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Bright I Burn
In thirteenth-century Ireland, a woman with power is a woman to be feared.
When a young Alice Kyteler sees her mother wither under the constraints of family responsibilities, she vows that she won't suffer the same fate. Soon Alice discovers she has a flair for making money, and builds a flourishing business. But as her wealth and stature grow, so too do the rumours about her private life. By the time she has moved on to her fourth husband, a blaze of local gossip and resentment culminates in an accusation that could prove fatal.
Inspired by the first recorded person in Ireland to have been condemned as a witch, Bright I Burn gives voice to a woman lost to history, who dared to carve her own space in a man’s world.
When a young Alice Kyteler sees her mother wither under the constraints of family responsibilities, she vows that she won't suffer the same fate. Soon Alice discovers she has a flair for making money, and builds a flourishing business. But as her wealth and stature grow, so too do the rumours about her private life. By the time she has moved on to her fourth husband, a blaze of local gossip and resentment culminates in an accusation that could prove fatal.
Inspired by the first recorded person in Ireland to have been condemned as a witch, Bright I Burn gives voice to a woman lost to history, who dared to carve her own space in a man’s world.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2024
406 people are currently reading
18594 people want to read
About the author
Molly Aitken
5 books197 followersMolly Aitken is the author of Bright I Burn, a Royal Society of Literature's Encore shortlisted novel (2024). Her debut was The Island Child. Molly's prize winning short fiction has appeared in the New Yorker, Ploughshares and Banshee, and has been dramatised for BBC Radio 4.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 545 reviews
October 17, 2024
In a Nutshell: A literary fiction about a woman in thirteenth century Ireland who was the first to be condemned as a witch. Inspired by true events. Excellent themes. Had tremendous potential, but certain writing choices make this less impactful than it could have been.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
PSA: The Goodreads blurb reveals too much!
Bookish Yays:
🔥 The strong feminist theme, especially considering the era. While I didn’t agree with the writing choices, it was an unusual experience to see a historical protagonist being in total awareness of her sexual needs.
🔥 Alice’s first-person narration has strong YA vibes at the start, but as she grows, so does her voice. I like how the writing changes her tone in accordance with her age.
🔥 Of the secondary characters, I liked Alice’s servant Petronilla the most. I felt so sorry for her but also admired how she did what she needed to do, just as Alice, even though their situations were so different. Petronilla is also based on an actual historical woman.
🔥 The portrayal of the medieval era, with its patriarchal dominance, the ingrained misogyny, the restricted role of women in society, the blind adherence to the church’s dictates, and the fear of anything that can’t be explained.
🔥 The author's note, which clarifies how this is a fictional work but inspired by a true story of the first woman in Ireland to be condemned for witchcraft. Very helpful and insightful!
🔥 Love that powerful cover art and the punny title!
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🕯️ Unlike typical medieval woman characters, Alice is savvy in business and worldly matters. She knows what she wants, and is ready to do whatever it takes to survive in a man's world. As the first-person protagonist, she is not likeable, so it is tough to root for her. The writing perspective, Alice’s first-person, makes her sound arrogant and self-righteous, which further distances us away from her. But her complex personality makes the plot more nuanced.
🕯️ Somehow, the writing doesn't feel historical in sound, even though the setting is so old. Alice’s thoughts seem too outspoken and independent for that era. This might be on purpose, but somehow, it didn’t come across as convincing. Rather, it felt like a 13th century woman was spouting 21st century thoughts.
🕯️ The structuring of the plot takes some time to get used to. It is quite patchwork in style, covering a period of 52 years from 1279 to 1331, so we get only a quick glimpse of some key moments from across this vast period. On the positive side, the time indicators are excellent, and there is never any confusion of what year is going on. However, the frequent time jumps, though linear, can be annoying, especially when every new section is a scene in a completely different timeframe and no immediate continuity.
🕯️ The story is character-driven, but as we see the events only from Alice’s first-person perspective, the general character detailing is quite vague. Most characters, including Alice’s immediate family, are developed only as much as barely needed; we don’t get to see beyond one or two of their personality traits.
🕯️ Unlike most books of this ilk, not all the men are depicted as prigs. (Well, most of them are shown as prigs, but there are a couple of worthy exceptions.) However, none of the male characters, whether good or bad, have any depth. Alice’s spouses are the most monotonous. (If you want a spoiler on how many life partners she ends up having, read the Goodreads blurb.)
