Witchstruck

Jul 06, 2012 Mitch rated it 4 of 5 stars

Witchstruck kinda skates by on the strength of its premise: what if Queen Elizabeth I, while still princess and imprisoned by her sister Queen Mary, had a witch for a maid? If that sounds fascinating, this book doesn't disappoint; even though it's alternate history, there's plenty of real stuff to back things up. But it does require just accepting certain things for the plot to work, and while I had no problems doing it, I'll admit this is probably not a book for everyone.

Anyway, Meg, the witch...more Witchstruck kinda skates by on the strength of its premise: what if Queen Elizabeth I, while still princess and imprisoned by her sister Queen Mary, had a witch for a maid? If that sounds fascinating, this book doesn't disappoint; even though it's alternate history, there's plenty of real stuff to back things up. But it does require just accepting certain things for the plot to work, and while I had no problems doing it, I'll admit this is probably not a book for everyone.

Anyway, Meg, the witch slash maid, is definitely an interesting character, trying to balance her duties to Elizabeth - who's very curious about magic and figuring out if she'll ever be Queen - and her own magical heritage with the consequences of getting caught. But she's really inconsistent, like she says at one point a thorough search of the palace would turn up her athame and expose her as a witch, then she's surprised when her dagger's found cause she thought she hid it so well. But more importantly, she doesn't have a consistent outlook on being a witch, at times she almost buys the standard belief that she's going to hell for being a witch, other times she thinks her magic is a gift from God that should be used for good. I mean, I get she's a novice witch and unsure of herself, but I really wish her changing beliefs felt like a transformation rather than like she keeps changing her mind. As it is, I know where she stands on witchcraft in the end, but I have only the vaguest idea how she got there. Not the best character development.

Likewise, the other characters are really hard to nail down. Alejandro, the priest in training who Meg at first fears of exposing and condemning her, well he doesn't, and while his reasons are explained, his attitudes toward witchcraft and how they may conflict with his own beliefs, they're not really explained, kinda abandoned for romance. And Marcus Dent the witch hunter and Elizabeth herself, well they're more interested in playing politics, or personal vendettas in Dent's case, than actually finding witches. After all, Meg does some very suspicious things at first, obviously marking her as a witch, and it's only later that there are any real repercussions for her. And the whole thing left me a little suspicious of Elizabeth, how can she tolerate Meg's witchcraft to the extent she eventually does if she lives in constant fear of her sister Mary? If Mary got even a whiff of the witchcraft allegations, from anybody, Elizabeth would've been done for. Strange.

But what distracted me from these issues was how briskly the plot moved along. I'm glad the entire book isn't just Meg hiding in the shadows practicing her craft in constant fear of getting caught, but instead she has to deal with the consequences of being a witch very early on. Along the way, she says a lot about what it means to be accused of witchcraft in sixteenth century England. And while she doesn't really find herself, she does come to terms with her gift and grows as a character along the way. And best of all, the entire story happens with a very interesting time in English history as the backdrop, and a lot of the Elizabeth versus Mary, Protestant versus Catholic, England versus Spain politics of the times shines through, directly affects the story.

I really liked this book, even if there are things about the plot I just had to buy, holes I had to fill in, like Meg being a little too good with magic towards the end and solving all her problems rather conveniently. But Witchstruck offers an interesting glimpse into a fascinating period in English history and I have to say I enjoyed it.(less)

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Oct 22, 2012 Ellie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, biographical-fiction, magic, romance, fiction

This book was very good, and I cannot wait for the next one to be published. This book is action packed with danger, love, history,magic and mystery. I LOVED IT!!! Read it!!

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Aug 11, 2012 ☆Jessie☆ (Ageless Pages Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult-fiction, historical-fiction, supernatural-fiction, coverlove, autographed-copy, received-for-review, owned-copy, 2012-reads, 2012-reviews, reviewed

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Full disclosure: I am GoodReads/Twitter friends with Victoria and she sent me this novel in exchange for a review. However much I like her (and that is very much!), this did not affect my impression of the novel nor my review for it.

Witchstruck is the addicting and fast-paced tale of Meg Lytton, a burgeoning witch of substantial ability during one of the worst times and places to be such a one -- 1554 England, under the super Catholic reign of Quee...more Read This Review & More Like It On My Blog!

Full disclosure: I am GoodReads/Twitter friends with Victoria and she sent me this novel in exchange for a review. However much I like her (and that is very much!), this did not affect my impression of the novel nor my review for it.

