"A historical novel inspired by the true story of the trial of Isobel Gowdie for witchcraft, in 1662 in Scotland. "
Lady Margaret, a wilful teenager, not exactly fitting the title of Lady, has a burning curiosity to befriend Isobel and find out more about her craft and association with the fairies. Margaret suffers guilt and inner conflict on account of this association. To be fair, Isobel tries to help Margaret, until she is put on trial for witchcraft and names Margaret as being part of her coven.
There are a lot of dark moments in this book, and it asks a lot of hard questions about society, especially when it comes to the treatment of women.
I liked the characters, especially Margaret. A girl with spirit and questions.
But, overall, a very good read, in particular if you do like history woven with fiction, as I do.
Helen Lowry, A LoveReading Ambassador
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
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Bitter Magic, inspired by the true story of Isobel Gowdie and her witchcraft confession, reveals a little-known corner of history—the lives of both pagan and Protestant women in the Scottish Reformation of the 1600s as witch trials and executions threatened their lives, values, and beliefs.
The story is told by Isobel herself and also by Margaret Hay, a fictionalized seventeen-year-old noble woman. When Margaret stumbles across Isobel one day, it seems as though Isobel is commanding the dolphins in the ocean to dance. Margaret is enchanted. She becomes interested in Isobel’s magic, in fairies, and in herbal remedies; Isobel freely shares her knowledge. While Margaret worries that being around Isobel could be dangerous, she also respects Isobel’s medical successes and comes to believe that acknowledging the efficacy of herbal remedies or believing in fairies does not challenge her Christianity.
But Isobel believes in more than cheery fairies and herbal medicine. She has dark wishes as well, unknown to most people. Isobel seeks vengeance against the local lord who executed her mother for witchcraft. More important, Isobel’s trance experiences (or are they dreams?) lead her to confess to a wide range of sins, including consorting with the devil. Then, during her trial, Isobel names thirteen others, calling them all witches. To her great shock, Margaret hears her own name. Can her tutor, a Christian mystic named Katharine, save them?
Bitter Magic features in the following genres: Historical Fiction, Indie Author Books, Indie Books We Love, Historical romance, Witchcraft, Witchcraft and wicca, Fiction, Recommendations, Romance / Relationship Stories, Occult studies, Alternative belief systems, Religion and beliefs, Philosophy and Religion, Mysticism, magic and occult interests, Mind, body, spirit, Health & Fitness
Bitter Magic is available in Paperback
Bitter Magic was written by Nancy Hayes Kilgore and published by Milford House Press
