The Familiars is a historical novel set in the era when people who were a little different were accused of being witches and killed, not only in the UK but across the world too. One of the most famous and best-recorded witch trials in the UK was in Pendle, Lancashire, now dubbed the home of the ‘Pendle Witches’, where twelve people went on trial and ten found guilty.

Ms. Halls has weaved her superior tale around the events from 1612 and brought into her fictional novel some famous names from the trials, including Alizon Device and Alice Grey. The Shuttleworth family are also a well-known real family from the area too.

Fleetwood although only seventeen has been through some hard times. Not only is it illegal to get married at the age she did these days, but you just couldn’t comprehend a young girl of seventeen having been married for four years and not only being pregnant four times but losing three of her children before birth too. I found her character although a little weak minded at times, yet she was intriguing and I enjoyed watching her evolve as the plot progressed.

Whilst the book is set during the Pendle Witch trials, for my liking, there wasn’t enough about them in the book, mainly because I love a good book featuring witches and this is what made me choose to read the story in the first place. What information there is, is historically accurate and you can tell that the author has a keen interest in the past and has done lots of research.

Overall the book left me satisfied and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It left me feeling enthralled with parts and spellbound by others. The pace felt a little slow to at times but in my personal opinion slowness works in historical fiction as it allows you to really grasp the past and understand it. The pace does pick up as you near the end.

This is a book that I feel is going to be a bit like Marmite in that if you have an interest in historical fiction or indeed the witch trials or Pendle, you will love it. If you have no interest in these subject then I can’t see it being of interest to you.

We meet young Fleetwood Shuttleworth who is married to Richard and is the mistress of Gawthorpe Hall. She's suffered several miscarriages and all her husband wants is a son and heir. She's wild and flighty and always going off on her horse with her faithful dog, Puck.

On one of these such adventures she meets local girl Alice with whom she is fascinated. She finds out she is a midwife and immediately hires her to ensure the safe arrival of her baby. Alice, whose life is hard befriends her and helps her all she can. She brings herbs which help aid a smoother pregnancy. She is secretive however and mysterious (I'd have liked the character of Alice fleshed out a bit more).

The story is told around the time of the real Pendle witchcraft trials and these weave around the story. I enjoyed the book a lot and found it richly descriptive but would have liked to have felt I knew the characters more.

I love historical fiction, and I really enjoyed Halls' easygoing, charming writing.
However, this book was not as rich as I wanted. The times it's set is hard for women, there's witchcraft, etc. But, I didn't think it was written in a way to experience it in a book. It started off really well, hooked me from the beginning. But, I started to lose interest around 20% mark as nothing interesting was happening.
I found it a bit bland and lacking proper plot development.
Thanks a lot to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Familiars is Stacey Halls first novel and I am very impressed with the beautiful, descriptive writing, which makes it very easy to get lost in its intriguing plot.

Fleetwood Shuttleworth is 17 years old, married to Richard and is pregnant for a 4th time. She is an independent woman, who likes to ride and joins her husband on hunts, against the expected norms of the time.

Fleetwood meets a young local woman on one of her rides, Alice Grey. She is a midwife and healer, which according to the time makes her a witch and as this is set near Pendle Hill there is a lot of local legends about witches here.

There are no spells or creepy rituals just kind, helpful wise women who use herbal remedies to cure simple ailments and act as midwives. There are mentions of witches familiars and dark magic, but it’s not really a part of this story. I felt it is more about the relationship between Fleetwood and Alice and how women struggled so much in life where the patriarchy was so strong, yet strong women still managed to make themselves heard. This is compelling, captivating historical fiction, with strong likeable female characters and a large Mastiff dog. I loved it and can highly recommend it.

I would like to thank the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

#NetGalley #TheFamilars

I really enjoyed this book. Based on the real life story of the Pendle witches set in the early 1600s, it tells the story of Fleetwood, a 17 year old girl who is pregnant, having suffered previous late miscarriages. Her husband is desperate for her to produce an heir. By chance she meets Alice who says she is a midwife and can help Fleetwood to carry her child to full term. However, everything changes when Alice is arrested accused of witchcraft and flung in to the dungeon at Lancaster castle. Fleetwood is determined to help her. Not knowing anything about this part of history, I found the story really interesting and engaging. Thanks to NetGalley copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Although this book is fiction it has a base in facts. I did enjoy this book but I was not convinced with the main character. I couldn't believe that a pregnant, 17 year old, 'lady of the manor' would be allowed to ride around the country unaccompanied.

