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The Burnings
Nothing scares men like witchcraft . . .
1589. Scottish housemaid Geillis and Danish courtier Margareta lead opposite lives, but they both know one thing: when a man cries “witch”, no woman is safe.
Yet when the marriage of King James VI and Princess Anna of Denmark brings Geillis and Margareta together, everything they supposed about good, evil, men, and women, is cast in a strange and brilliant new light.
For the first time in history, could black magic – or rumours of it – be a very real tool for women’s political gain?
As the North Berwick witch trials whip Scotland – and her king – into a frenzy of paranoia, the clock is ticking. Can Margareta and Geillis keep each other safe? And once the burnings are over, in whose hands will power truly lie?
Inspired by the incredible true story that set 16th-century Scotland and Denmark alight, The Burnings is 2023’s most bewitching debut novel, by a multi-awardwinning new star of historical fiction.
1589. Scottish housemaid Geillis and Danish courtier Margareta lead opposite lives, but they both know one thing: when a man cries “witch”, no woman is safe.
Yet when the marriage of King James VI and Princess Anna of Denmark brings Geillis and Margareta together, everything they supposed about good, evil, men, and women, is cast in a strange and brilliant new light.
For the first time in history, could black magic – or rumours of it – be a very real tool for women’s political gain?
As the North Berwick witch trials whip Scotland – and her king – into a frenzy of paranoia, the clock is ticking. Can Margareta and Geillis keep each other safe? And once the burnings are over, in whose hands will power truly lie?
Inspired by the incredible true story that set 16th-century Scotland and Denmark alight, The Burnings is 2023’s most bewitching debut novel, by a multi-awardwinning new star of historical fiction.
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 8, 2023
268 people are currently reading
6957 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Kelsey
1 book33 followersNaomi Kelsey is the winner of two Northern Writers’ Awards and of the HWA Dorothy Dunnett Competition 2021. Her fiction has been published in Mslexia magazine and shortlisted for several further awards including the Bridport Prize and the Bristol Prize. She also writes book reviews for ‘On the Tudor Trail’. By day she is an English teacher in Newcastle, where she lives with her husband, their two children and their dog. The Burnings is her first novel.
Naomi^^Kelsey
Naomi^^Kelsey
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
September 21, 2023
Naomi Kelsey has written an exceptional debut novel that broods and brims with a darkness from beginning to end. Some of this book is a difficult read in terms of its subject matter and events, bringing to life the impossible hardships and challenges of women in 16th century Scotland and Denmark, especially those decried as ‘witches’. The author does a brilliant job of creating and drawing out characters you innately care about, and in some cases to devastating effect. Its not a book of ‘happy endings’, but brilliantly portrays the period and hardships of women who lived through it to devastating effect - loved this book!
July 13, 2023
A fabulous Historical fiction book which delves into the brutal North berwich witch trials of the late 1500s.
I was blown away by the authors writting style. Also the depth and development with each individual character. It was so gripping at times it was very hard to put down. While reading this i was pulled in emotionally with certain characters and i must say i do not have any negative comments about this story at all.
Brilliantly put together. Intriguing. Moreish. It will have you desperate to find out what happens.
The shamefull acts of these witch trials and the amount of people that were accused and killed at this time is heartbreaking. Each character accused within this story makes us feel this. This diabolical rebellion between Bothwell and King James v1 was done expertly by this Author.
She has won the Northern writters award in 2014 and the Arvon Award in 2020 and reading this novel it is obvious why she has.
I would thoroughly reccommed if this is your genre and even if it is new for you. I will definatly be looking forward to any future work from this lady
Many thanks to the Author, Harper North and Netgalley for and ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review done on 23/04/23.
Pub date 8/6/23
I was blown away by the authors writting style. Also the depth and development with each individual character. It was so gripping at times it was very hard to put down. While reading this i was pulled in emotionally with certain characters and i must say i do not have any negative comments about this story at all.
Brilliantly put together. Intriguing. Moreish. It will have you desperate to find out what happens.
The shamefull acts of these witch trials and the amount of people that were accused and killed at this time is heartbreaking. Each character accused within this story makes us feel this. This diabolical rebellion between Bothwell and King James v1 was done expertly by this Author.
She has won the Northern writters award in 2014 and the Arvon Award in 2020 and reading this novel it is obvious why she has.
I would thoroughly reccommed if this is your genre and even if it is new for you. I will definatly be looking forward to any future work from this lady
Many thanks to the Author, Harper North and Netgalley for and ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review done on 23/04/23.
Pub date 8/6/23
June 5, 2023
I loved this!!!
This book ticked the historical witchy fiction box for me, however I didn’t expect to be so captivated. I couldn’t put this book down! The story is based on true events in 1600s Scotland during King James’ reign. During this period, witch-hunting mania captured the superstitions of common folk and reached court life, threatening to topple even the most powerful.
The two main characters are Margareta and Geillis. Margareta is lady in waiting to James’ new Queen. Not only is she desperate to protect Queen Anna from court politics, but she is blackmailed into marrying a double agent. Geillis is an orphaned girl who becomes apprentice to Agnes Sampson, a healer and midwife who was famously accused during the real North Berwick Witch Trials.
