This was my first time reading Paula Brackston, and I am so glad I finally picked up this book. I really enjoyed this sweeping, historical, witchy tale that moves across centuries. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did an incredible job. She brought every scene to life and created such an atmospheric and intriguing experience.

The writing style is lush, immersive, and beautifully descriptive. It pulled me into the story in a way that felt very transportive. Listening to Bess share her life felt like sitting beside a campfire on a cool autumn evening, roasting s’mores while hearing an epic story unfold. The tone is dark, moody, and full of atmosphere. It is definitely a slow burn that focuses more on character depth than plot twists, and it uses very little overt magic. It reads more like a historical drama with romantic threads rather than a full fantasy heavy on spells. It is perfect for a rainy autumn day with a warm drink and a blanket.

I appreciated that Bess does not embrace black magic even though she is a witch. She dedicates herself to healing and helping others. Her relationship with Tegan in the present timeline was one of my favorite parts of the book. She opens her home and her heart to this young girl who desperately needs guidance, comfort, and support.

This story reminded me so much of V.E. Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Gideon has the same eerie charisma as the Dark Lord, and Bess feels very similar to Addie as she moves through the centuries. We explore three different historical eras through Bess’s stories: the witch hunts in the early 1600s, the era of Jack the Ripper in the late 1800s, and the years surrounding the First World War. Brackston wove Bess’s life into real historical events like the plague, the witch trials, Jack the Ripper, and the war. It was fascinating to see how each moment shaped her journey. The way Bess slowly reveals her past to Tegan felt intimate and emotional, full of love, loss, survival, and the difficult choices she has had to make.

One aspect that felt a little heavy at times was the feminist messaging. Bess often reads like a woman who is centuries ahead of her time. Her mother raised her with a strong sense of independence and confidence, which was extremely uncommon in the 1600s. It did not ruin the story, but it occasionally stood out in a way that pulled me back from the historical setting.

The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, which leaves plenty of space for the sequel. I am excited to continue this duology and explore more of Brackston’s work.

This is a rich, well-written witchy historical fantasy that blends magic with real history in such an engaging way. If you enjoy stories about witches, time, and deeply emotional character journeys, I highly recommend picking this one up.