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Witch Finder #2

Witch Hunt

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London, 1880. Eighteen-year-old Witch Hunter Luke Lexton has failed his initiation into the Malleus Maleficorum - the secretive brotherhood devoted to hunting witches. Instead of killing the witch he picked from the Book of Witches, he has committed the worst possible crime: he has fallen for her. Sixteen-year-old witch girl Rosa Greenwood has failed to secure her struggling family's future by marrying the handsome, cruel, rich and powerful Sebastian Knyvet. Instead she has set fire to his factory and has brought disgrace on her family. Now together they are on the run - from Rosa's ex-fianc? and from Luke's former brothers in the Malleus. As they flee across England, and with the danger of their past catching up to them ...can they overcome their differences? Can a witch hunter ever find love with a witch girl? 'Gorgeously romantic.' Amanda Craig, The Times

Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2014

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883 people want to read

About the author

Ruth Warburton

17 books308 followers
Hello goodreaders! What can I tell you about myself... well, I love coffee, hate tea.

I prefer cheese to chocolate (but would eat either, if you're offering).

I grew up on a reading diet of my mum's classics (Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice) my dad's sci-fi/fantasy (A Wizard of Earthsea, Dune) and the Jilly Cooper novels passed around school at break time. I always wanted to be a writer but I never thought it would happen.

I was born and raised in Sussex on the south coast of England, and I went to school in Lewes and Brighton, but I now live in London.

If you want to find out more or contact me, the best way is via my website www.ruthwarburton.com or my facebook page www.facebook.com/ruthwarburtonwriter

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5 stars
121 (32%)
4 stars
113 (30%)
3 stars
101 (27%)
2 stars
27 (7%)
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7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Jodie (jodie.loves.books).
77 reviews91 followers
May 14, 2019
This sequel was just fantastic. I really wish there were more books in this series because I’m not ready to let Luke and Rosa go! I can’t give this book 5 stars simply because it was quite predictable but I loved it all the same. I really need to read some more witch stories now! Highly recommend! - 4 stars🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for EmilyBird.
15 reviews
July 13, 2020
Would love to have a third edition to this series. :)
Profile Image for Annis Fareehan.
19 reviews6 followers
November 8, 2015
Gosh, I just can't accept the ending. Luke should have just go to America with Rosa and start a new life. "Facepalm"
Profile Image for Mills.
1,871 reviews171 followers
August 26, 2021
I suppose I ought to include a trigger warning for this book as I did for the first, but it wasn't nearly as disturbing a read. There are still some pretty psychopathic characters but at least no dog is whipped to death herein.

Luke and Rosa are still terribly naive, Luke all the more so. He seems like a blushing schoolboy, not a grown man. I like them together though; it's a sweet foil to Sebastian's predatory behaviour and Alexis' control. Rosa is running for her life but freer than she has ever been. A contradiction but a nice one.

I wonder whether this book might have taken inspiration from Jane Eyre - not in its entirety but the crazy lady in the attic setting fires certainly gives me those vibes. Beyond that, I have very few thoughts about Witch Hunt. It was ok but nothing that stands out.

I didn't hate the read but I don't think I'll be picking up another of this author's books. 2.5 stars.
Profile Image for Zuzana.
581 reviews12 followers
November 8, 2017
Wow, that must be the first time ever I actually liked the second book a lot more than the first one ! This one was much more exciting and a lot was happening which kept it very fast paced and intriguing! I liked it but I hated the uncertain happy ending !
Profile Image for Thea Wilson.
249 reviews80 followers
July 22, 2014
SPOILER ALERT: NO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ AND PLAN ON READING WITCH FINDER!

Well this book takes off running from the get go as it's picks up directly after the end of the first book Witch Finder.

Luke has failed in his task to kill witch Rosa, and now they are on the run together. They have fled from everything they know, from Rosa's family and her new fiance as well as from Luke's uncle and The Brotherhood who tasked him with killing his chosen witch. What Luke has done is a crime in the eyes of The Brotherhood and Luke know that they both will be hunted down with the ultimate punishment of death. Their flight is desperate and difficult ad they must learn how to hide and how to survive while fighting their burgeoning feels for each other.