Witchstruck is the addicting and fast-paced tale of Meg Lytton, a burgeoning witch of substantial ability during one of the worst times and places to be such a one -- 1554 England, under the super Catholic reign of Queen Mary I. A lively jaunt into an alternate history of Old Blighty, complete with several famous historical characters and cameos (John Dee! Philip of Spain!), this first-in-a-series and detailed read is sure to sate the appetites of Tudorphiles of all ages. Fans looking for a new, fresh spin on a favorite era have no further to look than this "magick" infused offering from Victoria Lamb. Supernatural historical fiction is fast emerging as a favorite genre of mine, and this one particularly will be very memorable long after I've read more.

There's a lot to love in these nearly 370 pages of magick, witchfinders, *really* forbidden love, and betrayal. Protagonist and narrator Meg is one of those things. She is a great main character from the get-go; her presentation is nicely developed and well rounded throughout the duration of the novel. Meg grows, learns, and her characterization is deftly handled. This is a girl who manages to be smart, fallible, realistic, and proactive. Meg may stumble and make (big! calamitous!) mistakes, but one thing you cannot accuse this headstrong witch of being is passive. I love a heroine who can (and like here) does rescue herself, and Meg is frequently the hero of the novel.

I love when historical fiction authors aren't afraid to mix things up and bring new ideas to the fore. Count Victoria Lamb among those not afraid to veer off the beaten path. Not only is there a moderate magic aspect to Witchstruck, other areas are just as unique, and engaging, as well. I've read very few Tudor-set novels that have a non-English (Irish/Scottish don't count!) love interest, but this is one of them! While I do think that Alejandro (a Spanish priest-in-training no less!) and Meg's connection felt a bit premature and rushed the first quarter, each character grows quite naturally into their very forbidden and illicit attraction to one another. I appreciate how sparingly the romance aspect is used in the novel - it's clear plot point between Meg and Alejandro, but it doesn't choke or overwhelm up the real storyline of the novel in unwanted angst and melodrama.

Alejandro, Meg, and especially Elizabeth, the future Queen, in her not-often-enough appearances, all spring to life under Lamb's talented pen. These are well-rendered versions of historical and fictional characters, ones that made me care about them and invest in their story early on. A diverse and distinctive cast are one of the best things about Witchstruck, the fast pacing, the unforeseen twists and turns -- all add up to a very readable and very engrossing novel. I did feel that certain ideas and phrases were a bit repetitive, but Victoria Lamb moves her plot forward quickly, with a dab hand for evoking a realistic, easily-imagined setting for her characters to inhabit.

This was one novel that I wished was even longer! I could've happily kept reading Witchstruck for another 100, 150, 200 pages. It's just so readable - I was done with Meg and her story much faster than I was ready for. What is there is more than enough to satisfy readers - the ending shown felt entirely appropriate and concluded the main plotline of book one in the series, despite the open-ended nature of how things fell out. Cliffhanger or no, I would've NEED book two quite desperately now. The wait for the anticipated sequel is far too long - the touch of foreshadowing (the rat?! MD?!) just added more impetus to my need to see what happens next for Meg and Elizabeth at Court.

I read a lot of Tudor historical fiction - that era/family is one of my long-standing historical passions - and this is a neat and well-handled addition to my "best of" pile. While some books pick sides and favorites (Mary or Elizabeth), this one will continue to stand out among the others for its seamless incorporation of the supernatural, slight as though that may be, and for the strong, active, and well-rounded heroine. Witchstruck is undoubtedly a promising first addition to the series Victoria Lamb is cooking up and I'm eagerly awaiting the events of round two. (less)

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Dec 11, 2012 Kristenj2009 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews

I really enjoyed this book. The pace and tone were perfect although I would have liked more clear visual descriptions of the more important characters in the book. I applaud V.L's descriptions of the landscape though and I could practically see the forests, fields and castle when I closed my eyes. Beautiful.

The plot was intriguing and was one of those books I could not put down until the last page was turned.

The reason why I only gave it 3 out of 5 was because I felt that there were a lot of une...more

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Apr 18, 2012 Kirsty (overflowing library) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-books, uk-author

I must admit the historian in me cringed a little bit when I first heard about this book. Paranormal romance set in Tudor times? Quite honestly I wasn't sure when I agreed to read it. That feeling stuck with me when I started reading it and I actually disliked the fact that Meg, the main character, was interacting with the future Queen Elizabeth I. I could have got onboard with the story exactly as it was despite my reservations but I felt that element to the book was taking it a bit too far. I...more I must admit the historian in me cringed a little bit when I first heard about this book. Paranormal romance set in Tudor times? Quite honestly I wasn't sure when I agreed to read it. That feeling stuck with me when I started reading it and I actually disliked the fact that Meg, the main character, was interacting with the future Queen Elizabeth I. I could have got onboard with the story exactly as it was despite my reservations but I felt that element to the book was taking it a bit too far. I hope the finished copy has some kind of author's note / historical note which explains why the author choose to use the character of Elizabeth in this way more for my own curiosity if nothing else.