The women become caught up in Lord Bothwell’s schemes to overthrow the king via twisted rumours that lead to fearful accusations of witchcraft and treason. Both Anna and Geillis have no choice but to lie and betray their loved ones in an attempt to avoid suspicion turning to themselves.
Excellent characters, twists, turns, friendships, a bit of love, lots of betrayal and so much tension.
This book ticked the historical witchy fiction box for me, however I didn’t expect to be so captivated. I couldn’t put this book down! The story is based on true events in 1600s Scotland during King James’ reign. During this period, witch-hunting mania captured the superstitions of common folk and reached court life, threatening to topple even the most powerful.
The two main characters are Margareta and Geillis. Margareta is lady in waiting to James’ new Queen. Not only is she desperate to protect Queen Anna from court politics, but she is blackmailed into marrying a double agent. Geillis is an orphaned girl who becomes apprentice to Agnes Sampson, a healer and midwife who was famously accused during the real North Berwick Witch Trials.
The women become caught up in Lord Bothwell’s schemes to overthrow the king via twisted rumours that lead to fearful accusations of witchcraft and treason. Both Anna and Geillis have no choice but to lie and betray their loved ones in an attempt to avoid suspicion turning to themselves.
Excellent characters, twists, turns, friendships, a bit of love, lots of betrayal and so much tension.
October 11, 2023
The Burnings was a slow start but you hit the middle of the book and it takes off down a dark and disturbing path ( I'm pretty sure The torturings is a better title)
I enjoyed the whole Scottish history of the witch trials even thou it's absolutely disgusting and shocking.
The storyline follows nearly to the T of what happened, and the shocking part for me is the fact that Scotland burned more than any other country.
I definitely recommend it but it's not for the faint hearted 📚
I enjoyed the whole Scottish history of the witch trials even thou it's absolutely disgusting and shocking.
The storyline follows nearly to the T of what happened, and the shocking part for me is the fact that Scotland burned more than any other country.
I definitely recommend it but it's not for the faint hearted 📚
April 1, 2025
Fantastic piece of work. It was a gripping and harrowing read. The prose was lovely. It's clear how well the author researched the history and made it just come to life.
June 11, 2023
1589, Scottish housemaid Geillis and Danish courtier Margareta lead very different lives, but they are both about to become entangled in the North Berwick witch trials. Geillis is working as a maid at the home of the Seftons, a wealthy family, whilst learning the secrets of midwifery & the powers of plants & herbs from local wise woman Agnes Sampson. Lady Margareta grew up in the home of her wet-nurse, Joanna, with her 'milk-sister' Ilsa. Now, a lady-in-waiting for Princess Anna, Margareta is about to undertake the perilous journey to Scotland, but before she leaves she receives an ominous warning from Ilsa to contact Geillis Duncan when she reaches her new home.
Princess Anna is about to marry King James VI of Scotland & sets off with her entourage, however, bad weather force them back to land. James ends up travelling to met his new bride & is not happy with the whispers of bad omens for the match. It seems that James is fearful of rumours of witchcraft & suspicious of the machinations of the Earl of Bothwell. Margareta is forced to marry one of James's Scottish nobles John Weymss but finds herself growing fond of him. With competing loyalties & no way to know who one can trust, the Scottish court becomes a hotbed of innuendo & intrigue, & outside it spills into bloodshed.
This was a really good read about an aspect of British history that I didn't know much about - the North Berwick witch trials. The reader gets to see what is happening from two perspectives, Geillis & Lady Margareta. Both characters (based on actual people) have their good points & their faults but it was easy to empathise with them, although I found Margareta a little naïve at times when it came to playing politics, more than I would have expected from someone who lives at court. I did prefer her narration slightly more to Geillis' though. I thought the author very much nailed James's sly personality going on what I have read about him. It could be a little slow-going at times though. Verdict: great characterisation, excellent incorporation of real-life events & people, but the pace suffered a little at times. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
TWs: graphic birth scenes, abortion/miscarriage, torture, death, sexual assault. This book is about witch trials so be warned that there are some graphic scenes of torture. Witchcraft was a useful accusation to throw at women (men were accused as well) as there was often little evidence that could be used to exonerate the accused. The torture of the accused also seemed to have a truly misogynistic slant at times including the use of the infamous 'scold's bridle', a particularly nasty torture device.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, HarperNorth, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Princess Anna is about to marry King James VI of Scotland & sets off with her entourage, however, bad weather force them back to land. James ends up travelling to met his new bride & is not happy with the whispers of bad omens for the match. It seems that James is fearful of rumours of witchcraft & suspicious of the machinations of the Earl of Bothwell. Margareta is forced to marry one of James's Scottish nobles John Weymss but finds herself growing fond of him. With competing loyalties & no way to know who one can trust, the Scottish court becomes a hotbed of innuendo & intrigue, & outside it spills into bloodshed.
