Review: The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker

Saturday 6 June 2015

Title: The Witch Hunter

Author: Virginia Boecker

Release Date: June 2nd, 2015

Book one of a series

Rating:



Review:

Elizabeth Grey is one of the best witch hunters in the kingdom of Anglia. In a kingdom that condemns witches and wizards to be burned at the stake, it is her job to find them and send them to their death. When she is found with forbidden witch's herbs, she is sentenced to death by the very man who taught her all she knows. Whilst slowly dying in Fleet prison, she is rescued by Nicholas Perevil - the most wanted wizard in Anglia - who offers her a deal: he will help her escape if she helps him break a deadly curse.

Elizabeth is thrust into a world of magic and must look beyond everything she has ever been taught about witches and wizards. She has been brainwashed into believing that magic is evil but that veil soon begins to lift and she realises that things are not as black and white as she was led to believe. I mostly liked Elizabeth. She is not portrayed as an innocent, perfect, little girl which I really liked. She's had quite a tough childhood and definitely doesn't live an easy life now. I do think she comes across as a little weak at times and I wanted to shake her and tell her to shout and fight more but she absolutely develops over time and becomes stronger which is a sign of a good main character.

Nicholas Perevil reminds me a little of Dumbledore in Harry Potter (he's old, wise and creates a starry night in the ceiling) but that's really as far as the Harry Potter similarities go. There could easily have been more as it's a book about magic, witches and wizards but the world-building is so well done that there's no mistake of this being an entirely different world. I had absolutely no problems with understanding or picturing the world and there are no lengthy info-dumps for this to happen; the writing flows excellently.

The other secondary characters were also fantastic and well thought out. Each had their own distinct personality and weren't forgettable. I loved Elizabeth's relationship with John and how their relationship was turbulent at times but without the need of a love triangle. Blackwell is a convincing villain and George and Fifer were both fun to read about.

I really enjoyed being immersed in this world and I can't wait for the sequel.

I received a copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

10 comments:

  1. I started this book and to be honest, I actually really didn't like it. I was about 30% through and thought "I don't think I can finish this." Hopefully, I will be able to push through it sometime! Great review, though! Maybe I will pick it up, after all! :)

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    1. Aww, sorry you didn't have a good time with it! I hope it's different second time around if you do try again!

      Thank you! :)

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  2. I heard nothing bad about this book. Already added to my TBR. I can't wait to read it! Great review!

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  3. Good to hear you liked this - I've been getting interested in it hearing other people receive review copies and get excited about it, so it's good to see some written reviews too.

    ~Ailsa @ The Book Bundle

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    1. I thought it was really good! I struggled to put it down which is always a good sign :)

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  4. Completely agree with you Nicola, great review! I'm so excited for the second book it's about time we had a fresh new series :D
    Cody @ http://literary-lyobsessed.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Me too! I can't wait for the next one. I'm compiling quite the list of series books that come out in 2016!

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  5. I loved this book too! I'm glad to see another blogger showing it some love ;) And you're comparison of Nicholas to Dumbledore is spot on! I was trying to think of who he reminded me of and couldn't put my finger on it....haha! Great review :)

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    1. Yay I'm glad you did too! I'm enjoying seeing all the positive reviews too :P
      Haha he's totally like a Dumbledore character! It was a nice bit of nostalgia!
      Thank you :)

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