A Time of Witches: A Gothic Historical Mystery of Family Secrets and Witchcraft
Two women, bound by blood and betrayal, must break silence across centuries--or be silenced forever, in the dazzling new novel by New York Times bestselling author Madeline Martin.
Lilith Legare's life is unraveling. Since her mother's death, strange things have been happening - plants turn toward her touch, animals linger in her path, and the birthmark on her arm has started tingling. Worse still is her recurring nightmare of being burned alive at the stake.
Her search for answers brings her from Savannah to England, to the decaying Brackenmere Manor where the past blurs with the present. There, Lilith discovers a legacy she never asked for and along with it, the threat of peril. History must be rewritten, or she too will die.
In 1645 Suffolk, Sybil Brantham stands accused as a witch. An educated, wealthy widow, she is branded a threat by men who fear her independence. As arrests begin and suspicion abounds, Sybil must protect her younger sister, even as betrayal takes root within her household.
Across centuries, Lilith and Sybil are bound by blood and by danger. To save themselves, and each other, they must confront the silence that has stolen women's power for generations--and dare to claim their voices before it's too late.
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Community Reviews
Some houses hold memories and others remember exactly who belongs within their walls. A Time of Witches by Madeline Martin is a marvously layered tale of witchcraft, ancestral secrets, and the extraordinary power of women across generations.
The dual timeline storytelling is well crafted. Lilith Legare is grieving her mother's death when strange abilities and recurring nightmares begin to reveal a mysterious connection to her family's past. Her search for answers takes her from Savannah to England, where the crumbling Brackenmere Manor seems to recognize her. Nearly four centuries earlier, Sybil Brantham faces persecution during the English witch trials of 1645. Her independence, education, and knowledge of herbal medicine make her a target in a society determined to punish women who refuse to submit.
I was fascinated by the mystery connecting Lilith and Sybil. The gradual reveals kept me eager to understand how these women's lives would intersect across centuries. Brackenmere Manor was captivating. Its almost sentient presence gives the setting a personality of its own. The house transforms into a powerful symbol of belonging, generational inheritance, and the enduring strength of family ties.
Sybil's historical narrative was equally compelling and heartbreaking. Martin skillfully incorporates the brutal realities of the seventeenth century witch hunts. She constructs a fictional account of misogyny, religious persecution, and the dangerous consequences of men squashing female independence. The historical influences, including the notorious Malleus Maleficarum, added true life feel to the narrative. Sybil's experiences felt meticulously researched.
I appreciated Martin's decision to keep the focus on the women rather than allowing Lilith's relationship with Asher to overshadow her journey. His presence serves a meaningful purpose without diminishing Lilith's agency or the importance of her discoveries. The novel's exploration of inherited power and ancestral identity remains more compelling than a conventional romantic subplot. There was an obvious thoughfulness to connecting the supernatural elements with the historical narrative. The magic never felt disconnected from the larger themes of female autonomy, generational trauma, and reclaiming a heritage threatened by centuries of persecution.
Pick up A Time of Witches for a wonderful blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and family mystery.
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