Whalley, 1537: On a day like any other, a devastating fire changes the lives of two young girls.
What happens next triggers a series of events leading inexplicably to the cells of Lancaster Gaol.
Lancashire, 1612: The most notorious witchcraft trials in England are taking place.
Among the accused, three generations of the same family. A family rooted in Pendle, tied to the infamous Malkin Towers and always followed by a whisper of evil. A family destroyed by the evidence given by a nine year old girl…
Having previously worked with Harriet I was very interested in reading her first novel. How exciting to know an proper author! This is based around the Pendle witch trials which is a part of history that I knew nothing about. This book followed the main characters involved. The characters were really brought to life and the settings were very well described. A really great and very interesting read. Huge well done to you Harriet. Xx
I absolutely loved this book, it had me gripped from the beginning and I could not put it down until I had finished it. I cannot wait to see what comes next from Harriet.
Absolutely amazing book! As someone who has hasn't got the reading bug I was amazed how gripped me. I really loved the pace of the story and it kept me hooked. I especially appreciated the afterword, really interesting subject. I'm a fan of this blurred line between fiction/history which this falls in (like one of my favourite TV series Chernobyl but this book being about the Pendle witch trails). Highly recommend.
The shortest longest book I've read this year. Sort of maybe true novelization of the story of the Pendle Witches and their trial in Pendle, England, in 1612. Takes place over 75 years or so and is told consecutively from the points of view of three generations of women, all of whom were convicted of witchcraft at the trials: Elizabeth, the grandmother, Elizabeth, the grandmother's daughter, and a granddaughter whose name I can't remember despite finishing this yesterday because I was so bored.
Anyhow the book recounts a lot of stuff that seems like it could maybe be witchcraft but is never really explained, like a skull that goes missing and the mysterious birth of the titular Hellion (Jennet, another granddaughter). There's furtive language between the two Elizabeths that hints of some dark events and purpose but it all remains a mystery. In an afterward the author explains that the women probably thought they were witches though their practices were probably some combination of herbal knowledge and outlawed catholic ritual.
The actual trials only occupy maybe the last quarter of the book and just consist of everyone accusing each other of witchcraft but it's the testimony of Jennet that really puts most of them away. Why did she do it? No one really knows. The book again hints at some mysterious purpose but doesn't go beyond it. It's only the afterward that gives the book any context or meaning really.
About 200 pages but took me days to slog through it.
Couldn’t put it down. The pace is excellent and the writing is superb. I particularly liked the interesting afterword which gave some more information about the history. I am looking forward to the next book by Harriet Young.
I loved this so much!!! I pledged for the book through online ages ago and I’ve been following Harriet’s journey on Instagram and I’m so happy to finally have it!! It is great, well done harriet xx
I want to first start this review off by mentioning that I’m no stranger to the Pendle witch trials of 1612 in England. However, what little I know is from watching an episode of Most Haunted when I was younger and the google searches I did during that episode. 😆 I’m glad I read The Hellion not only because I feel I gained more knowledge of the facts, but also because it was a very eerie and entertaining read! This is a fictionalized account, but based on factual events.
I honestly don’t even know how to go about this review. So much was done in just an almost 300 page book. To me, that’s fairly short to account on these many lives that were affected during this trial, but it was done well in my opinion! The reader is first introduced to young Elizabeth and Anne in 1537. You go along through time, mainly following Elizabeth’s life and how her actions and her family’s actions made them a part of the 1612 witchcraft trials. The fictionalized witchcraft, the pain, the deceit, the lies, and the betrayal. I couldn’t put it down. And I forgot the most important part of the trials...the ending! Very well written and my mouth dropped at a particular moment during the trials. I’m glad I forget the ending completely because it gave me that reaction.
Of course we all know how brutal and shocking these times were of ‘witches on the loose and selling their souls to the devil’. Not just in one area of the world either. So many innocent lives lost out of fear of the unknown and rumors even. In The Hellion, you’re not only reading about the facts, but you are thrown into a thrilling fictionalized account of the accused. Part of me felt sorry for the accused, especially those clearly having nothing to do with anything, and then also freaked out by the fictionalized witchcraft going on. A very entertaining and eerie book and one I thoroughly enjoyed!
A fantastic novel! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so much I struggled to put it down and was disappointed that I'd finished it. Looking forward to reading more from Harriet in the future. An excellent debut.
Witch trials were carried out in England from around the 15th century all the way through to the 18th century. During that period, it is believed that about 500 people were executed as witches. The Pendle witch trials saw 12 people accused of witchcraft and ended with 10 people being executed. That accounts for 2% of all the deaths from one trial. So, it's no wonder that this event has become one of the most famous witch trials in history. We know a great deal about the trials of 1612 thanks to the publication of the official record The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster but there is still so much that we don't know about the women and men who were executed.