This was a really good read about an aspect of British history that I didn't know much about - the North Berwick witch trials. The reader gets to see what is happening from two perspectives, Geillis & Lady Margareta. Both characters (based on actual people) have their good points & their faults but it was easy to empathise with them, although I found Margareta a little naïve at times when it came to playing politics, more than I would have expected from someone who lives at court. I did prefer her narration slightly more to Geillis' though. I thought the author very much nailed James's sly personality going on what I have read about him. It could be a little slow-going at times though. Verdict: great characterisation, excellent incorporation of real-life events & people, but the pace suffered a little at times. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
TWs: graphic birth scenes, abortion/miscarriage, torture, death, sexual assault. This book is about witch trials so be warned that there are some graphic scenes of torture. Witchcraft was a useful accusation to throw at women (men were accused as well) as there was often little evidence that could be used to exonerate the accused. The torture of the accused also seemed to have a truly misogynistic slant at times including the use of the infamous 'scold's bridle', a particularly nasty torture device.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, HarperNorth, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
September 13, 2023
I dnf’d this after a couple of chapters. I find something really distasteful about a plot based on the idea that the North Berwick witches really were witches involved in a plot against James VI.
These women were tortured and murder by a government led by a violently misogynistic king, I have no interest in a book that imagines he was right.
These women were tortured and murder by a government led by a violently misogynistic king, I have no interest in a book that imagines he was right.
July 14, 2023
Based on James VI of Scotland’s the North Berwick with trials of the 16th century which are said to have influenced Shakespeare, this historical fiction novel is unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
Some historical context here: James VI of Scotland married princess Anne of Denmark, one of the characters in this novel. Due to snags in her journey, she was marooned on her way to Scotland, and he chose to travel and bring her to his court. This is the starting point of this story, and the characters that are given prominent page time are Anna’s lady-in-waiting Margareta, as well as a Scottish housemaid, Geillis.
This character-focused book is starts around the beginning of Scotland and Denmark’s alliance via the marriage and is written between the gaps in history to showcase, in a very raw manner, the circumstances and character choices that surround the trials. The author seamlessly brings together all these interactions to directly or indirectly show the king’s obsession with witching practices, as well as his paranoia that they tried to drown him in a convincing and believable manner, as well as introduces characters who become a part of the hundreds of deaths that occur during his attempt to rid his surroundings of them.
One of the highlights of this book for me would be that the author presents the circumstances of both the men and women caught in this crossfire in a very pitiful manner. Witchcraft trials are widely regarded to have affected and taken the lives of hundreds of women alone, but we know that’s not true, and this book showcases both genders caught up in these events, and the utter helplessness exhibited by the characters in ways that feel very real and relatable. At some point, a part of the trials written from a certain perspective made me flinch and shut the book. To say that I felt glad to have not lived through these centuries where any form of healing practices very looked upon with suspicion if they went sideways, or where marital alliances were a duty, and the legitimacy of a relationship of family line where established by the siring of heirs, would be a gross understatement.
This is one of those rare books that contains characters that made me feel various amounts of indifference. The three women who are given the maximum page time, Geillis, Margareta, and Agnes, are all ones that I could not relate to. I suspect that this is in part due to the writing style, which threw me off every couple of chapters, as it felt a bit rough around the edges. This was more than made up for by the sympathy I felt toward Anna, as well as the fascination that the treatment of James’ character, as well as his increasingly unhinged behaviour evoked.
While the narrative style in the first half of the book made it a bit of a slow read for me, the second half ramped up the political intrigue, as well as included recognisable, juicy tidbits of history that prompted me to read up large sections of history I was unfamiliar with.
Yes, this book took me a while to read, and a little longer to be able to draft a coherent review. The first half could’ve been polished, but rest of it quite does justice to what I found lacking. Full of political machinations and double crossings done well enough to leave you questioning your understanding of some characters’ alliances, it almost seamlessly mixes historical detail with character work to present the North Berwick trials in a personal and heartbreaking manner.
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Some historical context here: James VI of Scotland married princess Anne of Denmark, one of the characters in this novel. Due to snags in her journey, she was marooned on her way to Scotland, and he chose to travel and bring her to his court. This is the starting point of this story, and the characters that are given prominent page time are Anna’s lady-in-waiting Margareta, as well as a Scottish housemaid, Geillis.
This character-focused book is starts around the beginning of Scotland and Denmark’s alliance via the marriage and is written between the gaps in history to showcase, in a very raw manner, the circumstances and character choices that surround the trials. The author seamlessly brings together all these interactions to directly or indirectly show the king’s obsession with witching practices, as well as his paranoia that they tried to drown him in a convincing and believable manner, as well as introduces characters who become a part of the hundreds of deaths that occur during his attempt to rid his surroundings of them.
One of the highlights of this book for me would be that the author presents the circumstances of both the men and women caught in this crossfire in a very pitiful manner. Witchcraft trials are widely regarded to have affected and taken the lives of hundreds of women alone, but we know that’s not true, and this book showcases both genders caught up in these events, and the utter helplessness exhibited by the characters in ways that feel very real and relatable. At some point, a part of the trials written from a certain perspective made me flinch and shut the book. To say that I felt glad to have not lived through these centuries where any form of healing practices very looked upon with suspicion if they went sideways, or where marital alliances were a duty, and the legitimacy of a relationship of family line where established by the siring of heirs, would be a gross understatement.
This is one of those rare books that contains characters that made me feel various amounts of indifference. The three women who are given the maximum page time, Geillis, Margareta, and Agnes, are all ones that I could not relate to. I suspect that this is in part due to the writing style, which threw me off every couple of chapters, as it felt a bit rough around the edges. This was more than made up for by the sympathy I felt toward Anna, as well as the fascination that the treatment of James’ character, as well as his increasingly unhinged behaviour evoked.
