The Book of Shadows [Paperback]

When her mother is executed for witchcraft, Elizabeth Anne Hawksmith has only one way to save herself from the same fate. She must succumb to the will of Gideon Masters, the Warlock, who will instruct her in the magic arts and bring her immortality. But of course there is a price to pay, and Gideon pursues her across the centuries to claim that payment. We follow Elizabeth from 17th century rural England to Victorian London, from the battlefields of WWI to the present day and her final encounter with her enemy.
This is a fast-paced and engrossing tale, and Paula Brackston has undoubted literary talent. She keeps a tight hold on the narrative and ties all the different episodes in together with a deft touch. I kept turning the pages and found myself engrossed in the story. Certainly a book group would find plenty to discuss here, with the themes of witchcraft and healing, war and medicine.

However, I do have a couple of criticisms. For a start the book needs the attention of a good editor (a perennial gripe of mine - where are all the good editors?) There are some infelicitous expressions - viridian grasses, fescued fields. Someone in the 17th century section is called a "lech" - which is surely an anachronism - and later on p329 someone in described as having the audacity "to letch". On both occasions the word jars - as well as being spelled inconsistently. The otherwise fluent writing now and again descends into cliché, particularly in the war episodes, the part of the book where Paula Brackston seems least comfortable.
But these are minor quibbles compared to the main one, which is the magic in the book. Now obviously this is a fantastical tale and in order to enjoy it we have to suspend our disbelief. And most of the time that is easy enough to do. The narrative is compelling enough for that. But every so often the author's imagination seems to run away with her. There is no need for the monstrous creatures that turn up on a couple of occasions and most certainly not for the troupe of sparkly fairies who lend a farcical element to an otherwise important scene. The book deals relatively realistically with witchcraft and just doesn't need these rather silly additions. And I'm quite sure anyone truly interested or involved in Wicca wouldn't be too impressed.

Nevertheless, on the whole I found it an enjoyable book, and for a first novel has much to recommend it.

The Book of Shadows

I am delighted to be the first to write a review for The Book of Shadows. It is one of those perfect reads, when you pick up the book and just want to keep reading, which I did curled up by the fire, it being deep Winter.
When one reads`My name is Elizabeth Anne Hawksmith and my age is 384years. Each new settlement asks for a new journal, and so this Book of Shadows begins`, then one knows this will be an unusual story , and so it is- gripping and compulsive ,as are the two main characters, whose lives are intertwined through several lifetimes.
If this is Paula's first novel, then I await the publication of her next with great anticipation.

I really enjoyed this book! Once I started it, I couldn't put it down. The story line is fast moving and keeps you on your toes - you never quite know what is coming next and you're always on edge, waiting for Gideon(may he rot in hell) to make his next move. The characters are very real, and draw you straight in to their world. The story skips through time, from present day back to 1628 and is so vividly portrayed that you can practically feel the fog against your skin in Victorian London and your heart breaks for what they endured in the trenches in 1917. And Bess is a wonderful heroine. An enthralling book - think I might have to read it all over again!