That said I did actually really enjoy this book especially when things kicked off and Elizabeth left the action. I found the storyline to be really engaging and I enjoyed the paranormal element of witchcraft especially considering the consequence for the main characters if and when she was caught and accused of being a witch in Tudor times. I loved the main character Meg as she is one of those heroines you can really get behind and root for. She is up against it all being both a girl and a witch in Tudor England. The other character that really stood out for me was Marcus Dent, witchfinder and prospective husband for young Meg. I hated the man! I hated seeing how he treated Meg like an object that could be bought and hated him even more for what he did to her once she'd spurned his affections. I think teenagers (and those like me with a brain of a teenager) will also lap up the blossoming love story that is started in this book between Meg and the Young Priest. It isn't fast paced as it is tied by the constraints of the time period in which its set but it is compulsive nonetheless

So all in all in the end this was a book I really enjoyed. Yes the historian was wary of certain parts of it but at the end of the day if books like this can drawn teenagers in and get them excited and engaged in history then it's no bad thing. I'll certainly be interested in seeing where the story goes next.

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Nov 01, 2012 Jolice rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oooh, I love it. Really really love it! Is this really the only book? I do wish that there will be a sequel to this awesome book!!!

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Sep 30, 2012 The Library Mouse rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I picked up Witchstruck by Victoria Lamb denying that there was going to be a witchy theme would have been like denying that the sun doesn't rise in the east. So needless to say, magic was to be expected. What I hadn't were the cauldrons, animal entrails and good old fashioned eye of newt.

Plunging into the magical swirls of this book I found magic, political ploys, betrayal and love at every stir of a wooden spoon. This was an explosive combination made all the more leathal given the time s...more When I picked up Witchstruck by Victoria Lamb denying that there was going to be a witchy theme would have been like denying that the sun doesn't rise in the east. So needless to say, magic was to be expected. What I hadn't were the cauldrons, animal entrails and good old fashioned eye of newt.

Plunging into the magical swirls of this book I found magic, political ploys, betrayal and love at every stir of a wooden spoon. This was an explosive combination made all the more leathal given the time setting of 1554, where witchcraft is taken very seriously and punished by death.
In most historical witchy young adult novels, set in Tudor times, the certain death of someone found guilty of withcraft is frequently mentioned and used as a threat; but as readers we are sheltered from seeing this gruesome sentence carried out. Victoria Lamb though had no qualms in going that extra mile, making me really feel the full extent of the danger of being accused of sorcerey. These were dangerous and cautious times where the bravery of one woman was the stupidity and death of another.

Having met and travelled with Meg Lytton, you could say that she is one of those that could fall into either category. Proud of her magical heritage and the power that runs in her veins, ready to surge when needed, Meg is aware of the dangers of Tudor times but lacks the healthy fear of those who have felt the chase of the church. Although perhaps a little foolhardy at times, Meg has a big and strong heart. She fights for what she believes in, is loyal to her allegiances and no impeding death could make her waver from her cause and what she felt was right.

Meg's situation becomes all the more complicated when young, handsome and soon to be priest Alejandro de Castillo walks into her life. What llore dangerous affection could there be than between a witch and a young knight a step away from taking his final vows. Feelings were fought, and moments between them were painfully stolen in the darkened corridors of Woodstock palace.

Victoria Lamb depicted with a true and brutal brush dqrk times. The cruel and cold truths of Queen Mary's reign struck me hard. I avidly read of treachery, betrayal, herecy and wickedness with the thin thread of a tentative impossible romance in such a harsh and bitterly black world.
Meg Lytton is a young witch in a century that was not ready for her. her story was gripping and I look forward to continuing it in the sequel that Victoria Lamb is currently writing tucked away in a cottage.(less)

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Jul 20, 2012 Chelsey rated it 2 of 5 stars

To start off I am just going to be up front and honest that this story fell really flat for me. I guess my expectations were just too high and I could not wait to get into the story, but it was not able to hold my attention nor was the story line anything to brag about. I was expecting more action and more witchcraft and maybe even more witches. It was the same story line that you see with most historical fiction along the lines of, main character is a witch she is trying to hide from witch hunt...more To start off I am just going to be up front and honest that this story fell really flat for me. I guess my expectations were just too high and I could not wait to get into the story, but it was not able to hold my attention nor was the story line anything to brag about. I was expecting more action and more witchcraft and maybe even more witches. It was the same story line that you see with most historical fiction along the lines of, main character is a witch she is trying to hide from witch hunters because she does not want to be burned at the stake. Yes, there were added details such as Meg trying to protect Lady Elizabeth from accusations of treason, but they were just not enough to support the weak plot.

