The Book of Witching by author C.J. Cooke is my favourite novel of 2024!

Never having read a novel by this author before, I have ordered her back log of novels and can not wait to start reading them.

The storytelling was amazing and the characters really well balanced. I literally could not put this novel down and read it within a few days.

Told over different characters POV, we meet Clem (modern day), her daughter who went away with friends for a break has been found with burn injuries, so Clem needs to be by her daughters side. When Erin awakes from an induced coma, she says she is called Nyx and so Clem sets out on a journey to see what has happened to get her daughter to this state.

We also meet Alison, from 400 years ago and she is accused of witchcraft and taken to the jail. I really felt for Alison, she is a mother and a wife and she really just wants a peaceful life but centuries ago, the people who ruled really thought that any type of magic/witching etc was the devils work and really made me think and want to to look into the witch trials of years ago.

We really get to see both of these women's perspectives and how they actually mean something to each other.

I adored The Book of Witching. An absolute smasher of a story and very thought provoking.

Thanks to Netgalley, CJ Cooke and the publishers for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I can't remember the last time I read a book that consumed my every thought when not in my hands. Much like the fictional book this story is based on, I was haunted.
Absolutely phenomenal writing telling the tale of historical fiction mixed with modern day witchcraft, intertwining the 2 perfectly. So many twists and turns along the way, C.J Cooke absolutely had me in her grip, I couldn't get through this book fast enough. I especially love the Authors Note at the end, delving into the history and research that brought this book to life, and the very real people it is based upon.
Allison's POV, although harrowing and heartbreaking, doesn't venture too far from what you would expect of a story based on Witch Trials, unfortunately the details we do know are so horrendous there's not much else to add, these chapters did feel like every other book I've read about witch trials.
It is in the POV of Clem, and her daughter Erin that this story really shines, and they way Cooke merges the lives of these 3 women together, across hundreds of years.
This is the first book I've read by C.J Cooke, although The Lighthouse Witches has been on my radar for a while, I will absolutely be diving headfirst into her collection.

Thank you NetGalley & Harper Collins for this e-ARC.

This was such an exciting book all the way through, it was very beautifully written. The history behind the witchy story combined with past and present made it a very compelling read.

Two interwoven stories that are set in different time periods, take us on a heartbreaking journey to discover what really happened to 3 young people who went to a remote Orkney Island where something went horribly wrong, and the tale of a mother, tried as witch for a murder she did not commit at the height of the witch trial fever that tore through England, Scotland and Ireland and subsequently, the rest of the world. Equally heartbreaking, I felt for both families as they were put through unimaginable horrors such as fire, torture of the physical and psychological kind, heartbreak and death. The author ripped my heart to shreds with the witch trials storyline, as well as the mother watching her daughter suffer unimaginable pain from her burns, and the confusion that she seems to have become someone else. Someone who does not even ask about her own daughter, or her dead boyfriend and missing friend. Be prepared to suffer right alongside the characters! I really enjoyed it!

Wow.

I couldn't put this book down. It had me hooked from the first chapter and I had to keep turning pages, even as I became increasingly unsettled by what was unfolding.

The book is a mixture of historical fiction, based on real witch trials and accounts in Orkney, and modern day fiction. The parallels and connections that that unfold between the two are done so well, you don't see them coming but at the same time you expect them.

As with The Lighthouse Witches, C.J. Cooke has managed to create a subtle sense of magic into The Book of Witching. It's not big, flashy and obvious magic, it's based on folklore, traditional remedies and strong belief systems. This makes the reactions to it even more horrific, especially when you know they are based on true accounts.

C.J. Cooke is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and I feel like this book is really going to stay with me.

FYI, some trigger warnings are needed for the book, including torture, burns, severe injuries, self-harm and death. While these elements are dealt with in a respectful way, some of the descriptions are very graphic.

The Book of Witching is another gem from C.J Cooke. Her "then and now" narratives are always excellent and this is one of her best, I think. The majority of the story is told by Alison a lady from the Orkney Isles put on trial for being a witch in the 1500's and Clem, the mother of Erin, a young woman who was badly injured in a fire. There are also a few chapters told from other characters perspectives.

It has a spooky, gothic feel and a really interesting story. It's nicely paced, the characters are well developed and the dual timelines blend perfectly. I loved that Alison Balfour was actually tried as a witch way back then and that her story has been woven into this one. It's a great way to honour her memory and the many women put on trial for witchcraft at that time.

There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and I read it in 2 days - I could not put it down! Can't wait for her next..

This book ticks all the boxes for me. It is based on a real historical story although names and locations have been fictionalised. It is a little bit spooky, it involves cults and the supernatural. I loved this book, it alternates between Orkney in 1594 with the story of Alison Balfour being accused of witchcraft and the present, Glasgow in 2024 with the story of Clem who has a daughter in hospital with major burns after a fire on the Orkney isle of Gunn. These stories are interconnected through time via The Book of Witching. They both have visions of each other via the book and Nyx is the link.

