Widdershins
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Narrated by:
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Christine Mackie
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By:
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Helen Steadman
About this listen
The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy: Book 1
Jane Chandler is an apprentice healer. From childhood, she and her mother have used herbs to cure the sick. But Jane will soon learn that her sheltered life in a small village is not safe from the troubles of the wider world. From his father's beatings to his uncle's raging sermons, John Sharpe is beset by bad fortune.
Fighting through personal tragedy, he finds his purpose: to become a witchfinder and save innocents from the scourge of witchcraft. Widdershins tells the story of the women who were persecuted and the men who condemned them.
Based on the little-known 1650 Newcastle witch trials, where fifteen women and one man were hanged for witchcraft on a single day in August 1650.
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Critic reviews
“Impeccably written, full of herbal lore and the clash of ignorance and prejudice against common sense, as well as the abounding beauty of nature, it made for a great read. There are plenty of books, both fact and fiction, available about the witch-trial era, but not only did I not know about such trials in Newcastle, I have not read a novel that so painstakingly and vividly evokes both the fear and joy of living at that time.” Sally Zigmond, Historical Novel Society
“Widdershins is a dark and wonderful novel, rich in historical details, herbal lore, traditions and superstitions. Steadman’s clear eyed storytelling and colourful period voice give life to a vibrant cast of characters drawn against the backdrop of tragic historical events. A compelling and memorable tale!” Louisa Morgan, A Secret History of Witches
“A compelling and nuanced account of the clash of cultures that claimed so many lives. Steadman’s carefully interwoven narrative conjures a world of herbal lore, folk practice and belief and convincingly portrays the psychological and ideological forces that form a perpetrator, and the social structures that sustain him.” Helen Lynch, The Elephand and the Polish Question
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Powerful and dangerous Highlander Dair Sinclair was once the favored son of his clan, the Sinclairs of Carraig Brigh. With Dair at the helm, Sinclair ships circled the globe bringing home incredible fortune - until one deadly mission drives him mad. When a pagan healer predicts that only a virgin bride can heal his son's body and mind, Dair's father sets off to find the perfect wife for his son. At the castle of the fearsome McLeods, he meets lovely and kind Fia MacLeod.
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A great read all around.
- By victoria porter on 08-31-17
By: Lecia Cornwall
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Shaman's Crossing, Book One of the Soldier Son Trilogy
- By: Robin Hobb
- Narrated by: John Keating
- Length: 24 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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Hugo and Nebula Award finalist Robin Hobb crafts intricate fantasy tales featuring larger-than-life characters and exotic landscapes. Nevare Burvelle survives the King’s Cavalla Academy—where nepotism and corruption reign—to become a soldier in the Gernian king’s army. As he and his fellow soldiers are thrust onto the front lines of the king’s brutal territorial expansion campaign, they struggle against the Plainspeople—forest-dwellers who possess a powerful magic long dismissed by the Gernians.
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Sometimes Magic Isn't A Good Thing
- By Therese M. Woolley on 10-18-13
By: Robin Hobb
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The Book of Kells
- By: R. A. MacAvoy
- Narrated by: Alan Robertson
- Length: 14 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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A contemporary man, John Thornburn (a meek, non-violent and unpredictable artist) and woman, Derval (his tough, confrontational, strong and warrior-like lover) time travel to ancient Ireland to avenge a Viking attack. Packed with fascinating details of historical time and place in Irish history and delicately balanced on the border between realism and fantasy, the story centers around one of the most famous and beautiful illuminated manuscripts in history, the legendary but entirely real Book of Kells.
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The Book of Irish Fantasy
- By S. Wells on 12-10-12
By: R. A. MacAvoy
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The Wood's Edge
- By: Lori Benton
- Narrated by: Liz Pearce
- Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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The 1757 New York frontier is home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, yet their feet rarely walk the same paths. On the day Fort William Henry falls, Major Reginald Aubrey is beside himself with grief. His son, born that day, has died in the arms of his sleeping wife.
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Awesome
- By WeRLoved on 04-25-18
By: Lori Benton
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Mirror Mirror
- By: Gregory Maguire
- Narrated by: John McDonough, Kate Forbes, Barbara Rosenblat, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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It is 1502, and seven-year-old Bianca de Nevada lives at Montefiore, the farm of her father, Don Vicente. But one day a noble entourage makes its way up to the farm. In the presence of Cesare Borgia and his sister, the lovely and vain Lucrezia, no one can claim innocence for very long. When Borgia sends Don Vicente on a quest, he leaves Bianca under the care of Lucrezia. She plots a dire fate for the young girl in the woods below the farm, but salvation can be found in the dark forest as well.
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Interesting re-telling of the fairy tale.
