This book pulled me in from the very first page and didn’t let go. Set against the haunting backdrop of Ravenswood Hall, the story weaves together elements of mystery, gothic romance, and dark magic to create an atmosphere that is both chilling and mesmerizing. The plot is rich with suspense, and the tension builds beautifully as secrets are slowly unraveled. The protagonist's struggle to maintain the charade while navigating the eerie, shadowy halls of the manor had me on the edge of my seat. Fans of Jane Eyre and gothic tales will love the brooding charm of Marcus Greybourne, the creeping dread of Ravenswood’s dark past, and the powerful sense of foreboding that lingers on every page. This is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for access to the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Ravenswood Witch has all the elements of a classic gothic romance, a broody lord, a haunted manor, a superstitious village and all encompassing forest, which is perfect for the autumn season. As someone who reads a lot of gothic literature, and gothic romance, this was a little light in tone for what I was ultimately hoping it would be, but it was still very much enjoyable. If you're just getting into gothic romance, this is a good place to start!

The Ravenswood Witch is a deliciously gothic story set in 1885 in southern England somewhere. (Stonehenge is mentioned as being not all that far away.) Most of the action takes place in a small village. There are hints of paranormal activity and, of course, accusations of witchcraft.

The story centers around a young woman, unnamed for most of the book, who is hurt while trying to elude the police for something she didn’t do. The young man who she ran into, Marcus, takes her into his grand, but rundown house (mansion, really). Since she looks a lot like his wife, Luna, he winds up asking the young woman to impersonate her. Luna seems to have been totally crazy and violent. What happened to the real Luna? And was she really a witch?

Another story is told as well, interspersed between “Luna” and Marcus’ chapters. It involves a woman named Eloise who has “set her cap” for a young man named Daniel, in a town not too far away. We eventually find out how the two stories are connected.

The atmosphere was wonderful, with brooding woods and a mysterious well that went dry years ago, but is still thought to have supernatural powers of some sort. There’s a raven, who “Luna” names Bran, as she nurses him back to health (a broken leg). I adored Bran and his antics.

The mystery was excellent and there were a variety of characters who were intriguing: were they trustworthy or not?

I would have liked to learn more about the real Luna, but we only get a little bit of information about her and about what drove her to behave the way she did. I would have liked more about Marcus as well.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

What a creepy yet captivating book !
Once I picked it up, I could not put it down, for I wanted to know every secret this book held.
Many plot twists, some predictable, but some totally unexpected and made the story even more pleasant (Yes chapter 33, I am looking at you).
A nice and easy read ! Some aspects could have been better I guess, but I had such a nice time reading it that any other note wouldn’t be fair.

This darkly Gothic story explores some familiar ‘madwoman in the attic’ -style themes but with differences that keep you guessing as to whether the tale will end up in paranormal, mystery or even romantic genre territory.

I can definitely see comparisons to Jane Eyre, Rebecca, The Yellow Wallpaper, and even classic fairytales like the story of Bluebeard’s wives or the Stockholm syndrome favourite, Beauty and the Beast. Our initially nameless heroine narrator flees from arrest straight into the arms of a mysterious stranger, and they strike a fake-marriage deal for her protection and his financial gain. Which could work for a thriller or a fake-turned-real romance, and the author really kept me guessing until the end as to which I was reading.

We get two interwoven storylines – one of a well-brought-up young lady and her interest in a free-thinking new arrival to the courting scene, and the other with our fake ‘Luna’ who is fleeing blame for that young man’s suspicious death – and both timelines are paced so that the plots only come together towards the end of the story. This is a brilliant addition to the suspense elements of the story, but it does mean that it is a little hard to get to know our main character until quite late in the book, and Marcus is absent for quite a lot of it too – I would have liked to see more of their pasts really, to get more of a feel for their characters in the present.

There was plenty going on in the plot to keep me busy though. I really loved ‘Luna’s’ interactions with suspicious locals, her investigations into her husband and her marital predecessor, the occult or ghostly goings-on, and her slowly developed relationships with the Webbers (servants) and Bran (raven). I didn’t, however, fully buy into the the romance, as it felt like there were too many secrets, suspicions and deceptions underlying the relationship for it to prosper in the long run… but then, I felt the same about Jane and Rochester too!

What did really work for me was the mystery and suspense, and the haunting oppressive uncertainty that permeated the story and kept me turning the pages to find out what was going on and who could be trusted. So I would definitely recommend this for those looking for a highly atmospheric historical mystery with some surprise twists in the execution.

This one was just ok for me! I love to read books with the season, so it was fun in that sense. My sister read it as well so it was fun to talk about it when we finished.