I learned so much about the Scottish Witch Trials and history through this book. It had me hooked throughout. I loved the characters and the descriptions of historical Orkney. This is the first book that I have read by C.J. Cooke but I will definitely seek out others as I love historical fiction. I recommend this book to anyone who loves historical stories, books about witches and the supernatural or even just general fiction. It is a gripping read and quite fast paced.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me to read this ARC.

This was the perfect book to mark the start of spooky season reads! I love C.J. Cooke’s writing and not surprisingly The Book of Witching hit the mark. Absolutely wonderful combination of historical fiction, mystery and magic. The story brought Orkney Islands and its history to life and it’s now most certainly on my travel list!

Told in 2 timelines, The Book of Witching revolves around one of the most Scottish witch trials (fictionalized) and a modern day mystery surrounding 3 young people who went to visit Orkney! What is the connection between Alison Balfour in 1594 and a girl lying in the hospital more than 400 years later?!

Injustice makes my blood boil and once I realized that Alison’s story was based on a real person it evoked such rage in me! The modern day timeline in which Erin’s mother tries to figure out how her daughter ended up in the hospital was also emotional but balanced out nicely that rage I felt. While the book deals with some deep themes, it also successfully entertained and I absolutely loved the pacing and how it all unfolded!

A huge thank you to @harpercollins @harpercollinsUK for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!

C.J. Cooke’s The Book of Witching is a spellbinding blend of historical and contemporary gothic fiction, steeped in witchcraft and family secrets. The story follows a woman unraveling the mysteries surrounding her ancestors, a witch coven, and a series of eerie events tied to a dark past. Cooke’s writing is atmospheric and richly detailed, immersing readers in an eerie, otherworldly setting. The dual timelines are expertly woven together, keeping the suspense high while delving into themes of female power, trauma, and heritage. Mysterious, chilling, and beautifully crafted, The Book of Witching is a must-read fC.J. Cooke’s The Book of Witching is a spellbinding blend of historical and contemporary gothic fiction, steeped in witchcraft and family secrets. The story follows a woman unraveling the mysteries surrounding her ancestors, a witch coven, and a series of eerie events tied to a dark past. Cooke’s writing is atmospheric and richly detailed, immersing readers in an eerie, otherworldly setting. The dual timelines are expertly woven together, keeping the suspense high while delving into themes of female power, trauma, and heritage. Mysterious, chilling, and beautifully crafted, The Book of Witching is a must-read for fans of supernatural thrillers.or fans of supernatural thrillers.

"The Triskele is the oldest clan in Scotland and, I daresay, the whole wide earth. This is not the main characteristic of the Triskele, however - rather it is the knowledge and practice of old magic that the Triskele is known for. And while magic is as pervasive as the grass in the fields and the leaves on the trees, the Triskele are the only clan to be entrusted with the most important of magical artefacts - the Book of Witching."

Set on the Scottish Orkney islands and with a dual timeline (1594 and 2024), this is a beguiling tale of family, loyalty and secrets. I devoured this mystery, to understand how the timelines are connected and to learn the outcomes for the engaging female protagonists. Blending fiction with fact, this is a perfect autumnal read for fans of gothic, feminist fiction.

Thank you to the author and publisher for a digital ARC of this book.

I absolutely love a witchy historical fiction and this was 5 stars for me.

A dual timeline, tense and atmospheric read I inhaled quickly. I can’t wait to read other books by this author

The Book of the Witching is a captivating mix of historical and modern thrillers, with a hint of the supernatural. The narrative alternates between two timelines: the 16th century and the present.

In the 16th century, Alison, a spaewife, is wrongly accused of using witchcraft to poison the Earl of Orkney. She undergoes horrific torture at the hands of the King's chamberlain, Father Colville, and is forced to confess to a crime she didn’t commit.

In the present day, Erin has become involved with a cult fascinated by Orkney’s dark history and the lingering traces of magic. As she delves deeper into the cult’s twisted beliefs, eerie connections between her life and Alison’s begin to emerge, blurring the boundary between past and present.

When Erin and her friends embark on what’s meant to be a hiking trip to explore her Orkney heritage, it ends in a devastating fire. This fire sets off a series of events that ties the two timelines together, uncovering long-hidden secrets.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough, I finished it in just two days. I found the fact that the story is based on true events particularly fascinating. If you’re after a witchy read this spooky season, The Book of the Witching is a must-read. It's definitely one of my favourite books this year!

Clem receives a terrible call saying that her daughter is unconscious in hospital after a hiking trip in the remote Orkney Islands. When she wakes up she is convinced she is someone else. Clem travels to where her daughter had her accident to try and work out what happened. Is it due to a dark secret in the history of island?

I wanted to read this as I have read another book by this author under a different name and really enjoyed it. This is a bit different to what I usually read but I thought it sounded intriguing. The author has proven with this novel what a great story teller she is. I liked the gothic vibe and really got a sense of the haunted atmosphere.

