Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and author C.J. Cooke for this eARC.

I quite enjoyed The Book of Witching.
I liked the historical fiction part with Allison quite a bit more than Clems parts, but they were both interesting.
What I didn't love was that there were a few plot points that kinda lead nowhere; like the author was planing to do something with them but then... fogot? Or maybe it was on purpose, but it was a irritating imo...
3.75 stars

To be honest, I wasn't sure about this one with all the cult stuff going on...

But then I was so hooked and couldn't stop reading, I needed to know who kind of was at fault here.

The only thing I didn't like about the book is the double timeline simultaneously. It was like I was reading two different books. I know it was important to have the background to understand the present but maybe that part of the story should have gone first and then the present one?

Maybe is just me?!

Anyway, it was a nice read. And that cover is what made me want to read it in the first place!

Known for her gothic tales of motherhood, C J Cooke is back with a dual timeline story crossing 16th century Orkney and modern day Glasgow.

When her daughter Erin is found badly burned, her boyfriend dead and her close friend missing, Clem is drawn into a complex web of Scottish folklore and mysticism and rumours even of a cult. In Erin’s brief moments of consciousness, it’s clear she is no longer herself.

Over 400 years earlier, healer Alison Balfour is imprisoned, accused of an attempt on a nobleman’s life. Will her old ties to Triskele save her and her two children or place her in even greater danger?

A complex tale of motherhood and magic, which gradually brings two stories together across the ages.

Having read The Nesting and The Lighthouse Witches by CJ Cooke, I was really looking forward to reading this, the latest haunting offering, a well researched chilling horror of a mystery containing dark magical realism, with dual timelines, divided by centuries, primarily set in Scotland in the remote Orkney Isles and as the author notes at the end inform us, inspired by true events. In the present, a young 19 year old teenager, Erin had gone hiking with her boyfriend, and a friend to Orkney. Her mother Clem rushes to a hospital where Erin now lies, with severe life threatening burns, and in a coma. The nightmare sceanario of the charred body of her boyfriend is discovered on a Orkney beach, and her friend has disappeared, What on earth could possibly have happened?

When Erin comes out of her coma, she doesn't recognise Clem, and claims to be Nyx. As Clem's fears for her daughter grow, it drives her burning need to know exactly what happened as she makes her way to the location where the grim events had taken place. In the late 16th century, Alison Balfour, finds herself facing traumatic circumstances, facing accusations of murder, of being a witch, and facing a trial where if she is found guilty, she will be burned alive. In a richly descriptive and atmospheric narrative that outlines the palpable nature of the fear, hate, and terror, outlining Alison's grave situation. There is is brutality, abuse, and torture, in this horrifyingly bleak story that takes in witchcraft, healing herbs, spells and the ancient Book of Witching that is to connect the past with the present.

Cooke draws attention to the persecution that women with their greater knowledge and influence faced in this historical period, the toxic climate that is whipped up as they are unjustly persecuted. This is a intense, vivid, and gripping read, of history, witches, secrets, family, revenge, and so much more, that held me captive, with its multiple perspectives, it was the historical timeline that particularly shone for me. This is marvellous storytelling with its intriguing themes, issues and connections, that will likely appeal to fans of the author and those interested in Scottish history and the treatment of women. It will be coming out in October, a brilliant time for a book like this as our Autumn nights get darker and longer, perfect for the unsettling, deeply disturbing, scary and the spooky!! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Book of Witching." The pacing intensified as the story progressed, drawing me deeper into the fates of characters from two distinct timelines: one detailing a witch trial and the other following a family at the bedside of a young burn victim. The latter's injuries seem to be the result of a fire ritual conducted on the same island where, centuries earlier, a witch was sentenced to be burned. This gripping mystery is aptly set for release just in time for Halloween.

Ive no words for this book!! It has blown me away! The twists and turns, the detail, the amount of research that would have been needed for this book is mind blowing Intense!!

A book filled with mystery, history and witchcraft. I loved this mix of horror and fantasy and Cooke’s focus on Scottish witch trials and folklore. I feel like most of the novels about witchcraft focus on the more famous trials in America like Salem, so I was really excited to read about something closer to home. Having lived in Scotland for a year, I found the focus on Orkney folklore even more compelling as I could picture some of the settings.

Whilst split timelines are never my favourite narrative structure, I do think that they served a purpose in this novel. The mystery of how these two women are connected helped to hold the story together and I loved seeing how little some things change. Whilst we might not shout ‘witch’ and drag innocent women to the pyre in 2024, people are still quick to judge, accuse and doubt their word.