While the narrative style in the first half of the book made it a bit of a slow read for me, the second half ramped up the political intrigue, as well as included recognisable, juicy tidbits of history that prompted me to read up large sections of history I was unfamiliar with.
Yes, this book took me a while to read, and a little longer to be able to draft a coherent review. The first half could’ve been polished, but rest of it quite does justice to what I found lacking. Full of political machinations and double crossings done well enough to leave you questioning your understanding of some characters’ alliances, it almost seamlessly mixes historical detail with character work to present the North Berwick trials in a personal and heartbreaking manner.
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September 20, 2023
I expected to love this book but I was disappointed. That is why it took me so long to finish it. I liked the premise of the story, dealing with the witch hysteria of the late 1500s, but there was something lacking in the character development. There were some incredibly horrible descriptions of the torture and burnings, but other than that, the story fell flat. There were too many sentences that ended with question marks. It became aggravating.
June 7, 2023
I love being immersed into an historical fiction to get a real feel for the time and the way of life. So much research has been done for this novel, every detail so vivid, I could really see myself as a witness to the political scheming and the stirr of suspicion that sparked the witch hunts in Scotland. Each character is based on an historical figure and the different perspectives gave insight to how women and men of all classes were manipulated and exploited, with tensions rising to the point that even a whisper of ‘witchcraft’ caused a mass outcry of accusations and executions.
This book cannot be taken lightly. The detailed descriptions of torture could be overwhelming at times and the pace could very slow. However, it gives a voice to the women (and men) silenced during this time, offers a story and character to those whose lives were lost and forgotten, branded and remembered as ‘witch’ in the midst of hysteria. An important read but a brutal one.
This book cannot be taken lightly. The detailed descriptions of torture could be overwhelming at times and the pace could very slow. However, it gives a voice to the women (and men) silenced during this time, offers a story and character to those whose lives were lost and forgotten, branded and remembered as ‘witch’ in the midst of hysteria. An important read but a brutal one.
August 25, 2025
An entire cast of women put in impossible positions, and me following alongside crying my eyes out.
Dark, gruesome, filled with female pain, suffering, and rage.
Dark, gruesome, filled with female pain, suffering, and rage.
November 21, 2024
Read for Chapter25 book club.
I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction, and I went into this thinking I wouldn't finish it before my first book club meet (4th December), if ever.
Well, I spent 6 hours engrossed in this book yesterday, staying up until 1am to finish it as I just HAD to know what was going to happen. This book is painful to read, but highlights the horrors women have had to go through throughout history, and still are going through.
The description was really good, I was bound up so warm because it made me feel cold imagining 16th century Scotland. But my favourite was the characters, the constant juxtaposition between them, their lives and their marriages. But between Margareta and Geillis was the most obvious, and most saddening. I was rooting for both of them, so similar but also worlds apart.
I would gladly read more from Kelsey!
I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction, and I went into this thinking I wouldn't finish it before my first book club meet (4th December), if ever.
Well, I spent 6 hours engrossed in this book yesterday, staying up until 1am to finish it as I just HAD to know what was going to happen. This book is painful to read, but highlights the horrors women have had to go through throughout history, and still are going through.
The description was really good, I was bound up so warm because it made me feel cold imagining 16th century Scotland. But my favourite was the characters, the constant juxtaposition between them, their lives and their marriages. But between Margareta and Geillis was the most obvious, and most saddening. I was rooting for both of them, so similar but also worlds apart.
I would gladly read more from Kelsey!
November 19, 2024
This was a read I was looking forward to given the strong premise and intriguing themes around the late 1500s witch trials taking place in North Berwick, but sadly it didn’t land. Maybe my expectations were too high, I anticipated something atmospheric and powerful but instead felt disconnected from the story and felt a real lack of atmosphere with a lot of long and unimportant dialogue. I’d clearly zoned out in some places because I’ve immediately forgotten a lot of what I’ve just read. I don’t know, maybe it’s a me problem and I was bored because I don’t think this is necessarily a bad book, but it wasn’t for me.
July 9, 2024
I thought The Burnings was going to be right up my alley - and thematically it is. The history is fascinating. But while it was a fairly quick and decently engaging read, at the end it didn't leave me feeling much of anything. Something about the characters didn't seem fully there; I wasn't able to connect to them enough to care about what happened to them. It also contained some of my fiction pet peeves: people growling, people's eyes black when they're angry, people baring their teeth. Overall I'd give it somewhere between a 3 and 3.5.
July 10, 2025
The amount of time it took me to finish a book set in the 1500s about witch trials speaks volumes.
I am completely baffled by the mountain of positive reviews that this book received. It really makes me question whether I’ve missed the entire point.
To me, it lacked depth, atmosphere, character development, relevance, and good writing — all the things that are vital to a good historical fiction.
The main issue to me was how the author decided to make the women actual witches — at least that’s how it seemed for a huge chunk of the book. Now, this might have been fine if it had some sort of non-stereotypical, feminist twist to it, but oh my — to actually make the women seem like the bad guys that were doing the men’s bidding?! If that wasn’t the intention, it certainly wasn’t clear.
Especially since it was marketed as this “cool book about feminist witches taking over the world” kind of thing.