After the explosive final scenes of Witch Finder I was so keen to find out where the story would go next and what I found was a natural progression to Luke and Rosa's tale. They are on the run and desperate to escape, desperate to gain some sort of life and future for themselves and it it completely impossible not to find yourself rooting for them whole-heartedly. They are being hunted left, right and centre by both the witch hunters and by Rosa's fiancé Sebastian Knyvet, the man who Luke now believes killed his parents. Hunted for witchcraft, hunted for betrayal, hunted for possession and you feel every inch of their sense of despair and the urgency they feel for freedom.

As the couple fight to stay hidden and survive we get to experience their feeling as they begin to realise exactly how deep the feeling run for each other and it's a beautiful thing to witness as both are unsure of how they feel and don't seem to realise how deeply the other feels for them either, the realisation comes gradually but so sweetly. Who would have thought a witch hunter could fall for a witch?

What is there to love about this book?
I loved everything about the book, the romantic side of things is brought much more to the forefront in this book but it's not as in your face as it could have been and I was grateful for that as it allowed other aspects of the book to come through. The romance is bitter-sweet to witness and beautifully treated and we have a new twist to the tale with a possible sting where Luke now has his suspicions that Rosa's former fiancé Sebastian is the one behind his parents murder but it doesn't quite fit properly as it would mean Sebastian would have had to have killed them while very young himself..... hmmm, all will be revealed.

Was there anything not so good?
No really the only niggle I have still is the whole 'who would have thought a witch finder would fall for a witch thing' but I think I've spent far too much time with a certain vampire slayer who was in love with a vampire that it's made it all a bit 'well of course they'd fall for each other, that's the way it goes'..... if you know what I mean. Don't get me wrong, it works but it's written as if it would never happen but head knows it will ALWAYS happen.

Was it an interesting read?
Very, although it doesn't quite have the same period feel as the last book but I think that is because the actions moves away from London into the countryside and I actually missed the feel you got of the time period, it felt more like it could all be happening in the now rather than being identifiable as the past. The story itself is growing quickly but there is still enough mystery, enough secrets to the tale to keep you completely enthralled throughout.

Was it enjoyable to read?
It was, again as the last book was the story is so engaging that you need to keep on turning the page t find out what happens next. The tale doesn't let up it's tight grip on the reader and the twists and turns are beautifully put together that you can't hep yourself. Pure escapism and a joy to read.

Was it a well written book?
Very, as everything I've said before should go to proof, this is a wonderfully thought and immaculately put together tale of love against adversity, how love can conquer all, how the bad will never overthrow the good. After two books I am now a complete fan of Ruth Warburton's books and I'm now going to get her other series of books about witches (which I believe is set in the present but has links to the Witch Finder books) as she has completely won me over with her style and pace. It's a great, great book.

Would you recommend it to others?
Most certainly, if you love YA books about witches then you should give these a go as they are really worth the read and I have been thoroughly entertained by them...... so gutted that this is the final book in this series and how I wish there was more to come but as Ruth has said (to me via Twitter) she likes an open ending!
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,254 reviews186 followers
July 15, 2014

**This review may contain spoilers from the previous book, and some unintentional spoilers for this one**

Profile Image for M.
328 reviews90 followers
June 29, 2015
*Received from Publisher in exchange for an honest review*
description

The emotions through this book, just… ah! I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am so pleased to have carried on with the trilogy. The cover is stunning, so bright and magical, the small beautiful illustrations are a brilliant companion to the novel.

Rosa and Luke are on the run from one of the most powerful and wealthiest witches, Rosa's ex-fiance, and a group of Witch Finders who want to kill Luke. So they flee across England in a mad rush to escape with very limited resources, and distinctive features. As time goes on, Rosa and Luke build a relationship that is forbidden and looked down upon. But can you really deny true love?

"No. He'd not known any better. He had grown up with ignorance and fear and hatred, drunk it down with his bedtime milk, chewed on it with his morning bread, learnt it alongside his ABC and the Lord's Prayer."
Witch Hunt by Ruth Warburton, paperback page 370


One of the main focuses in this sequel was the relationship of Luke and Rosa, from the events they had become more mature and their actions to flee became more desperate. However, we were able to explore their personality more, though their relationship did take over the plot a little; they are both strong characters who worked well as a team. I enjoyed how Warburton continued to provide the novel from two perspectives, it gave an insight into the worries of both, but their thoughts and feelings on the same situations.

The plot I felt was fast-paced with lots of edge-of-your-seat moments alongside action and adventure. I was pleased to find the mystery was continued regarding Sebastian's family, especially his mother, as she is still a prominant figure throughout the novel.

