Booklife Review by Publishers Weekly
When 10-year-old Alice Molland is forced to witness the hanging of her mentor Goody Luscombe, she’s shocked to find that the execution is not a somber affair but a lively celebration. Witch hangings usually are—at least in 17th century England, the setting of Molland’s historical fiction debut. Goody Luscombe’s death thrusts Alice down an unconventional path, following in her teacher’s footsteps to become a healer despite the dangers posed by religious zealots and petty townsfolk quick to punish what they can’t understand. But as Alice comes of age while navigating family tragedy, forbidden romance, and a tyrannical, patriarchal society, memories of Goody Luscombe are never far from her mind, prompting her to wonder if she can avoid meeting the same fate.
Those with an interest in this era of history will appreciate how Judy Molland, a descendant of the real-life Alice Molland, uses the sparse details known about her ancestor to spin a tale of resilience in the face of constant misfortune. In a post-script, she details her extensive research compelling an accurate depiction of England under the rules of both Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II, as well as her original foray into Alice’s life. In Molland’s fictional imaginings, the biggest threats to Alice are not the rampant violence and illness that surround her, but sexist ignorance and jealousy: women are as likely to be accused of witchcraft for everyday misfortunes—or to silence them from revealing inconvenient truths—as they are for partaking in magic rituals.
The Making of a Witch is ambiguous about the role of actual magic in Alice’s world. Her knowledge of herbs is rooted in science, but she also joins a sect of moon worshippers, brews love potions, and bears a symbolic birthmark, adding elements of mystery and intrigue to a story otherwise firmly grounded in history.
Takeaway: Authentic historical fiction conjures up the dangers of 17th-century England.
Comparable Titles: Beth Underdown’s The Witchfinder’s Sister, Kathleen Kent’s The Heretic’s Daughter.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B+