Witchstruck (Tudor Witch #1) by Victoria Lamb
Format: Paperback (arc)
Publisher: Corgi Children's
Published: 5th July 2012
Pages: 368
Main Characters: Meg, Alejandro
Date Started: 30th May 2012
Date Finished: 2nd June 2012
Rating Given: ****
Blurb from Goodreads:
Meg Lytton has always known of her dark and powerful gift. Raised a student of the old magick by her Aunt Jane, casting the circle to see visions of the future and concocting spells from herbs and bones has always been as natural to Meg as breathing. But there has never been a more dangerous time to practise the craft, for it is 1554, and the sentence for any woman branded a witch is hanging, or burning at the stake.
Sent to the ruined, isolated palace of Woodstock to serve the disgraced Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII and half-sister of Queen Mary, Meg discovers her skills are of interest to the outcast princess, who is desperate to know if she will ever claim the throne. But Meg's existence becomes more dangerous every day, with the constant threat of exposure by the ruthless witchfinder Marcus Dent, and the arrival of a young Spanish priest, Alejandro de Castillo, to whom Meg is irresistibly drawn - despite their very different attitudes to her secret.
Thrilling and fast-paced, this is the first unputdownable story in a bewitching new series.
I actually never knew about this series but when I asked for a review copy of a different book from Random House they very kindly gave me this to review as well which I am very grateful for as it was a very enjoyable read.
The cover is not as eye catching as the cover that I usually love but it's not a bad cover either. I love the font for the title as it looks very elegant but I think it would look better in the style of writing that would have been used back then although it does have an old feel to it. I do like the fact that they have used a girl in this style of dress as then you kind of get an idea for the period in which it was set.
This is my first book written by Victoria Lamb but I don't think it will be my last. To start with I didn't really get the style that she was using as at the beginning she would be saying one thing but then go into something that had happened to the character a while ago. This was confusing to start with but it was nice to know what the characters had done to lead up to that particular point but this didn't happen much and when it stopped I really enjoyed the book. I love a bit of history and I love the way Lamb used the Queen Mary time period it was interesting to see a different take on the time. It was a beautiful world that she created and one I am glad I was able to read about with the beautiful surroundings and even the dresses.
I do love a good witch story and this is no different. I would have liked to have seen more spells but with it being set in a time where witches where hanged or even burned they had to be careful on who was around to witness such a crime. There was always something happening so much so I didn't want to put it down there was even parts that I was on the edge of my seat while reading it. As well as action there was some humour thrown in there as well which I love a book to have otherwise it would be all doom and gloom. I loved that there was loads of twists and turns that I for one never expected. There is some questions left unanswered but I'm sure they will get answered in the coming books.
The characters was very likable well the good guys was but as always there was a villain thrown into the mix for us to hate. The main female character Meg I really liked as she always stood up for what she believes in and for what she actually is, she was no walkover. I loved that she would put herself in danger just to save someone else. Although there was times when she was just plain stupid. Alejandro wasn't in it as much as what I would have liked but he was great when he was in it although we are left thinking about his intentions for quite a lot of the book. I didn't really get the chemistry between Alejandro and Meg there didn't really seem to be any which I was a bit disappointed about as I was expecting this sizzling passion but I just never got it.
Overall a very enjoyable book that I am looking forward to continue on the journey.