This was a brilliant sequel to Witch Finder of which I thoroughly enjoyed, the relationship of a young forbidden couple and a Witch Hunt captured your attention with Witch fighting, mystery and magic.
Profile Image for Sharon Goodwin.
868 reviews146 followers
September 21, 2014
Witch Hunt is the second in the series and the sequel to Witch Finder (you can read my review http://jerasjamboree.com/2014/05/06/j...).

With Rosa’s magic diminished and Luke’s injuries, their flight is not an easy one. The hardships they face as they get further from London wear them out. The harshness of the weather matches perfectly the desolation of their feelings and physical health. I loved the naiveté of Rosa and Luke spending the nights together. The feelings are there but I wondered if their differences would ever let them drop their guard.

An unexpected confrontation has them heading for Scotland. One brief period of respite before Luke makes one stupid mistake and the resultant betrayal causes more tension and darkness.

I thought Witch Hunt followed through with authenticity of the time it’s set, tenseness and excitement. Unexpected allegiances, unexpected loyalties (as well as the betrayals), grief and sadness. A couple of truths are uncovered - truths I didn’t guess at (I love that I hadn’t figured out these possibilities).

I know that the characters made the right choices and although I have read that this is the final in the series (for the moment), there’s more to be explored …

Witch Hunt is an exciting adventure that I think readers of magic/fantasy of all ages will enjoy!

I would like to thank the publishers for providing a paperback copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Bruna Bellini.
176 reviews18 followers
July 10, 2014
I really liked the first book and I liked this one even more!
I thought the thing was missing in the first book, was that I was hoping to see Rose do more spells, be stronger. And on this second book, we have this.
It's really to great see Rose's development. She became stronger, fierce, bolder and brave. Even still being scared, because with all the bad things happening to her and Luke, she keep it up!
Luke, besides being a good man, he still were a little bit... soft! I meant, if he was feeling guilty of all the names he helped to write in the book to the Brotherhood, and to protect Rose and himself, he could have been more brave and kill those bad people! All the women in this book are more brave to do everything to protect the others, but not him! So, yeah, that was a bit frustrating to me.
The Knyvet is a very weird family! I'm glad to see their end, here!
But I think the worst it seems to be coming in the next book. I really wished the story ended with this second book, because it painful to see how much Rose and Luke suffers!
Anyway, great story! Full of tension but with a very beautiful romance.
Can't wait to read the next and see how will it end it.
Profile Image for Gikkalaar.
15 reviews
January 14, 2015
I wouldn't say I loved this book but I did like it. I didn't really enjoy the end. I thought it was a bit silly, the fact he's only just realised he had to destory the book the second they were able to have the happy ending they both wanted. That ending would've made me a lot happier rather than the ending I got. But other than that I have no complaints. The book got me fasinated since I started reading. I liked how Rosa had to cut off her own finger in order to be free. I also loved the betrayal between her and her brother. The spolit brother. The one who got jealous whenever Rosa ever had anything. That money belonged to her and somehow he thought it belonged to him. I also got to finally understand the truth behind Luke's parents and where his ability to see witches come from. Ruth really made sense of everything except the ending. The ending was rubbish. I would have prefered for her to have written about Luke getting the book, destorying it and then sailing away with Rosa. But instead I got the opposite. If there is anything I hate is deffo cliff hangers. But yeah a part from that good job ruth!
Profile Image for Beth Kemp.
Author 27 books23 followers
February 15, 2015
Ruth Warburton’s Witch Hunt is the follow-up to Witch Finder, and completes Rosa and Luke’s story. A marvellous historical fantasy featuring a society of witchfinders and a council of witches (both of which also feature in Ruth’s contemporary witchy series, A Witch in Winter), this episode sees absolutely everyone chasing poor Luke and Rosa. It's impossible to not root for them, whilst also knowing that all those after them (witches and witch hunters both) are not going to give up. Ruth Warburton really ramps up the tension and throws problem after problem at the poor young couple, taking every opportunity to develop them as characters as she goes. I really enjoyed how they developed, despite everything thrown at them and would definitely recommend the series to lovers of witchy and/or historical reads. I found the ending a little more open than I would have liked, and was surprised when I first read it, but on thinking about it, it makes more sense than the alternatives and is entirely true to the characters.
Profile Image for Lisa.
111 reviews38 followers
August 11, 2014
Aaaaaaaaaamazing! Just utterly beautiful. It has exceed my expectation, it is soooo much better than the first book and trust me the first book was Devine! So no I am lost for words, Rosa and Luke are just a dream made in heaven!
I think Rose and Luke are one of my favourite characters ever in young adult books and trust me I have read a lot of books. I think they just scream SEX!!!! Really sometimes the hormones when they are together I can even feel it sizzling in my own home!
I love their love for each other and it is a beautiful, realistic setting and I was sooo in the zone that I read the book in two days :)
It's just the ending I could have sobbed!!! Why oh why, I know it is the right thing to do Luke but I wished she skipped a couple of months as in an epilogue and showed the readers their reunion sniff sniff
I don't know is there an other book? Let me do my research just loving this series!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Gemma.
50 reviews3 followers
June 16, 2014
In the eyes of the Malleus Luke has committed the worst kind of crime; he fell in love with a witch, and now he must protect her from the very people he swore allegiance to. In an escape for their freedom, Luke and Rosa must avoid not only the malleus, but the clutches of Sebastian, who's magical power far outmatches Rosa's. Both sides have started a witch hunt and Luke finds himself stuck right in the middle of it.

