Rosie Andrews weaves a beguiling gothic piece of historical horror fiction set in Norfolk in the 17th century, in one of the most politically turbulent times in English history, a country rife with divisions, religious zealots, and superstitions, a time that sees King Charles I lose his head. It is 1643 and the battle injured Thomas Treadwater returns home after fighting in the Civil War, having received a disturbing letter from his distraught younger sister, Esther, accusing their servant, Chrissa Moore, of bewitching their religiously devout father. On arriving home at the farmhouse, there is the scary and intensely unsettling sight of dead sheep, with no apparent cause of death. With his father having suffered a stroke, and Chrissa having been taken to prison, charged with witchcraft, the rational and logical Thomas, who does not believe in witchcraft, decides to investigate, only to have his beliefs tested to their very limits and shattered.

This is a beautifully written novel of supernatural biblical horrors, with prose that evokes the historical period with ease, giving us a sense of the culture, philosophy and thinking of the time, the position of women, witch finders, and witch trials, and includes the presence of John Milton. We learn of Thomas's wartime experiences, his family, his terrified sister, Esther, his father, a shipwreck, and an ancient mythical beast that awakens. This is an atmospherically dark and gripping debut of twists annd turns, well researched with its details, and with an underlying eerie sense of menace. I found it a captivating read and I have no doubt that this is a book that is destined to do well on publication. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

Atmospheric and well written debut. Nicely rounded characters, historical details, well constructed plot and a pinch of witchcraft.

This was a fantastic debut. I spent the majority of the book totally enthralled by the writing, characters, and plot. The writing was perfect for the time the novel is set in, and I was constantly admiring it throughout.
I did struggle a little with the timeline, placing the events in order was challenging at times, and then as the book was ending, it did flow a little too far into fantasy territory for me.
Nonetheless, this was a wonderful debut. I have loved The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner since last year, and this is the closest book I have read to get me near that 'thrilling historical mystery' feeling.

Thomas Treadwater returns home after being wounded fighting on the Parliamentarian side in the English civil war. He hurries, disturbed by a letter from his sister Esther where she describes a terrible situation at home - her father has taken in a witch who is beguiling him.

Initially it appears that this is a tale of 17th century witch hunting and the innocent women affected by it, but it soon becomes much more than that, a Gothic horror where good fights evil.

It is a gripping read, I began it on one of the Christmas bank holiday days and read it in one sitting. I think that this will be a hugely popular book. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy.

Norfolk 1643, and Thomas Treadwater has returned home on leave to the family farmhouse after fighting in the Civil War. Though he hates the war, he hasn’t returned of his own accord, but because his sister Esther has sent him letters implying that Chrissa Moore, a servant, has an unhealthy interest in their widowed father, (a devout and religious man), and is indulging in an illicit affair with him. He may have left the battlefield behind, but a much bigger battle awaits him in the form of pure evil!


The book actually begins in 1703, with the chilling words ‘She is Awake”

Back to 1643, and on his return Thomas discovers his father’s flock of sheep all dead with no visible signs of injury. At the farmhouse he finds his sister Esther in a state of fear, and their father a shadow of his former self - incoherent and unable to carry out even the simplest of tasks. Esther believes Chrissa is a witch and has cursed them all. Thomas however doesn’t believe in such things, and he pledges to discover the truth - he might have reason to regret that decision!

This was a well written, darkly gothic and evocative story, that takes the reader into some very dark, dangerous and horrifying situations, but it made for a terrific read!

This story had all the ingredients for my kind of historical novel! A blacksmith comes home from fighting during the Civil war to find his wife missing and his son unable to speak. He then finds the body of a young boy in the woods but nobody in the village is able to identify him! The witchfinder general is on the war path and nobody is safe - was his wife tried as a witch and what happened to his father who is being accused of making a woman pregnant, a woman now imprisoned and suspected of witchcraft? I should have wanted to read on and discover the truth about it all. Am sad to say I didn’t care! Sorry!