That's where Harriet Young comes in. Her debut novel The Hellion introduces us to the women at the heart of the trials. We meet the three generations of one family who get caught up in the drama. Young's imagined history attempts to give them a voice and an identity beyond the accusations of witchcraft. This story takes the information that we know for sure and adds a human side to it. The Hellion wonderfully blurs the line between fact and fiction to bring these women to the forefront. The story starts in Whalley 1537 when Henry VIII dissolved the abbey. Two young girls are witnesses to the devastation and it alters their lives forever. This significant event changed the local community and helped create the social and economic climate that caused the witch trials.
The two girls, Anne and Elizabeth, eventually part ways and find themselves competing for work. Having been raised by Anne's grandmother, the pair have both learnt the skills of a wise woman. They provide for their families by offering healing remedies, spells and even curses. Skills that are passed down between the generations. Until Elizabeth's granddaughter, Alison gets caught up in a scandal. After a run-in with a pedlar, Alison is accused of practicing witchcraft. This ends up with her family being arrested. During the interrogation, Anne's family also ends up being implicated. As the story goes on, we get to see how easy it was to manipulate the truth in order to punish these women for trying to gain financial independence.
There is an awful lot of detail in The Hellion but it is still so readable. It doesn't waste time on unnecessary exposition or repetition. Instead, we learn what we need to know and other aspects are alluded to. The pacing is also perfect. There's something of a slow build before the ending but it is a book that keeps on giving. There are no lulls in the narrative where you're just waiting for the inevitable. Instead, the tension builds at a steady rate. Obviously, there are no surprises here for anyone who's familiar with the history but that doesn't matter. You can see how the threads come together and how misunderstandings come to light. There is a creepiness here that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you try to work out what is and isn't real. Is magic being performed or is it just a cunning illusion?
It's clear that plenty of research went into this book but it never feels too bogged down in its own history. All of the details work together to make the story so much stronger. It's a completely engaging novel that is really difficult to put down. My only issue is that the end feels pretty abrupt considering what has come before it. I know that it's probably an intentional thing because we're dealing with the unnecessary deaths of so many people. I guess it was just a case of wanting more good stuff. I didn't want the book to end and could happily have kept on reading. This is definitely a book that can be enjoyed by anyone. If you have knowledge of the events in 1612, you will possibly have a greater appreciation for the story but it's not something that is necessary to enjoy the book. The writing is good and the characters really come to life on the page. I can't wait to see what Harriet Young comes up with next.
I absolutely loved this story! Beautifully written and a pleasure to read. If not for work it would definitely have been an all nighter!! A brilliant first novel and can’t wait to see what comes next
I flew through this one. I loved learning about the Device family, particularly Old Demdike. It’s a strange history and crazy to believe that many of these events actually happened!
I’ve always been fascinated by witch history and literature so this book appealed to me right away.
Young has clearly done a lot of research into the trials of the Pendle witches, particularly the history of Demdike’s family who’re the main focus of the novel. As someone who has studied early modern witches I enjoyed Young’s attention to detail such as her discussion of witches’ marks and the imagery of large, black dogs (both of which are often connected to the devil). It was a joy to read a book where solid research helped create an interesting story.
Although I enjoyed the book there are two reasons I didn’t give it five stars. Firstly, because certain sections were a bit too slow paced for my liking. The beginning was great and the ending of the book was probably my favourite part, however certain sections in the middle of the novel I felt were a bit too long and could have been condensed. The second reason is because I was expecting the book to have been written in a way which was more sympathetic towards the witches. As a piece of fiction it was great but I didn’t read the book and feel bad for the accused women like I’d expected to. Instead I felt the majority of the time all of the characters, except for Alizon, came across as cold and uncaring which made it harder to sympathise with them.
Overall I’d recommend this boon to anyone! It is a nice, easy, and quick read which I think it would appeal to readers of most ages. I’m excited to purchase more books from this author in the future!
I’ve read a lot of stories about the Pendle witch trials, and I have to say this story does stay very true to the tales of the Pendle witches, and the research Harriet has done to make sure every detail is told, is outstanding. It’s written in a way that is eloquent and yet understandable. Many historical books can get confusing, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the time period. Harriet manages to capture the period truly, but also easily, which makes reading this book a breeze. Most of the characters to me were unlikable, it was difficult to connect with any of them, expect Alizon who you can’t help but feel sorry for. Jennet certainly gives you creepy little kid, might kill you in your sleep vibes, which I think is the point. She definitely gives you the chills each time you read a piece with her in! I did find that the story started to drag a little by the middle, things could have gone at a faster pace for my liking. The trials at the end of book seem to come and go and be over with, almost as though they were little rushed. All in all though it’s a great story for those interested in witches, the Pendle witch trials or that time period in general. It’s an easy book to get into and easy to follow and understand, worth of anyone’s time!
The Hellion was a wonderful debut novel from Harriet Young which I am proud to have supported through Unbound. This novel tells of the Pendle Witch trials that took place in 1612 and the events leading up to them, focusing on the Device family of Malkin Tower.
I thoroughly enjoyed this well researched, interesting novel; the writing style was fast paced and very easy to get through. I made myself read this over 5 days so that I didn’t just finish it all in one day and could enjoy it a for bit longer! The characters and settings were well written and I had a clear picture in my head whilst reading, Young created a very atmospheric feeling throughout all parts of the story.
