Witchstruck by Victoria Lamb

Meg Lytton has always known of her dark and powerful gift. Raised a student of the old magick by her Aunt Jane, casting the circle to see visions of the future and concocting spells from herbs and bones has always been as natural to Meg as breathing. But there has never been a more dangerous time to practice the craft, for it is 1554, and the sentence for any woman branded a witch is hanging, or burning at the stake.

Sent to the ruined, isolated palace of Woodstock to serve the disgraced Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII and half-sister of Queen Mary, Meg discovers her skills are of interest to the outcast princess, who is desperate to know if she will ever claim the throne. But Meg's existence becomes more dangerous every day, with the constant threat of exposure by the ruthless witch-finder Marcus Dent, and the arrival of a young Spanish priest, Alejandro de Castillo, to whom Meg is irresistibly drawn - despite their very different attitudes to her secret.

Thrilling and fast-paced, this is the first unputdownable story in a bewitching new series.
 

Paperback, 368 pages

Published July 5th 2012 by Corgi Childrens 

copy provided by publisher via netgalley for honest review

2 1/2 - 3 stars

I am undecided about this one.  I really wanted to like this book, it's about witches, I love witches, there is nothing like a good witch story.  Add the fact that this book takes place in Tudor England during the reign of Bloody Mary, Elizabeth is a prisoner, all the ingredients of a good book, right?  The book started out good, I was enticed, curious to see where things lead.  But I just couldn't connect with Meg, her character lacked depth and believability.   The Spanish priest, Alejandro just got on my nerves.  Elizabeth was portrayed in a way that seemed out of place.

 

I guess that I just found the story was not as smooth flowing as it could be, the premise of the book had potential but didn't deliver (for me, maybe for you it would).

It's young adult, so I would recommend for that age group.  I have another book by this author on my shelf, her Lucy Morgan Series and I will give her another try.