🕯️ There are some interludes in between the time jumps. These contain either village gossip about Alice or some folk tales that suit the scene or some poems. Some of these interludes add to the narrative, some are just a bit too experimental.
Bookish Nays:
💥 If you read the blurb and pick this up expecting a witchy story, it’s not gonna happen! The main genre is strictly historical fiction, with zero witch-hunt scenes.
💥 In a period of 52 years, we ought to see the growth of a strong woman from youth to maturity, from dependence to independence. We ought to see her single-handedly managing her lending business, tackling the challenges from fellow businessmen, interacting with the villagers. But what do we actually get through most of the book? Her longing for men, her inner wish for being a wildcat in bed, the ways in which she wants/has "ferocious sex", the way she manipulates men into sleeping with her and/or marrying her, of ogling at and baiting even married men with her physical guiles, of babying her son and ignoring her daughter... Is this the best way of honouring this woman, by letting us know that wanting sex is the only important and most vital trait of a historical rebel? It’s an innovative writing choice and will work well for some readers. But it was too limited for my taste. I wanted to know Alice holistically, not just for her physical desires.
💥 Despite so much happening in the story, the narrative often feels like an endless first-person rambling. There is more focus on Alice’s inner monologues than on actual events.
💥 F words and blasphemous profanity – nope for such a setting and era.
💥 The ending was very disappointing. I can’t go into spoilers so I’ll just say: it was almost anticlimactic and too rushed.
All in all, I loved the intent of the book, but the execution was slightly disappointing. I expected to feel more concern and fear for Alice, but her attitude left me unsure. I wanted her story to burn brighter, but it had more of sporadic sparks than feisty flames. Though I like literary fiction, this was perhaps too literary and radical for its own good.
Recommended to lit fic fans looking for a story about a woman who knew what she and her body wanted. (That’s the best way I can frame it.) Not for readers looking for a witch-hunt story, or for a plot-driven narrative, or some redeemable characters. I liked it, but it didn’t impress me as much as I had expected.
3 stars.
My thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for providing the DRC of “Bright I Burn” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
If you are interested in reading up on what happened to Alice Kyteler, check this out:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_K...
Do be aware that the link contains spoilers for this novel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
1279. Kilkenny, Ireland. When little Alice Kyteler sees her mother wilt under the family responsibilities, she decides that she will not make the same mistakes and will keep control over her life. But can this be easy in a time and place where whatever men say or want is considered final? As Alice grows and matures over the course of the story, she is served well by her strengths: her propensity for business, and her calculating mind that is always focussed on survival. But with every increase in her social stature, the rumours about her private life grow worse.
The story, spanning several decades, comes to us in Alice’s first-person perspective.
PSA: The Goodreads blurb reveals too much!
Bookish Yays:
🔥 The strong feminist theme, especially considering the era. While I didn’t agree with the writing choices, it was an unusual experience to see a historical protagonist being in total awareness of her sexual needs.
🔥 Alice’s first-person narration has strong YA vibes at the start, but as she grows, so does her voice. I like how the writing changes her tone in accordance with her age.
🔥 Of the secondary characters, I liked Alice’s servant Petronilla the most. I felt so sorry for her but also admired how she did what she needed to do, just as Alice, even though their situations were so different. Petronilla is also based on an actual historical woman.
🔥 The portrayal of the medieval era, with its patriarchal dominance, the ingrained misogyny, the restricted role of women in society, the blind adherence to the church’s dictates, and the fear of anything that can’t be explained.
🔥 The author's note, which clarifies how this is a fictional work but inspired by a true story of the first woman in Ireland to be condemned for witchcraft. Very helpful and insightful!
🔥 Love that powerful cover art and the punny title!
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🕯️ Unlike typical medieval woman characters, Alice is savvy in business and worldly matters. She knows what she wants, and is ready to do whatever it takes to survive in a man's world. As the first-person protagonist, she is not likeable, so it is tough to root for her. The writing perspective, Alice’s first-person, makes her sound arrogant and self-righteous, which further distances us away from her. But her complex personality makes the plot more nuanced.
