash-forward to his later life in 1703, the author builds an unnerving and suspenseful historical mystery.

This story is beautifully written and the world Rose Andrews creates pulls you in, making The Leviathan a real page-turner.

I can see this being a best-seller in 2022 and can’t wait to see what the author produces next! A must read!

Thomas Threadneedle returns from the civil war to reports from his sister that his father is having an improper relationship with his servant, who his sister accuses of witchcraft. This is a beautifully written, really different historical fiction novel which incorporates elements of mystery, magic realism and the gothic with a gripping plot and some well realised characters, particularly Thomas, the servant and the sister. I loved how the mysteries were revealed slowly and unexpectedly, this is not the kind of book where you can guess the plot easily. As historical fiction, it gave a good sense of the post civil war period, where there is a sense of society changing, particularly the role of women. I will be eagerly recommending this.

Tales of witchcraft are always going to draw me in,and the blurb for this sounded just my thing.
It's a slow start... either the pacing of the book,or just getting everything perfectly set to tell all.
I didnt get fully drawn in until about half way through the book.
By which point,you really know where the story is going,and happy to follow along to the end.
Enjoyable.

This is a truly gripping book, full of mystery, suspense and a thrilling climax. Thomas is a very sympathetic narrator and I found myself rooting for him from the start, and the horror of the devastation the Leviathan causes throughout the novel is chilling and propulsive. There are many surprises and revelations which keep the plot tight and focused, and I’ll certainly be recommending this book to friends and family!

If this book doesn’t get a spot in your top 10 books of 2022 then I don’t know what will, it’s hard to believe that this is the debut novel from Rosie Andrews… anyways…

I’m not going to lie to you all, I only picked this book up because of it’s gorgeous cover and the fact that it had leviathan in the title… that’s all it takes for me to feel like I need to read this book right here and right now. Okay, I know you’re only here for the actual review and not my ramblings…

This book is set in the lovely county of Norfolk and is set in two time periods, 1643 (the past where most of this book is set) and 1703 (the present day for this book) and the heroic Thomas Treadwater returns home from war at the request of his sister and finds their father catatonic in bed, unable to communicate and completely paralysed. His sister, Esther, accuses the family’s servant Carissa of having a hand in the mysterious goings on around the family farm and the local witch hunter puts her in prison, but not only the new servant, he also sends the family’s loyal servant and Thomas and Esther’s mother to prison as well.

Thomas does not believe in witchcraft and he sets out to restore honour to his family and clear the good name of the family’s loyal servant. From there on in sh*t gets real, excuse my French, because what Thomas uncovers might actually break him, and at the very least, it disturbs him in such a profound way I don’t see him recovering from these events any time soon.

I won’t go into too many details because no one likes spoilers, but this book is absolutely fantastic. I can’t get this book, or the story, out of my head. It’s pacing was perfect, the switching of the timelines was clear and concise (sometimes timeline switching can be confusing if it’s not executed properly), and more importantly the story keeps your hooked from the very first page. Rosie’s world building is spectacular and I loved the absolute chaos that unfolded in the pages of this well crafted book. I can’t wait to see what Rosie gives us next, she is now an auto-buy author for me, and it takes a lot to get that status from me, I’m very particular.

Thank you so much to Net Galley for providing me with an arc of this masterpiece.

She is Awake. Coming February 2022.

A welcome addition to the historical fiction genre.

This debut novel from Rosie Andrews will sit nicely alongside Sarah Perry, Diane Setterfield and Anna Mazolla. It takes place, mainly, in Norfolk, in 1643, in a time when witch-hunts and religious fervour was at its height. The Witchfinder General was roaming far and wide to try and condemn so-called witches. Thomas Treadwater, fresh from the civil war, is called home by a letter from his sister, accusing a servant of bewitching their father. Upon arrival he finds his father dying, having suffered (we assume) a stroke and the "witch" in prison.

What follows is a fine tale of betrayal, consequences, family, and a quest to restore family honour. The story is interwoven with the usual backstory, from many years prior, and as the events of that time are revealed, we learn the true horrors that led to today. We have all the necessary characters - wronged woman, driven hero, maniacal puritan, and misguided girl. All nicely drawn and easy to love or hate as required. I did actually feel for them all.

One element of the book which appeals to me (and which may put others off) is the close attention to the language of the time. It's spot on for 17th century and really does add to the atmosphere. The prose is likewise flowing and gripping. The sights, sounds, and smells of the day are nicely represented.