I feel that I am being really harsh with my judgment of this book, but if you are a reader of Charming Chelsey’s you know that I hardly ever ridicule a book. I usually enjoy the characters first and foremost and even in that department I was disappointed. Meg Lytton is the young witch whom the story revolves around, but her character was neither fun nor enjoyable. She often seemed timid to me and never really embraced herself as a witch. Also the male character, Alejandro de Castillo, was dull as well. These characters, I felt, were just taking up space on the pages. They did not give me a reason to love them and want to follow them throughout the book. Alejandro is not a man that I would want to call my beau! At times I felt like he was too skittish and afraid to really make clear his feelings for Meg.

When I read about witchcraft in books I want the author to go into detail about what type of witches they are and what kinds of magic that they possess. This should be a world where the author’s imagination can really flourish. It was obvious that Meg and her Aunt Jane were in fact witches, but they hardly ever practiced the craft and I believe that there should have been more of that. Meg did complete a few spells, but I would have liked for it to be more in depth. This is a world where the main character possesses a gift and I just felt like she did not put it to use enough.

I am not saying that this book is altogether horrible. The story line could have been amazing! And there were things that I did enjoy. I liked the Lady Elizabeth who had been exiled by her sister, the Queen, Mary. If some of you are familiar with this story you that Mary is whom they derived the term “Bloody Mary” from because there was a significant amount of bloodshed during her reign. I thought that was very brilliant of the author to bring these two sisters and their story into it because that was a very alarming time during history. I am not saying that you should not pick up a copy of this book because you should. Everyone’s opinion will be different from mine!
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Jul 31, 2012 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I loved this book. I’ll admit, I haven’t read anything with a foundation of Tudor history before but the synopsis hooked me in. I like that the story of such a historical figure as Queen Elizabeth to be is interwoven with the history of witchcraft and this made it a real page turner for me.

It’s fast paced and action packed with small events spiraling out of control quickly. References to how witches were executed in the past, and the heroine experiencing it first hand, left me unable to put the...more

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May 05, 2013 Judi Moore rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Kindle sample is a good omen of things to come if a young adult in your life likes Elizabethan tales (my hand goes up) and stories about witchcraft (my hand goes up again). So, as I'm pushing 60 it looks like this is an interesting crossover read both for the ages it will interest and the genres it fits into. It only came out yesterday. More when I've read the rest.

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Aug 16, 2012 Jen at Reading Lark rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

Witchstruck is an interesting mash up between historical and paranormal fiction. I thought that looking at witchcraft during the times when witches faced death would be interesting, and Witchstruck largely delivered well.

The narrative follows Meg Lytton, a young witch who serves as a maid to Princess Elizabeth during the reign of Mary I, Queen of England. Elizabeth is held captive at Woodstock Manor and lives with the daily fear that she will be found guilty of treason; at the same tim...more 3.5 stars

Witchstruck is an interesting mash up between historical and paranormal fiction. I thought that looking at witchcraft during the times when witches faced death would be interesting, and Witchstruck largely delivered well.

The narrative follows Meg Lytton, a young witch who serves as a maid to Princess Elizabeth during the reign of Mary I, Queen of England. Elizabeth is held captive at Woodstock Manor and lives with the daily fear that she will be found guilty of treason; at the same time she is desperate to be Queen and she often consults witches to try and gain glimpses of the future.

One thing that I felt perhaps was slightly lacking in Witchstruck was a really good examination of why people would continue with a religious/spiritual practice (be it witchcraft or protestant worship) which could easily lead them to be put to death. Elizabeth must pretend to be a good little Catholic, as does Meg, while Meg frequently has to refute being a witch. Both of these charades are explained, but I felt that I would have needed stronger motivation if I personally were to risk my neck in such a way. I could understand the religious side of this easily, as a belief in God & Heaven is a strong motivator; there was no such explanation for the witchcraft. That hampered my ability to connect with Meg; I didn't really understand why she would risk her life so many times to slip off just to practice late at night, especially when a witch hunt seemed to be a national pass time.

The plot develops when a witch hunter and a young Catholic priest in training enter Meg's life. The witch hunter is a despicable individual, as one might imagine many such people have been in the past. Less interested in justice, and more in personal revenge, it wasn't hard to loathe Marcus Dent. Alejandro de Castillo was a definite interest, and he and Meg shared some quite confusingly hot moments... confusing as Alejandro is all but sworn in to be a priest and he not only seems to have the hots for Meg, but he also doesn't seem to care much about her witchcraft either.

