Jennifer Sherman Roberts

The Village Healer's Book of Cures is a novel about a young woman who is attempting to stay safe in a village that has turned against her while discovering the truth of what is causing troubling events in her village.

Mary Fawcett is a healers living in 17th century England, during the depth of the witch hunts in England. When a Witch-finder comes to town he begins teaching the town to hate those who are different and fear the healing work Mary has always provided for her community. After a death incites even more suspicion Mary fears for her life and the lives of those closest to her even while attempting to solve the mystery of the death.

This novel is a conversation between the way humans behave when scared, and our worst instincts, and the dive to heal even those who may have hurt us. Mary is a woman who has been wounded deeply by her life and by the start of the book has seen more death in her own life then she should have had to endure. Yet even with the worst happening all around her she sees the good nature of others and holds to it. She defends those she loves eagerly, and is willing to treat even those who have wronged her.

The setting is perfect for a twisty gothic that has turns you won't see coming, and a darkness at its core that could only be fed by the worst parks of humanity. The true evil in this novel is no grand monster but humans, and what monster could ever live up to the monsters we turn ourselves into? The grey over cast on the whole novel seeps across the pages and I found myself not wanting to read this one in a dark setting, despite this in no way being a horror novel. It unsettled me to face down the most vile parts of humanity with Mary, and at multiple times I was actively worried about her and her brothers safety.

I would recommend this novel to those who want:
- A dark and twisty gothic
- Mysteries that keep you hooked
- To face down the worst of humanity
- A historical novel about the witch hunts
- A gloomy atmospheric novel

I would avoid if you are a bit squeamish, or are looking for anything cozy or easy to read.

I received an ARC of this book at no cost/for free, I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased… (mer)

Sadly DNF at 35%.

I really loved the premise of this and I adore stories about women finding their power when everything is stacked against them.

Unfortunately this just wasn’t for me and I don’t have a desire to read past this point. The writing and characters fell flat for me (they all kind of blended into each other) and the pacing was really, really slow. I don’t mind slow if it’s intriguing, but this just wasn’t. Did not feel excited, or even interested to pick it back up after putting it down.

I'm saddened because I really wanted to like this.… (mer)

Sadly DNF at 35%.

I really loved the premise of this and I adore stories about women finding their power when everything is stacked against them.

Unfortunately this just wasn’t for me and I don’t have a desire to read past this point. The writing and characters fell flat for me (they all kind of blended into each other) and the pacing was really, really slow. I don’t mind slow if it’s intriguing, but this just wasn’t. Did not feel excited, or even interested to pick it back up after putting it down.

I'm saddened because I really wanted to like this.… (mer)