Hey all! Today I am jumping for joy that I am lucky enough to have Anya Bergman’s The Witches Of Vardø on my blog! I have been patiently waiting for this book to be published for so long! Massive thanks to Tracy Fenton of Compulsive Readers for my invitation and Manilla Press for my physical copy of this captivating book.
Norway, 1662. A dangerous time to be a woman, when even dancing can lead to accusations of witchcraft. When Zigri, desperate and grieving after the loss of her husband and son, embarks on an affair with the local merchant, it’s not long before she is sent to the fortress at Vardø, to be tried and condemned as a witch.
Zigri’s daughter Ingeborg sets off into the wilderness to try to bring her mother back home. Accompanying her on this quest is Maren – herself the daughter of a witch - whose wild nature and unconquerable spirit gives Ingeborg the courage to venture into the unknown, and to risk all she has to save her family.
Also captive in the fortress is Anna Rhodius, once the King of Denmark’s mistress, who has been sent to Vardø in disgrace. What will she do – and who will she betray – to return to her privileged life at court?
These Witches of Vardø are stronger than even the King of Denmark. In an age weighted against them they refuse to be victims. They will have their justice. All they need do is show their power.
An utterly immersive story by Anya Bergman that weaves historical fiction together with folklore so skilfully. I did know of Anya Bergman previous to reading The Witches Of Vardø. This is the first book I have read by her, so I didn’t know how good it would be. I was hooked immediately!
Set over 1662 and 1663 in Norway on the island of Vardø. Anya Bergman transported me there as soon as I sat down to read. Told from the perspective of two such different women, Anna and Ingeborg. The chapters alternating between the women. The way the author tells the story of how women were treated during the 1600s, at the time of the witch hunts and the trials that resulted from them, makes for emotional reading. I definitely felt like my heart was breaking more than once during my time reading this book.
The times of the Witch hunts and trials is a subject that I am always curious about. I wasn’t even aware that Norway had this type of history. Witches Of Vardø is a book that definitely educated me upon this subject. It is a compelling read that I just wanted to sit and read constantly. I had to tear myself away to go to sleep even!
The author spends time building the characters and setting the scene. This does make the story feel a little slow at first, but I always appreciate depth to a story. It soon becomes an addictive read. I say addictive, but it is an emotive story that made me both angry and sad at the way women have been treated throughout history. It’s not a comfortable read in any way, shape or form but it is a book that should be read. If only in remembrance of all women from that time period who were mistreated and murdered by religious men of the time.
Author Bio
Anya Bergman became interested in the witch trials of Vardø and the vivid folk tales of the north while living in Norway. Discovering the unjust persecution of ‘witches’ in the 17th century she became fascinated by the women who lost their lives there and decided to tell their stories. She’s currently a PhD research student at Edinburgh Napier University where she also works as a tutor as well as for Jericho Writers. Currently based in Ireland, Anya is working on her next novel which unites two very different women in a period of global unrest and upheaval.
Social Media Links
Twitter https://twitter.com/anyacbergman
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/anyabergmanwriter/
Website https://anyabergman.com
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