🕯️ Somehow, the writing doesn't feel historical in sound, even though the setting is so old. Alice’s thoughts seem too outspoken and independent for that era. This might be on purpose, but somehow, it didn’t come across as convincing. Rather, it felt like a 13th century woman was spouting 21st century thoughts.
🕯️ The structuring of the plot takes some time to get used to. It is quite patchwork in style, covering a period of 52 years from 1279 to 1331, so we get only a quick glimpse of some key moments from across this vast period. On the positive side, the time indicators are excellent, and there is never any confusion of what year is going on. However, the frequent time jumps, though linear, can be annoying, especially when every new section is a scene in a completely different timeframe and no immediate continuity.
🕯️ The story is character-driven, but as we see the events only from Alice’s first-person perspective, the general character detailing is quite vague. Most characters, including Alice’s immediate family, are developed only as much as barely needed; we don’t get to see beyond one or two of their personality traits.
🕯️ Unlike most books of this ilk, not all the men are depicted as prigs. (Well, most of them are shown as prigs, but there are a couple of worthy exceptions.) However, none of the male characters, whether good or bad, have any depth. Alice’s spouses are the most monotonous. (If you want a spoiler on how many life partners she ends up having, read the Goodreads blurb.)
🕯️ There are some interludes in between the time jumps. These contain either village gossip about Alice or some folk tales that suit the scene or some poems. Some of these interludes add to the narrative, some are just a bit too experimental.
Bookish Nays:
💥 If you read the blurb and pick this up expecting a witchy story, it’s not gonna happen! The main genre is strictly historical fiction, with zero witch-hunt scenes.
💥 In a period of 52 years, we ought to see the growth of a strong woman from youth to maturity, from dependence to independence. We ought to see her single-handedly managing her lending business, tackling the challenges from fellow businessmen, interacting with the villagers. But what do we actually get through most of the book? Her longing for men, her inner wish for being a wildcat in bed, the ways in which she wants/has "ferocious sex", the way she manipulates men into sleeping with her and/or marrying her, of ogling at and baiting even married men with her physical guiles, of babying her son and ignoring her daughter... Is this the best way of honouring this woman, by letting us know that wanting sex is the only important and most vital trait of a historical rebel? It’s an innovative writing choice and will work well for some readers. But it was too limited for my taste. I wanted to know Alice holistically, not just for her physical desires.
💥 Despite so much happening in the story, the narrative often feels like an endless first-person rambling. There is more focus on Alice’s inner monologues than on actual events.
💥 F words and blasphemous profanity – nope for such a setting and era.
💥 The ending was very disappointing. I can’t go into spoilers so I’ll just say: it was almost anticlimactic and too rushed.
All in all, I loved the intent of the book, but the execution was slightly disappointing. I expected to feel more concern and fear for Alice, but her attitude left me unsure. I wanted her story to burn brighter, but it had more of sporadic sparks than feisty flames. Though I like literary fiction, this was perhaps too literary and radical for its own good.
Recommended to lit fic fans looking for a story about a woman who knew what she and her body wanted. (That’s the best way I can frame it.) Not for readers looking for a witch-hunt story, or for a plot-driven narrative, or some redeemable characters. I liked it, but it didn’t impress me as much as I had expected.
3 stars.
My thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for providing the DRC of “Bright I Burn” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
If you are interested in reading up on what happened to Alice Kyteler, check this out:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_K...
Do be aware that the link contains spoilers for this novel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
December 4, 2024
I flew through this book because I was deeply fascinated with Alice’s sharp, poignant voice and strong will. It lingered whenever I put the book down. This book was nothing like I expected - if you are picking this up hoping for a classic historical novel with a sprinkle of witchcraft, you are wrong. It’s experimental, it’s literary, it has a modern voice in a medieval setting which sometimes makes for a strange disconnect. It has little to do with witchcraft and everything with being unapologetic in ones desires, ones greed and ones ambition. Something that, we all know, can get women burned.
June 6, 2024
Molly Aitken was born in Scotland and raised in Ireland, her ongoing fascination with Celtic myth and history informs this vivid reimagining of the life of Alice Kyteler, the first woman in Ireland to be condemned for witchcraft. Set in Ireland during the 13th century, it’s mainly presented from Alice’s perspective, interspersed by a chorus of townspeople’s voices. Alice lives in the monastic town of Kilkenny where her father’s position as innkeeper and moneylender has set her family apart, both envied and despised. When her father dies Alice’s forced to marry in order to take over his business, but the marriage ends in disaster, like the others that follow.
