The Witch Hunter

By: Virginia Boecker

Narrated by: Nicola Barber

The magic and suspense of Graceling meet the political intrigue and unrest of Game of Thrones in this riveting fantasy debut.

Your greatest enemy isn't what you fight, but what you fear.

Elizabeth Grey is one of the king's best witch hunters, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and doling out justice. But when she's accused of being a witch herself, Elizabeth is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake.

Salvation comes from a man she thought was her enemy. Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal: he will save her from execution if she can break the deadly curse that's been laid upon him.

But Nicholas and his followers know nothing of Elizabeth's witch hunting past--if they find out, the stake will be the least of her worries. And as she's thrust into the magical world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and one all-too-handsome healer, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate.

Virginia Boecker weaves a riveting tale of magic, betrayal, and sacrifice in this unforgettable fantasy debut.

Critic reviews

"[Filled] with everything a good fantasy book needs: swords, poison, black magic, and betrayal. Elizabeth Grey is a tough, feisty protagonist whose fearless heart takes more twists and turns than the narrow city alleys in which the story opens. A fun, corpse-ridden, blood-drenched debut."—April Tucholke, author of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

"Sassy and smart, this page-turning fantasy is full of action, wit, and magic. I ate it up in one sitting and demand more...now!"—Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of Across the Universe and The Body Electric

"Crisp writing, a fast pace with bloody action, and the all-important monster rats make this story of a bold but more-vulnerable-than-she-realizes witch hunter a strong fantasy debut."—Kate Elliott, author of Cold Magic and Court of Fives

"Elizabeth is an endearingly flawed heroine, and the other characters are just as nuanced and delightful. With an immersive world and fast-paced, addictive plot, The Witch Hunter is perfect for those looking for their next fantastical adventure."—Emily Lloyd-Jones, author of Illusive

Fun Listen

I saw a lot of people raving about The Witch Hunter, so I decided to try it as an audio book to see what all the fuss was about. Set in an alternate Elizabethan era, The Witch Hunter takes place in an England-like country where witches and wizards are hunted down and killed. Elizabeth’s history is more complicated than just being an orphan girl recruited into witch hunting. The reason she is accused of witchcraft stems from an unwanted relationship and her attempt to protect herself, which sets a tone for her escape from a life that had become incr4easingly restrictive. Though both men and women could be witch hunters, it didn’t escape me that the women were still treated as less than equal. The way Elizabeth is forced to go on the run served as a wake-up call for her and she begins to see the hypocrisy behind the cause she held so dear. Still, there is a lot of internal struggle, and Elizabeth’s painful realization about those she trusted gave fantastic motivation for her actions later in the book. The people who rescue her, who end up being the same people she must save, are a band of interesting characters. Her identity as witch hunter was an interesting wrench in her plan to hide out and, as you can imagine, provided a lot of conflict in the story. The setting of The Witch Hunter is filled with supernatural creatures and magic, and I found that the building of this world was quite well done. I enjoyed the story, the hint at romance, and the mission that Elizabeth must fulfill.

The narrator was quite good and is the reason I have turned away ARCs of the second book. I definitely want to listen to book two, The King Slayer. She did an excellent job of changing pitch and timbre of her voice for different characters and it always helps when the narrator has an English accent. I was caught up in the action of the story, as well as the emotional journey that Elizabeth takes. If you aren’t sure whether this book is for you, I highly recommend trying the audio, which I think will give you a more immersive experience into the story.

This two part series is captivating!

If you could sum up The Witch Hunter in three words, what would they be?

Exciting, enthralling, engaging!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Elizabeth because she's a strong, smart character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

I read both The Witch Hunter and its sequel, The King Slayer, over a couple of days. I could not put these books down. I love the premise of a girl who has been raised to be nothing more than a killing machine. And in addition to her upbringing, magic has been wielded on her to make her utterly unstoppable. But then her entire world shifts and she finds herself being accused of witchcraft.
When she is saved by a powerful wizard and healed by a tall dark stranger who bears a striking resemblance to the pirate, you can’t help being hooked as a reader.
With as many twists and turns as one could ask for, I read both The Witch Hunter and its sequel, The King Slayer, over a couple of days. I could not put these books down. I love the premise of a girl who has been raised to be nothing more than a killing machine. And in addition to her upbringing, magic has been wielded on her to make her utterly unstoppable. But then her entire world shifts and she finds herself being accused of witchcraft.
When she is saved by a powerful wizard and healed by a tall dark stranger who bears a striking resemblance to the pirate, you can’t help being hooked as a reader.
With as many twists and turns as one could ask for, this two-part series is captivating. Highly recommended!!

A World Where Magic is Illegal

Virginia Boecker delivered a great debut with The Witch Hunter. She sets her story in an alternate England called Anglia. The book didn't feel so much like a high fantasy as it did an urban fantasy thanks to the dank and gritty atmosphere. The characters, especially those whom Elizabeth meets in Nicolas's home, are really excellent. Like Elizabeth, I'm pretty taken by John.

I like that Elizabeth is strong but not invincible. That she struggles to know who she can trust, but that she also doesn't deliberate for too long.

Also, the final showdown in this novel reminds me of The Ordeal (the test one must pass to be become a knight in the kingdom of Tortall) and anything that reminds me of Tamora Pierce is definitely a good thing.

I listened to the audio recording of this book, and I am always happy with Nicola Barber's performances. (She is also the reader for Maureen Johnson's Shades of London series.)

my new favorite book

finished in a day, .can't wait to read the second, I really recommend this book!!!!