The Ravenswood Witch is an enthralling historical novel to lose yourself in. A young woman fleeing her village after a crime, pursued for murder, is about to be caught when she literally runs into Marcus Greybourne, breaking her ankle. He protects her from arrest, claiming that she is his wife, Luna. He takes her back to his home, and persuades her to remain and to continue the pretence that she is his wife.
It’s a gloriously atmospheric gothic tale that reminds me of some of my favourite gothic/sensationalist novels by Mary Elizabeth Braddon et al. It even reminded me of my #1, all-time favourite classic novel, The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. The Ravenswood Witch oozes mystery, madness, secrets, lust, murder and a touch of magic.… I loved it!
The main character, the Luna-impersonator (real identity would be a spoiler), is a fantastic, well-rounded strong female character with real presence. Marcus is equally vivid and the connection between them is totally convincing. Other minor characters are well drawn. The house itself breathes with eerie menace, adding to the tension.
The pacing of the novel is perfect, with satisfying peaks and troughs. The magic elements are well woven into the story, continually leaving you wondering how much is ‘real’ magic and how much is due to the characters’ distorted perceptions.
My only quibble is the style of writing, which is modern rather than in the style of a 19th century author. At no time do you feel you’re reading a classic. To be fair, historical novels that can successfully pull off archaic English are rare, so it’s not a dealbreaker for me. There are no blatant anachronisms to disturb credulity and the tone is sufficiently atmospheric to sustain the fiction.
Totally recommended for fans of historical fiction with a gothic or sensationalist twist.
My thanks to the author and the publisher, Boldwood Books, for giving me a free copy of this book. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.
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