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  • The Witch's Daughter

  • Written by: Paula Brackston
  • Narrated by: Marisa Calin
  • Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (284 ratings)

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The Witch's Daughter cover art

The Witch's Daughter

Written by: Paula Brackston
Narrated by: Marisa Calin
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Publisher's Summary

My name is Elizabeth Anne Hawksmith, and my age is 384 years. Each new settlement asks for a new journal, and so this Book of Shadows begins.…

In the spring of 1628, the Witchfinder of Wessex finds himself a true Witch. As Bess Hawksmith watches her mother swing from the Hanging Tree she knows that only one man can save her from the same fate at the hands of the panicked mob: the Warlock Gideon Masters, and his Book of Shadows. Secluded at his cottage in the woods, Gideon instructs Bess in the Craft, awakening formidable powers she didn’t know she had and making her immortal. She couldn't have foreseen that even now, centuries later, he would be hunting her across time, determined to claim payment for saving her life.

In present-day England, Elizabeth has built a quiet life for herself, tending her garden and selling herbs and oils at the local farmers' market. But her solitude abruptly ends when a teenage girl called Tegan starts hanging around. Against her better judgment, Elizabeth begins teaching Tegan the ways of the Hedge Witch, in the process awakening memories - and demons - long thought forgotten.

Part historical romance, part modern fantasy, The Witch’s Daughter is a fresh, compelling take on the magical, yet dangerous world of Witches. Listeners will long remember the fiercely independent heroine who survives plagues, wars, and the heartbreak that comes with immortality to remain true to herself, and protect the protégé she comes to love.

©2010 Paula Brackston (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about The Witch's Daughter

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Phenomenal story

Am engrossing story encompassing the main character Elizabeth’s many lives and solitary existence after she meets a young woman also on the fringes of society. This book is a story of family and enduring bonds, isolation and wonderfully crafted imagination.

This book is one I now own in both audio and kindle formats, and enjoy going back to.

The historical detail is fascinating and believable, and the story will keep your attention long after you’ve set it down or finished listening. Don’t be deterred by the theme of witchcraft - this is not a mass market tween stereotype. This book, the first in a series -
is still a favourite.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great book but I’m left wondering..

Ok this is a fantastic little book, those who have an interest in Wicca and/or historical fiction (not that this is exactly historical fiction, just reminds me of other books I’ve read in that genre) will especially enjoy it. I’ve read some of this authors other “witchy” books but in all honestly, this is the best one and the only one I’d have read after reading a few. Even the follow up book to this, “Return of The Witch” left me feeling...unsatisfied. And “The Midnight Witch” I actually quit a quarter way through, just couldn’t even go on reading because the story was so poorly told. It’s rare I completely abandon a book but yeah it was that bad..ok sorry for veering off, back to my review..

Our protagonist is the daughter of a witch who is “rescued” after her mother’s execution by a witch hunter and angry mob. Although she is initially saved by the antagonist of the book, a strange man named Gideon who wants her to become his protege seeing in her natural abilities in witchcraft. He sets about teaching her and she even has something of a “crush” on him but soon his protege realizes Gideon deals in dark arts and decides his black magick isn’t something she wants to be a part of and she soon escapes Gideon.

After that the tale unfolds, I won’t spoil it with specifics but it’s an enchanting tale but at the end of the book and thinking my question might be answered in the sequel (which it wasn’t) I’m left wondering to this day WHAT was the significance of Gideon’s love of the tune “Greensleeves”??? It’s a recurring theme in the book. She hears the tune just before Gideon appears. She first hears it the first time she encounters Gideon. It’s an ongoing thing in the book. At no point do we ever learn WHY Gideon has the attachment he does to that beautiful old song. Personally “Greensleeves” is one of my favourite songs so having this left unanswered frustrates me. And in the sequel, “Return of the Witch” oddly Gideon has gone from whistling his favourite tune throughout the first book to NO mention of it at all I think in the second. Seems weird to focus so much on this recurring “Greensleeves” theme and then give no reason why it was so significant. Odd.

All in all I would recommend this book. I’m contemplating reading her new book, The Little Shop if Found Things but I have a ton of reservations given out of three books of hers I’ve read, only this one I’ve truly enjoyed.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Dreary narrator

The story grabbed me but I couldn't past the monotone of the narration. Returned for credit

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

excellent

I loved this story, it was very easy to get lost within tales and imagine yourself there

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

thoughts

I find the story being sloooow and a bt tedious....it puts a damper if l wish to follow the series

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Definitely not a love story!

Narrator did great work. Not really sure how the synopsis is so far off of the reality of the story. Definitely not a love story, unless you like your romantic leads to be actual serial killers and rapists.
It's kind of a weird story where you don't really end up caring about any of the characters and hope the antagonist just kills everyone in he end.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Lovely

I loved this book, part historic and part fiction. All woven together beautifully.
The narration was wondefully done, I enjoyed this book so much that I am sad Ive finished it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

History of her life

A great story, a bit confusing with back and forth sometimes but none the less a great read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent but…

I almost stopped listening because the narrator’s way of saying ‘Bess’ was overwhelmingly grating - otherwise a great story!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

Great narrator and kept my interest
Loved the story
Can’t wait to listen to the other three books

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