This is actually my first C. J. Cooke book but I’ll definitely be picking up another one! I particularly loved the elements of dark horror and supernatural suspense. I know that she is famous for writing these kind of sinister stories and I am so excited to work my way through her catalogue. If her writing style is consistently this prosaic and haunting, I know I’ll have a good time.

I would recommend this book to fans of gothic fiction and more slow-burn horror stories. If you liked books like The Changeling or In the Night Wood which make you question what is real, you’ll love this!

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this fabulous ARC. I love any books about witchcraft and history, but this book really was one of the best I’ve ever read. Told between two time periods, a fabulously dark and well written narrative with characters you empathise. The Book of Witching is magical and well researched which makes it engaging to read. I read this in every spare minute I had and loved it. Well worth the read if you love fiction splashed with some history.

•Fast paced
•Gripping
•Strong characters
•Witches
•True events

The story of the book of witching is based on true events on the islands of Orkney. It’s is fast paced gripping from the start. It dives deep into witchcraft and cult life. This book is a multiple point of views. Very interesting to read those. Alison and Clem are very strong characters and the others involved were as strong. It was easy to connect with them!
Thank you so much HarperCollins and NetGalley for the acr in exchange for an honest review!

Due to the fact that I enjoyed The Lighthouse Witches, I knew immediately, that this was a book I wanted to read.
I’m a sucker for any books set in Scotland. If the author does a good enough job of scene setting in their work, I lose myself completely in the story.
C J Cooke undoubtedly achieved that with this one. The descriptiveness of the Scottish islands and scenery as a whole, fantastic. Add to that the history of the place and it creates such an immersive and atmospheric experience.
I loved the way the story was written, and over different time periods. The characters were well done and fleshed out with distinct personalities. An excellent storyline to go with it and you have another 5 star read from this author.
I’d highly recommend, not just this book but any by CJ Cooke.
Thank you for the opportunity to read.

Was very excited to read this book from the blurb. Unfortunately it was not an enjoyable read for me. Found it very difficulty to connect/empathise with the characters. Did not manage to complete the read.

I've read C.J. Cooke's "The Lighthouse Witches" and did enjoy it for the most part, so I was excited to see what else Cooke would come up with. "The Book of Witching" sounds absolutely amazing: Scotland's Orkney Islands as the primary setting, a hiking trip ending in a horrible event that leaves one girl severely burned, one boy dead and another girl missing and the history of a woman accused of being a witch - delicious.
I liked Cooke's writing, and it was obvious how much research went into this book. Which is also why I vastly preferred the chapters spending time with Alison, our poor woman accused of witchcraft during the time of witch persecutions. I felt completely emotionally connected to this part of the dual timeline story, as heartbreaking and rage-inducing as it was. I wasn't quite as engaged with the modern timeline, in which Clem gets a terrible phonecall about an incident that left her 19 year old daughter Erin on death's door. The mystery as to what happened on their hiking trip to the Orkney islands was intriguing, absolutely, but this part of the story was boggled down by too much side noise, especially the whole back and forth between Clem and her ex husband. I also wasn't a fan of the conclusion that connects both timelines.

I do think if the book was only focused on Alison's storyline I would have enjoyed it more, but it was still all in all an engaging read. I also really liked reading the author's note and learning about "real Alison". 3 stars.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC - I had already preordered but couldn't resist the opportunity to review a book from one of my favourite authors. This novel didn't disappoint and is once again a fantastic blend of the historical and supernatural, with folkloric/folk magic elements. The witch trials are another of my interests but I hadn't heard of the one which is thoroughly researched and used for this story. Highly recommend! 4.5 stars.

A dark and complex tale with interwoven stories across time. With parts based on real life events the abuse of the victims is even more harrowing. But despite the challenging themes and scenes, Cooke portrays the characters in such depth that we really need to know how things work out.
A great read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

5/5 - wish I could reread this again already!

The story begins with a charred body found on a beach in the Orkney Isles. I was immediately drawn in! How do a dead body, an injured girl, and the beautiful yet mysterious world of Orkney tie together?
A family with a powerful history in magic—known for their ability to provide potions, tonics, and spells to heal others—faces a perilous time. The witch trials are spreading, and fear grips the hearts of Orcadians, who are fighting for their land, their food, and their ability to survive.

A good multiple timeline story is so hard to find - this one ties it all together fantastically, the stories are haunting and yet beautiful with the multiple POVs providing a fast paced story.

Cover art for the book was mesmerising, as soon as I saw it on NetGalley I was like I must have this! I cannot wait to purchase the book for my shelves.

