TO RESCUE A WITCH
by
Lisa A. Traugott
Historical Fiction / Action & Adventure / Witch Trials
Page Count: 398 pages
Publication Date: March 1, 2024
It’s 1739. An abused girl accused of witchcraft must be defended by a man married to an actual witch.
William MacLeod, a fierce Scottish lawyer with a kind heart, takes on a daunting task—rescue young Annaliese from the clutches of her tormentors in the untamed wilds of Virginia colony and deliver her safely to her aristocratic father in London. But lurking in the shadows are enemies eager to expose MacLeod’s own wife, Fiona, as a witch with a dark secret.
Their perilous journey takes an unexpected turn when their ship wrecks, and Annaliese’s haunting nightmares and unexplained Devil Marks trigger suspicion among the crew. Tension peaks when MacLeod must become Annaliese’s unwavering protector in a witch trial, where Fiona’s clairvoyance and a murder are unveiled.
To Rescue a Witch navigates themes of betrayal and redemption, in a spellbinding narrative that blends history, magic, and the unyielding resilience of the human spirit.
My Review
To Rescue a Witch is the story of Annaliese, a bastard child who has only known abuse. She has plenty of physical and emotional scars that help convey her plight to the people she meets. This obviously makes for a very tough read at times. This is an adult book with adult themes. Trigger warnings should definitely be checked. Grim elements aside, this is a book full of hope and second chances despite its darker aspects.
The story is told from multiple perspectives including Annaliese, her new caretaker, and several people involved in some major, secret plots. After a childhood full of abuse, nine year old Annaliese has her life turned completely around. However, her rough upbringing causes her to stick out in big ways, making her an outcast when placed into different social loops than she's used to.
Annaliese was my favorite character, easily. Her struggles and emotional turmoil are very engaging because they're so grim and realistically approached. She shies away from people, believes she'll keep receiving pain, and has a hard time believing anything she is told by the new people in her life. It was so worthwhile to see her grow as the story went on.
I also enjoyed the societal drama subplots that enveloped the life of Annaliese's actual family and new companions. They made for a gripping story and I was wondering how everything would play out by the end. I liked the broader setting as Annaliese began her new life. She went on a journey both physically and emotionally that was engrossing. Also included are some points that take the story even further back into the past. I haven't read a historical fiction book quite like this one, and even with its dark elements, it's a very immersive story with a lot to enjoy. I give To Rescue a Witch a Lone Star rating of ✯✯✯✯ stars.
Lisa A. Traugott is an award-winning author and World Championship public speaker semifinalist and spoke five lines on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She lives in Austin with her husband, two kids, and English bulldog, Bruno.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this book, Sam. I loved the story, although parts of it were heartbreaking. The author did a great job!
ReplyDeleteI like that the book balances the grim storyline with hope, too. Thanks for the review!
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