The Minister’s Daughter by Julie Hearn is a book worthy of all the positive buzz it has been getting. It is set in seventeenth century England in a small village. Nell, the granddaughter of the local healer, is learning the craft at her grandmother’s side. But the new minister in the community is bringing new questions, including accusations of witchcraft and consorting with the Devil. The minister has two daughters, Patience and Grace. Both girls, but especially Grace, have things to hide from their father and their community. To protect themselves, they pretend to be ill from witchcraft in the community. Nell and her grandmother are natural targets for their accusations.
Combine this Salem-like story with true Wiccan beliefs and a setting where pixies and elves are real, and you have a magical book that will set a spell on anyone who reads it. The characters are well-drawn, but Nell stands out among them. She is the perfect foil for Grace, a vehicle for learning about the old ways, and she is also a richly created heroine. The writing is clever and quick-witted, carrying what could have been a much bleaker and desperate story along at a good pace. Patience’s testimony serves as a frame for the story, magnifying its significance into the world of Salem. Gorgeous.
Recommend this book to girls who enjoy historical fiction, those who enjoy witchcraft novels, and also those who like fantasy.