The Witch's Daughter

by Paula Brackston
The Witch's Daughter cover
Good Books rating 3.0
Fantasy
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 6839
  • Added: 2025-12-05
  • Updated: 2025-12-05
  • ISBN: 9781472103703
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2013-12-05
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In a blend of historical fiction and fantasy, The Witch's Daughter follows Bess Hawksmith, an immortal witch who has witnessed centuries of history. After being saved from the gallows by a warlock, she lives in solitude, moving from place to place to evade his pursuit. In present-day England, Bess befriends a teenage girl, Tegan, and begins teaching her the ways of the Hedge Witch. However, her past catches up with her when the warlock, Gideon, resumes his hunt for her soul, threatening both Bess and Tegan. The novel is a lyrical and spell-binding exploration of love, loss, and the power of female friendship. It is a fast-moving narrative filled with action and well-crafted characters, making it a captivating read for fans of historical fiction and fantasy.

Reviews
Cannonball Read · Mobius Walker · 2021-05-05
decent 3.00

The book is decent overall, with a realistic portrayal of characters and an exciting narrative, but it struggles with balancing Bess's past and present. The recounting of her life in different times is both engaging and frustrating.

Mobius Walker finds The Witch's Daughter to be a decent overall read, with a realistic portrayal of characters and an exciting narrative that keeps the reader engaged. The recounting of Bess's life in different times is both engaging and frustrating, as it offers deep insights into her character but sometimes feels disjointed. The balance between her past and present is a struggle, making the story feel a bit uneven at times. However, the excitement and realism in the characters make it a worthwhile read for those who enjoy historical fantasy with a touch of magic.

Quick quotes

    Overall this book is decent.

    Because we are able to hear Bess recount so much of her life in such very different times.

    It is carefully written, and I found it impossible to put down!

Amanda's Book Review Site · Amanda · 2019-09-09
good 3.50

The book is a rich and immersive tale that blends historical elements with modern fantasy, but the slow start and occasional lulls in pacing can be challenging. The relationship between Bess and Tegan is particularly engaging.

Amanda's review of The Witch's Daughter highlights the book's strengths and weaknesses. The blend of historical elements with modern fantasy creates a rich and immersive tale, especially in the lush descriptions that draw the reader in. The relationship between Bess and Tegan is particularly engaging, adding depth to the story. However, the slow start and occasional lulls in pacing can be challenging, making it a bit of a slow burn for some readers. Despite these issues, the book offers a compelling exploration of witchcraft and immortality, making it a worthwhile read for those who enjoy fantasy with a historical twist.

Quick quotes

    Elements of witchcraft and immortality offered me a fantasy hook.

    The first few pages were slow, but the lush description gave me an immersive experience.

    I liked the relationship between Bess and Tegan.

kara.reviews · Kara Babcock · 2011-09-27
mixed 2.50

The book has great moments of insight into loss and suffering, but it feels disjointed and all over the map. The exploration of immortality and witchcraft is compelling, though the pacing and character development are inconsistent.

The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, it has some truly shining moments of insight into the nature of loss and suffering, which are beautifully written and deeply moving. The exploration of immortality and the magical world of witches is also compelling, offering a unique fantasy hook. However, the book feels a bit all over the map, with inconsistent pacing and character development that can be frustrating. The shifts between different time periods and the relationships between characters, while intriguing, sometimes feel rushed or underdeveloped. Overall, it's a book that has a lot of potential but doesn't quite live up to it in every aspect.

Quick quotes

    It has these great, shining moments of insight into the nature of loss and suffering.

    The Witch's Daughter is a little all over the map.

    The exploration of immortality and the magical world of witches is compelling.

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