Did you know that in 1645, a single witch trial in Bury St. Edmunds resulted in the execution of 18 people in one day? This haunting piece of history is the backbone of Madeline Martin’s latest novel, A Time of Witches.
I expected A Time of Witches to be a typical historical fiction story. What I got was a deeply personal, spine-tingling journey that blurred the lines between past and present, leaving me questioning the very nature of legacy and the power that might be sleeping in my own blood.
If you’ve ever felt a strange pull to a place you’ve never been or wondered about the secrets your ancestors might hold, this book is for you.
Table of Contents
Overview
A Time of Witches is a dual-timeline historical fiction novel with a strong supernatural element, blending the 17th-century witch trials with a modern-day mystery.
The Core Conflict: In 1645, Sybil Brantham, a healer, is arrested and condemned to be burned alive for witchcraft. In present-day Savannah, Lilith Legare discovers that her life is mysteriously tied to Sybil’s fate. She must uncover who betrayed Sybil to save her ancestor, and to prevent herself from “ceasing to exist.”
Why it works: Martin masterfully interweaves two compelling narratives, creating a palpable sense of urgency and dread that spans centuries. The historical detail is rich, and the modern protagonist’s journey of self-discovery is deeply relatable.
A Must-Read For: Fans of The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow, The Familiars by Stacey Halls, or anyone who loves a good witchy atmosphere with a side of family mystery.
Reader Recommendation: Who Will Love (or Bounce From) This Book?
You should absolutely pick up A Time of Witches if you’re a fan of:
Historical Fiction with a Paranormal Twist: If you love stories that seamlessly blend historical fact with magic and mystery, this is a perfect fit. The book is grounded in real history, the 1645 Bury St. Edmunds witch trials, which makes the supernatural elements feel all the more potent.
Strong Female Leads: Both Sybil and Lilith are complex, resilient women fighting against the constraints of their respective times. Sybil’s strength in the face of unimaginable cruelty is particularly moving.
Slow-Burn Romantic Subplots: The romance is present but takes a backseat to the main plot, developing naturally and adding emotional depth rather than overshadowing the central mystery.
Atmospheric Settings: Martin’s descriptions of both 17th-century England and modern-day Savannah are incredibly vivid. You can practically smell the honeysuckle and feel the chill of the prison.
On the other hand, you might want to skip this one if:
You Prefer Fast-Paced, Action-Driven Plots: The narrative builds slowly, focusing on atmosphere and internal character conflict. Lilith’s journey, in particular, involves a lot of searching for answers, which some may find repetitive.
You’re Uncomfortable with Graphic Historical Depictions: The book doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of the witch trials. Scenes of starvation, torture, and execution are described in detail. One reviewer noted the “hauntingly beautiful” but heavy nature of the story.
You’re Looking for a Light, Cozy Read: This is a dark, emotional story about persecution, survival, and the weight of the past. It’s not a lighthearted escape.
A Time of WitchesSummary
The Setup: Lilith’s Awakening
The story begins in present-day Savannah, Georgia, with Lilith Legare.
She’s a young woman stuck in a rut, still reeling from the recent death of her cruel, overbearing mother. Her life is quiet and directionless until strange things start happening. Plants grow towards her, animals are inexplicably drawn to her, and she can feel the pulse of the earth beneath her feet.
This awakening coincides with the return of a recurring nightmare: she is a woman being burned alive at the stake.
Encouraged by her best friend Essie, Lilith visits a fortune teller at a shop called “Enchanted.” The mysterious woman looks at Lilith’s palm and tells her she is “stuck in the past” and must help the woman in her dreams—Sybil—or she will “cease to exist”.
Armed with a cryptic warning and her mother’s old genealogy notes, Lilith travels to Bury St. Edmunds, England, to find the source of her visions: the dilapidated Brackenmere Manor. There, she meets the grumpy but handsome owner, Asher, and his eccentric Aunt Jacqueline.
Lilith soon discovers she can see and interact with spectral figures from the past, most notably a young woman named Jacinda. Jacinda tells Lilith that Sybil is in danger and that the key to saving her lies within the manor itself.