I enjoyed the story line where both Meg and Alejandro had to go off to save Elizabeth from a potential treason charge in the making; watching Meg use her witchcraft while Alejandro used his fine Spanish sword was quite engaging! The inevitable witch hunt was also very readable and there was at least one scene which was truly horrifying.

All in all, I did enjoy Witchstruck, but I felt that there were a few holes in the characters' motivations which I had to ignore to keep up the enjoyment. This was a light-hearted read, which has definite potential for the rest of the series.

On a final note, the copy I read had the tagline "Twilight meets The Other Boleyn Girl", which is slightly over egging it. I don't think this is something that Twilight fans would necessarily love, it is more heavily swayed to the historical fiction end of the scale; I think those fans of historical fiction looking for a slightly new twist on it all would enjoy Witchstruck. (less)

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Jun 25, 2012 Elizabeth Abbott rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wonderful book! A young adult novel with sparkly wit, Victoria Lamb creates a story you wish you could dive into and immerse yourself in the world of Witchstruck. Complex and loveable characters set in a Tudor past in which Elizabeth I is scared for her life and using Meg Lytton's natural power at witchcraft and the occult to save her life and put her on in her rightful place on the throne of England. The story is fast paced and exhilarating with constant dashes of humour and an atmospheric sett...more

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May 27, 2012 Lisad rated it 5 of 5 stars

An amazing and absorbing new series with a believable heroine and a real sense of danger, the publishers are marketing this as Phillipa Gregory crossed with Twilight. Yes it is set in the Tudor era and there are real historical characters included the future Queen Elizabeth and the reigning Queen Mary but this is not Twilight, It is so much better. There is a growing friendship and sexual tension between the lead characters but the paranormal power is all hers and she will not compromise. Meg is...more

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Jul 13, 2012 Hannah (Jaedia) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, young-adult, fiction, witches, received-for-review, tudors, paranormal-urban-fantasy

My first thought when I’d heard about this book back when Victoria first followed me on Twitter was: Oh god I need this book in my life! I love the Tudor history period, and I love Witchy things. Combine the two and you have a book that is more or less designed for my personal enjoyment. Seconded? Then you perhaps don’t need to read any more before going straight off to your chosen book store to purchase.

Witchstruck follows the first person narrative of a young witch called Meg Lytton as she goe...more My first thought when I’d heard about this book back when Victoria first followed me on Twitter was: Oh god I need this book in my life! I love the Tudor history period, and I love Witchy things. Combine the two and you have a book that is more or less designed for my personal enjoyment. Seconded? Then you perhaps don’t need to read any more before going straight off to your chosen book store to purchase.

Witchstruck follows the first person narrative of a young witch called Meg Lytton as she goes into service as maid to the Princess Elizabeth while she remains imprisoned within the ruined palace of Woodstock. The first thing I noticed in this book was Elizabeth being somehow involved in the witchcraft, not on an active level, but she’s definitely interested which is a dangerous stance for an imprisoned royal to take. It immediately added a sense of impending danger to the novel which makes you want to keep reading. The second thing was the atmosphere Victoria has created. It’s immersive and the only way I can really describe it is kind of like a dark fog creating a sense of mystery and foreboding. I felt as though I was well within my comfort zone reading Witchstruck and I loved that about it.

I have to admit to not enjoying the ending as much as the beginning and I can’t even put my finger on why, it just fell flat for me. It could be because, after all, this is a young adult novel and I usually prefer adult fiction, or maybe because I was only able to read it in small chunks while my dad was visiting and would have read a lot better in one sitting. I don’t really know but it’s worth making your own mind up. I also noticed a couple of inconsistencies throughout though they didn’t affect my enjoyment of Witchstruck at all because at the end of the day it’s a historical fantasy, but I don’t believe Tudor witches would have known who Hecate was with her being an ancient Greek goddess, and “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” wasn’t in the Bible until the 1600′s when the King James Bible came into being.

Even so, there is a lot going on so the novel doesn’t get boring, there’s a lot of foreboding as danger is constantly imminent and Victoria has done a fantastic job of portraying how dark these times were. Not just for accused witches but also for non-Catholics and rebels to the crown. She has encaptured the spirit of this alternate history fantastically and I urge you to give Witchstruck a read.(less)

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Sep 22, 2012 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

I like this book mostly. It is a beginning of a series and I am not sure I will read the rest. I usually love witchcraft and other fantastical magics, but in this book the craft is different. Initially I liked the differences, but then they began to be boring and lacking in creativity. This is because basically the author equates witch's powers with the powers that saints have had to do miracles. I love when good witches exist and they convince people that they are good, but this was just boring...more

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Oct 05, 2012 Sharon Goodwin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Meg’s journey opens in the ruins of the old palace at Woodstock. A full moon ritual is taking place, led by her Aunt Jane and attended by Elizabeth. A prediction is made and also a warning given.

