A very fast paced book, read it in a few days. It feel like a story of 2 halfs, I would have liked it if the Leviathan had been weaved into the first half of the story more, I think it would have really added to the is this magic or is this just religious Britain in the 1600s, question. And personally I'm not the biggest fan of an open ending. But saying all that, I liked all the characters, Thomas seemed very level headed as did Mary. I'll definitely be recommending this to any gothic readers out there!

I find stories of witchcraft in this era at once fascinating and deeply disturbing; it seems to have been an excuse to persecute anyone, particularly low-status women, who stepped even slightly outside societal norms (and sometimes not even that). In The Leviathan, I expected something along the lines of Beth Underdown’s The Witchfinder’s Sister and would have been quite content with that. Here, though, the accusation of witchcraft is just the beginning: there are more strands to this tale.
Our narrator is Thomas Treadwater. In 1703 he is an old man, recounting what happened to his family in 1643. Granted leave from the Parliamentary forces after Edge Hill, he heads home to deal with his sister’s claim of a witch in the house. But not all the events are in the past. What or who is in the bed in the attic? As old Tom tells his story, there are still fateful decisions to be made.
I do love it when a real, famous person pops up in historical fiction. Here we have John Milton, no less, as Tom’s boyhood tutor although his involvement doesn’t end there. In almost every case, when I thought I had the measure of a character, something else about them to be discovered. There are plenty of revelations (sorry about the pun) and unexpected turns, and many moments of tension. I really enjoyed The Leviathan but truly it is a thing to be feared.

Norfolk, 1643, and Thomas Treadwater is summoned home from the civil war by a letter from his sister, Esther, claiming their new servant of having an improper relationship with their widowed father. When Thomas returns, things have escalated. Esther has accused the servant, Crissa Moore, of witchcraft. Chrissa is in prison and Thomas's father is ill in bed. Thomas is a rational man, educated and forward-thinking. He believes there is more to his father's illness and the loss of a flock of sheep to disease than witchcraft. But, as he starts to peel back the layers of accusations thrown at Chrissa Moore and the goings-on in his home while he was away, Thomas discovers a story of a shipwreck from years ago that may not be superstitious nonsense.
The Leviathan runs in two times, the past events explaining Thomas’s future. The story starts in 1703 in the present tense with Thomas reading an old document regarding a ship called the Guldern. Then we move to winter 1643/44, where most of the book takes place. Thomas is a young man returning wounded from the civil war.
Andrews builds tension fantastically, heaping misfortunes on Thomas from the start. The flock are dead in the field, his father is in bed with a stroke, the family name is tangled with witchcraft because of his sister's accusations, and the wound Thomas received fighting is festering. The pages flew by. Andrews creates vivid scenes surrounding the witchfinder, John Rutherford. Rutherford struck a chord with me. As the magistrate's nephew and the local witchfinder, he is in a position of authority, and fear, over everyone else. He shows little thought for other people's feelings or the norms of society and acts as if he is above the law. That someone so full of self-importance was responsible for investigating an accusation of witchcraft really had me fearful for Chrissa. Andrews creates an intensely paranoid atmosphere and uses misdirection expertly, sweeping me along from revelation to revelation.
Unfortunately, the witchcraft aspect didn't last for the whole book, and we moved to mythology and the Guldern. Although we a hint at the beginning, I don't feel there was enough foreshadowing for the switch, so it felt a little unexpected. I'm keeping this review spoiler-free, so I won't explain anything except it lacked the detail and tension as the first part. There wasn't enough book space to do the myth element justice, which was a real shame as the book's first half was so intense.
However, and I can't stress this enough, Andrews is a powerfully emotive writer. The fact that some elements didn't work for me won't stop me from reading any of her future works. She is definitely an author to watch out for.

Dark, brooding and atmospheric, The Leviathan is a brilliant book that will have you gripped from start to finish.

When Thomas Treadwater returns home from the Civil War he finds his father close to death and his sister accusing their housemaids of being witches, What follows is an immersive tale of devils and monsters, good and evil, right and wrong. The characters in this book are all so well written, and the settings are brilliantly described so that you feel like you’re there with them - be that in a 17th town filled with harlots and pickpockets or a windswept Norfolk beach as terror unfolds.

I have to confess that I actually enjoyed this book more than The Essex Serpent (which it has been likened to). The plot has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing without detracting from the main story, and there are plenty of heart-stopping moments that make it hard to put the book down.

A brilliant piece of historical fiction that draws you in until the very end. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In The Leviathan, Rosie Andrews has created a wonderfully rich book with the feel of a classic gothic horror. The story unfolds in the mid 1600s with shorter chapters from the early 1700s offering a tantalising glimpse of something dark and dangerous imprisoned in Thomas’s attic.

I have a fascination with the witch-hunters and trials of British history which is why this book appealed. However, The Leviathan is so much more than your average book about witch trials. There is a great attention to detail throughout the book, and the truth behind the darkness that Thomas must face is beautifully crafted.