The Past: Sybil’s Ordeal
In 1645, Sybil Brantham is a respected healer living in Brackenmere Manor with her younger “sister,” Jacinda. England is in the grip of civil war and religious hysteria. The self-proclaimed “Witchfinder General,” Matthew Hopkins, is sweeping through the country, accusing innocent people of witchcraft.
Sybil’s life is complicated by the unwanted advances of the local magistrate, Robert Walsingham. When she rejects his proposal of marriage, he becomes a dangerous enemy. Using a cloth poppet (a doll) created and provided by one of Sybil’s own maids, Anne, Walsingham has Sybil arrested on charges of witchcraft and petty treason (murdering her husband). Conviction for petty treason means she will be burned alive, rather than hanged.
The story then follows Sybil’s harrowing journey through the English justice system. She is subjected to horrific torture designed to extract a confession: starvation, sleep deprivation, the “walking test” where she’s forced to run between two chairs for hours, and a degrading physical examination to find a “witch’s mark.”
Through it all, Sybil maintains her innocence, her only concern being the safety of Jacinda.
The Present: Unraveling the Mystery
Back in the present, Lilith discovers a hidden room in Brackenmere Manor containing a grimoire, a book of magic passed down through generations of women. The grimoire reveals the truth: Jacinda is not Sybil’s sister, but her daughter, fathered by a man Sybil loved in her youth.
Lilith also learns the source of her connection to Sybil. Jacinda, desperate to save her mother, performed a powerful and forbidden “linking spell.” This spell tied Sybil’s fate to a future descendant, Lilith. If Sybil dies, the spell will fail, causing Jacinda to lose her powers and wither away. As a result, Lilith, and the entire lineage of women between them, will never be born. Lilith is literally fighting for her own existence.
This explains the strange phenomena in Lilith’s life. Her mother, aware of the powerful magic in their bloodline (possibly subconsciously), had been a barrier, suppressing Lilith’s gifts to protect her until she was ready. With her mother’s death, that shield fell away.
Lilith’s mission becomes clear: she must discover who betrayed Sybil and use that information to save her. Through her spectral interactions, she witnesses the past and finally uncovers the truth.
It was Anne, the maid who created the poppet. Anne was coerced by Magistrate Walsingham, who had gotten her pregnant and threatened to ruin her if she didn’t help him destroy Sybil.
The Climax: A Race Against Time
On August 27, 1645, the day of the execution, Sybil is led to the pyre. Eighteen others are hanged before her. As she is about to be burned, Jacinda tries to summon a storm to put out the flames, but her powers are too weak from the linking spell.
At the last moment, Kat, a fellow “daughter of the earth,” arrives with Anne. Anne confesses to the entire crowd that Sybil is innocent and that she was coerced by the magistrate. The mob’s fury turns from Sybil to Walsingham, who, in a final act of spite, throws his torch onto the pyre, setting it alight.
Just as Sybil is about to be consumed by the flames, John Griffin, Jacinda’s father and Sybil’s first love, now a vicar, rushes in to save her. He pulls her from the fire just in time. Sybil is free.
The Aftermath and Resolution
With Sybil’s life saved, the linking spell is complete. Jacinda’s sacrifice ensures the survival of their lineage. Back in the present, Lilith, who was on the verge of completely “ceasing to exist” (she had become invisible and was being forgotten by everyone), is suddenly solid and real again. Her connection to the past is severed, and her birthmark, a crescent moon, disappears.
Two years later, in 1647, both Matthew Hopkins and Magistrate Walsingham die in agony, their deaths mirroring the fates of the innocent people they condemned to hang. Sybil, John, Jacinda, and a young girl they rescued from prison (Maggie) start a new life in Maryland, in the New World.
In the present, Lilith decides to stay in England. With Asher’s help, she restores Brackenmere Manor and turns it into a bed and breakfast. She has found her purpose. In the epilogue, we see her goddaughter, Amara, playing in a magical honeysuckle grove.