- By Patricia on 03-04-10
By: Gregory Maguire
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Miranda and Caliban
- By: Jacqueline Carey
- Narrated by: Gemma Dawson, Alex Wyndham
- Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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A lovely girl grows up in isolation where her father, a powerful magus, has spirited them to in order to keep them safe. We all know the tale of Prospero's quest for revenge, but what of Miranda? Or Caliban, the so-called savage Prospero chained to his will? In this incredible retelling of the fantastical tale, Jacqueline Carey shows listeners the other side of the coin - the dutiful and tenderhearted Miranda, who loves her father but is terribly lonely. And Caliban, the strange and feral boy Prospero has bewitched to serve him.
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Beautiful, charming, slightly scary story
- By DabOfDarkness on 09-16-17
By: Jacqueline Carey
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The Preacher's Bride
- By: Jody Hedlund
- Narrated by: Mimi Black
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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No matter the sacrifice, Elizabeth Whitbread would serve a wounded family. No matter the danger, John Costin was determined to speak God’s word. Neither expected to fall in love. As enemies threaten to silence Costin - and those close to him - will following their hearts cost John and Elizabeth everything?
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You must finish this book!
- By Savvy's mom on 03-27-21
By: Jody Hedlund
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Dragon's Keep
- By: Janet Lee Carey
- Narrated by: Bianca Amato
- Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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On Wilde Island, Rosalind and her mother live their lives in exile, awaiting the time they can reclaim their rightful place on the throne. And there is reason to hope - a 600-year-old prophesy has decreed that they will do just that. But little do they know, their destinies hinge on Rosalind's amazing, shameful secret. Beneath her gold gloves, the fourth finger of her left hand is in truth a dragon's claw.
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Get ready to be whisked away!
- By Corinne on 06-27-08
By: Janet Lee Carey
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Witch's Boy
- By: Kelly Barnhill
- Narrated by: Ralph Lister
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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When Ned and his identical twin brother tumble from their raft into a raging, bewitched river, only Ned survives. Villagers are convinced the wrong boy lived. Sure enough, Ned grows up weak and slow, and stays as much as possible within the safe boundaries of his family's cottage and yard. But when a Bandit King comes to steal the magic that Ned's mother, a witch, is meant to protect, it's Ned who safeguards the magic and summons the strength to protect his family and community.
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Not as good as expected
- By ladybug on 03-19-17
By: Kelly Barnhill
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Taming a Wild Scot
- Claimed by the Highlander, Book 1
- By: Rowan Keats
- Narrated by: Kirsten Potter
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Wrongfully accused of murder and left to die in a hellish Highland dungeon, Ana Bisset has lost all hope of freedom. But the beautiful healer's luck takes an unexpected turn when a hooded stranger appears as her rescuer. After a harrowing escape, Ana settles alone in a quiet village where no one knows her past or her reputation. The last thing she ever expects is to meet her mysterious savior again. Niall MacCurran is no hero but a warrior on a dangerous mission to expose a threat to the realm.
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I was in the mood for Kirsten Potter!
- By Linda on 08-08-14
By: Rowan Keats
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The Architect's Apprentice
- By: Elif Shafak
- Narrated by: Piter Marek
- Length: 16 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1540, 12-year-old Jahan arrives in Istanbul. As an animal tamer in the sultan's menagerie, he looks after the exceptionally smart elephant Chota and befriends (and falls for) the sultan's beautiful daughter Princess Mihrimah. A palace education leads Jahan to Mimar Sinan, the empire's chief architect, who takes Jahan under his wing as they construct (with Chota's help) some of the most magnificent buildings in history.
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I feel like I should like it more than I do
- By nyog on 04-19-17
By: Elif Shafak
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Flesh and Spirit
- Lighthouse, Book 1
- By: Carol Berg
- Narrated by: Allen O'Reilly
- Length: 14 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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The rebellious son of a long line of pureblood cartographers and diviners, Valen has spent most of his life trying to escape what society - and his family - have ordained for him. His own mother has predicted that he will meet his doom in water, blood, and ice. Her divination seems fulfilled when a comrade abandons Valen in a rainy wilderness half-dead, addicted to an enchantment that converts pain to pleasure, and possessing only a stolen book of maps.
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FIGHTING TO ADD MORE WORDS TO THIS COLLECTION
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 07-13-14
By: Carol Berg
What listeners say about Widdershins
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Sabrina Nelson
- 12-03-22
Recommend
I really enjoyed this book. Had me imagining being back at the time witches were burned and those who were healers were called witches. Let's you see how those accused of being a witch took care of those that the "Normals" turned their back on them because they were different. Listening to this book I can here where the world is still the same.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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- Korra II Baskerville
- 05-03-22
Baskerville Book Reviews
This is one of the most upsetting, depressing, difficult to get through books I’ve read in a while. I listened to this book over the course of a week or more while working and that was over a week ago. I usually listen to audiobooks in a single sitting and write my review after or the next morning. I really didn’t know what to say, I still don’t.
It was well told, I didn’t have any trouble following along. It doesn’t sugarcoat anything. While this is a fictionalized retelling, these events actually happened and the author didn’t hold back at all.
The narration is well done, well-spoken, clean, and clear.