Aitken’s beautifully-observed narrative’s lyrical but never sentimental. Aitken uses Alice’s experiences to explore the plight of powerful, ambitious women in an era of misogyny, where a woman could be lawfully killed if suspected of adultery. It’s a medieval society caught between the old ways – in which witches and cunning folk were an acceptable feature - and rising forces within the Catholic church, resulting in clashes between the secular and the religious. Aitken brings in hints of Salem with her references to local bakeries’ mould-ridden bread known to provoke mania and delusions. But, unlike conventional stories of witchcraft and persecution, Alice isn’t portrayed as a blameless victim of patriarchy. Instead, she’s a far more complex figure, often far from likeable: her scheming and morally dubious actions stemming from her desperation to find some way of navigating the spaces between personal, bodily desires and what’s expected of a woman and a wife, it’s a refreshing perspective. Although there were moments when my attention wandered, I found this a surprisingly compulsive, haunting piece.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Canongate for an ARC
Rating: 3.5
Aitken’s beautifully-observed narrative’s lyrical but never sentimental. Aitken uses Alice’s experiences to explore the plight of powerful, ambitious women in an era of misogyny, where a woman could be lawfully killed if suspected of adultery. It’s a medieval society caught between the old ways – in which witches and cunning folk were an acceptable feature - and rising forces within the Catholic church, resulting in clashes between the secular and the religious. Aitken brings in hints of Salem with her references to local bakeries’ mould-ridden bread known to provoke mania and delusions. But, unlike conventional stories of witchcraft and persecution, Alice isn’t portrayed as a blameless victim of patriarchy. Instead, she’s a far more complex figure, often far from likeable: her scheming and morally dubious actions stemming from her desperation to find some way of navigating the spaces between personal, bodily desires and what’s expected of a woman and a wife, it’s a refreshing perspective. Although there were moments when my attention wandered, I found this a surprisingly compulsive, haunting piece.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Canongate for an ARC
Rating: 3.5
September 6, 2024
Why the author thought we needed the fastest timeline ever with zero character development is a wonder!! The writing was quite literary, but hard to follow. Disappointed bc you know I love witch stories!!
October 30, 2024
I will crush him as I have countless other men.
If you're looking for a book about witches, this is not it.
Alice Kyteler is a strong-willed, free-thinking, passionate woman who does as she pleases at a time when women are expected to be meek and subservient. Her self-confidence occasionally borders on arrogance, and she uses some underhanded tactics to get exactly what she wants. You may not actually like her much.
On the air, I hear two voices. A cat yowling in pain, a tom growling with pleasure. The prey and the predator. I have been both in my life.
There is no witchcraft here, and indeed, the accusation is not raised until quite near the end of the book. But, how else could men of that time keep a bold woman under control except to cry, “Witch!”?
Aitken’s writing is sublime, and I must seek out her first book.
It is simply a bed, but when I was twelve, my father told me beds are where we make children, but I knew beds are also where children can be unmade, where a man's force can dislodge them, before they have rooted strongly enough. In the safety of our beds we are meant to mould our dreams. Yet beds can be places where a child is forced to no longer be a child.
This was a mesmerizing read about an unusual woman.
Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the read.
If you're looking for a book about witches, this is not it.
Alice Kyteler is a strong-willed, free-thinking, passionate woman who does as she pleases at a time when women are expected to be meek and subservient. Her self-confidence occasionally borders on arrogance, and she uses some underhanded tactics to get exactly what she wants. You may not actually like her much.
On the air, I hear two voices. A cat yowling in pain, a tom growling with pleasure. The prey and the predator. I have been both in my life.
There is no witchcraft here, and indeed, the accusation is not raised until quite near the end of the book. But, how else could men of that time keep a bold woman under control except to cry, “Witch!”?
Aitken’s writing is sublime, and I must seek out her first book.
It is simply a bed, but when I was twelve, my father told me beds are where we make children, but I knew beds are also where children can be unmade, where a man's force can dislodge them, before they have rooted strongly enough. In the safety of our beds we are meant to mould our dreams. Yet beds can be places where a child is forced to no longer be a child.
This was a mesmerizing read about an unusual woman.
Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the read.
