The Familiars: The dark, captivating Sunday Times bestseller and original break-out witch-lit novel

Product Information

Dalton, an apprentice wizard and Skylar's loyal, as well as the oldest of Kalstaff's three apprentices. I want to mention that the beginning is a bit slow. It takes time to immerse yourself in Fleetwood’s story and properly fall in love with it. So, if the beginning is a bit slow to you, I would recommend waiting it out. It does get better!

To keep herself and unborn child from certain death, Fleetwood hires the midwife of her choosing, a young woman named Alice Grey. Fleetwood knows that Alice’s methods are unconventional, but she is desperate, willing to try anything. But, when Alice is accused of witchcraft, Fleetwood will do whatever it takes to free Alice, but time is of the essence.I’ve read that redheads especially were linked with the devil and satanic practices.....so because of this, red hair was a definite a sign of witchcraft ....... as a redhead, so glad I was born in modern times (although my husband thinks there is something in it !!) 😂. Fleetwood Shuttleworth is the 17 years old mistress at Gawthorpe Hall. The year is 1612, and she pregnant for the fourth time. The problem, however, is that she has yet to bring a child to term, something both she and her husband are concerned about, each for very different reasons. By chance, Fleetwood encounters a woman in the forest on her property. This woman, Alice Gray, claims to be a midwife and promises Fleetwood that she can help her give birth to a healthy child. They agree on terms and Alice is brought into Gawthorpe Hall where Fleetwood almost at once begins to feel better. There are problems, however. King James, as we all should know, is on a witch hunt and his minions who wish to stay in his favor will do whatever necessary to stay in the king’s good graces, including accusing innocent women of witchcraft. Fleetwood has the misfortune of living near Pendle Hill and one of her husband’s dearest friends and benefactor’s is just the sort of man to gather up innocents to appease the king – and that is exactly what he does – including Alice Gray. What a wonderful Enchanting and captivating novel. An unputdownable ripped from real life tale that kept me up late at night. Enthralling, spellbinding, full of twists and turns, written with heart and style - and the final chapters will have you racing to the end' KATE WILLIAMS

I've just read The Familiars by Stacey Halls and enjoyed it immensely. I don't know much about the C17th witch trials so was really gripped. I loved the bravery of the heroine and wonderful period detail * A J Pearce, author of DEAR MRS BIRD *I enjoyed this just as much as I'd been hoping I would. Fleetwood was a character I liked immediately, and Alice was a fascinating figure. I wasn't sure going in if this was about witches or not, as in literal magic. I'd say it's really more about the perception of witchcraft and how easy it was to accuse people, especially women, of practicing it. The thought of people being condemned to death over rumour is a difficult one.