Author: Madeline Martin
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Suspense, Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Book Release Date: September 1, 2026
Pages: 380
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Two women, bound by blood and betrayal, must break silence across centuries—or be silenced forever, in the dazzling new novel by New York Times bestselling author Madeline Martin.
Lilith Legare’s life is unraveling. Since her mother’s death, strange things have been happening - plants turn toward her touch, animals linger in her path, and the birthmark on her arm has started tingling. Worse still is her recurring nightmare of being burned alive at the stake.
Her search for answers brings her from Savannah to England, to the decaying Brackenmere Manor where the past blurs with the present. There, Lilith discovers a legacy she never asked for and along with it, the threat of peril. History must be rewritten, or she too will die.
In 1645 Suffolk, Sybil Brantham stands accused as a witch. An educated, wealthy widow, she is branded a threat by men who fear her independence. As arrests begin and suspicion abounds, Sybil must protect her younger sister, even as betrayal takes root within her household.
Across centuries, Lilith and Sybil are bound by blood and by danger. To save themselves, and each other, they must confront the silence that has stolen women’s power for generations—and dare to claim their voices before it’s too late.
My Review: A Time of Witches tells the story of a modern-day woman who must save a woman who stands accused of witchcraft in the 17th century. Sybil is a wealthy and educated widow in 1645. She is a healer and is knowledgeable in herbs. When she refuses to marry a magistrate, she is being accused of witchcraft. Sybil also must protect her younger sister, Jacinda, from being accused of being a witch. In present-day, Lilith’s entire existence depends on saving Sybil. Therefore, she must use her magic to save a woman from the pyre who lived over three hundred years ago.
I was very excited for Madeline Martin’s new novel! It was a different approach from her usual straightforward historical fiction. This book has fantasy and paranormal elements! Therefore, I couldn’t wait to read it! I have to say that I like Sybil’s story more than Lillith’s story! Sybil was an intelligent and caring woman! She heals the people in her community through her healing skills. I was intrigued with her story, and I sympathized with her as she experienced pain and fortune under witchcraft. Her love for her sister, Jacinda, made her stronger, and she was willing to die for her to keep her safe. I loved the bond they had! I wanted to know if she would be saved! Lilith was not as compelling as Sybil. I thought that she needed more of a back story to help flesh out her character. Nevertheless, I did like that she was willing to help Sybil! I also thought that she was caring and devoted, especially to her loved ones! Thus, I could not wait to learn what happened to them!
Overall, this book is about love, inner strength, and secrets! There were a few characters that I liked, especially Sybil’s sister and Lilith’s friend. However, I found most of the characters to be stereo-typical and one-dimensional. There were also a few cliches in the novel. Nevertheless, I did like the setting of a manor house in England! A Time of Witches was a fast-paced thriller! I did not want to stop reading! It is a perfect read for Halloween! A Time of Witches will be sure to please fans of witchy books! I recommend this book for fans of The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel, The Witch of Willow Hall, and The Witches of Cambridge!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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