Title: Witchstruck (The Tudor Witch Trilogy #1)
Author: Victoria Lamb
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Witches
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 4 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
If she sink, she be no witch and shall be drowned.
If she float, she be a witch and must be hanged.
Meg Lytton has always known she is different—that she bears a dark and powerful gift. But in 1554 England, in service at Woodstock Palace to the banished Tudor princess Elizabeth, it has never been more dangerous to practise witchcraft. Meg knows she must guard her secret carefully from the many suspicious eyes watching over the princess and her companions. One wrong move could mean her life, and the life of Elizabeth, rightful heir to the English throne.
With witchfinder Marcus Dent determined to have Meg’s hand in marriage, and Meg’s own family conspiring against the English queen, there isn’t a single person Meg can trust. Certainly not the enigmatic young Spanish priest Alejandro de Castillo, despite her undeniable feelings. But when all the world turns against her, Meg must open her heart to a dangerous choice.
The Secret Circle meets The Other Boleyn Girl in Witchstruck, the first book of the magical Tudor Witch trilogy.
Add the Tudors and witchcraft, and I’m hooked. Seriously, from the moment I read the blurb, especially the part about how this book is The Secret Circle meets The Other Boleyn Girl, I had to read it. Witchstruck is set slightly after The Other Boleyn Girl. Elizabeth, and her half-sister Queen Mary, are some of the main characters. Elizabeth is imprisoned, by command of Queen Mary. Meg, the main character, and narrator of the book, has been sent out to help Elizabeth while she’s imprisoned.
But Meg hides a secret – she’s a witch. Tudor England is terrified of witches, and any witch caught will be burned at the stake. Meg’s secret doesn’t only endanger her, but Elizabeth as well.
Things get evne more complicated when witchfinder Marcus Dent wants to win Meg’s hand in marriage, and her own family starts conspiring against the English queen. To make things even worse, Meg starts falling for charismatic, handsome, young Spanish priest. Then Marcus decides that if he can’t have Meg, no one can, and he’s willing to execute her to prove his point.
A lot of things happen at once, and Witchstruck is definitely never boring. With so many things going on, there’s suspense creeping around every corner. The setting is amazing – Tudor court is always intriguing, but Victoria Lamb really makes England of the sixteenth century come to life. Meg, our main character, is a strong protagonist, who definitely has spine and courage. She’s very loyal to her friend, Elizabeth, and willing to do whatever it takes to get Elizabeth on the throne.
Alejandro is a good love interest. He’s charming and romantic, in his own way. Especially interesting was the whole part about how their relationship was forbidden – forbidden romance are a lot more intriguing, if you ask me. There’s tension from start to end, and the pacing is incredibly fast.
This book was a great read, and definitely recommended to anyone who loves historical fiction, witchcraft and young adult books.
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