We find out a little bit about Meg’s background and her leaving her home at Lytton Park to serve Elizabeth.

Alejandro comes onto the scene at a rather inopportune moment for Meg creating a false first impression. His master has been sent to administer religious instruction to Elizabeth in her forced seclu...more Meg’s journey opens in the ruins of the old palace at Woodstock. A full moon ritual is taking place, led by her Aunt Jane and attended by Elizabeth. A prediction is made and also a warning given.

We find out a little bit about Meg’s background and her leaving her home at Lytton Park to serve Elizabeth.

Alejandro comes onto the scene at a rather inopportune moment for Meg creating a false first impression. His master has been sent to administer religious instruction to Elizabeth in her forced seclusion at Woodstock.

We meet Marcus Dent after a witchcraft accusation is made against Meg by simple servant Joan. Sent to investigate the allegation, he offers Meg marriage in return for his protection. A character that will make your skin crawl …

Alongside the magic and the romance the reader becomes involved in a conspiracy. This is a time in England where religion is in turmoil – Protestants undercover while the Catholics are in power. Meg’s brother William and cousin Malcolm want to involve Meg in a plot and unwittingly she gives them exactly what they want. Betrayed by her father, we go on a tense journey to try and right the wrong.

Meg is a brilliant character. Still finding her way in the world of 1554, at times unsure of herself, naïve at times and wanting to find a place to belong. A lot of teens will identify with her! When she allows the power of her magic full reign she is awesome. My favourite scene is when Marcus Dent is seeking revenge at the village pond. Fabulously written. I had goosebumps!

Alejandro confuses Meg. At times warm and approachable yet at others cold and distant, she never knows what to make of him. Is he her ally or her enemy? I enjoyed watching their relationship develop.

With the fear of discovery of Meg’s talent, some harrowing scenes, the conspiracy and anxiety when Elizabeth is finally called back to court, the obsession of witchfinder Marcus Dent and the enigma of Alejandro, Witchstruck has plenty to engage the YA and adult reader alike. I’m looking forward to seeing where life will take Meg in the next volume of the trilogy.

Witchstruck is one of my recent purchases.(less)

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Jul 06, 2012 Erika rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, fantasy, fiction, historical-fiction, young-adult, swap-or-giveaway

At first I was a little concerned because my expectations for the story were a bit different than what it actually was. It turned out that I enjoyed this book anyways and what the author wrote made more sense than what was going on in my head before reading it through.

First of all, this was much more a romance than anything else and although it focused on Meg coming into her powers the fact that she served under Lady Elizabeth seemed a bit downplayed at times. There were only a few times that sh...more

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Jul 07, 2012 Amy (Turn the Page) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Check out my interview with author Victoria Lamb and win a copy of Witchstruck here

If you’re a historical purist, than Witchstruck may not be the book for you. Lamb has woven together historical figures and events with fictional characters and the supernatural. It’s an unusual combination but one that I really, really enjoyed.

Set in 1554, Witchstruck introduces the story of Meg, servant to the closely guarded Elizabeth, and a practicing witch. It’s not long before a desperate Elizabeth turns to...more Check out my interview with author Victoria Lamb and win a copy of Witchstruck here

If you’re a historical purist, than Witchstruck may not be the book for you. Lamb has woven together historical figures and events with fictional characters and the supernatural. It’s an unusual combination but one that I really, really enjoyed.

Set in 1554, Witchstruck introduces the story of Meg, servant to the closely guarded Elizabeth, and a practicing witch. It’s not long before a desperate Elizabeth turns to Meg for help, asking her to use her magic to foresee the future. Will she or won’t she be queen?

With growing political unrest, the arrival of a Spanish priest who seems determined to uncover her secrets and a ruthless witch hunter closing in on her, Meg finds herself in increasing danger. It’s not long before her loyalties are tested when she inadvertently becomes mixed up in treasonous plot that could see Elizabeth crowned, or executed, with Meg right alongside her.

I’ve always been drawn to stories about witchcraft, whether they lean towards the supernatural, featuring kick-ass women with actual powers, or focus on a more historical portrayal. Both fascinate me and Witchstruck, to my delight, is a combination of the two. Meg and her Aunt are both witches, a dangerous practice in Tudor England. In order to survive, Meg must hide who she really is, trusting no one, yet she cannot help but find herself drawn to Alejandro, a young priest sent to spy on Elizabeth’s household.

