Witch Hunter

by Domien De Groot

Witch Hunter is a an epic gothic fantasy novel. It is the revised and expanded version of the award-winning audio drama "The Witch Hunter Chronicles" by the same author. Fear holds sway over the proud and ancient city of Sevenpeaks. It is said that the devil himself will soon return and that all witches, no matter how harmless they may seem, are to blame for this. The city is in turmoil after a visit from a mysterious prophet and the dreaded witch hunters are called upon to kill all magic users. Only one witch hunter refuses to participate in the slaughter. Ludlov, a fierce and devoted man driven by vengeance, believes that there is another evil at work. He suspects the same cult that murdered his wife seven years ago: the Black Sickle. The only person who can help Ludlov on his search for the truth is Samina, a beautiful young gypsy woman with magical powers...
This is the first novel in The Legends of Sevenpeaks series, that is set in a gothic fantasy world. The story takes place in and around the biggest city of Ivennendale, Sevenpeaks. Meanwhile, a spin-off has been released called The Beast of the Western Wilds, a tale that takes place a couple of years prior to Witch Hunter. And this won't be the last of Ludlov's adventures...

An award-winning story...
Witch Hunter is a story based on a 4-hour audio drama that won an Ogle Award in 2011 (honourable mention). It was reworked into a 13-hour epic dramatized audiobook that was released as a podcast and nominated for a Parsec Award in two categories in 2016.

Genres: Fantasy

Paperback

First published August 24, 2015

About the author

Fantasy + Audio = Audio Epics

Reviews

[Prashanth Bhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book
It is like reading a dark tower novel of Stephen king. The anticipation for evil is there. The slow buidling up of what we call atmospheric tension, the dark characters are very good.

A hunter who thinks that these witches are responsible for his wife's death. A town in which witches wait for the rise of evil.

But one witch refuses to do so..


This is the part of a series
But it reads as standalone. We do not get to see the bigger picture but this series is going to be big.


Recommended.

[Vanessa Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I'd like this but I loved it, I listened to the audio version which really created the atmosphere and added a chilling and compelling nuance to it. I definitely recommend, especially the audio version although I would like to read it again in the book version.

[Dvamain · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing.
I came across the audio book while searching for Warhammer Fantasy Witch Hunter stories. These books were mostly Detective mysteries set in the Warhammer Fantasy universe but nothing akin to the world ending dread of de Groot's Witch Hunter. I'd add more to my review but I'm at the office so all I can say within this brief break is simply, that I've heard the audio book, now I want to read it in paper form.

I hope this gets an international publisher

[Fatouna Nevzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very very good. I had such a good time listening to this. It is one entertaining experience. I enjoyed every tiny bits of the story. I would recommend this to any one looking for great story , music and acting.
Well done

[Aeluruss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great time listening. I am looking forward to hear more stories from this world. :)

[Kath Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the Audiobook as fast as possible and now wishing that I'd spread it out more! Good voicing, convincing reality..... just get this one!

[David Porter-Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of if not the best audio books i have ever listened to!

Very well written, voiced, scored, edited, its brilliant and gripping!

[gizelle ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thrilling gothic fantasy novel is truly bewitching. It will give you another perspective about witches. This is my first audio book so it feels kinda weird but the narrator is good and the audio is well done.

The main character, Ludlov is against a cult called the Black Sickle which has been creating havoc in Sevenpeaks. Samina is a witch, and the only one who could help him. But she doesn't trust him. The interactions between Ludlov and Samina had been a slow burn and I liked Ludlov's character development. Samina's helplessness in the first few chapters turned into full control. I wasn't expecting the plot twist.

There was a lot going on in this book-witches, magic, angels, devils, and so much more. The flow of the chapters was seamless tho at times the details and history of this world was overwhelming. The author had a bittersweet way to end things.

[Terrytracy Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit I usually don’t read this type of story but the audio quality is really good. I found the narrator to be very good and kept the story interesting. It is a story about a witch hunter and the adventures he has while investigating the dark side of Seven Peaks. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in witch and adventures in magic. Ludlov is the main character, his story is the most interesting as the story starts off as he is an apprentice and follows him to become a master. This reminds me of Star Wars and Luke Skywalker and his life and journey to become a Jedi Master. I believe that this story line has great potential and future. It is a book filled with mystery and surprises and Ludlov must find the answers to why a dark The fight scenes are epic. This is a great story and deserves a five star review
Tracy.