This is the perfect autumn read, full of witchcraft, mystery and intrigue. The tension gripped me from the very beginning as the story sets off at a pace and takes you straight into the mystery. A young woman on the run, her backstory slowly being revealed. A preoccupied man who is prepared to take in an injured woman, but for what gain? A mysterious house full of secrets and ghosts that brought to mind vibes of Jane Eyre. This is a book that will send shivers down your spine as gradually the truth is revealed in this super gothic novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for a review.

I Iove witchy books lately!
Tihs book started out with a bang, with a woman on the run, so I was hooked straight away. She then gets rescued by a man who suspiciously pretends she is his long lost wife, which is when the intrigue begins and doesn't let up.
There are plenty of nervy moments for the reader, as the woman tries to find out more about the wife and questions the staff at the house. There are huge Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier vibes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as it is a quick and suspenseful read that I couldn't put down.

"Rebecca" or the wife from Jane Eyre vibes for sure, with a sprinkling of changeling.
Dual timelines, two POVs, two (maybe more!) murders, mystery abounds.
What a perfectly dark, witchy fall book. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole book until the very end, which fell flat for me.

Spoiler:
I was with the book the whole time, all the way through the "twist" and who the real witch was and I believed Marcus was going to get what he wanted and that Luna/Rose could possibly pull off her identity. But the last few pages, I could not connect with the rest of the book. The last few pages that are about Luna/Rose "confessing" and the authorities need to look into her mistress, didn't feel like the same book to me. It didn't feel like the true ending. No one asked where the real Luna was, and just seemed like everything was skimmed over even though throughout the whole book everyone was questioning Luna/Rose!

Great fall read. A really nice mixture of spooky, darker elements with a love story. Loved the descriptions of the atmosphere and the house and surrounding woods.

The Ravenswood Witch by Jenni Keer

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

‘There are a lot of shadows at Ravenswood, so you will need to be strong…’

The year is 1885 and a young woman is on the run, knowing if she’s caught, she’ll be hanged for murder. Moments from a safe haven, she collides with a gruff stranger, falling and breaking her ankle.

To her surprise, the man – Marcus Greybourne – convinces the local constable that she is his reclusive wife of ten years, Luna. He carries her back to the neglected and crumbling Ravenswood Hall, promising if she agrees to maintain this charade, he will keep her safe until her injuries have healed.

But the house is haunted by shadows and secrets. What’s more, the real Luna Greybourne is missing, without trace. Scratches and marks made by her around the house suggest witchcraft; and indeed Luna is known locally as the Ravenswood Witch; her reputation in tatters, like the wallpapers of the padlocked rooms she’d destroyed.

My Opinion

I went into The Ravenswood Witch with an idea of what the book would be like, but I was so wrong. I am trying to read more Historical Fiction as it is definitely a genre I have stayed away from, and this was a pleasant surprise.

With a spooky setting this is going to make for a great book to read this Halloween. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I read over 80% in one sitting. I really enjoyed the way that Jenni Keer has used alternating timelines to fill the reader in on the past.

Rating 4/5

It’s that time of year again. Nights are drawing in, leaves are crunching underfoot, there is a frosty nip in the morning air. Halloween approaches and everyone feels like cuddling up in front of the fire with a good piece of gothic fiction. Or is that just me? Well, if this description sounds like you as well, you can do a lot worse than pick up Jenni Keer’s new book, The Ravenswood Witch.

Jenni is getting a reputation for writing beautiful, historical fiction blended perfectly with a dollop of the supernatural and her writing just keeps getting stronger and stronger with every book so, those of us who are in on her rising brilliance eagerly await her latest novel and this one has been worth the wait. A young woman is careening through the woods, running for her life, when she collides with a mysterious man, who is forced to rescue her. But has she actually been rescued or simply catapulted into a different type of peril? The man’s wife – known locally as the Ravenswood Witch – is missing, occult symbols scratched around the house all that indicates her presence, and there is only one suspect in her disappearance…

The setting of this book perfectly sets the tone, creepy woods, gloomy house, nearby village full of hostile locals; it has more than a whiff of the Rebecca about it so, if that is your vibe (and who doesn’t love Du Maurier?) you are going to LOVE this book. But it is in the characterisation that its strength truly lies. The cast is small but mighty and each one is drawn with precision and purpose, perfectly playing their role and coming together to tell a believable story of the unbelievable. Everyone has a secret, everyone could be dangerous and working out who to trust and who is dangerous not only proves problematic for the main character, but for the reader as well, it is brilliantly done.

Whilst the book is largely character-driven, the plot is also cleverly woven to keep the reader guessing right until the end – and beyond. The author knows exactly when to let information slip and when to keep certain cards close to her chest and she slithers through the plot with mastery and obvious glee, so the reader is compelled to follow her merry dance, but this is no hardship. I devoured the book in 24 hours and loved every minute.

