Witchstruck by Victoria Lamb




2012 has seen the publication of Victoria Lamb's first book for adults The Queen's Secret and her first for teens; Witchstruck, the first of a planned trilogy. I was very excited when I saw the publisher's were labelling this book as "Twilight meets Philippa Gregory" it certainly sounded intriguing. I was even more excited when I saw that this book featured a young witch in training who is already in a precarious position as a servant to the imprisoned Queen Elizabeth. With Bloody Mary on the throne Elizabeth is in constant danger but she is an ambitious young woman with an interest in the dark arts and she encourages Meg and her aunt to seek visions of the future. There is intrigue and danger from page one and I was hooked. Meg is a strong and feisty heroine and the magic and mystery seem to hum on the page. To top it all there is also a thrilling romance with a young Spanish priest in training, but can she trust him? I can't wait to read more from this author and her other novel The Queen's Secret is already in my TBR pile.

Here is my Goodreads review

An amazing and absorbing new series with a believable heroine and a real sense of danger, the publishers are marketing this as Phillippa Gregory crossed with Twilight. Yes it is set in the Tudor era and there are real historical characters including the future Queen Elizabeth and the reigning Queen Mary but this is not Twilight, It is so much better. There is a growing friendship and sexual tension between the lead characters but the paranormal power is all hers and she will not compromise. Meg is a stronger and more realistic heroine than Bella Swan and Victoria Lamb has really done her research the descriptions of the rituals and spells that Meg and her Aunt Jane use are not invented and the story fits into the real historical events of Mary's reign. I cannot wait to read more of this series. It is better than Philippa Gregory.

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