[Thelma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story that Mr. De Groot has written here is absolutely phenomenal. As a huge fan of the Witcher, when I began reading this novel, I felt like I was transported to that world again, but of course, while there are similarities this book and its storyline is unique in its own way too. Reading the print of this work is worthwhile, but the dramatized audiobook is also so masterfully done! I cannot recommend it enough. Following Ludlov's adventures in this introductory novel was fascinating and this was such a wonderful adventure to follow. I so look forward to more of Mr. De Groot's work!

[Jia Coleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personally I preferred reading this because of my schedule, but the audiobook is really exciting. Set in a fantasy world, the story is compelling and definitely reels you in with its storyline and imagery.

No spoilers but overall, it's a dark and exciting tale, with an intriguing plot and a cast of charismatic characters. If you're a fan of dark fantasy and complex storytelling, this is a must-read.

[Eline Hoskens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've known the story of Witch Hunter for years, from the audio drama to the first fragments of the upcoming audiobook. I loved the unique atmosphere of the story, the Warhammer-like setting and the interesting characters. Since I discovered the first version of Witch Hunter as an audio drama, I've always felt that there was more to the story. I was curious about the history of Sevenpeaks and the lore of the fantasy world in which this fallen city stands...

Now that I've read the book twice I'm very pleased to have met some new characters, have learned more about the setting, the customs and religion of Sevenpeaks. I'm also very curious about the sequel after the stunning new ending of the book, which is different from the original audio drama. The novel is easy to read but there are certainly enough challenging ideas behind it. It's written in a visual and atmospheric style that draws you into this gothic world with its political and religious turbulence, moral dilemmas, interesting character relations, elaborate mythology and of course ... cool creatures! I can vividly imagine what a screen adaptation would look like.

I certainly recommend this dark fantasy novel to everyone who loves the Warhammer setting, Solomon Kane, World of Darkness or Dragon Age.

[Vedona · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an OK book the characters were great I loved reading it and I wish the author all the very best I will not give anything away but I want the people to read this great book

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this book is meant to be listened alongside an audio drama that was released alongside of it, or primarily to be listened to. This author is an amateur, and by amateur I mean someone who doesn’t write full time. And when that is taken into account this is a very enjoyable experience. The story starts well, lags in the center, and picks up again in the end. De Groot does a good job of not over-bombarding the reader with world building and the lore of the world comes out a lot more naturally which is good. I will probably listen to the sequel at some point. Definitely worth a listen if you like fantasy.

[Stefan Koepeknie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is excellent. Audio is very well done.

[Katherine Schleich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing audiobook! Voice actors were great and the sound effects really draw you in.

[Teresa Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was freaking awesome!!! Loved it!!!

[Chris Maddix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you ever face a moral dilemma with regard to your occupation? The job seems to be made for you, you love it, but something about it is way wrong, to the extent that you don't believe you can stick with it. In my last teaching job, the students and parents were fine, the subject matter was terrific, but the school administration tried to direct my classroom procedures without really understanding the material we were trying to cover. I felt that I had a wonderful, interactive classroom that kids looked forward to attending, but the administration wanted me to change my focus from academics to discipline. I left that job. Ludlov, the witch hunter in this DeGroot novel, faces a similarly difficult dilemma. He loves his role in ridding the world of evil - he is acclaimed by many to be the most proficient - but the Grand General, his ultimate boss, is determined to kill all magicians, even the ones who are providing good service. Ludlov must decide whether or not to remain on the job. It's a tough choice, made even more difficult by the fact that he took the position to avenge his dead wife, Maria.

Witch Hunter, the novel, pits an unlikely trio: the aforementioned Ludlov, a witch named Samina, and her brother, Sigurd, a gentleman determined to, like Ludlov, eliminate bad magicians, against a group called Black Sickle, which is wreaking havoc in the town of Sevenpeaks. Ludlov is forced to kill the mayor and the threesome must remain hidden from the Grand General. Ludlov makes use of his falcon, a witch hunter friend named Adomir, and a shopkeeper friend named Gustav to assist in his exploits. It's an action filled book and once you figure out who the good guys and bad guys are, you can't help getting a bit emotionally involved in the action.