This book is a masterclass in how to write modern, gothic fiction and it is really obvious to the reader that the author loves and is committed to what she is writing. the enthusiasm cannot help but carry over to the reader, and both reader and writer go on a joyous journey of storytelling together. The discovery of books like this is why I read. Truly wonderful.

*Thank you to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for sending a digital copy to review*

This Gothic historical fiction is the perfect book for the spooky season and has the same vibe as Jane Eyre but with witches.

A young woman on the run for murder collides with a stranger and breaks her ankle before she can escape to London. The stranger, Marcus Greybourne, promises to help her if she pretends to be Luna, his reclusive wife. She is taken to Ravenswood Hall, a house haunted by secrets and has been destroyed by Luna, known as the Ravenswood witch.

This book has a lot of mysteries to keep you engaged. From the whereabouts of the original Luna to figuring out who this new Luna is and how she wound up in this situation. From the very beginning imposter Luna maintains her cover and not even the reader knows who she is. The story jumps between two storylines which converge at the end. The other storyline hints at imposter Luna’s background and I was surprised to learn who she actually is.

The story reads like a gothic movie, with witches, Ravens, and mysterious forces that want imposter Luna to leave. She’s constantly trying to figure out who she can trust and everybody is not who they seem at first. I loved the notion of the ‘Ravenswood Witch’ and depending on the character original Luna was either a real witch or labeled one due to her many issues.

Overall it was an easy story to get invested in and if you love trying to figure things out then you will definitely enjoy this gothic mystery.

A totally enthralling story of dark magic and the mysteries that surround it!
 
The first page had me in a chokehold! I was immediately pulled into this story, this mysterious world, and I did my best to savor every last word.
 
While it could be quite slow at times, I was still enchanted the whole time. It had some romance perfectly thrown in there too, which I really liked!
 
The perfect book to snuggle up with this spooky season!
 
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy!

It wasn’t a bad start but there wasn’t enough to keep my attention. I wanted to read other books. However, I think this would be great to read during October so I might try again.

The Ravenswood Witch is the perfect book to start the Spooky Season! I loved the Gothic vibes and endearing main characters. There were a couple of twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. Highly recommend!

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of the book.

Tis the season of witchy reads right now!

I haven't read a book by Keer to date that hasn't been a five star read, so knew The Ravenswood Witch was not going to disappoint.

It's 1885, witches are believed to be real and superstition is rife! Keer delights with a spine tingling, grand gothic mystery that's steeped in history and shrouded in atmosphere.

The plot had me hooked from the opening pages where we have our first encounter with Luna. I sure wasn't expecting THAT twist though, were you?

Fantastic characters, romance and a touch of the paranormal...perfect!

This is definitely a perfect read for the season! There is spooky witchiness, thrilling mysteries, and some romance too. I thought Jenni Keer did such a great job writing a suspenseful and twisty story. I was definitely left wondering and creating predictions; a few I actually guessed correctly. I loved how the author gives some information that leads you to believe one thing, but as you read more and gain more information, you realize that what you originally thought may not be true. The way the characters are written is to make you feel like they might be trustworthy but still have enough reason to suspect them, making it hard to actually know if they are a good person. I don't think there was a single character that I felt I could trust at all until things started to come together at the end. I really enjoyed that because it made that anticipation to get the truth even stronger.
 
I did find parts of this, specifically towards the middle of the book, to be a bit slow. I felt like it started off strong and pulled me in immediately but slowed significantly before picking up again in the second half. 
 
I definitely recommend this book, especially if you're looking for a witchy book for the spooky season.

Brilliant!! Tis the season for witchy books!

This book takes place in 1885 as a perfect gothic historical fiction back when people still believed that witchcraft was a thing.

The book starts with a young woman running through the woods when she collides with a man and breaks her ankle. As it turns out, the person she is running from is the constible. As the constible catches up with her and informs the man that she is wanted for murder this strange gentleman says that she is his wife. At that moment, she assumes the identity of Luna Greyborne and agrees to stay at the run down house that is in total dismay. What happened to the real Luna Greyborne? Can this man be trusted? What are the strange noises in the attic?

This book was spooky and kept you in suspense.

I took half a star off because I felt a little bored in the middle of the book but I do understand the need for backstory.

Oh boy is this story a corker!! Fantasy writing, great suspense, shockers and a great ending!! All the characters in this book are brilliant. I was gripped and had to read into the early hours to finish!!
Rose is on the run from being made to look like she murdered her boy friend and Marcus is really low from being married to a nasty woman. They collide on a towpath, and life turns in that moment for both of them!. As the story continues, we learn more about what has happened but it’s near the end that the truth comes out, and boy will you be gripped till the end!
Many thanks to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #TheBoldBookClub, #JenniKeer.