Set in the 1600s, the story opens with Thomas returning from war to a dying father, a hysterical but pious sister and a field full of mysteriously dead sheep. The novel follows Thomas's hunt for truth amongst superstition.

The novel is written from the perspective of Thomas, as a young man and as a man in his 80s. I will admit that I struggled to get into the story to begin with as I found the character and voice of Thomas insufferable, and his paternalistic presentation of his sister, Esther, immensely frustrating. However, the characters developed over the course of the novel and, while I didn't ever particularly like Thomas, I can understand the writer's choice here.

Thematically, the novel is concerned with the nature of belief, and the tension between the rational and superstition. The structure of the novel takes us through a witch-hunt, the myth of the Leviathan and the doctrine of hell. All three sections of the book were engaging, although they did at times seem heavily reminisecnt of other fairly recent fiction (The Essex Serpent and in particular for me). I really enjoyed the reflections on the role of truth and belief in society, and while some of the 'twists' fell flat for me I loved the explorations of the treatment of women.

One odd element was the inclusion of John Milton as Thomas's old tutor, and a key player on the final meetings with the leviathan. It seemed that the inclusion of a 'real' person was a distraction when a fictional one would have worked just as well. Perhaps he could have been a separate novel!

Overall, an enjoyable story with some interesting insights. Rounded up to 4 stars from 3.5.

A novel set in Norfolk, 1643. Soldier, Thomas Treadwater, arrives home, drawn back by a worrying letter sent by his sister, accusing the new servant of immoral and improper conduct. When he arrives he finds his father on death's door, and the local witch hunter has put the new servant in prison, along with their long term loyal servant and her mother. Thomas is a rational man, who prides himself on not believing in witchcraft, and superstition. Determined to save their loyal servant, and restore his family's honour, he starts to investigate what has been happening while he has been at war. But what he uncovers shakes him to his very core.

This novel is set in a time of war, political tension, and religious upheaval, where the church still cried witches when the unknown (or unwanted) was happening. The story was a fantastic read, well written, with the story weaving in and out of a series of ever unfurling horrors, that Thomas must try to get to the bottom of, and live with the consequence of the actions he takes. It was an intense story, with fantastic use of timeline switching to keep you really on your toes, and character development taking you by surprise at times. When I finished this book, my mind kept coming back to the story, and thinking about the ending, thinking about the suffering endured - the story really stuck in my head. I can highly recommend this as a read. Even if you think you don’t read historical era fiction, trust me, this one you do!

*I received this book from NetGalley for review but all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this story that really drew the reader in and allowed them to imagine what it would have been like in those dark and turbulent political times. It was gripping

A deliciously dark fast paced exciting romp through 16th Century England full of dark spirits and foreboding
I read an early copy on NetGalley Uk .By chance I’ve read quite a few novels in the last few months set in this period of history and have to say this really is one of the best .Whilst it touches on witch trial hysteria this is not the whole of the story there is deeper elements that emerge slowly through the book
I enjoyed the different characters particularly the fact that the woman you first assume to be the afflicted person does not turn out to be
I was a trifle confused with the young boy brother to a main character as I assumed from What I was reading that he had Down’s syndrome which I rather liked ,his Early behaviour was appropriate for this but right at the end he turns into a scholar which I didn’t really follow .Despite this the close family bonds were beautifully described and added a lot to the complexity of the story
I liked the way that the story switches between time frames with the main male lead being first a young man and then elderly .This added time to the story which added to its appeal .There was one time I was a little confused as around 2/3 through there is a violent episode in the attic which I failed initially to understand was from a flash forward sequence
The book fair zips along with exciting scenes that kept me engrossed in the story
The historical elements read as accurate and are detailed
The elements of fantasy and myth are woven carefully around the naturalistic elements which is difficult to do as well as this author manages .I found it easy to accept that the Leviathan really existed ,I particularly liked the way those afflicted by the leviathan’s voice could foresee the future particularly the violence and anguish it held
I would recommend this book to those readers who like their historical novels to be dark and unusual

Set in the mid 1600s to the early 1700s, 'The Leviathan' follows returning Norfolk soldier, Thomas Treadwater, on his tumultuous journey embroiled in witchcraft and biblical lore as he fights to save the family he loves.

This powerful debut novel by Rosie Andrews is compelling as it is unique; set apart from other recent explorations witchcraft in the current literary trend, the twists and turns in the plot keep you on your toes throughout. There is a richness of language and description within this novel which retains its natural conversation throughout, completely hooking you into Thomas' narrative.

Whilst the biblical and uncanny elements of the novel may not suit every reader, particularly the embodiment of the Leviathan, I immensely enjoyed this novel and all the undulating chaos it depicted. I found it an excellent debut novel and I will be looking forward in anticipation to Rosie Andrew's future writing.

Rosie Andrews’ debut novel The Leviathan opens with a prologue set in 1703 – the work’s “present”, to which we will return at regular intervals in the novel. It then immediately takes us back six decades, to the final days of the year 1643, where the main storyline is set.

Narrator Thomas Treadwater, a soldier in the English Civil War, receives a barely credible letter from his younger sister Esther, alleging that their pious widower father is being seduced by one of the servants, “the harlot Chrissa Moore”, and urging him to come home without delay to the family farmstead in Norfolk. Thomas returns to find the farm animals dead, his father struck down with a debilitating stroke, and Chrissa and another servant jailed on suspicions of witchcraft. Thomas is a (relatively) learned man of his age, and is losing his faith in God, let alone his beliefs in witchcraft and old-fashioned superstition. But it will soon appear that truth is not a matter of black and white. Thomas’s beliefs – or lack thereof – will be sorely tested.

