The Minister's Daughter

by Julie Hearn

~In 1645 in England, the daughters of the town minister accuse a local healer and her granddaughter of witchcraft to conceal an out-of-wedlock pregnancy.~

First I have to say that this is far more than your standard witch trial story. Piskies and faeries are afoot! When the story began it seemed pretty typical historical fiction stuff, a testimony from one of the minister's daughters. Then the story shifts to a third person narrative, describing the events that take place and focusing mainly on the local healer's granddaughter. From there on, the book alternates these perspectives. The minister's daughter sections are a very somber and narrow view of the story. The other narrative sections are filled with high-spirited people, humor and an unexpected but welcome dose of fantasy. Even as things become dangerous and tense, the piskies antics prevent the story from becoming too bogged down in drama. The resolution to the witchhunt might have been a bit too much to swallow had it not been for the sprinklings of fantasy throughout the book. The author has clearly set up that this is a time of magic. Wondrous things can and do happen.

I saw many of the books surprises coming long before they were revealed but the author did a good job of building on them further so that they were not simply plot devices meant to shock. I was, however, surprised by the final turn. Surprised and satisfied. A good read. Ultimately, I would recommend this book over another recent magic/witch fiction title, The Witch's Boy. While I enjoyed Witch's Boy, I felt Minister's Daughter was a more satisfying read.

One final word... I'm concerned that the title and cover (although lovely to look at, kinda Girl with a Pearl Earringesque) don't give a hint as to the fact there are actually magical elements to the story. While it does allow for the surprise when it happens, there will be plenty of kids who pass the book over because it looks like a serious historical fiction witch-trial book.