If this is what Rosie Andrews has written as her debut, I can’t wait to see what she has to offer us next.

It certainly pays you to always continue reading a novel! Rosie’s story is written in two timelines, which took me a while to get used to. It starts off with ‘She is awake’ so immediately you wonder who they are talking about as it then mentions witches and how life turned out for them in ages past. I felt it was an original story, atmospheric and intriguing and I really enjoyed it.

I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley. It appealed because I have been reading a few stories set around the British Civil War lately and another book in this period looked fun. The blurb mentioned a supernatural element, but I thought that might be interesting too.

I struggled with the opening. The story starts in 1703 but we are plunged straight into an account of events in 1628 which are obviously in some way supposed to relate to the rest of the book. It’s an account of a shipwreck and there are suggestions of something unnatural about it, but then we moved to the second chapter set in 1643 where a young man is returning home after a battle. Although we are soon to meet allegations of witchcraft, there is nothing as dramatic or spectacularly supernatural as the shipwreck.

We get to the shipwreck later – much, much later – but its insertion at the beginning just confused me. It seems part of a trend – presumably in response to suggestions that modern audiences have short attention spans and must have their interest piqued immediately – to putting a dramatic start to books, whether or not the story actually starts dramatically. It’s annoying. It’s particularly unfortunate as once we get to the young man returning home we find ourselves in a nicely observed account of the times. When he is faced with allegations that a servant girl is a witch, he is sceptical. In fact, much of the interest (and tension) of this part of the story comes from his trying to decide if the girl is guilty or if there is a natural explanation for the events surrounding her – a tension that is, if anything, rather undermined by the opening chapter.

The writer explores attitudes to witchcraft and how people respond to the idea that a woman might be a witch. We also see how the process can be abused by those who see possibilities for personal advantage from a witch’s fate.

Our hero is young and naïve but has to grow up fast as he navigates these difficult waters. He is helped by John Milton. It’s interesting to bring such a well-known historical figure into the story, but I felt he was rather wasted. It could have been an unknown John Smith and nothing much would have changed.

There are twists and turns to keep your interest and the whole thing is really well written. I found myself caught up in the story right to the end, but quite what happened at the end and what it all meant in the wider scheme of things was less than totally clear. Overall, I’d say that this is an entertaining read but it never lives quite up to its promise. If you’re interested in supernatural tales and life in the 17th century, it’s definitely worth a look.

Thomas Treadwater is faced with a terrible challenge, as a young man in time of Civil War England, and in his old age as a keeper of a great and destructive secret. The story is split between the two timelines, with Thomas as the narrator in both.

There are demons, witches, innocence and experience, which come together in an atmospheric story that gets stronger towards the end. Great stories are told and some magically improbable things happen, John Milton makes a slightly unconvincing cameo and the tension builds.

It's a well-told story that explores some mystical and religious areas, but also has plenty of heart that comes out in its sympathies for many of the characters.

Thomas Treadwater returns to his father's farm after a year in the army because he has received a curious letter from his sister Esther asking for help. Once home, he discovers the sheep are lying dead in the fields and his father is dying from a stroke. Esther points to their new housemaid Chrissa Moore as the culprit. She is already locked up on suspicion of witchcraft in the village prison.

The Leviathan is set in 17th century Norfolk during the Civil War. Thomas has had a difficult childhood and after a personal incident with his Tutor John Milton (the one from 'Paradise lost'), he has fled into the army. But when his sister Esther suspects one of their maids of witchcraft and incantations, he returns home. Unfortunately, he's too late to save his father and now must look to Esther and Rutherford, a local witch hunter, to discover the truth. And it seems that there are more forceful forces at play than just witchcraft.

This book sounds like a standard 'witch hunt' historical tale, but it's actually magical realism. And that magic only really comes to the foreground in the second half of the book. Thomas finds a diary fragment from his father that describes a shipwreck in which a mythical creature plays the leading role.

I find it somewhat difficult to judge this book. Andrews sets a strong setting with an interesting cast of characters. Thomas' struggles with his conscience feel very real. Especially since we follow him at two pivotal moments in his life. The story constantly switches between Thomas as a young man trying to solve the mystery and as an older man looking back decades after the events in a place 'far away from the sea'.

I felt the tension building up and did enjoy it. In the end, unfortunately, the author lost me. It all becomes a bit bombastic and suddenly goes a lot faster so that the tension falls away and you are just served a story that could have been more. This is however an author with lots of potential. Her writing is effortless and very detailed. I really like her style, so I'm curious to see what Rosie Andrews will write next.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

usually love historical fiction but sadly just couldn’t get into this book. I quite liked the first section which mainly focussed on ‘witch’ investigations and had some good characters. However, as it moved on to more fantastical themes I became disengaged. The style of switching between time periods meant that halfway through the book I already had the answers to the part of the story that interested me, and I was irritated by new plots that seemed unrelated and unrealistic. I ploughed on but after several days of what I felt was ridiculousness, I gave up and skim-read to the end. Perhaps I prefer gritty reality and made a poor choice to read this; I’m sure fans of the supernatural/spiritual might be able to enjoy the flight of fantasy a little more.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance copy, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

This is a deliciously dark tale, taking in witch finders and mythology in a haunting, evocative, atmospheric tale.
The sense of place is expertly built - this is so immersive you can feel and smell the atmosphere as you plunge into this world. This is an excellent read for historical fiction fans and I look forward to reading more by Rosie Andrews.