I’m not even sure how to voice how I felt about this book. I just don’t think there should have been any clarity issues around whether the women actually were witches or not. It would have been better to see it be clear that these women were actually truly innocent. I didn’t even feel bad for Agnes when she was being tortured in vivid detail — because the author had painted her in a careless, vengeful way.
Just incredibly disappointing.
I am completely baffled by the mountain of positive reviews that this book received. It really makes me question whether I’ve missed the entire point.
To me, it lacked depth, atmosphere, character development, relevance, and good writing — all the things that are vital to a good historical fiction.
The main issue to me was how the author decided to make the women actual witches — at least that’s how it seemed for a huge chunk of the book. Now, this might have been fine if it had some sort of non-stereotypical, feminist twist to it, but oh my — to actually make the women seem like the bad guys that were doing the men’s bidding?! If that wasn’t the intention, it certainly wasn’t clear.
Especially since it was marketed as this “cool book about feminist witches taking over the world” kind of thing.
I’m not even sure how to voice how I felt about this book. I just don’t think there should have been any clarity issues around whether the women actually were witches or not. It would have been better to see it be clear that these women were actually truly innocent. I didn’t even feel bad for Agnes when she was being tortured in vivid detail — because the author had painted her in a careless, vengeful way.
Just incredibly disappointing.
May 15, 2025
Spooky vibes. Witches in Edinburgh during James VI’S reign with a reimagined story line (some people’s names were changed for the story). I do believe this book had a great storyline and that it was written well. My opinions on the ending are most probably unique to me as I can tell I was not fully invested and probably did not hold meaning with some important elements made throughout.
**Spoilers**
I liked hearing about the reality of many of the women who had been declared and burnt as witches truly just being women with knowledge of healing. (Amongst those who truly were witches)
The book had me gripped, I always felt eager to read on to find out what was coming next however it felt I was almost in a constant state of limbo waiting for what was next for the whole book, only to have the ending come and not feel satisfied.
For Margareta, John and Anna to persuade King James so easily to trust them, especially when two were traitors in his eyes, did not convince me. Almost the next scene being years later and a happy ending felt rushed.
I also felt that Geillis was the true star of the book so for her to die (albeit with dignity and words that triggered the domino effect of the ultimate end) was quite disappointing. Dramatic Though.
**Spoilers**
I liked hearing about the reality of many of the women who had been declared and burnt as witches truly just being women with knowledge of healing. (Amongst those who truly were witches)
The book had me gripped, I always felt eager to read on to find out what was coming next however it felt I was almost in a constant state of limbo waiting for what was next for the whole book, only to have the ending come and not feel satisfied.
For Margareta, John and Anna to persuade King James so easily to trust them, especially when two were traitors in his eyes, did not convince me. Almost the next scene being years later and a happy ending felt rushed.
I also felt that Geillis was the true star of the book so for her to die (albeit with dignity and words that triggered the domino effect of the ultimate end) was quite disappointing. Dramatic Though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2024
Once again women slayed. After this I want to be a witch. In the same way that poor thing with Emma stone made me want to be a prostitute. Have to admit, John Wemyss was a better double agent than husband, and he def lost sexy points for that. Also I read a sentence from the last chapter before I had finished and spoiled the ending for myself (pulled a Jennifer patterson for those who get the reference). Still- would recommend and rejoice for this amazing book.
Be warned- not a 🌶️book. Very much not. Torture described in gory detail. Not much smut. A lot of politics- but very stomachable cause they make 16th century Scottish political discussions feel like gossip.
Be warned- not a 🌶️book. Very much not. Torture described in gory detail. Not much smut. A lot of politics- but very stomachable cause they make 16th century Scottish political discussions feel like gossip.
January 7, 2025
3 Stars!
I found this one kind of hard to get into initially, it's really hard to explain because everything about it felt fine, the writing was good, I thought the subject matter was intriguing, but I just think it lacked something that grips me and wants to pull me in.
I think my issue is I just wanted something more...
As the story progressed I was more invested in the story, but again I just wanted more from the characters. So many things were happening to characters and I think I just expected more of an uprising and then I think some things happened a bit too late.
I'd be interested to see what else the author has in store for there next book because having a look it's a debut novel and I think it was okay! :)
I found this one kind of hard to get into initially, it's really hard to explain because everything about it felt fine, the writing was good, I thought the subject matter was intriguing, but I just think it lacked something that grips me and wants to pull me in.
I think my issue is I just wanted something more...
As the story progressed I was more invested in the story, but again I just wanted more from the characters. So many things were happening to characters and I think I just expected more of an uprising and then I think some things happened a bit too late.
I'd be interested to see what else the author has in store for there next book because having a look it's a debut novel and I think it was okay! :)
June 4, 2024
Such an unexpected read in so many ways; a prime example of historical fiction at its absolute best! Yes, this book is concerned with witchcraft, but it’s also about so so much more: politics, religion, patriarchy, feminism, sisterhood, cunning, and defiance. Don’t walk, run!
January 12, 2025
bookclub read! absolutely loved this. pretty sure feminist historical fic is a favourite genre of mine without me realising?
March 11, 2025
I listened to this as a book club book (whilst doing some lovely garden decking painting). Definitely not the sort of book I would choose… and soooo long. I didn’t enjoy it. All the double crossing and accusations.
