Whew. This book was slow to grab me and I took a few evenings to get into it, but once it did, I literally did not put it down until I was finished. It compelled me to bear witness through Alice's eyes to the power that misogyny and fear can have in a community, and the power of one laser-focused man to have over 100 women put to death for reasons that are thinner than cellophane.

As a practicing 21st century witch, this historical fiction reminded me powerfully of the honor and respect due to those whose knowledge of herbs or midwifery, kindness, or simplicity could have them accused and murdered as the very thing I proudly claim today. How many of them were not witches at all, but women merely trying to live their lives. How I am the daughter of witches who could not be burned, crushed, or hanged; but also because this is how history works, very likely also the daughter of someone who was, and even one who accused a neighbor or friend out of fear.

This is an important aspect of modern witchcraft that we must not lose sight of, and Beth Underdown's book refuses to let us off the hook.