The Leviathan is simply superb. Rich in historical detail, finely tuned characters, a subtle, creepy plot that sneaks up on you, all brought together by some excellent writing.

A slow beginning to this and an uninvolving narrator didn't get me off to the best of starts but Andrews' writing is stylish and compelling so I kept going. Atmosphere and setting is good but the story wasn't really for me: more witch-hunts which seem to be the established go-to with any books set in the sixteenth-seventeenth century, morphing into a kind of biblical/horror. The real John Milton turning up to play investigator (is there any famous historical person who hasn't been made a detective now?!) was a step too far for my tastes. I think I expected something more 'literary' rather than then adventure yarn I got - but great writing from Andrews.

Firstly the proof copy I received of this was stunning and the finished version (especially with the sprayed edges) is even more amazing!!

I don't normally enjoy the fantasy genre but I loved the mix of historical fiction and fantasy in this novel.

Although it took me a few chapters to get into I soon became fully invested in Thomas (the main character) as he returned to his family farm in the midst of the English Civil War. The storyline immediately grabbed me. What sinister events had happened whilst Thomas had been away?
What had caused the animals to die and Thomas' father to become sick? Was witchcraft and the newly acquired servant to blame?

The storyline was impossible to predict and I literally couldn't put this book down. I loved the witchcraft storyline and the ambience of the 17th Century but I equally enjoyed the twists and turns as the story progresses in a darker, more supernatural way and the arrival of mythical creatures.

Although mainly set in 1643 there are interwoven chapters 50 years later to show the outcome of the decisions made earlier on.

Overall an engrossing atmospheric gothic read that I would highly recommend to fans of historical/supernatural fiction with a huge twist of fantasy and horror. This was a unique read and a fantastic debut!

She is awake…

The Leviathan is a stunningly woven debut novel that is more than just a pretty cover (though it undoubtedly has this too!).

It’s 1703 and Thomas Treadwater, a soldier in the Civil War, returns home at the behest of his sister only to find his father suffering after a stroke, the family’s livestock dead and the maid accused of witchcraft. What follows is a tale that takes us back 6 decades to 1643, and an unsettling, haunting and sometimes heartbreaking search for truth amongst superstition, myth and humanity’s darkest and most monstrous impulses.

With evocative descriptions of its Norfolk setting and its mysterious characters, plus the twists, turns and gothic suspense of the story, Andrews has created a page-turner of a novel that artfully navigates ideas of family, faith and morality. Fans of writers such as Bridget Collins, Stacey Halls or Sarah Perry will appreciate Andrews’ historical authenticity and dazzling prose, and I have no doubt that after reading this she will become an auto-buy author for many.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for an ARC of this novel.

Well written this story set in the 17th century about witchcraft. Thomas Treadwater is the main character and on arriving home from fighting in the civil war is shocked at what has come if his father and sister who has accused their maid of casting a spell on her father. Sinister with twists in the story this is a great debut novel.

When Thomas Treadwater returns from the English Civil War, he finds his father on his deathbed, his home in shambles, and his sister, Esther, accusing him of witchcraft. However, the root of the problem may be traced all the way back to the ocean's depths.

With a deeply gothic ambiance, the plot is intriguing. This is a unique narrative that has been expertly told.

The terminology employed is appropriate for the time period. However, it does draw attention to itself at times, which risks distracting the reader from the storey.

This is a promising start. I'm excited to see what Rosie Andrews has in store for us next.

I love gothic horror books, and this didn't disappoint. Well writting and a gripping story. This is going to be a big hit for 2022

I loved this book. I thought the cover was gorgeous and the writing was beautiful.
It is set in Norfolk between two time periods - 1643 and 1703. It follows Thomas Treadwater on his return home from the army as he receives a letter from his sister Esther asking him to come home. He returns to find his father has had a stroke and the new servant has been imprisoned for witchcraft. Thomas does not believes in such things and attempts to discover the truth behind the rumours.
I found it to be very immersive, atmospheric and gothic and it was well researched. I could not stop turning the pages.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book. I would highly recommend.

Set against the turbulent years of civil war, when questions of religious and political allegiances weighed heavily on England’s mind, fear of witchcraft and devilment could sweep through villages, and this story seems to encompass that. Except there is something else which threatens, an unseen presence with murderous intention. This brings to mind other books like The Serpent, with much more fanciful images of monsters and hell. It is well written and devised, although I thought the time changes were an unnecessary device, and instead of maintaining the cliff hanger, gave too much away of where the story was leading. An enjoyable read.