It doesn’t help that I recently read Weyward, which was excellent, and I flew through it!
The Burnings reaffirmed the fact I don’t like Historical fiction…
It doesn’t help that I recently read Weyward, which was excellent, and I flew through it!
The Burnings reaffirmed the fact I don’t like Historical fiction…
February 13, 2025
Although this was described as fantasy horror, I was argue this is historical, as much of the story is based on true events and real historical royals.
I went into the book thinking it would be a fantasy story of witches, but it is more of a critique on women’s treatment throughout history especially in midwifery and medicine. It examined how women were accused of witchcraft even when it was actually the man who was caught but women took the real punishments.
I enjoyed the power struggle of the royals, in the end they were all players in the game and even the queen who the MC did not see clearly had her own agendas. The story has many detailed torture and sexual assault scenes that were very explicit (trigger warnings should have been given), but the author really showed how degrading and awful the treatment of these women was.
The story left you guessing whether there was any real magic and I personally feel that it was all coincidence and true medicine at work rather than witchcraft. A great read and education of the Scottish witch trials, but was a very heavy read.
I went into the book thinking it would be a fantasy story of witches, but it is more of a critique on women’s treatment throughout history especially in midwifery and medicine. It examined how women were accused of witchcraft even when it was actually the man who was caught but women took the real punishments.
I enjoyed the power struggle of the royals, in the end they were all players in the game and even the queen who the MC did not see clearly had her own agendas. The story has many detailed torture and sexual assault scenes that were very explicit (trigger warnings should have been given), but the author really showed how degrading and awful the treatment of these women was.
The story left you guessing whether there was any real magic and I personally feel that it was all coincidence and true medicine at work rather than witchcraft. A great read and education of the Scottish witch trials, but was a very heavy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2024
Obviously this is historical fiction, so the author must at least partially adhere to historical accuracy. However, I was a bit disappointed since the blurb promised a book with a feminist view on witch hunts and trials with two very different women as protagonists. It talked of women’s empowerment and political gain through witchcraft which made me pick up the book. Unfortunately most of the women in this book (sometimes including the protagonists) are rarely in any position of power and more often are portrayed as helpless and naive. While the political intrigues are well written (and based on real events) the protagonists and other female characters are almost always kept in the dark and seldomly take real action themselves. I mean, for gods sake, one of the two protagonists spends half the book in a cell, while the other is free but just as powerless as her. The male characters are always taking it upon themselves to act but never inform the women of anything (I’m looking at you John Wemyss).
Of course, you could argue that this is just a reflection of the time period and the book is supposed to be tragic (which at some points it managed to achieve quite well) but for me, most times the book intended to be tragic, it just didn’t earn it and character arks ended not tragically but just fell flat, as if the author simply didn’t want to finish writing it. There was almost no resolution in this book, save for the last 30 pages, in which everything is hastily wrapped up without the reader even getting to actually read what happened.
These are of course just my opinions and there is plenty of good in this book too. I still enjoyed reading it and found the setting and premise very interesting, I just wish it had been more of what the blurb claimed it was.
Of course, you could argue that this is just a reflection of the time period and the book is supposed to be tragic (which at some points it managed to achieve quite well) but for me, most times the book intended to be tragic, it just didn’t earn it and character arks ended not tragically but just fell flat, as if the author simply didn’t want to finish writing it. There was almost no resolution in this book, save for the last 30 pages, in which everything is hastily wrapped up without the reader even getting to actually read what happened.
These are of course just my opinions and there is plenty of good in this book too. I still enjoyed reading it and found the setting and premise very interesting, I just wish it had been more of what the blurb claimed it was.
May 13, 2023
— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Burnings
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Naomi Kelsey
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Historical Fiction
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 8th June 2023
���𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 13th May 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3.75/5
”Powerful men don’t keep poor women safe. They use you to keep themselves safe.”
The Burnings describes the North Berwich witch trials, where almost a hundred men and women were accused of witchcraft and killed for it.
My favourite aspect of this novel was the authors really powerful writing. There were undertones of feminist rage and empowerment and the descriptions are so exquisitely detailed it’s easy to picture and believe.
”If she had a single mark on her–a mole, a scar–then she was a witch. If she’d ever spoken to a cat or dog, she was a witch. If a rich man said so, she was a witch.”
I also really enjoyed the multiple points of view. As readers, we get to follow Margareta, the queens lady in waiting, and Geillis, a servant who aspired to be a midwife. They were both really fleshed our characters and their stories were flawlessly thought out.
The reason I haven’t given this a five star is that the plot could be quite convoluted, filled with subterfuge and secrecy, I found the pacing really slow, and the torture was so it could be a bit overwhelming at times for me—this is a personal preference, however.
Overall, a captivating and beguiling debut that blends fact and fiction and demonstrates that debilitating flaw in powerful men: the audacity.
—Kayleigh🤍
@ Welsh Book Fairy🧚♀️✨
♡Booksta
♡Twitter
♡Blog
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Burnings
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Naomi Kelsey
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Historical Fiction
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 8th June 2023
���𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 13th May 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3.75/5
”Powerful men don’t keep poor women safe. They use you to keep themselves safe.”