At this early stage in the novel, I was wondering where the narrative would lead. Would Andrews follow an Ann-Radcliffe-style “rational Gothic” and eventually show us how the charges of witchcraft were trumped up by a superstitious mob? Or would this turn out to be a work of supernatural fiction? I would not like to reveal much about the pleasurable twists and turns of the plot, but suffice it to say that The Leviathan turns out to be an unsettling piece of Gothic horror and that, yes, the evils it portrays are not (only) of this world.

The Leviathan is an exciting and gripping yarn which, despite its surprises, does not require much suspension of disbelief (naturally, within the parameters of a speculative novel). The narrative juggles ably between the “past” and “present” timelines until the satisfactory ending. The language used is archaic enough to give a sense of authenticity, without, however, making it any less flowing to the modern reader. That same sense of authenticity is reflected in details which, albeit not essential to the plot, serve to create atmosphere. In one scene, for instance, we witness the preparation of the evening meal of snipe; in others we get descriptions of an England ravaged by plague and civil war. This ability to provide “context” is surely the result of a good mix of research and imagination – the sights, smells and sounds of a distant era are well conveyed. The novel also raises interesting themes, such as faith, belief and doubt – although this is done with a much lighter touch than the “theological Gothic” of, say, Sarah Perry’s Melmoth.

Poet John Milton appears as a character in the novel, in the unlikely role of paranormal investigator. At one point he observes:

It has always been my weakness: a novel story, well constructed. I must congratulate you on the telling.

This could well sum up my reaction to this engaging debut.

Full review at https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-leviathan-by-rosie-andrews.html

I was initially drawn to The Leviathan due to comparisons made to The Essex Serpent and a personal interest in stories set against the north Norfolk landscape. Jumping between memories of 1643 and there impact on the present of 1703, book delivered everything I expected with exploring history, superstition and belief shaped by the context of civil war. However I was surprised at how directly the atmospheric description and unnerving supernatural elements turn more explicitly to horror in the second act, which I think is to the books benefit. With a small cast of well drawn characters The Leviathan was a pacy read that I would recommend to anyone with an interest in historical fiction, thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

This is a slow burner of a novel set in Norfolk in 1643; Thomas returns from the civil war to find chaos and death at the family estate. Was it as a result of the new servant who is accused of witch craft? Why is his sister acting increasingly more bizarre and disturbed.Thomas sets out to discover the cause of the traumatic events and uncovers something much more sinister than he could ever have imagined linked to the oceans and a shipwreck and its impact upon his own life. The meticulous period detail certainly sets the scene and atmosphere of the Norfolk area and the tension builds gradually leading to a dramatic climax where Thomas has to make a huge sacrifice.This is ideal for a winter’s night read.

A really interesting and gripping tale. We begin when Thomas Threadwater returns injured from war to find his father dying and his sister has accused the new servant girl of witchcraft. From here the story explores family secrets, lies, a dangerous evil creature and we discover how far Thomas' loyalty extends and how far he's willing to go to protect those he loves.

A book that splits timelines can often be challenging to engage with even in such a book as this where the split is relatively short, thankfully the author has mastered the her craft well and this tale slows seamlessly with no need to reread parts to refresh one’s memory, a dark tale that thrills and enthralls, I will certainly be buying this when it goes to audible as well

Beware the serpent ★★★★☆

When Thomas Treadwater returns home from the English civil war he finds his father incapacitated and the new maid in prison for suspicion of witchcraft after being accused by his teenage sister.

At first, this appears to be a novel about the assizes and the witch-hunts of 17th century Britain, including real historic characters such as ruthless witch-finder John Rutherford and writer John Milton.

However, the rumours of witchcraft quickly give way to a more sinister and ancient force which stalks the farmlands. A force from the sea which has taken over one of their own…..

Moving between 1643 and 1703, we follow Thomas’s battle against an unthinkable evil which has kept him captive for years and which will force him to make a terrible personal choice.

A creepy and historic tour de force which reveals the real monsters stalking England’s shores.

It is 1703, and she is awake. An ageing man recounts the story of how it all began, while a storm rages outside.

It is 1643. England is in a state of civil war, and a young Thomas Treadwater, receives a distressing letter from his sister, Esther. Thomas, injured in battle, returns to Norfolk to find his home in disarray. Their cattle dead, Esther ailing, and their widowed father beguiled by a bewitching beauty.

As Esther’s conditions worsens and their father is suddenly taken by a stroke, something more sinister begins to surface; crashing down around Thomas’ life and drowning those in its wake.
Thomas must uncover the mystery of the horrors that unfurl before him, and live with the consequence of his actions.

Rosie Andrew’s haunting historical gothic debut is gripping, in every meaning of the word. The story coiled itself around me and refused to let go. Andrews uses meticulously researched detail, along with appropriately antiquated language and syntax, to absorb you into the narrative, and setting, of a troubled bygone England.

The use of a split timelines plot structure is implored skilfully, switching back and forth, between 1703 and 1643, at just the right moments to the betterment of the wider narrative, layering the tale and facilitating gradual revelations while leaving just enough keep you to enrapt in the mystery.

I was sceptical near the beginning of the novel, of a few choices made regarding characters, and yet, by the mid-to-end point of the novel, not only were each of these choices justified in a meaningful way, but I felt not a single aspect or minor detail was missed as narrative timelines rejoined. The payoff for which is one of the most satisfying conclusions to a novel I have read this year.

Not in a long time have I had such a visceral reaction to a story. Andrews manages to craft a tale that had my heart racing and reading into the dead of night; a fitting ambience for the compellingly dark tones of the novel which Andrews expertly delivers.

I highly recommend reading The Leviathan. If this is a debut, I eagerly await what comes next from Rosie Andrews.

I am certain this story will remain in my mind, lurking beneath the surface, for a long time.