The second book in the Witch Finder series picks up right where the last one left off and wastes no time getting stuck right into the action. Warburton spins a wonderful tale that leaves just enough unsaid to keep the pages turning. Luke and Rosa's growing relationship is sweet and a delight to read, while the dangers they face balance out the few precious moments they share together.

I shall certainly be looking out for a book three!
Profile Image for Kirsty .
3,780 reviews341 followers
April 8, 2017
A fast paced and exciting read.

The first half was all about the chase and you really got that sense of fear and desperation from the two main characters as they were trying to outrun those trying to find them. I enjoyed finding out how things turned out and whilst the ending was a bit of a cliff hanger it did feel like a natural break in the story for Rosa and Luke. As always the historian in me loved all the detail and richness of the period that went alongside the main story. Looking forward to the next book immensely.
Profile Image for Lucy.
501 reviews25 followers
July 30, 2015
I loved this book as much as I did the first one the only thing I would have changed was the ending. I wish we had actually got to see Rosa and Luke in America instead of leading us to believe that would happen just from Cassie's word. The story would have felt more complete if we had been given the chance to see that and know that Luke completed his mission with getting rid of the book of names. It would have been nice to see a funeral for his uncle as well. To know that Minna didn't just take the money.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jan farnworth.
1,665 reviews150 followers
March 7, 2015
Really loved the continuation of this story from book one, the passion, the chase, the description and the ending ack the ending you think you know that it all finally over and that the happily ever after has finally arrived and then no no no it sadly is not to be. I tryed to see if another book was in the works but have not seen anything please tell me we get a happy ever after at some point i am to emotionally attatched to rosa and luke they need their happily ever after.
Profile Image for Cristina Martinez.
383 reviews
March 3, 2015
This second book was so much better than the first one, and I really liked the first one.
The story was really good and it just sucked you in. Amazing!
The only thing I didn't like was the ending, specially when I found out that there's not another book in the series. Don't get me wrong, it was a good ending, just I don't like open endings.
I would totally recommend it and I really hope there's a third book at some point in the future ;-)
Profile Image for ~+-+Vanora+-+~.
19 reviews7 followers
July 14, 2014
3.5/5

Much better than Witch Finder and slightly less predictable. Love how Rosa Greenwood is slowly but surely coming into her own.

Looking forward to the sequel.
Profile Image for Hagar.
30 reviews
July 20, 2021
I didn't read the prequel as i couldn't find it in my country, but i understood most if it while reading. I actually don't have that much to say about it since i read it years ago but it was a swift, light, enjoyable read. I really loved it tho and the ending was lovely.
Profile Image for Kirsty Mcewan.
102 reviews26 followers
November 12, 2014
amazing. that ending i was almost in tears. i love ruth warburtons style of writing. loved all her books so far :D
Profile Image for Pam C.
1,060 reviews16 followers
June 14, 2014
3.5 stars. A little disappointed in the ending, but other than that, I really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Jane Love.
505 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2014
Will Luke and Rosa ever be together or are life styles to different,Will Rosa brother find them or will they live happy and free from the witches and the Brotherhood
Profile Image for Keshia Preston.
6 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, I didn't find it too hard to grasp the story even though I have not read the first book yet!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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