I absolutely love an historical fiction book with essence of witchcraft. The cover was stunning which was drew me to click on to read the blurb and when I did I just had to read it. Thank you so much to NetGalley for approval. One of my favourites of 2021

The Leviathan is a wonderful historic novel starting in 1703 but going back in time to 1643 where the story begins .The story is narrated by Thomas Treadwater who was a young soldier in the English Civil War. The story goes back and forth between the two timelines ,it is a story of witches ,superstitions, creatures of the sea, loyalty and most importantly Family .Brilliantly written with great characterisation dark and Gothic ,I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this Author .Many thanks to the Publisher ,the Author and Net Galley for my free copy in return for an honest review .

Set in the early 17th century Thomas Treadwater is summoned home by his sister after fighting in the civil war. He arrives to find his 16 year old sister very distressed, his father very ill and a recently employed servant arrested for witchcraft.
He is befriended by the local magistrate who is a friend of his father's. Together they try to piece together what has happened. His father dies, his other servant and her mother are poisoned and his sisters betrothed he find has hung himself.
Thomas is deeply troubled by events although very taken with the beautiful alleged witch.
This book then takes on a path towards sci-fi.
A very entertaining book to read.

She is awake……

Set in 17th Century England, The Leviathan follows Thomas Treadwater as he returns after fighting in the English Civil War. His sister, Esther, wrote a panicked letter speaking of a mysterious young girl and witchery and begs him to return home. Thomas sees the letter as his sister’s nerves being frayed as she is alone with her father with no companions. But, upon his return to his father’s estate, things start to take a tragic turn. A great mystery unravels before Thomas and he must try to figure out what has happened and whether it is superstition or a more sinister force at play.

This gothic novel is atmospheric and truly haunting; one of my favourite reads this year. Andrews’ successfully transports her readers into the world of the 17th Century and her description of the Treadwater estate and surrounding lands (particularly the coast) is vividly brought to life. Set in a politically turbulent era, Andrews has brought the prevailing ideas and in particular the zealotry of this period to life on the page. Thomas Treadwater struggles as a rational man to come to terms with the events that are unfolding around him. I really liked how Andrews jumped between the past and present, which adds richly to the story. The characters are all richly developed and the level of detail given by Andrews just adds to the richness of the story.

If you are fan of stories of witchcraft, mythical creatures and mystery, The Leviathan is a book which you have to add to your reading list. A compelling, dark read which the reader’s hair stand on end. A stunning debut by Andrews and definitely an author to watch out for in the future. An original and haunting debut! 5 stars

If you liked Stacey Halls’ The Familiars or Kathleen Kent’s The Heretic’s Daughter, The Leviathan is the perfect book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and to Bloomsbury Publishing for the eArc in exchange for my honest review. The Leviathan will be released on February 17th 2022.

Thomas Threadwater returns home in 1643 after fighting in the English Civil war to find his father is dying and his sister embroiled in witch trial after she accuses their servant of being a witch. Thomas is a rational man, expecting to find a logical explanation but something ancient is awakening and he has to stop it.

The writing in this book is beautiful and wonderfully atmospheric with lots of rich detail. The story is split over two timelines- one in 1643 and one in early next century when Thomas is an old man. The two timelines converge neatly together at the end. There are a few surprises as the story progresses but no real shocks. Thomas is the main point of character and drives the plot.
The fantasy elements are barely present, and the focus is on the relationships between Thomas and the people around him and how he tortured by his love for them all and his need to do right by them.
This is a book that many will love and enjoy especially fans of The Binding.
I received a copy for an honest and unbiased opinion

I didn’t love this book but I think so many would and recommend this for anyone who loves a beautifully written character driven story.

I thoroughly recommend this book. It was a gripping and enthralling book which I had to keep on reading into the wee small hours. The characters were well crafted and I liked the different time perspectives.
Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for giving me the opportunity to give my unbiased opinion.

