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The Burnings
- Author
- Naomi Kelsey
- Narrator
- Rhianna McGreevy
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 8 June 2023
- Run Time
- 16 hours 31 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
- Rating
- 5.0 (2 reviews)
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What to expect
‘This gripping, vividly evoked novel takes the reader to the dark heart of the 16th century … unforgettable' Tracy Borman, author of The King’s Witch
Nothing scares men like witchcraft…
1589. Scottish housemaid Geillis and Danish courtier Margareta lead opposite lives, but they both know one thing: when a man cries “witch”, no woman is safe.
Yet when the marriage of King James VI and Princess Anna of Denmark brings Geillis and Margareta together, everything they supposed about good, evil, men, and women, is cast in a strange and brilliant new light.
For the first time in history, could black magic – or rumours of it – be a very real tool for women’s political gain?
As the North Berwick witch trials whip Scotland – and her king – into a frenzy of paranoia, the clock is ticking. Can Margareta and Geillis keep each other safe? And once the burnings are over, in whose hands will power truly lie?
Inspired by the incredible true story that set 16th-century Scotland and Denmark alight, The Burnings is 2023’s most bewitching debut novel, by a multi-awardwinning new star of historical fiction.
‘A beautifully written re-imagining … clever and tantalising’ S.G. MacLean
READERS LOVE THE BURNINGS
‘I was blown away … so gripping, at times it was very hard to put down. I was pulled in emotionally … I do not have any negative comments about this story at all. Brilliantly put together’ Danielle Graham, (Dee, Goodreads) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I can't recommend this highly enough. It is well written, well researched, and a totally enthralling read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘What stands out for me is the clear level of research that went into the writing, plot and characters’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Beautifully written, I was transported … The author has a talent for bringing historical figures and events to life … This reminded me of Tracy Borman’s The King’s Witch and I’d love to read more from this author’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘What a great story’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This book is up there with the best of them’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Critics Review
-
‘I was mesmerised by The Burnings and its heroines. I highly recommend this brilliant and compelling novel to all lovers of historical fiction.’ Laura Shepperson, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Heroines
‘A gothic gem. Tense, delicate writing. Lace woven with steel threads.’ Judges of the HWA Dorothy Dunnett Competition
‘The best new talent from the North of England . . . This year’s winners show that the next generation of creative talent has the potential to help us re-frame a post-pandemic world and better understand ourselves and our society.’ Katy Shaw, Partner in the Northern Writers’ Awards 2020
‘The Burnings is a beautifully written re-imagining of the North Berwick witch trials with clever and tantalising glimpses into the cross-over between witchcraft and lived experience in 16th-century Scotland.’ S.G. MacLean, author of The Bookseller of Inverness
'This gripping, vividly evoked novel takes the reader to the dark heart of the sixteenth century witch hunts. Witchcraft, espionage and the deadly world of the royal court fuse into a compelling, unforgettable narrative. A stunning debut.'Tracy Borman, author of The King’s Witch
User Reviews
Book 5.0
Narration 5.0
-
5.0 5.0
This is a real page turner, sensitively and beautifully written. Some parts of the book were of necessity stark and violent conveying the cruelty, fear and prejudice of the time. The narration is first rate, one of the best I’ve listened to.
natalieofnemeton 2025-11-12
Details
- Author
- Naomi Kelsey
- Narrator
- Rhianna McGreevy
- Duration
- 16 hours 31 minutes
- Release Date
- 8 June 2023
- ISBN
- 9780008534783
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Genre
- Historical fiction, Magical realism, Myths and Legends / Mythic fiction, Witchcraft / Witches
- Rating
- 5.0(2 reviews)
- Narration
- 5.0(2 reviews)
Synopsis
‘I was mesmerised’ LAURA SHEPPERSON, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Heroines ‘This gripping, vividly evoked novel takes the reader to the dark heart of the 16th century … unforgettable' Tracy Borman, author of The King’s Witch Nothing scares men like witchcraft… 1589. Scottish housemaid Geillis and Danish courtier Margareta lead opposite lives, but they both know one thing: when a man cries “witch”, no woman is safe. Yet when the marriage of King James VI and Princess Anna of Denmark brings Geillis and Margareta together, everything they supposed about good, evil, men, and women, is cast in a strange and brilliant new light. For the first time in history, could black magic – or rumours of it – be a very real tool for women’s political gain? As the North Berwick witch trials whip Scotland – and her king – into a frenzy of paranoia, the clock is ticking. Can Margareta and Geillis keep each other safe? And once the burnings are over, in whose hands will power truly lie? Inspired by the incredible true story that set 16th-century Scotland and Denmark alight, The Burnings is 2023’s most bewitching debut novel, by a multi-awardwinning new star of historical fiction. ‘A beautifully written re-imagining … clever and tantalising’ S.G. MacLean READERS LOVE THE BURNINGS ‘I was blown away … so gripping, at times it was very hard to put down. I was pulled in emotionally … I do not have any negative comments about this story at all. Brilliantly put together’ Danielle Graham, (Dee, Goodreads) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I can't recommend this highly enough. It is well written, well researched, and a totally enthralling read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What stands out for me is the clear level of research that went into the writing, plot and characters’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Beautifully written, I was transported … The author has a talent for bringing historical figures and events to life … This reminded me of Tracy Borman’s The King’s Witch and I’d love to read more from this author’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What a great story’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This book is up there with the best of them’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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