Note: I received this audiobook for free as a complimentary listen to go along with my review copy of the second book. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
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- Kristens.reading.nook
- 10-27-21
Perfect witchy read for October!
Inspired by the real witch trials in England in the 1600’s, Widdershins is the perfect October read. The narrator is fantastic, although I did sometimes get confused on which POV I was listening to because it was one female narrator for multiple POV’s, a male and a female.
I was transported in place and time while listening- a mark of a great book!
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- openmypages
- 10-27-21
Widdershins
Widdershins tells the story of the Newcastle witch trials in 1650, but we join the story when two of the characters whose fates will collide at this horrific event are children.
We see how John, the witchfinder, became so passionate about the work he does through the death of his mother, his wife and child as well as the influence of his abusive father and reverend uncle. We hear the stories of his progression into the career and the women accused along the way. Like with many other stories of this ilk, there is terrible aggression towards Eve's cursed daughters where women who have any knowledge or influence or cross the wrong man are deleted from society in the most horrific way. John is probably the most unlikable character I’ve ever read. I know history is full of these men but oof I just wanted to punch him more and more with every word and action.
Jane is a midwife's daughter whose life seems unfairly cursed from the start. Circumstance after circumstance leads her to her ultimate fate. It nearly seemed inescapable that she would end up where she did. As a woman with a brain and an opinion and a desire to make choices that followed her heart and not a sense of duty she set herself apart in a dangerous way. I was so empathetic towards her and found myself really wishing there was a way out for her. My favorite part of her story was the discussions of the herbs and treatments used at that time point. Oh and the END!
It’s definitely a slow moving story with the trials occurring quite near the end but the details of the time help build the tension to a crescendo. Lots of scenes are quite graphic and the description of the women’s “crimes” will make your blood boil but it is accurate to the trials of the times. Check this one out if you liked Phillippa Gregory’s Tidelands. After finishing this, I went right out and purchased the sequel.
Thanks to Love Book Tours for a gifted audio copy. All opinions above are my own.
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- Gigi
- 01-08-23
WOW! I was not ready for this! Stunning!
Hypnotic, emotional and engrossing, Widdershins is the story of a time gone by, when women, and even men, without the slightest real proof were tried, convicted and executed for practicing the dark art of witchcraft. Based in fact, this beautifully written, albeit extremely unsettling story, held me enthralled. I was horrified at what passed for justice in 1649 England! The characters are very well defined, some extremely likable, and others extremely not. I’ll leave the “who’s who” a mystery, so as not to play spoiler! The scene setting is exquisite, beautifully conveying everything I needed to know to understand both the culture and the customs prevalent in the era of the story! The smooth lyrical narration beautifully drew me in, mesmerized me, and allowed me to become completely immersed in the story. The graphic details of the trials that these women and sometimes men endured, while not sensationalized, are also not glossed over, as history’s not always pretty, it just is what it is. Woven into the history are the stories of John, the witch finder, and Jane, one of the accused. Again, no spoilers other than be prepared to feel every emotion under the sun, and to feel them deeply. I know I did. I am feeling them still. Five fabulous stars!
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- Laura
- 03-04-24
Poignant Historical Fiction
This was my first experience with Helen Steadman's work, and it was fascinating. The author's research into the Newcastle witch trials of 1650 was very evident, and the descriptions that resulted from that research were often hard to experience. The author managed to describe the times and living conditions so well that it was almost like being there. I liked that the characters were realistic. I enjoyed the herbal lore that was also a part of this work. Christine Mackie's narration was great, and her performance reflected the feelings engendered by the story. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
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- Kindle Customer
- 12-02-22
loved it
Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! After listening to this story,. I totally enjoyed reading this book. It’s well written and the characters were uniquely fantastic. I would suggest this book to my friends that like this sort of genera. this was a good book. The narration was great.
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- A Adams
- 11-28-22
historical fiction
This book is historical fiction. It is about witches and religion. It gives you insight into what has shaped the two main characters Jane and John. The book starts when they are children. John's abusive father and his uncle who was a reverend had such a negative influence on his life. John and Jane cross paths. Anyone who was different at this time could be accused of being a witch. It also covers the Newcastle witch trials. While historical fiction is not the type of book I normally read this one is exceptional.
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- Anon-Ymous
- 08-08-24
Great listen!
I really enjoyed this book. It is based on witch trials in Newcastle (similar to ones that occurred in Salem). The characters were well-written and the story was well-paced. I also thought the narrator did an excellent job!
I am looking forward to book 2 and 3 of the series.
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- Deedra
- 01-11-22
Widdershins
This book seems like it could have been written during the witch trial days.We meet John who loses his mother at birth and his father gives him to the midwife.His father fetches him when he is old enough to work and beat up.When his father dies, it is encouraged that he live with his uncle and get away from the crone,though she was kind to him. His uncle brings him up as a true man,hater of the unexplained.The atmosphere is so heavy against women and girls,John finds his first witch as a young boy and goes from there.Christine Mackie was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
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