The vine reaches out to the girl, and Lilith’s arm tingles where her birthmark used to be. She realizes that Jacinda’s “gift of choice” meant she could choose who would carry on the legacy. She smiles, knowing the magic will live on through Amara, should she choose to accept it.
A Time of WitchesAnalysis
A Time of Witches Characters
Lilith Legare: She is the heart of the modern-day narrative. Lilith is a character many of us can relate to. She’s a young woman paralyzed by her past, specifically the emotional abuse of her mother. Her journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment. Initially unsure of herself, she is forced to confront her own power and her family’s legacy.
Her greatest triumph isn’t just saving Sybil; it’s finally believing she is worthy of love and purpose. Her relationship with Asher provides a soft, grounding counterpoint to the high-stakes supernatural drama.
Sybil Brantham: Sybil is the epitome of a strong, resilient woman. She is a healer and a caretaker, but she is also fiercely protective and intelligent. Her story is a brutal depiction of what happened to women who dared to be independent in a world that feared their power.
Her internal conflict is heartbreaking, she must reconcile her love for her daughter, Jacinda, with the need to keep her a secret to protect her. Her refusal to break under torture, and her final act of saving Jacinda, cements her as a true heroine.
Jacinda: She is the catalyst for the entire plot. As a young woman coming into immense power, she is impulsive, passionate, and often reckless. Her love for Sybil is her driving force. It’s her decision to perform the forbidden linking spell that sets the entire chain of events in motion, proving that love can be both a powerful and dangerous magic.
Asher Walsingham: The grumpy vet who owns the modern-day B&B. He is a man burdened by his own family legacy, one that includes the magistrate who persecuted Sybil.
His initial secrecy and reluctance to help Lilith make sense once we learn of his family’s shame. His character arc involves letting go of the past and helping Lilith build a new future. He serves as a modern-day foil to the corrupt magistrate, showing that a person is not defined by their ancestors.
A Time of Witches Themes and Symbolism
The Persecution of Women: This is the most dominant theme. The book powerfully illustrates how women have been systematically silenced and destroyed for their power, whether it be knowledge, independence, or simply being different.
The witch trials are a historical manifestation of this, but the theme resonates in Lilith’s modern-day struggles with her mother’s emotional abuse and societal expectations. As the author notes, women were persecuted for being “too pretty, women who were not pretty enough, and older women who society felt had nothing left to offer”.
Legacy and Ancestral Trauma: The novel explores the idea that the traumas of our ancestors can echo through generations. Lilith’s life is profoundly shaped by the suffering of Sybil and Jacinda. The linking spell is a literal representation of this generational trauma. The book suggests that healing the wounds of the past is necessary to break the cycle and create a better future.
The Power of Knowledge and Magic: In the 17th-century storyline, Sybil’s knowledge of herbs and healing is what makes her a target. In the modern-day, Lilith’s rediscovery of her heritage is what empowers her. The grimoire symbolizes the forbidden knowledge that women have passed down in secret to survive. It’s a source of power but also a dangerous responsibility.
Choice vs. Destiny: The book ends on a powerful note about choice. Jacinda’s linking spell creates a destiny, but ultimately, Lilith is given the choice of how to carry that legacy forward. She chooses to pass the potential for magic to her goddaughter, Amara, rather than feeling forced to have a child herself. This subverts the traditional “must carry on the bloodline” trope and empowers the modern woman to define her own legacy.
A Time of Witches Evaluation
Strengths
Atmospheric and Immersive: The book’s greatest strength is its ability to completely immerse you in both time periods. The descriptions of 17th-century England are gritty and visceral, while the modern-day Savannah setting is dripping with Southern gothic charm. You can feel the cold dampness of the prison and the thick, humid air of the Georgia summer.
Compelling Dual Narrative: Martin expertly weaves the two timelines together. The suspense of Sybil’s fate in the past is directly tied to Lilith’s mission in the present. This creates a constant, page-turning sense of urgency. The interplay between the two protagonists is the novel’s driving force.
Emotional Depth: This is not just a plot-driven story; it’s a deeply emotional one. Sybil’s suffering is palpable, and Lilith’s journey of healing is moving. The themes of mother-daughter relationships, sacrifice, and finding your place in the world are explored with genuine feeling.