The story is told in two timelines, modern and historical. I personally much preferred the modern time line, finding it more engaging. I struggled a bit more with the historical section, however this is likely due to this not being one of my favourite genres so it takes a lot to get me fully invested. I don’t usually love witchcraft stories either but think it was done well in this instance. Overall this was a good, clever, spooky read, perfect to read around Halloween. I would be interested to see what else this author writes. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

I love C.J.Cooke's books and read quite a few of them. The lighthouse witches being my favourite! I always get excited when there is a new book out.

This book was fast paced and well written which is what I look for when reading a book.
I enjoyed the twists (don't we all).

It seems like a lot of effort went into this book and the author did the research.

It did take me a while to get into it at the start but once I kept going, I am glad I stuck with it. Its such a great book and perfect for this time of year.

Thank you Net galley for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Publication date of book- 10th October 2024

Link for goodreads: www.goodreads.com/stephcosyreads

Loved this book!! It took me a minute to get into but I devoured the last 45% of it in about a day! The other is so good at intertwining past and present for a smooth story. The characters were okayish, you didn’t really get to know the ones in the present day and I felt more of a connection to the characters in the 1500s. Overall, an enjoyable book! :)

I mean... I was always going to love this. Consider me a CJ Cooke fan girl - everything she writes is my favourite, and I immediately want to re-read all of her books once I've finished them. I'm already missing this one!

The Book of Witching is exactly what I want from a book about folklore and witchcraft. The past is rich in historical detail, setting and atmosphere, from the damp dungeons to the heat of the pyre, while the present has cult vibes with a dark mystery and sinister edge.

I loved how the two timelines played alongside each other with this ominous book binding them, and I was deeply invested in both stories and lead characters. I feel like this is more historical than Cooke's other books and maybe a little more difficult to get into, but the events in the first few chapters are sure to pique your interest. It didn't take long before I was absolutely consumed and I couldn't wait to pick the book back up again in between reading sessions.

There's a lot of suspense throughout. The twist isn't big and powerful like A Haunting In The Arctic, but instead brings everything together and provides a clever link between the past and present. Mostly, the story feels like an authentic story about witchcraft, linking a part of our history that we often think about as fantasy to our modern world.

The author's notes were really fascinating too, knowing that the 1594 timeline is based on some truth. I think Cooke has used Alison's story brilliantly to centre this book around, really doing her story justice, and it's great to learn more about the real-life witch trials during this era.

Overall, a brilliantly written and deeply engaging historical fiction with a twist of horror, perfect for spooky season. This is definitely going to remain one of my favourite books of 2024!

This was such a poignant, atmospheric and touching book. The characters were so good. While some were not that good. If you like witchy books with mystery, secrets and dual timelines, read it. In 1594, Allison was accused of witchcraft. In the old times if women were accused of witchcraft, they were burned alive. While in Glasgow, Erin’s past memory returns back but rest of the memories vanish. The two women are somewhat connected and only they can solve the old mystery. The 16th century Orkney description was so intriguing and the present day, Glasgow setting is intriguing too. Both the storylines were gripping. There were secrets, mystery and atmospheric elements were spot on. This was such an emotional historical witchy book

Thanks to the Author and Publisher

It’s the 16th Century in Orkney and local healer Alison Balfour stands trial, accused of witchcraft. Hundreds of years later, two teenaged are found badly burned on a beach? What do they have in common? All is revealed in The Book of Witching by C.J. Cooke.

This book properly got under my skin. I was deeply invested in both Alison and Erin’s narratives. So good is the writing, that I felt I was on trial for witchcraft and in the modern day narrative, I was so keen to find out what led to Erin’s injuries.

Thrillers are my go to genre and I kind of feel that not much unnerves me, but this book certainly did. I read it in bed one evening and sent my husband downstairs to fetch something, as I was so concerned that if I went down, I might find the book of witching waiting for me.

If you are looking for a spooky read in the lead up to Halloween, look no further. I would definitely recommend it to fans of historical fiction and magical realism.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, powerful story.

Warning, sensitive issues in the book.

Based loosely on true events that happened in 1594 in Orkney.

1594 and Alison Balfour lives on the isle of Gunn in Orkney in a cottage with her husband and two children. Alison’s mother sneaks the children out of their beds and they are initiated into the Triskele against their parents wishes. Alison used to be a member.
2024 and Erin has been found injured in extreme circumstances that need to be solved. Her mother Clem is called to the hospital. Clem is shocked and confused, the police want answers too.

Moving in historical chapters and modern timelines this book had me gripped throughout. I was totally absorbed. The suspense was palpable.
This book could be a movie.
It is the first book I have read by the author, and I now long to read her other books.
The authors note at the end of the book is a must read too.
A book I will remember.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

Thanks to @netgalley @harpercollins and @cjcooke_author for this brilliant arc!

Where do I start on this one! Firstly thanks to CJ Cooke and HarperCollins, CJ has done it again! This book has had me gripped from the start, I absolutely loved it! It’s a perfect read for the eerie era we are about to embark on. The twists through me by surprise and the ending, OMG! Brilliant read, thanks all.