For those of you who know your Tudor history, Witchstruck is set at Woodstock Palace, where Elizabeth was imprisoned from 1554 – 1555 under the watchful eye of Sir Henry Bedingfield, who also appears briefly as a character in the book. Though the novel primarily focuses on Meg, Lamb incorporates historical events, such as Queen Mary’s phantom pregnancy, into the story. Throughout, Lamb manages to maintain a balance between fiction and history and the two flow together almost seamlessly, though I would have loved it if Elizabeth had played a greater part in the story. Lamb captures her renowned haughty and fiery personality perfectly, and I look forward to seeing more of her in the second book.

I also wish Marcus Dent had had a stronger presence, allowing more time for his character to be built up subtly, but this is only a small, niggling complaint. More importantly, Lamb nails Meg and Alejandro’s scenes and it was their relationship that really made this book for me. It’s been a while since an author managed to capture that flirtatious, sexual-tension between two characters that I love to read about and Lamb certainly succeeds with these two. The obstacles these two will have to overcome are nicely put into place in preparation for the next book and, aside from a surprise reveal at the end, are developed more organically than you often see in paranormal YA.

Witchstruck stands out as one of the few young adult novels set in Tudor England. I’ve read a lot of adult books set during this period, but working in fictional characters and the paranormal instead of sticking to pure historical fact, Lamb has given herself the freedom to write a story that is more adventure than political intrigue and I think that will appeal to a lot of readers.

Lamb has certainly impressed me with her debut YA, its one of the most enjoyable historical novels I’ve read in a long time, with a rich period setting, a relatable heroine, a disturbing villain and a slow-burn romance. I do wish we’d seen Meg use her power more, but since I’ve been promised further books I’m content to wait. I’m excited see where this series goes.(less)

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Jun 29, 2012 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, arc, for-review, fantasy, historical-fiction, love-the-cover, ok, review, ya-romance, young-adult

*A copy was provided by Corgi for review purposes*

"Twilight meets The Other Boleyn Girl in this first unputdownable story in a bewitching new series."

  "Smoldering sexual tension, a darkly supernatural undercurrent and all the danger, plotting and passion of Tudor history"

~Blurb on back of ARC edition

I always love it when authors combine supernatural with history. They change the events in their favor, but don't change history. One of my favorite historical figures is Queen Elizabeth I, so I was...more *A copy was provided by Corgi for review purposes*

"Twilight meets The Other Boleyn Girl in this first unputdownable story in a bewitching new series."

  "Smoldering sexual tension, a darkly supernatural undercurrent and all the danger, plotting and passion of Tudor history"

~Blurb on back of ARC edition

I always love it when authors combine supernatural with history. They change the events in their favor, but don't change history. One of my favorite historical figures is Queen Elizabeth I, so I was super excited to read this book.

This idea was amazing. Witchcraft, romance and history. I haven't read many witch books (this might be my first, actually) and it isn't my favorite subject ever, but this book was a good introduction to the genre. Lamb wrote this book very well. It had a very good story line, great staging of events, and, even though it was boring at times, it was a pretty decent book. Like I said before, I loved how Lamb altered history to fit with the witch genre, but still made the outcome of the events historically correct. While it is a factor in this book, I'm glad the romance wasn't the whole focus of this story. It is there, and it does make it more interesting, but it doesn't overshadow all the other aspects of the book, which is good. The ending was superb as well, lasting just long enough, thrilling, and beautifuly written.

I've never read about a witch as the main character in a book before, so I'm glad Meg was my first because I really liked her. She's strong, powerful, smart and feist, and I love that. She was an excellent character and I can't wait to read more about her in the next book.
I also really like Alejandro (even though everytime I read his name I think of the Lady Gaga song :P). He was strong, caring and cute. One of the things I didn't like was when in the end of the book he does an extremely selfish thing. But that's my only problem with him.

One thing that I would like to mention before I sign off is the quotes on the back of the book. I featured them in the beginning of this review. My problem with them is that they are extremely overexagerated. This book is not a mix of Twilight and The Other Boleyn Girl (I've read them both), there isn't a "darkly supernatural undercurrent", but I will admit there is some sexual tension. But my point is, I hate it when the summeries overexagerate what actually happens in the book. I know it's a totally random thing to say, but I'm sure there's at least one of you that will agree with me.(less)

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Jul 13, 2012 Beth Kemp rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-historical

A historical setting, the spice of witchcraft and a touch of romance make for a thrilling read for teens and above.

This novel uses some aspects of Tudor history and plays 'what if ' with others (as you might expect fiction to do*). Set in the period when Mary was on the throne and the future Elizabeth I imprisoned, the atmosphere of religious intolerance and the threat of treason is ripe for a paranormal adventure with plenty of danger provided by the witchfinders and their control through fear....more A historical setting, the spice of witchcraft and a touch of romance make for a thrilling read for teens and above.