Honestly, I was so invested in the magical storytelling that I stayed up until 3 a.m. As a Glaswegian, reading a story set entirely in Scotland was fantastic. The history around the witch trials in Scotland is an important part of our history showing how women have been persecuted throughout time for being too confident, too strong and too educated - even when it is to the benefit of the communities around them.

I recommend this book to those who love stories involving strong family connections, historical narratives, witchcraft, suspense, thrillers, and darker subjects.

Another incredible read from CJ Cooke. This book has strong feminine characters and I loved the family connections. Clem, Erin and Alison are so relatable as characters and I enjoyed their journeys. I definitely want to visit Orkney now too!

Thank you to HarperCollinsUK – Harper Fiction and C J. Cook for granting me a NetGalley arc of The Book of Witching in exchange for an honest review.

The Book of Witching is a chilling timeslip story that blends fantasy and historical events to bring to life the events of the witch trials that took on the Orkney Isles with dark, magical, occult twists. C J Cooke’s storytelling is haunting and immersive as she weaves a mysterious witchy tale between the tragic events of Alison Balfour’s trial for witchcraft in Orkney 1594, where she is accused of conspiring to murder the Earl of Orkney and a backstory for the heritage of witchery which connects the past and present through an ancient magical relic the Book of Witching that was in the protective care of Balfour family.

Her writing brings the past of the remote Orkney isles to life with splendid descriptions and well-researched details about life in these small, isolated communities between the different islands and the type of people who call the home. She brought the fear and hatred of the time in ferocious, palatable tension that left a cold feeling in my gut about how easily a little scaremongering can have distressing consequences.
She crafts a believable magic system around historical events, utilising authentic medicinal recipes and creative spell-crafting theory. I thought the idea that some dark, evil spells for curses and hexes could be only performed by the dying was an intriguing idea and plausible around the negative emotions and fears in the state of the mind of those in the embrace of death. Her writing conjures a sinister shadow that stretches from the past to the modern day with devastating deathly consequences as the powerful Book of Witching falls into the wrong hands.

I’m attaching several trigger warnings to this book as it might not be suitable for all readers as the historical components recant actual events from the 16th century of persecution of women and their families thought to be witches and subjected to torture, abuse and condemned to death by being burnt at the stake.

A dark, entrancing historical-fantasy read centred around a cursed magical item binding the present day and the past together to tell the story of the injustices done to the victims of the Scottish Witch hunts of the 16th and 17th Centuries against women whose only crime was possessing knowledge that was threatening to the power of men. The Book of Witching was my first C J Cooke novel – I have been meaning to pick up A Haunting in the Arctic and the Lighthouse Witches from my TBR for ages, so these books will be on my spooky season reading list this year to get my fix of haunting storytelling and a little touch of dark fantasy and plenty of witchy vibes! The Book of Witching is out on 10th October 2024 in the UK.

A perfect dual timeline novel by CJ Cooke. A heartbreaking tale in 1594 as we read the story of Alyson Balfour from Orkney accused of being a witch and plotting the downfall of the King, the same King who 2 years previous oversaw the Berwick witch trials. This period in the book highlighted the injustices faced by women in these times. My heart went out to Alyson and her family.
Modern day and Clem gets a call to say her daughter Erin is in hospital with 3rd degree burns and her boyfriend has died. When Erin awakens she's convinced she's called Nyx and mentions the group Triskele and a book.
The two timelines are entwined perfectly and flow easily linking through the ages.
It's haunting and atmospheric and a perfect read for Autumn and Halloween
I've loved all the authors books but this is my favourite

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and publisher.

This is a historical novel with supernatural elements that follows two timelines, one in the time of King James IV and one in modern day. It’s well worth reading the author’s note at the end to learn more about where this was informed by real events.

I thought it was really clever how the author connected the past and present timelines. I understood some the connections straightaway but there was one revealed later in the book that was quite surprising.

I will warn that this book is rage inducing. The treatment of those with less power (particularly women) by those with power was utterly infuriating. So much of what our main character goes through is disgraceful and deeply unjust. It’s horrifying. I had strong feelings about the outcome for our main character, though I understand why the author had to go that way as informed by the historical context. As with other books by this author, there’s a supernatural and dangerous thread, but humans are always the most monstrous.

Another good book from this author and a clever blending or historical fiction with supernatural horror.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it gripped be straight away and I love the plot twists. CJ Cooke always manages to pull of plot twists in the most unexpected ways, and I felt this one was no different. Set across two time frames this book was both thrilling and engaging, it was written superbly and it had me hooked from the beginning. I really love the writing style and the characters that are all created perfectly. I absolutely love a CJ Cooke novel - each one I've read has been captivating. Highly recommend this one too