[Anna Herondale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witch Hunter is a fun read full of twists and turns. We follow Ludlov through Sevenpeaks as he investigates the nefarious schemes of a group called the Black Sickle and must decide whether to follow his boss’s orders: to kill all magic users—both good and bad—in an attempt to preserve the city. The story starts with Ludlov’s conversation with Death, which presents an interesting premise immersed in suspense and curiosity—how did Ludlov get here? We are then taken through the tale centered on Ludlov’s journey along with that of Samsara, a magic user whose fate is closely entwined with that of Ludlov’s. The story reads like a Dungeons and Dragons adventure, which I absolutely love. The characters are fun, the premise is interesting, and the plot is full of twists and turns centered on both intriguing and questionable characters. We get some background into Sevenpeaks, into the characters, and into various groups with conflicting interests, which brings the setting to life.

However, though I enjoyed Ludlov’s character, I think he could’ve been explored in further complexity. Same with Samsara. They both often fell into common (gendered) stereotypes. I would’ve liked to see more agency from Samsara. For minor details, the story could have benefited from more development surrounding Ludlov’s relationship with his mentor along with Samsara and Ludlov’s feelings (which came off rather forced). Moreover, this is nit-picky but I found it amusing that Ludlov left Samsara with a certain obviously sketchy character (despite the Black Sickle’s seeming position as two-steps ahead) just to get his hunter clothes back.

[Johndee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love the fact that this story took place sometime after "The Treasure of Boneyard Bay" which is also written by the same author which I am a huge fan of. Upon reading this Novel from the very first chapter, I was kind of confused and somewhat shocked. Unlike anything that I had already read, this particular story caught me off guard. Considering that I had read the prequel to this ( title mentioned at the start of my review), I was confused at first and can't help but keep on going further just to try and comprehend what's going on. It almost seemed like the story had already been concluded before it even started or so I thought. and man, I was very wrong. it turned out to be a very good one. Here's some context, Imagine a movie that begins with an end scenario which gives u suggestions of how the story ends right from the very beginning. And my mind was blown, like I was struggling to process that. So naturally my curiosity kicked in and I kept on reading. which was a very enjoyable experience by the way as a matter of fact I kept a copy of it handy so I could read it while resting or procrastinating during work hours. the pacing is not bad. it has a decent build up and I really liked that there's a bit of action every once in a while. the overall story was good. this could be a huge tv series If you ask me. I just kinda think that they could have done a better ending. I honestly expected more action there. but I think it was good anyway. I would recommend this to any fan of Gothic and Adventure fans.

[Vasiliki Mazis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was well-written and crafted, intricate plot within plot, and beautiful and rich in imagery and characters.
Witch Hunter narrates the story of Ludlov, a witch hunter of Sevenpeaks, a city ruled by both secular and spiritual rulers, and whose origin stories parallel the story of Christianity.
We are introduced to him as a man whose 'work' is to kill the practitioners of black magic, but at the same time, presented with a man who battles within himself his task of murder, which did not give him any pleasure.
From here, we are taken to the story of Sevenpeaks, lit ablaze, and Ludlov's attempts to save his masters life from the cult of the Black Sicke, fails.
The path of Ludlov intertwine with a gypsy girl, Samina, and from there, they embark on a journey to save Sevenpeaks and its people, stop the bloodshed towards even good practitioners of magic, and put an end to the reemergence of a demonic creature called Lucchus - who parallels the Christian 'Satan,' and includes theme of sacrfice and love, friendship, betrayal and the myths we choose to believe and give meaning to our existence.
This really is a good book, so good that I can sinceredly imagine it being made into a movie or TV series, and I wish the writer much sucess with this.

[Nina Hita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witch Hunter is a fun and engaging read with a dark and mysterious atmosphere. While some areas could have used more depth, I truly enjoyed the exciting plot, intriguing characters, and well-crafted setting. If you enjoy stories with witches, magic, and surprising twists, I would say this one is worth picking up!