Weaknesses
Pacing in the Modern Timeline: As some readers have noted, Lilith’s storyline can feel a bit repetitive at times. Much of the middle of the book involves her going back and forth to the manor, having visions, and trying to piece together the puzzle. While this is necessary for the mystery, it occasionally slows the momentum.
Minor Characters: While the main cast is well-developed, some of the secondary characters could have been fleshed out more. For example, Kat, who plays a crucial role in the climax, feels like a plot device at times.
Comparison with Similar Works
For fans of Stacey Halls (The Familiars, The Foundling): Like Halls, Martin writes deeply researched historical fiction that centers on the lives of women in the 17th century. Both authors excel at creating a sense of historical authenticity and suspense.
For fans of Alix E. Harrow (The Once and Future Witches): Both novels are about re-claiming magic and celebrating the power of women. Harrow’s book is more overtly fantastical, while Martin’s is grounded in a more realistic historical setting, but both share a core theme of female empowerment against a backdrop of patriarchal oppression.
For fans of Alice Hoffman (Practical Magic): The themes of family legacy, witchcraft, and the bond between women across generations will appeal to readers of Hoffman’s work.
Personal Insight: The Contemporary Relevance of A Time of Witches
One of the most powerful themes in A Time of Witches is the way women’s knowledge and power have been systematically suppressed. This isn’t just a historical footnote. In 2026, women are still fighting for their voices to be heard in boardrooms, in politics, and in their own homes.
According to a 2023 report by the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it will take another 131 years to close the global gender gap. The same forces that drove the witch hunts, fear of female independence, the desire to control women’s bodies and choices, are still at play today.
The book’s message about generational trauma is also incredibly relevant. We are learning more every day about how trauma can be passed down through epigenetics, affecting our stress responses and even our DNA. Lilith’s struggle to break free from her mother’s cruelty is a powerful metaphor for this. She has to understand the source of her family’s pain in order to stop the cycle.
5 Key Lessons from A Time of Witches:
Your Ancestry is Not Your Destiny: Just because a past generation was defined by trauma or persecution doesn’t mean you have to be. You have the power to break the cycle.
Knowledge is Power, But it’s Also a Target: In Sybil’s time, her knowledge of herbs was a threat. Today, women are still punished for being too smart, too ambitious, or too outspoken. Never dim your light.
Your Voice is Your Most Powerful Weapon: Sybil’s refusal to confess, even under the worst torture, is a testament to the power of truth. Anne’s confession, while late, is what ultimately saves her.
Love Can Be a Dangerous Magic: Jacinda’s love for Sybil is what drives her to perform the forbidden spell, with severe consequences. Love is powerful, but it must be balanced with wisdom.
You Have the Right to Choose Your Legacy: Lilith’s story ends not with her having a child, but with her choosing who will carry on the legacy. You are not defined by societal expectations of what your life should be.
A Time of Witches Quotes
“All women have magic within them, but the power in you is exceptional.” —The fortune teller to Lilith
This line sets the entire premise of the book in motion, suggesting that the magic in the story is not just a gift, but a birthright.
“May the earth afford you the treatment you have granted others.” —Sybil’s curse on Matthew Hopkins and the magistrate
This is a powerful moment of poetic justice. Sybil doesn’t wish ill on her tormentors; she simply asks the earth to give them back what they have given to others.
“I give you the gift of choice.” —Jacinda to Lilith
This line is the thematic heart of the epilogue. It redefines what legacy means and empowers Lilith, and the reader,to define their own path in life.
Conclusion
A Time of Witches by Madeline Martin is a haunting, atmospheric, and deeply moving novel that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. It’s a story about the horrors of the past, the resilience of the human spirit, and the magic that connects women across the ages. It’s a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.
While the pacing in the modern-day sections can sometimes feel slow, the richness of the historical detail and the emotional depth of the characters more than make up for it.
I would recommend this book to:
- Fans of historical fiction with a supernatural twist.
- Readers who enjoy stories about strong, resilient women.
- Anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read.
