LoveReading Says
A fascinating and enthralling tale focusing on three women and accusations of witchcraft during the royal union between Denmark and Scotland in 1589. Author Kate Foster’s debut The Maiden, a retelling of a real murder case in 17th century Edinburgh, was chosen as a LoveReading Star Book by reviewer Joanne Owen, and longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction in March 2024. The King’s Witches offers another reimagining, this time taking in two royal courts as Princess Anne is betrothed to King James VI of Scotland, and witchcraft claims sweep Europe. This novel focuses on three very different women, from princess, to lady-in-waiting, to housemaid. Chapters are headed by one of them, and they narrate, each voice vividly distinct. It is intriguing to see the different viewpoints and how each chapter and individual story spills into the next. Fear stalks the pages, creating eddies within the plot of artifice and manipulation. The strength of women is celebrated, hope somehow survives. It is so very easy to see how this dreadful time in history unravelled as the atmosphere and sense of place is vibrantly expressive and so I’ve chosen this novel as a Liz Pick of the Month. The historical note at the end confirms the dreadful killings of tens of thousands of people suspected of witchcraft, and the King who was well known for his involvement in the demonising and punishment of those thought to be involved. Memorable and moving, The King’s Witches is a dramatically rich and absorbing tale.
Liz Robinson
Find This Book In
The King's Witches Synopsis
The King’s Witches by Kate Foster is a compelling and beautiful historical novel that gives voices to the women at the heart of the real-life witch trials in sixteenth-century Scotland.
Women whisper secrets to each other; it is how we survive.
1589. Princess Anna of Denmark is betrothed to King James VI of Scotland. Before they can wed, Anna must pass the trial period: one year of marriage to prove herself worthy of being Scotland's new Queen. Determined to fulfil her duties to King and country, Anna resolves to be the perfect royal bride. Until she meets Lord Henry . . .
By her side is Kirsten Sorenson, her loyal and pious lady-in-waiting. But, whilst tending to Anna's every need, Kirsten has her own secret motives for the royal marriage to succeed . . .
Meanwhile, in North Berwick, young housemaid Jura practises the healing charms taught to her by her mother. When she realizes she is no longer safe, she escapes to Edinburgh, only to find herself caught up in the witchcraft mania that has gripped not just the capital, but the new queen . . .
Will Anna, Kirsten and Jura be able to save each other and, in doing so, save themselves?
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781529091786 |
| Publication date: |
6th June 2024 |
| Author: |
Kate Foster |
| Publisher: |
Mantle an imprint of Pan Macmillan |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Pagination: |
326 pages |
| Primary Genre |
Historical Fiction
|
| Other Genres: |
|
| Recommendations: |
|
Kate Foster Press Reviews
Kate Foster is an exceptional writer and masterful storyteller with a resounding talent for making historical settings and characters exciting and relevant for today’s readers. Like her debut novel, The Maiden, The King's Witches is a masterpiece of the historical fiction genre - I literally didn’t look up from first page to last -- Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal
The King's Witches is enthralling, compelling and at times chilling. Foster transports the reader back in time, bringing alive the forgotten and hidden voices of women in the past. An utterly timely tale that surpasses The Maiden, her rightly celebrated debut -- D. V. Bishop, author of Ritual of Fire
With shades of The Familiars, this incredible tale of Princess Anna of Denmark's betrothal to King James VI, all set against the Scottish witch trials, had me absolutely gripped. Kate Foster has spun a beautifully written tale of love and duty, fear and courage, and I can't recommend it highly enough. I'm already beside myself to read her next! -- Jenny Ashcroft, author of The Echoes of Love
Beautiful and brutal . . . a terrifyingly real story of how men control and fear us, and the extraordinary lengths some women have to go to in order to survive. -- Claire Evans, author of The Graves of Whitechapel
A rich, compelling story of three women and their intersecting lives . . . I loved the combination of court intrigue and the Scottish witch trials, and how Foster skilfully uses both to explore the position of women at this point in time -- Katie Lumsden, author of The Secrets of Hartwood Hall
A gripping, poignant novel that gives voice to those so often unheard in historical accounts; the women caught up in seismic events. The stories of Anna, Kisten and Jura will stay with me long after I turned the last page -- Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women
I loved it! Each woman is totally relatable although also of their time. A book for cunning women with a cunning twist -- Tina Baker, author of What We Did in the Storm