The story centers around Ludlov, a witch hunter, as he navigates a dangerous world of magic, cults, and secrets in the city of Sevenpeaks. The characters are fun and compelling. Ludlov's journey and his interactions with Samsara, a magic user, are central to the plot and I especially appreciated Ludlov’s growth throughout the book and the slow build in his relationship with Samsara.

The setting is richly developed, with enough background on Sevenpeaks, its history, and the groups within it to create a vivid atmosphere. The author did a good job on that! :)

What Could Have Been Better:
I think that Samsara’s early helplessness was well-written, but her development into a stronger character felt rushed. Also, some relationships, like Ludlov’s connection with his mentor and his feelings toward Samsara, could have been explored further to feel more natural.

[Augustine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Witch Hunter is quite an engaging read, following the adventures of Ludlov, a conflicted witch hunter in Sevenpeaks. The story unfolds as Ludlov saves the witch Samina, leading them on a journey to save their city from impending doom.

I appreciated the author's attention to character development, offering insights into their emotional struggles. The plot is full of unexpected twists, keeping me hooked from start to finish.

However, while the story is compelling, it feels somewhat familiar at times, echoing themes found in other dark fantasy novels. Additionally, there were moments when the pacing seemed off, disrupting the flow of the narrative.

Nevertheless, Witch Hunter is a solid addition to the genre, with its rich imagery and complex characters. It lays a strong foundation for future installments, promising further exploration of its intriguing world.

Overall, I found Witch Hunter to be an enjoyable read, recommended for fans of dark fantasy seeking an immersive adventure.

[Kerstin Vollbrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

The witch hunter is a very entertaining story about the powerful Witch Hunter Ludlov, whose world is put upside down the day he saves the witch Samina with whom he works together in order to dance Sevenpeaks and it's people from something far worse than dark magic.

It has been a beautiful read, difficult to put away, in which the author develops his characters in a way that gives the reader insight into their emotional and mental processes, describing the changes they are experiencing while on their adventure.
Besides, the book is full of twists that are surprising as nothing is what it seems to be.

[Nicole Caselius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Due to my work schedule my reading is slow, but I am enjoying the book. I really like this authors descriptive writing style. It's like I'm watching a movie. In some scenes I swear I can even hear the background noise because the writing is so vivid. I'm happy I picked this one!
I did wish there had been a bit more reasoning as to why Ludlow suddenly felt compelled to watch Samina heal her mother during the fire, and why he would interfere to the extent of killing Vathek to protect her in that moment, but I'm just going to assume that will make more sense to me as I progress through the story. Regardless, it's very enjoyable and I wish I had more time to spend reading it.

[Swati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay sooo I didn’t expect to enjoy this this much but damn 😭🔥

First few chapters were like okay okay, slow burn vibes... but then things started happening fast and I was like “wait—what?? 😳” lol. The world building is kinda cool, like dark fantasy with that witch hunter tension. I liked the characters, esp the main dude (tho sometimes he got on my nerves ngl).

There were few scenes where I felt like "okay author chill 😭 give me time to breathe" but also I kept flipping pages so ig that says smth 😌✨

Not totally perfect but I really had fun with this. Ending made me wanna grab book 2 instantly 😭🫶

3.7/5 for me but rounding to 4 'cause I actually got hooked fr.

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to book tasters and the author for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed the journey this book took me on, I was immediately hooked in the first chapter.

It did get a little repetitive in the middle which halted my momentum a bit and is the only reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5.

Aside from that, it was a great read, highly recommend!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I began reading, my first impression was that I found this darker and eerier than the two prequels. It seemed more intense to read, and I found the imagery more intense, though not necessarily in an unpleasant way. After the two prequels, this was actually the beginning of the fantasy trilogy itself, and I felt like this was where things might start to get really interesting.

[Angelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

First I would like to thank Booktasters and the author for lending me a copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

The story was intriguing from the first chapter. It has a gothic, thrilling feeling to it. The reader would realize that the story has a similar parallel to Christianity which is interesting. The main characters were interesting although the story dragged a bit in the middle.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The theme reminds me of a more mature Spook's Apprentice which I read a child, I will admit it took me a while to read but I did thoroughly enjoy the different character points of view. It is well worth the read!