The Burnings describes the North Berwich witch trials, where almost a hundred men and women were accused of witchcraft and killed for it.
My favourite aspect of this novel was the authors really powerful writing. There were undertones of feminist rage and empowerment and the descriptions are so exquisitely detailed it’s easy to picture and believe.
”If she had a single mark on her–a mole, a scar–then she was a witch. If she’d ever spoken to a cat or dog, she was a witch. If a rich man said so, she was a witch.”
I also really enjoyed the multiple points of view. As readers, we get to follow Margareta, the queens lady in waiting, and Geillis, a servant who aspired to be a midwife. They were both really fleshed our characters and their stories were flawlessly thought out.
The reason I haven’t given this a five star is that the plot could be quite convoluted, filled with subterfuge and secrecy, I found the pacing really slow, and the torture was so it could be a bit overwhelming at times for me—this is a personal preference, however.
Overall, a captivating and beguiling debut that blends fact and fiction and demonstrates that debilitating flaw in powerful men: the audacity.
—Kayleigh🤍
@ Welsh Book Fairy🧚♀️✨
♡Booksta
♡Blog
March 4, 2025
The plot mainly focuses on building an atmosphere of fear from two sides of the same coin; fear of being targeted by witches and fear of being accused of being a witch. This means that the book is a bit slow as the characters are slowly subjected to / actively sew the seeds of panic and fear.
The plot seems to stall a bit in the middle of the book, during the trials / interrogation of the witches, and seems to be slowly building towards confrontation later in the book. Unfortunately, the confrontation and the consequences of this are very brief and a bit anti - climactic. It almost happens too late in the book.
Most of the book focuses on separate plots and schemes between and within different sets of characters and this finally seems to come to a head towards the very end of the book. This unfortunately is cut short, and there is only an epilogue to describe the outcome of this. I didn’t really think this did the rest of the book justice, considering the time and effort taken to slowly set the groundwork and build the mood and weave the different stories together so intricately.
There are some uncomfortable moments in the book - trigger warnings for sexual assault and violence.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read but sometimes I was left wondering where the story was going / what the story was and disinterested in the various plots/schemes/interrogations. Additionally, minor characters were not referenced much meaning some of the twists later in the book had less of an impact.
The plot seems to stall a bit in the middle of the book, during the trials / interrogation of the witches, and seems to be slowly building towards confrontation later in the book. Unfortunately, the confrontation and the consequences of this are very brief and a bit anti - climactic. It almost happens too late in the book.
Most of the book focuses on separate plots and schemes between and within different sets of characters and this finally seems to come to a head towards the very end of the book. This unfortunately is cut short, and there is only an epilogue to describe the outcome of this. I didn’t really think this did the rest of the book justice, considering the time and effort taken to slowly set the groundwork and build the mood and weave the different stories together so intricately.
There are some uncomfortable moments in the book - trigger warnings for sexual assault and violence.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read but sometimes I was left wondering where the story was going / what the story was and disinterested in the various plots/schemes/interrogations. Additionally, minor characters were not referenced much meaning some of the twists later in the book had less of an impact.
June 13, 2023
This is a rich piece of historical fiction centring around the North Berwick witch trials. Full of double-crossing spies, treasonous plots and witchcraft there is so much drama in this book.
The strength of this novel though for me was the way Kelsey portrayed her female characters. How they had a little agency, yet how they rose above their circumstances and trauma. The women were used as pawns in the male pursuit of power and this leads to the inevitable tragedy this book was heading towards. However, although this is really tough in places, Kelsey leaves us with hope for the women and for Scotland.
A great historical novel.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
The strength of this novel though for me was the way Kelsey portrayed her female characters. How they had a little agency, yet how they rose above their circumstances and trauma. The women were used as pawns in the male pursuit of power and this leads to the inevitable tragedy this book was heading towards. However, although this is really tough in places, Kelsey leaves us with hope for the women and for Scotland.
A great historical novel.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
March 17, 2025
3.5 stars
A very atmospheric book, I can’t say I particularly enjoyed it cause of how graphic and violent it was but I do think it is a good book and an important one to read. I liked that it gave agency to the women of the North Berwick Witch Trails and simultaneously portrays them as the victims of powerful men. But I also think it is important to emphasise that the real women behind the story weren’t witches and weren’t plotting against the king, and having a book which includes these plots kind of takes away from the fact that they were just normal women.
Bonus points for other historical accuracies though.
A very atmospheric book, I can’t say I particularly enjoyed it cause of how graphic and violent it was but I do think it is a good book and an important one to read. I liked that it gave agency to the women of the North Berwick Witch Trails and simultaneously portrays them as the victims of powerful men. But I also think it is important to emphasise that the real women behind the story weren’t witches and weren’t plotting against the king, and having a book which includes these plots kind of takes away from the fact that they were just normal women.
Bonus points for other historical accuracies though.
September 25, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It took a moment to get into, but probably as I was going a chapter a night at first. But once you are part of the world, it’s compelling. It was darkly descriptive throughout and made me realise the true history of these women. I haven’t actually stopped thinking about it since I finished it!
December 22, 2023
Would not guess this was author's debut - the book was just so well-written. At times I did not like the more graphics descriptions, but the story overall was good, and despite being based on history, not predictable since it was not mainly about known historical characters.