I was lucky to score a NetGalley ARC, but I'll definitely be ordering a physical copy upon its release - it looks like a gorgeous cover. Highly recommended.

The Leviathan is a brilliantly atmospheric tale of mystery that speaks of myths and monsters, set against the backdrop of the 17th century’s obsession with witchcraft and superstition. With a small cast of complex and intricately drawn characters, Rosie Andrews expertly drew me into their compelling story and made me desperate to keep reading as the novel grew increasingly pacey.

As well as being a thrilling tale, The Leviathan is everything great historical fiction should be; beautifully written in prose that is apply reminiscent of the period and full of wonderfully observed details which point to meticulous research.

An absolute triumph and one that I feel will become a true modern classic. I’d highly recommend this to anyone!

I have just finished reading’The Leviathan’ by Rosie Andrew’s and my heart was racing. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The writing was beautiful and the storyline was such that I couldn’t put it down. Fabulous read!

The Leviathan by Rosie Andrews

It’s 1643 & Thomas Treadwater, a soldier in the English Civil War, receives a letter from his sister requesting that he return home to Norfolk. She is concerned that their father is being led astray by a young woman they have taken in & she, along with another servant & her mother, have been imprisoned on suspicion of witchcraft.
Thomas arrives back in Norfolk to find their sheep dead & dying & his father incomprehensible from a stroke.

The sinister events that unfold appear to be linked to a shipwreck some years before.

The story starts as tale of witchcraft, common at that time, but soon transcends into one of mysterious myth & horror.

Very well written in an older style but easily readable with lots of descriptive text.

Thanks to NetGalley for my copy.

I loved this creepy, gripping historical tale. Rosie Andrews' writing is breathtakingly beautiful and I was completely engrossed in The Leviathan. I look forward to reading more from this talented author. Five stars from me.

Set in the 1600s, the story opens with Thomas returning from war to a dying father, a hysterical but pious sister and a field full of mysteriously dead sheep. The novel follows Thomas's hunt for truth amongst superstition.

The novel is written from the perspective of Thomas, as a young man and as a man in his 80s. I will admit that I struggled to get into the story to begin with as I found the character and voice of Thomas insufferable, and his paternalistic presentation of his sister, Esther, immensely frustrating. However, the characters developed over the course of the novel and, while I didn't ever particularly like Thomas, I can understand the writer's choice here.

Thematically, the novel is concerned with the nature of belief, and the tension between the rational and superstition. The structure of the novel takes us through a witch-hunt, the myth of the Leviathan and the doctrine of hell. All three sections of the book were engaging, although they did at times seem heavily reminisecnt of other fairly recent fiction (The Essex Serpent and in particular for me). I really enjoyed the reflections on the role of truth and belief in society, and while some of the 'twists' fell flat for me I loved the explorations of the treatment of women.

One odd element was the inclusion of John Milton as Thomas's old tutor, and a key player on the final meetings with the leviathan. It seemed that the inclusion of a 'real' person was a distraction when a fictional one would have worked just as well. Perhaps he could have been a separate novel!

Overall, an enjoyable story with some interesting insights. Rounded up to 4 stars from 3.5.

A novel set in Norfolk, 1643. Soldier, Thomas Treadwater, arrives home, drawn back by a worrying letter sent by his sister, accusing the new servant of immoral and improper conduct. When he arrives he finds his father on death's door, and the local witch hunter has put the new servant in prison, along with their long term loyal servant and her mother. Thomas is a rational man, who prides himself on not believing in witchcraft, and superstition. Determined to save their loyal servant, and restore his family's honour, he starts to investigate what has been happening while he has been at war. But what he uncovers shakes him to his very core.

This novel is set in a time of war, political tension, and religious upheaval, where the church still cried witches when the unknown (or unwanted) was happening. The story was a fantastic read, well written, with the story weaving in and out of a series of ever unfurling horrors, that Thomas must try to get to the bottom of, and live with the consequence of the actions he takes. It was an intense story, with fantastic use of timeline switching to keep you really on your toes, and character development taking you by surprise at times. When I finished this book, my mind kept coming back to the story, and thinking about the ending, thinking about the suffering endured - the story really stuck in my head. I can highly recommend this as a read. Even if you think you don’t read historical era fiction, trust me, this one you do!

*I received this book from NetGalley for review but all opinions are my own.