Dark and menacing, with hints of demon possession.
This tale is taking us on a journey. Our mission to save a soul, maybe two. The battle moves from a woman in an attic room chained up in demon possession, to the anger of the sea. Here we find a shipwreck and a monster from fable, legend, hell itself - who knows. Can it’s victims be rescued and set free? How and at what cost or is it too late? There’s only one way to find out.

The book begins in 1703 with the three ominous words…
She is awake.
But our story starts in Norfolk, 1643. Thomas Treadwater receives a letter from his sixteen year old sister. Imploring him to return home immediately.

‘…..our home is under attack by a great and ungodly evil.’

Thomas rides for home, injured but determined. But something is wrong. The sheep are dead, in one field alone over seventy with no sign of violence or struggle.

We are told a story in beautiful atmospheric detail. It switches between the past and present. This is generally not a favourite of mine but here it’s subtle and it works.

This is such a fabulously woven tale..

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

I had seen this book filtered through a lot of book reviewers on Twitter and when it showed up I decided to give it a try.
The book bounces between the protagonist at 20 and then at 80.
As a young man he has seen battle and is weary and injured, he returns to his family home to see changes beyond his control. Cycle 60 years forward with his wife old and dealing with troubles he needs to make a decision on someone that has awaken from a long slumber.
It took a while for me to get into it but once I got past the initial confusion I picked up the story thread quite quickly.
A good read based in 1600’s when the world was dealing with war within the country due to religion and state and the plague was decimating it’s population.

A well written fast paced historical tale with a profound theme where a powerful evil breaks through the chaos that has arisen in England through civil war. There is a hint of resonance with the present day although the elements of the story are historical: the story includes witchcraft, possession, madness and good versus evil as the characters live through the resurgence of an old prophecy they only dimly understand. The themes, though each richly interesting, feel ultimately too big for the novel, more impressionistic than convincing.

Fascinating proper historical fiction that really feels in its time. There is a dual timeline of 60 years from 1643 to 1703 and I was a bit confused at times but I loved the historical details and the appearance of John Milton in the story. It was very dark times in the 17th C and I felt the atmosphere. Just wasn’t so keen when things got more paranormal.

Book review: The Leviathan by Rosie Andrews 4/5⭐
Thank you to bloomsbury and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is a blend of historical fiction and magical realism. Set in 1643 and 1700 England where we follow a soldier Thomas summoned home by his sister because she accused the new servant Chrissa of inappropriate behavior with their father.

By the time he arrives his father died and the servant in prison facing witch trial.🧙🏻
However, Thomas is not convinced witchcraft is real nor that the servant did anything wrong and goes to investigate what supersticion is happening, and how it seems to be connected to a shipwreck from years ago.

"Something has awoken and now it will not rest."

This is an amazing debut, Rosie's writing style is very athmospheric.
The tension you feel during the witch trial and intrigue during the investigation is very well done. I loved the incorporation of the mythological Leviathan creature and how our clear headed main character is processing this witchcraft that tests all his beliefs.
Even though this is only a 300 page book the characters are very well developed and you really care for the maid and sister even though you are not quite sure they are pure and blameless.

After finishing this book I immediately preordered the gorgeous Waterstones edition with sprayed edges. Honestly, the cover was what pulled me in anyways.🙈

This is a fabulous mythical story taking the reader on a hauntingly, mysterious adventure where legend becomes reality.

This debut novel is an accomplished work, as Andrews masterfully weaves a vivid sense of time and place, a strong development of character, and brilliant storytelling.

The creeping sense of dread that gradually builds through the book is accompanied by the journey of the protagonist as he moves from his arrogant, sceptical youth to the quiet humility that comes with age and the knowledge that we are tiny pieces of the universe.

With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Intensely atmospheric and creepy, this is such an exciting read and perfect for reading over the winter months when things feel spooky. Can't wait for more by Rosie Andrews.