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

Set across two time lines 1594 and the present day. A charred body is found on an uninhabited island off Orkney after 3 teenagers go hiking, one dead, one missing and one horribly burnt. That one is Clems daughter Erin.
1594 Alison is accused of witchcraft and if found guilty, she will face the flames.
Can these two families be connected by the oldest relic known to magic, The Book Of Witching? Can these circumstances be coincidence or was Erin dabbling in things so dangerous it meant death?
Exciting, thrilling and absorbing. I loved this book from start to finish. The different time lines kept me hooked and kept the pace moving. Beautifully haunting.
Suse.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and it is truly one of those books that you don’t expect. The story threads together the tales of a healer accused of witchcraft in 1594 (based on a real-life victim of the Orkney witch trials) and a teenager from a broken family in 2024 who is found severely burnt on a beach in Orkney after going away on a hike with friends. It is ultimately a story of the love of family and the human need to build our community. It’s well-written with fleshed out characters and for me it was an unputdownable page turner. I loved the author’s note at the end that told us more about the real-life history that she based the story on.

This is the third of CJ Cooke’s books that I’ve read and, like the others, I really enjoyed The Book of Witching. I liked how the paced ramped up the further I got into it, as I became more invested in what happened to the characters from 2 different timelines: a witch trial and a family at the bedside of a young burn victim whose injuries appear to have happened when she and her friends carried out a fire ritual on the same island where the witch in the earlier timeline was set to be burned. This tense mystery’s being released in October, just in time for Halloween!

This was a great read, part historical novel, part contemporary family drama with a magic twist. I must say, however, that I was expecting the book to be a bit more gothic (like its predecessors) and was a bit sad that it wasn’t. It is still an engaging and moving read with a mysterious, witchy vibe. Definitely recommend!

I really enjoyed The Book of Witching. I’ve read all of C.J. Cookes books and they never disappoint. I will be buying a copy when it’s released.

A mother must fight for her daughter’s life in this fierce and haunting tale of witchcraft and revenge from the author of A Haunting in the Arctic.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Loved this book. Another fab historical fiction novel to follow her previous books style.
Really enjoyed the dual timeline and mix of characters.
Highly recommend any of this authors books!

A well written, researched novel based on true events weaving the past, 1594 and the present day which ties up nicely to a satisfying conclusion. A must read if you are interested in historical fiction and the persecution of witches.

Finding your child unconscious and having survived an accident is devastating.
Though, the plot is not as it seems.
Minor spoiler: witches

I normally struggle with dual timeline narratives and find them formulaic and repetitive or forced.
This was not the case here, thanks to Cooke’s writing, the interesting mood and the different layers in the story.

Dual timeline which is really well executed. A must read if you’re interested in historical fiction, witches or just looking to break into something new!

A brilliantly, chilling tale with a dual timeline, where a witch trial from 1594, plays a dangerous role in events in 2024.
Honestly, my heart was in my mouth from the opening pages until the final paragraph and I couldn't guess just how events would end, as C.J. Cooke takes readers on another chilling journey. This time around our story begins with Alison Balfour, living in Orkney in 1594 and about to face a trial for witchcraft. While in 2024, three young friends are victims of a fire - one is missing, another dead, and the third has horrific burns.
As the chapters swop between the timelines, the reader is given a glimpse into the horrors of the Witch trials (and Alison's story is inspired by real events), and the impact that our fascination on witchcraft can have today.
I raced through this book in one day and absolutely recommend for anyone who loves a chilling read, especially one with a historical basis and witchy topic.
Full 5 stars.

Based on true events, this dual time line hits the mark if you are interested in historical fiction, witchcraft, wise women, haunted objects and great characters. An excellent well written read with a beautiful cover and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy.

I've enjoyed all the books by this author I've read, but I really felt her last, A haunting in the artic was a step up.
Thrilled to say this one is equally good.
Chilling, creepy, atmospheric... and that's just present day.
Let's not get started on ye olden days.
I was fully invested before someone mentioned the C word, but it was great to throw that in there.
Really well done.
Also big thanks to C.J.Cooke for having put a placebo song in my head on repeat for days 🤣

Dual timeline PERFECTION! I was hooked from the very first page and couldn’t put it down. It’s atmospheric, witchy, magical, mysterious and thrilling and I felt compelled to read on after every chapter as I was fully invested in both timelines/stories. Everything was depicted so vividly (especially in the courtroom scenes) that I actually felt like I was there watching it all unfold in person. My first CJ Cooke read and it definitely won’t be my last. This was absolute perfection! 🤌🏻

I’ve loved all of CJ Cooke’s work, The Lighthouse Witches being one of my favourite ever reads. With characters to root for across dual timelines and mysteries that kept me guessing to the end, The Book of Witching is now another firm favourite. Tense, intriguing and heartbreaking.
Thank you Netgalley, HarperCollins and CJ Cooke for this ARC.

This novel follows different time periods most notably 2024 and 1594. In 1594 Alison Balfour waits trial for witchcraft in Orkney. If she is found guilty she will be burned alive. In 2024 Clem waits by her daughter, Erin’s hospital bed. Erin was found in Orkney with burns all over her body and a memory saying she is called Nyx. The book of witching binds these two women together.

This was just okay. It didn’t do much for me generally but I appreciate the messaging particularly because Alison was a real woman in that time period. I just didn’t find it all that interesting.

My Book thoughts:)

A 5 star read!

- Surprisingly this is my first CJ Cooke novel. After reading this, I know this she is gonna be my new auto-buy author!
- A super fast paced storyline that gripped me from the get go.
- Big twists and a duel timeline that kept me turning the pages.
- The transitions between the two timelines was really great. I liked how they bridged together nicely towards the end of the book.
- This is gonna be the perfect spooky read for witches this October! I was too impulsive (and way too excited) to wait to read this one.
- The characters are super compelling and I was routing for both the two female leads.
- There is a cult!! Say. No. More!

Thank you sooooo much to Netgalley and Harper Collins for an ARC copy of this book.

Well, I've just finished this book, it didn't take me too long because I couldn't put it down and wow! What an excellent story, the well written characters flowed from the page telling of a time of ancient and modern witchcraft from the 1500's till the present day, leaving, with I hope, a chance of continuing. This was certainly book of the year for me, bravo!