Situated at the edge of the Scottish village where I live there is a small wooded hillock in an open public space which was (incredibly to the modern mind) the scene in the 17th century of the burning of those deemed to be witches. Even today this place has a certain eerie and mysterious atmosphere about it and is avoided by dog walkers and joggers. Witchcraft in medieval times was an accepted part of medieval life and a woman with knowledge of herbal cures and "gift of the gab" found it profitable to be a witch. The Reformation of 1560 however changed that when witchcraft became a heinous offence against God. Calvin The Swiss Protestant leader that had such an influence on the Scottish Church declared "the Bible teaches us that there are witches and they must be slain".In 1563 the Scottish Parliament decreed death for anyone practicing witchcraft or consulting a witch. Between 1560 and 1707 over 3000 witches were put to death in Scotland, and the last recorded burning of a witch in Scotland was as late as 1722. The persecution and prosecution of witches prior to the 17th century was always carried out far more vigorously in Scotland than in England however with the coming to the English throne of James I (VI of Scotland) in 1603 things were to change.

In his book Daemonologie King James sought to prove the existence of witchcraft through biblical teachings and believed that they were out there in his kingdom doing the devil's work. Therefore what better way to gain favour in the King's eyes and advancement in his circle then finding and executing those practicing the black arts. This is the background to Stacey Halls fictional novel based on real events and many real characters concerned with the trials of the Pendle witches in 1612.

The story has a first person narration by Fleetwood Shuttleworth who is 17 years old, married to a local man of wealth and influence and pregnant for the fourth time. All previous births have been unsuccessful and her husband Richard is anxious for a son and heir. The story begins with Fleetwood gaining possession of a letter that she should not have seen from her Doctor advising that she will not survive another pregnancy. As she is running in the woods she meets a mysterious girl called Alice Gray who is a young midwife versed in the "old ways" who promises that she will help deliver a healthy baby. When Alice is implicated with a group of local witches who face trial and almost certain death the scene is set for Fleetwood to prove Alice's innocence inorder to save not only Alice's life but also her own and that of her baby..

This is a quite gripping read as Fleetwood rushes around the countryside on horseback in a hectic endeavor to free Alice and ultimately save herself. We have here a strong feminist lead character who is prepared to challenge and disobey the accepted norms of the day. Well written this gives an insight into what life would have been like at that time and some of the underlying prevalent views. I certainly found myself willing on Fleetwood in her quest for truth and justice. If you like a good adventurous historical novel then I would recommend this.

Fast-paced, twisty and immense fun. I thoroughly enjoyed this and anticipate it will be a huge hit. Philippa Gregory meets Beth Underdown.

I loved this, an exciting historical fiction based around the real story of the Pendle Witches where twelve women were hung accused of murder by witchcraft.

In a time where women were seen as property, bartered for fortunes, and where female wisdom was viewed with deepest suspicion and fear, we meet Fleetwood. Expecting a child after several miscarriages and still births, and fearing for her life, she seeks the help of Alice. But with Alice's knowledge of herbs and midwifery, and an accusation of the death of a child upon her, is Alice all she seems? The Pendle witches are being rounded up, and the Sheriff would see them hang. When life hangs in the balance, whose do you fight for?
An amazing, powerful, moving story. It is full of light and shadows and MAGIC! A triumphant tale based on real events that will make you proud of the strength of women, their wit and tenacity. Truly wonderful.

I love a book that is mostly fiction based, has some reference to real events, and a tiny hint of the super natural. Just enough to keep you wondering. I really enjoyed the book from the first page and read it in a few days, just didn't want to put it down. Although it is a work of fiction, you learn so much about life in the 17th century, and even if you had money, as a woman, you were still struggling to do or be anything. Reading about the witch hunts, and how it was all based on the heresay of men, also made you realise that these women had next to no chance of a fair hearing. A few survived, but not many. Ignorance and fear, and word of mouth, ensured these women were treated so badly.

Fleetwood, the main character, a 17 year old girl, who has had three unsuccessful pregnancies, and is now on her fourth, forged a friendship with Alice, who she believed would be the only person to bring her unborn child safely into the world. And she fights for Alice, who has been arrested and put on trial for being a witch. Was Alice a witch? I wonder.

I thought the ending was a bit predictable, but nonetheless, it was the right ending.

