Sunwise
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 3 months for £0.99/mo
Sunwise
Buy Now for £14.99
-
Narrated by:
-
Christine Mackie
-
By:
-
Helen Steadman
About this listen
The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy: Book 2
When Jane’s lover, Tom, returns from the navy to find her unhappily married to his betrayer, Jane is caught in an impossible situation. Still reeling from the loss of her mother at the hands of the witchfinder, Jane has no choice but to continue her dangerous work as a healer while keeping her young daughter safe. But as Tom searches for a way for him and Jane to be together, the witchfinder is still at large. Filled with vengeance, the witchfinder will stop at nothing in his quest to rid England of the scourge of witchcraft.
Sunwise tells the story of one woman’s struggle for survival in a hostile and superstitious world. The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy was inspired by the little-known 1650 witch hunt, where fifteen women and one man were hanged for witchcraft on a single day.
©2019 Bell Jar Books (P)2024 Bell Jar BooksListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
“The novel is rich in fascinating details: Jane’s remedies and the village customs, partly Christian, partly pagan. Ancient names for plants and festivities, both seasonal and Christian, add colour to the narrative.” Lynn Guest, Historical Novel Society
“A great read, not to be missed. Steadman’s skillful and resplendent prose leads the reader easily into villages, manses and cottages, festivities and day to day lives, with amazing detail and descriptions of a past age that jump off the page of the novel. The historical research is rich; scenes and spaces, deliciously visual, and the language employed by the protagonists and throughout the narrative is authentic and consistent, transporting us back in time just by virtue of its ancient tonality.” Susana Aikin, We Shall See the Sky Sparkling
"Sometimes charming, sometimes disturbing, and very firmly set in its time and place – don't expect an easy ride, though!" Lexie Conyngham, The Tender Herb
Jane is left to a life of misery that is impossible not to empathise with after all she has been though, yet she still finds the strength and bravery in her heart to continue healing, with her life on the line as a result.
John. Oh John. It’s hard not to despise his character with his complete lack of empathy and endless acts of cruelty, yet, of the two, his is my favourite narrative, as I believe the author gives a brilliantly accurate insight into the insanity that motivated the many witch trials suffered world wide throughout history.
Once again Helen delivers a brutal account of the realities of England during this time, delving into life behind the trials themselves, both at home in family life and my favourite insight - within the minds of those consumed by it.
Our country encapsulated by fear, led to so many acts of barbarity, with those inciting the acts, falling prey to the evil they claimed to be freeing the land from.
If you’re looking for a witchy read with accurate historical aspects, herbal lore a plenty and a story that will stay in your heart after the tale is over .. this duology is one for you✨
An exceptionally gripping story
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The plot of the story was gripping with two stories initially being told from two different character perspectives, John and Jane. John a witch hunter. Jane a woman who works in midwifery. Eventually the two stories become one and you embark on the journey of how these two stories unite.
For an audio this was extremely easy to follow. I loved the accusations to who was witches and trying to figure it all out. My favourite characters were Tom and Jane and their whole story was gripping. I felt so sorry for them and so much sadness. I didn’t like driver at all and thought he was wicked and evil. I couldn’t figure out how I felt about John though which played on my mind.
I really struggled listening to the ending of this book it was graphic making me feel upset and sick to my stomach. Although the whole story was absolutely brilliant and pieced together perfectly I didn’t expect it to end the way it did.
Loved This
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This book is equally as brilliant as Widdershins, both narrated by the wonderful Christine Mackie. Throughout the book I was rooting for Jane and Tom and the future they so desperately want!
Helen's characters are excellently written; I absolutely hated John (so much that he made me cringe), and increasingly took a dislike to other characters as more of the story is revealed.
This audiobook was so gripping and immersive that by the end I was incredibly invested in it, so much that I felt emotional at the end.
Fabulous for historical fiction fans or those wanting to try it. I would definitely recommend Sunwise and it's prequel Widdershins.
⚠️Content Warning⚠️
This book contains very graphic descriptions of abuse, some of which is aimed at children/infants.
Excellent Historical fiction
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Listener received this title free
As with the first book, it's very obvious that Helen has done a lot of research and paid immense attention to detail on the true story these books are based on.
Emotional, raw and an insight to our long lost history, this is one that will be sure to give you the spooks.
Raw
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Much like Widdershins, we follow Jane and Mr Creepy witch hunter John as they narrate alternating chapters. Jane is now married and raising her daughter, and Mr Creepy is still being, well, creepy and awful but thankfully the actions of his abuse and sexual misconducts catch up to him in this book and I couldn’t have been more happier to finally listen to the consequences of his perverted actions. I was happy to see more of Jane and despite the unhappy situation she’s in, she still practices midwifery and healing to those who need it. I won’t go into much more detail as I don’t want to spoil Sunwise, or Widdershins, for anyone but you should all check out this book. It was just as amazing as the first one, and you can tell while reading through the alternating chapters it’s playing out like angel vs demon, good vs bad, and it really does stick in your mind.
Once again the narrator (Christine Mackie) has done such a fabulous job with bringing this book and it’s characters to life, I want her to narrate any historical fictions books I listen to in the future! If you’re a fan of historical fiction then you definitely want to pick up this book (and the first one if you haven’t already!).
Fantastic sequel!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.