This novel uses some aspects of Tudor history and plays 'what if ' with others (as you might expect fiction to do*). Set in the period when Mary was on the throne and the future Elizabeth I imprisoned, the atmosphere of religious intolerance and the threat of treason is ripe for a paranormal adventure with plenty of danger provided by the witchfinders and their control through fear.

The first-person narration in Meg's voice gives us immediacy and clarity about the constant dangers around her, and her feelings about them. She lives in a world of secrets and uncertain loyalties, and this is the source of most immediate threats. She is largely a bright and sensible girl and understands the complex threats around her, even when she feels she must take risks to protect those she loves. I warmed to Meg quickly and enjoyed the time I spent in her world. I will definitely get the next in the series to see what happens to her next.

I feel also that this is a strong start to a series as the key players are well established, along with the broader setting and context. The immediate plot is resolved (I hate it when a series book feels like half a book), but there is clearly scope for more adventure ahead. I also appreciate that there was a strong storyline and plenty of action in the book (again, a series opener can be slow and stodgy in building up characters and a world, but not so here).

Overall, I found this to be a greatly enjoyable read that offers tension on several fronts and is likely to give lovers of YA romance, fantasy, paranormal and historical plenty to get their teeth into.

*There has been some criticism that kids reading this might think, for example, that Anne Boleyn really was a witch. I would hope that if they're interested, they might look up a bit about the period. You never know... But still, surely teen readers don't assume everything in novels is true? Victoria Lamb's post at the Overflowing Library about historical fiction and the YA market (http://www.overflowinglibrary.com/201...) makes clear what the author feels about this.(less)

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Mar 24, 2012 Hayley Thorpe rated it 5 of 5 stars

On hearing the summary of this novel it immediately had me desperate for a copy.
I have always truly loved the Tudors-dating back to my school days I really enjoyed studying it.
So for a series to be based on that time I was in awe.

The imagery and description of 'Witchstruck' has you on the edge of your seat.
It made me feel like a Tudor girl, minus the corset.
It's also made me long for a beautiful dress, that would be so tight I'd hardly breathe.

In meeting Meg I instantly loved her.
She's lovea...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, historical-fiction, arc, to-review, summer-reading-2012-priority-shelf, 2012-ya-hist-fic-challenge

Meg Lytton is a witch - a real one - which is a very dangerous secret to have for a young woman in Tudor England in 1554. She has been trained in her craft by her Aunt Jane, and she knows she never wants to give it up. Unfortunately, the cruel witch finder Marcus Dent has taken a liking to Meg and wants to marry her, and he must not discover her secret. For a time, Meg has avoided him, as she has been sent to serve Elizabeth, Henry VIII's daughter, who has been sent by her older sister, Queen Ma...more

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Nov 19, 2012 Penny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

This was an excellent book for this age group (and even those outside this age group).... Royalty, history and witch craft, it's quite exciting. The writing is quite fast paced and once I was about a third of the way through I couldn't put it down.

I find the story quite easy to believe (OK, maybe not the extreme supernatural stuff but I could over look that). I am certainly intrigued about what will happen next and looking forward to the next book.

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Apr 22, 2012 Tjala rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: witches, ya

I enjoyed it, though it was a bit slow moving at first, it soon picked up pace and had an interesting storyline. I don't really think that it needs to be made into a series though. I liked the characters and the plot and it was well written and interesting.

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Feb 15, 2013 Aranabanana rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook

This book was nice enough. It flowed rather well, and was not boring in the least. But the characters... well, they had no depth whatsoever. A shame, really, because this book could have been much more enjoyable with in-depth characters.

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Mar 20, 2013 Charmayne rated it 2 of 5 stars

I just didn't enjoy this book...it was kind of flat for me and I felt a little uncormfortable reading it. Maybe it's because I'm simply not a history person; maybe it's because I didn't like Meg and the way she embraces witchery from the start. (okay duh she's a witch but I was rooting for Alejandro to influence her and change her ways!! Not the other way round. I should've known lol after all the title of said book is witchstruck, not prieststruck or religionstruck or something) I guess I didn'...more

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Apr 05, 2013 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this book. Good strong female character, loads of history and lots of adventure.

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Jul 05, 2012 Rusty Gladdish rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fascinating book for older children. Harry Potter, eat your heart out!

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Jan 26, 2012 Krystle Jones marked it as to-read

This book sounds AWESOME. And what a beautiful cover! Witches love. <3

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Jun 08, 2012 Sel marked it as to-read

Oh, wow. This sounds simply brilliant!

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Witchstruck (Meg Lytton #1)

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