Lancashire, 1612, 17 year old Fleetwood Shuttlewood, mistress of Gawthorpe Hall, is pregnant for the fourth time. She does not yet have a living child and her husband is anxious for an heir. So when she crosses paths with Alice Gray a local midwife who promises to help her give birth to a healthy baby, her luck seems to be looking up. However, Alice is then drawn into the witchcraft accusations that are sweeping the north-west. As the legendary Pendle witch trials approach Fleetwood risks everything to try and help her friend, but time is running out and both their lives are at stake!

I absolutely adored this book! From the first page Hall transports us to the heart of 15th century Lancashire, with eloquent description and historical detail spun through every page, it is quite impossible not to get lost in the world she creates . Even though it’s not set in autumn it has a beautiful autumnal feel from warming fireplaces, grand dinner halls and layered petticoats. The setting of the Pendle witch trials also gives it a very autumnal and halloweeny feel, I’m not a big horror reader so it was a great atmospheric read for me to enjoy instead of a classic scary story.

My favourite things about the novel were Fleetwood and Alice, the two strong and fierce main characters. In a time period when men took centre stage, Hall has given life to two powerful and head strong female characters who go against convention to do what’s right. As well as seeing their undeniable strength there are lots of tender moments in the novel when we see vulnerability from both characters, I enjoyed these parts just as much as their strengths because it made them feel like read people. I was completely compelled by both the main characters narratives, from Fleetwood’s struggles with childbirth, her fear of death and her love for her friend as well as Alice’s difficult upbringing and moving personal tales. As the narrative is written from Fleetwood’s perspective we quickly get to know her story, I liked that it was only as Fleetwood pieced together Alice’s story that we got the full image of her character.

Part of the magic of the story for me was seeing Fleetwood and Alice’s friendship bloom, at first they are only acquaintances, midwife and patient, but by the end of the novel they are so much more than that. Watching the growth of their friendship and the effects that it had on both characters is so beautiful to read and feels like quite a privilege.

As well as being super compelling, this story is impossible to put down, especially as the Pendle witch trials approach the novel’s pace accelerates and you are constantly reaching to find out more. About half way through the book I sat down and read right to the end in one sitting because it was so thrilling! There are so many unexpected twists and turns that made me audibly shout or take a sharp in take of breath because I was so invested in the characters and their story.

A lot of this was helped by the villain of the story, at the beginning the villain isn’t clear but as the story develops they slowly change, until finally showing themselves as rather vile. It is only when Fleetwood starts to suspect the villain that their true nature is revealed.

It’s worth noting that some of the subject matter of the story might be upsetting to some readers as it deals with themes of fertility and miscarriages. Although, it is dealt with very sensitively and gives you a very honest insight into a young bride of that time period.

Overall this is a brilliant novel! It’s full of magic, friendship and duty as well as two wonderful main female characters. I would 100% recommend it if you like historical fiction, strong female characters and friendships or if you just want to try something new and unputdownable. Unmissable! 5/5 stars!