Lovely captivating, compelling, addictive read! I couldnt put the book down. It artfully weaves fact into fiction as it explores England in the 17th century witch-hunt. Fleetwood is still a child herself at 17 but after 3 failed pregnancies, she knows she has to deliver a child. She has all the trappings....adoring husband, owns lands and property, wants for nothing but seems so unhappy. She befriends a midwife whose knowledge of herbs help lift her health and spirits. Fleetword is certain their futures are linked. And then her friend is suspected as a witch, and Fleetwooods own connections are determined to see her convicted.
The book moved at a good pace and piqued my interest from the first page. It hints just enough at super natural to keep you guessing. The characters are believable and the story intriguing and the suspense keeps you reading to the last page!

I LOVED this book so very much! It was exciting and original and wonderfully written. The plot was compelling, the way in which the story starts and develops keeps the reader interested and it so interesting to learn more about the Pendle Witches.

I gave it 4 stars because I was a bit disappointed with the ending and the ways in which things finalise but what a book though – I read it very quickly and I am quite sad I cannot keep following Fleetwood's adventures around Lancashire.

If you are interested in history and magic this book is for you!

An original take on the Pendle Witches story. Stacey Halls easily accomplishes the tricky task of staying authentic to the historical period while being accessible to the 21st century. With relatable, well-drawn characters, a gripping plot, twists and surprises and an atmospheric, believable setting, this is a superb debut from an author to watch.

I concur with all the great reviews I've seen for this title. It held me firmly in its grip from start to finish and never let go.
It is a quite terrifying indictment of how powerless women were, and were expected to be, in an age when men held all the power and quite literally had the power of life and death over women with the capacity to dominate women and decide their fate, just because they were male and could get away with anything.

I found the story all the more shocking as the heroine, with the unusual first name of Fleetwood, is just 17 years old yet is in the midst of her fourth pregnancy. She is an innocent yet proves to have an inbuilt strength she needs to survive. She has a charming but perfidious husband, a mother she despises, no friends and only her faithful rescued hound Puck as a loyal companion.

Fearing she won't survive this pregnancy, it's little surprise that she is delighted when she meets another young woman, Alice who claims skills in midwifery which she promises will help Fleetwood deliver a healthy baby safely.

She soon comes to rely on Alice and the two young women from very different backgrounds become friends. But Fleetwood is soon to discover a shocking betrayal, and Alice is to stand accused of witchcraft whilst Fleetwoods struggle for a healthy pregnancy becomes a death-defying nightmarish journey.

Based on the real and notorious Pendle witchcraft trials this books weaves clever and compelling fiction around authentic characters and sweeps us through the 15th century at a gallop. An outstandingly captivating book which weaves its magic around the reader throughout.

Stories about witch trials always intrigue and this one uses real characters as the basis of the tale. The language is modern but the historical details place it firmly in the early 17th century. The characters are well drawn and every day details bring the story to life. There is atmosphere and pace and some understanding of how life in those times, especially for the poor, led to belief in witchcraft.

Thank you so much to Bonnier Zaffre and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read THE FAMILIARS.
Historical fiction is one of my great pleasures and The Familiars did not disappoint. Set in 1612 in the reign of James 1st, it Stacey Halls weaves her story around the Pendle witch trials. Fleetwood Shuttleworth is the young mistress of Gawthorpe Hall in Lancashire. She longs for a child, but with each pregnancy comes heartbreak until she meets Alice Gray, a young midwife who uses tinctures and herbs to ease Fleetwood's discomfort. Alice is a figure of curiosity to Fleetwood, but she is sure the young woman will lead her to a successful birth. However, those who have been accused of witchcraft, including many midwives are being rounded up and set to a dungeon to await the trials on the 20th August 1612, which puts Alice in great danger.

I've read many books about Tudor England and the Elizabethan era. Clearly, in the sixteenth century the plight of women did not change, in fact, grew considerably worse with certain officials wanting to squeeze into the King's good books. To be a woman in these times was dangerous regardless of wealth or position. The King abhorred witchcraft and women were often led to a trial for doing no more than helping someone in pain. I was completely hooked byThe Familiars, an extremely well-researched story and written in a lovely flowing style in keeping with the time. Fleetwood is a great character. She has determination and bravery, and her story is one I would recommend.

Fantastic! Sucked in instantly despite my initial trepidation that it was “ historical fiction”. Inspired by real life events in the 17th century where so called witches were rounded up, tried for murder, and sentenced to death.

Told in a really contemporary style, fluid, engaging, and with a really punchy likeable heroine in Fleetwood. Read in a day and will be recommending far and wide.