April 29, 2025
I did enjoy this Naomi Kelsey effort, for the most part, which I believe, is her debut novel, making it all the more remarkable, but it did quite often feel like there was just something missing. I'm not altogether sure what it was either. Perhaps it was because there was no intelligencer or detective type person like John Shakespeare, Giordano Bruno, or indeed, Tudor lawyer turned sleuth, Matthew Shardlake leading the way? I'm just not sure and can't quite seem to put my finger on it. Neither am I suggesting that the book needed a male lead, the missing intelligencer* in question, could just as easily have been female, or indeed, like ’The House on Half Moon Street’, trans (Ooh! Topical! Ed.)! However, there was still some great writing involved at certain points in the story, and it was set in a very interesting time period, of which I knew little about.
The tale takes place during the North Berwick 'witch' trials at the tail end of the sixteenth century. Focusing on an individual midwife's apprentice, Geillis Duncan, whom is eventually and erroneously accused of witchcraft and lady in waiting to Princess Anne of Denmark (soon to become Queen Anne of Scotland on marrying James VI of Scotland), Lady Margareta Vinstar.
Almost immediately Geillis Duncan's life of hardship and it's grim realities are made all too apparent, especially when compared to the relatively pampered life of Margareta Vinstar. Having already lost her father to the sea, forcing her and her mother, Bridget into a life of almost perpetual poverty. She then has to make the diabolical choice of either, saving her mother, or her unborn twin sisters, during Bridget Duncan's harrowing child birth. A situation so ghastly that it's almost unimaginable to us in contemporary society, and to make matters even worse, after the torturous decision to save her mother is made, Geillis ends up painfully losing all three. Sadly, her twin sisters are both still born and with her mother, Bridget hemorrhaging to death, Geillis Duncan’s misery is now complete. Resulting in Geillis being forced into what is effectively slavery for a family of minor nobility. The head of which, David Seton, malevolent in nature, an egregious beast and a highly prolific sadist, is responsible for, as well as a couple of extremely uncomfortable scenes in the book, where he upsettingly rapes the increasingly vulnerable Geillis Duncan, setting off the chain of events which lead to the gruesome torture and merciless burning of hundreds of innocent women as 'witches', fuelled by James VI's obsession with and paranoia of the occult, usurpers and their assassins.
So, to sum up, a very readable story, in a very interesting time, about an intoxicating subject, but there did seem to be a missing component, which unfortunately, remains as enigmatic as the storms which sank a ship and knocked others off course within this tale. But should the ’head witch’, Agnes have had a specific but troubled intelligencer on her tail? Or was Margareta’s husband/not husband, John Weymes rounded enough to fill the hole and take on the role, left by the lack of just such a character? Personally, although a likable enough person, I think not.
*I’m using the term ’intelligencer’ in the generic sense of ‘a person whom is gathering information’, not that their vocation would necessarily be primarily as a ’spy’. Indeed, the examples I give, as well as intelligence gathering, include lawyer, astronomer, defrocked monk, hospital porter and journalist.
The tale takes place during the North Berwick 'witch' trials at the tail end of the sixteenth century. Focusing on an individual midwife's apprentice, Geillis Duncan, whom is eventually and erroneously accused of witchcraft and lady in waiting to Princess Anne of Denmark (soon to become Queen Anne of Scotland on marrying James VI of Scotland), Lady Margareta Vinstar.
Almost immediately Geillis Duncan's life of hardship and it's grim realities are made all too apparent, especially when compared to the relatively pampered life of Margareta Vinstar. Having already lost her father to the sea, forcing her and her mother, Bridget into a life of almost perpetual poverty. She then has to make the diabolical choice of either, saving her mother, or her unborn twin sisters, during Bridget Duncan's harrowing child birth. A situation so ghastly that it's almost unimaginable to us in contemporary society, and to make matters even worse, after the torturous decision to save her mother is made, Geillis ends up painfully losing all three. Sadly, her twin sisters are both still born and with her mother, Bridget hemorrhaging to death, Geillis Duncan’s misery is now complete. Resulting in Geillis being forced into what is effectively slavery for a family of minor nobility. The head of which, David Seton, malevolent in nature, an egregious beast and a highly prolific sadist, is responsible for, as well as a couple of extremely uncomfortable scenes in the book, where he upsettingly rapes the increasingly vulnerable Geillis Duncan, setting off the chain of events which lead to the gruesome torture and merciless burning of hundreds of innocent women as 'witches', fuelled by James VI's obsession with and paranoia of the occult, usurpers and their assassins.
So, to sum up, a very readable story, in a very interesting time, about an intoxicating subject, but there did seem to be a missing component, which unfortunately, remains as enigmatic as the storms which sank a ship and knocked others off course within this tale. But should the ’head witch’, Agnes have had a specific but troubled intelligencer on her tail? Or was Margareta’s husband/not husband, John Weymes rounded enough to fill the hole and take on the role, left by the lack of just such a character? Personally, although a likable enough person, I think not.
*I’m using the term ’intelligencer’ in the generic sense of ‘a person whom is gathering information’, not that their vocation would necessarily be primarily as a ’spy’. Indeed, the examples I give, as well as intelligence gathering, include lawyer, astronomer, defrocked monk, hospital porter and journalist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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