It’s hard to believe these events actually took place and imagine the amount of fear and prejudice that was present during the time the novel is set. The afterword was also very informative and I love the gorgeous cover too, it looks so great! I honestly loved this book and can’t wait to see what comes next from Harriet :)
I read this entire novel in four hours. Talk about gripping. It was truly unputdownable. The fact that it was based around the actual Trials in Pendle made it even more of a must read for me. The characters were so well thought out and I truly couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. Tragic, gripping, raw and a truly refreshing new voice.
I was so grateful to have been able to support Harriet in getting published through unbound and reading her debut novel was nothing short of extraordinary! I can’t wait to see what else she comes out with!
I helped support the publication of this book by backing it @unbounders along with many more supporters, it just sounded right up my street! I’m a Lancashire lass and anything witch related gets my attention. An historical story based on the most notorious witchcraft trials in England. “a whisper of witchcraft a family destroyed” I just loved this! I felt like I was living in the era , the characters and the story line that never ventured too far away from the facts of the actual Pendle witch trials, it was beautifully written great read 😀
Having always been fascinated by witchcraft and wise women, this book really drew me in. The timeline moves very quickly, but I didn't get lost despite this. Many of the characters and not exactly nice people, but I still became deeply involved with them and was anxious to know the outcome.
The story is based on true events, although Harriet does point out that obviously the thoughts and feelings of the characters are her own interpretation. All in all I really loved this book, and hope to read more from Harriet in the future.
I have never read a book like this before as it is not my usual genre. I know nothing about the witch trails but I found myself pulled into this book. It was faced paced, but the characters really fascinated me. Well worth a read especially if you are interested in the witch trails (even if you're not!)
A fantastic novel. I couldn’t put this book down, the characters were amazing and the writing so descriptive I could have placed myself there. I am now desperate to visit Pendle and I can’t wait to see what comes next from Harriet. Highly recommend
As a person fascinated with stories about witches and witchcraft, this beautiful one from Harriet Young has held me in its clutches. The story is based on the Pendle Witch Trials, and mixes facts with fiction in a captivating way, giving depth and dimension to the characters. I loved the story!
Historical fiction is always fun because it very well could be the truth. Great insight to who these women could have been. This book is a great read for those who enjoy witchcraft!
Oh. My. Goodness. What a read this was. The Hellion expertly weaves what little facts we do know abut the infamous Pendle Witch Trials, with a careful artistic licence, in which the gaps in the characters daily lives prior and leading up to the Trials are explored and suggested in a way which bring them to life and immerse you in their lives. The writing brings a raw, emotive and thoroughly descriptive sense to the reader and evokes feelings of empathy, antipathy and sometimes, complete and unbridled anger. As the word ( however false and fabricated) of a nine year old girl was enough to help send several people to their deaths accused of witchcraft, Harriet Young’s words have, for me, helped to bring them back and give them their voices which were taken from them in one of the darkest periods in English history.
This book. I became a Super Patron of this book all the way back in 2019, and after receiving it earlier this year, i finally sat down yesterday and just read it. It was a perfect book for an autumn day. I was completely enthralled with this story and the history of the Pendle witch trials. @thesenovelthoughts’ debut novel introduces us to the women at the heart of these trials. We meet the three generations of one family who get caught up in the drama. This stories imagined history gives these families a voice and an identity beyond the accusations of witchcraft that we may not have previously had. This adds a human side to the facts we already had. the lines between fact and fiction is completely blurred in this book in an amazing way to bring the women involved to the forefront of the story.
It’s clear that plenty of research went into this book but it doesn’t feel too overwhelming within in historical facts. All of the details work together to make the story so much stronger. It’s a completely engaging novel that is really difficult to put down. i wasn’t quite ready for it to end.
This story about a rivalry between two "wise woman "who were condemned for being considered witches would be more suited and interesting in a non fiction book. Well the story take rounds and rounds with a bit of mistery plot about a elusive "dark/devil" power that is very cansative. The happenings of the time period was really interesting to explore but was hinted only in the final part of story,like the transition of catholicism to the rise and consolidation of Protestantism/Anglicanism in England. The lives of that womens were really miserable:hunger,death,poverty everywhere and still they were persecuted for use traditional knowledge for healing others and support their families. Not a brilliant read.
Honestly, great book, read it in one sitting, it's very easy to read, you fly through it, and I was there.. i could feel the filth the demdike, Elizabeth, and the little hellion were living in, I felt pretty submerged in the world, and I like how at the very end we are still shrouded in mystery, although the explanation at the end is quite helpful in understanding that there wasnt a lot to go on, which honestly made the book even cooler to me!
Even though I thoroughly enjoyed it, it wasnt the best book I've ever read, nor was it the worst, hence my solid 3 ⭐s. It's an easy fast paced read and if someone were to read it I would encourage them, but it still wouldnt be one I'd be begging people to read.