October 3, 2024
This is a very “I am woman; hear me roar” sort of book with shallow character development resulting in a most annoying main character. The prose is forced and inelegant. This book really underperformed, which is so sad because the concept is amazing.
A massive flaw of this book is writing modern concepts/ideas/assumptions and forcing them into historical constructs. E.g. there was one line about using an essential oil (not even a tea or straight plant) to cure someone that made me laugh.
A massive flaw of this book is writing modern concepts/ideas/assumptions and forcing them into historical constructs. E.g. there was one line about using an essential oil (not even a tea or straight plant) to cure someone that made me laugh.
May 25, 2024
When i saw this book was about a woman accused of witchcraft, I was all for it! Thankfully my request to read it from NetGalley was granted. When i got comfy to read this, i did read it in big chunks at a time. So i loved it right? Well, not exactly. Alice was a difficult character to like and to sympathize with. At points, the dialogue and storytelling became almost dream like and hard to follow her train of thought. The story is more of her life and only at the end is accusations of witchcraft brought up. The book isn't what i was expecting.
May 3, 2024
Bright I Burn by Molly Aitken is based on the story of the first recorded woman in Ireland to be condemned as a witch. Alice Kyteler is bright and brave and refuses to submit to a patriarchal society. She carves her own path and pays the price.
Bright I Burn is emotional and eye-opening. Alice is just the first in many similar stories throughout history. I found her to be an unapologetically strong character, determined to make her own happiness no matter what others thought.
Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, for early access to read Bright I Burn by Molly Aitken in exchange for an honest review.
Bright I Burn is emotional and eye-opening. Alice is just the first in many similar stories throughout history. I found her to be an unapologetically strong character, determined to make her own happiness no matter what others thought.
Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, for early access to read Bright I Burn by Molly Aitken in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2025
The first time I finished this book is not the result of the first time that I picked it up. Let me explain.
The premise of Bright I Burn is a reimagining of the first woman accused of being a witch. Which might explain why, when I first attempted to read it, I wasn't sure what I was *actually* reading, and set it down.
I picked it up again recently and went in with no expectations- I adored it. This is one of the most gorgeous reflections on grief I've ever read. It *is* about a woman named Alice, who is accused of being a witch, but there's much more to her story than that. Married too young, and then several times over, she is more so a woman trying to make the most of her life, during a time in which women were allowed very little. It's told in vignettes of her life at the moment, and broken up by "whispers" from everyone around her.
I also tandem read this while packing for a move and the audiobook is one of the most heart-stoppingly beautiful narrations I've ever listened to. Highly recommend either!
The premise of Bright I Burn is a reimagining of the first woman accused of being a witch. Which might explain why, when I first attempted to read it, I wasn't sure what I was *actually* reading, and set it down.
I picked it up again recently and went in with no expectations- I adored it. This is one of the most gorgeous reflections on grief I've ever read. It *is* about a woman named Alice, who is accused of being a witch, but there's much more to her story than that. Married too young, and then several times over, she is more so a woman trying to make the most of her life, during a time in which women were allowed very little. It's told in vignettes of her life at the moment, and broken up by "whispers" from everyone around her.
I also tandem read this while packing for a move and the audiobook is one of the most heart-stoppingly beautiful narrations I've ever listened to. Highly recommend either!
October 30, 2024
4.0 ⭐️
“I watch the devil weeping and I laugh.”
Molly Aiken’s character, Alice Kyteler, is the G.O.A.T. black widow. What a fun character! I really enjoyed this novel, quick read, fast-paced and fun. Unflinchingly feminist and unhinged in the best kind of way. I borrowed this book but think I need to buy a copy for my little home library.
“I watch the devil weeping and I laugh.”
Molly Aiken’s character, Alice Kyteler, is the G.O.A.T. black widow. What a fun character! I really enjoyed this novel, quick read, fast-paced and fun. Unflinchingly feminist and unhinged in the best kind of way. I borrowed this book but think I need to buy a copy for my little home library.
August 29, 2024
This was a historical fiction retelling and reimagining the life of Alice Kyteler, the first woman to be persecuted as a witch in Ireland. I was incredibly excited to get an eARC of this because I had done some research into wise women in medieval Ireland and Britain for a course during my MA studies, but this just fell incredibly flat for me. 😔
Alice as a character was flat, rather one dimensional, and didn’t really go through any character development. I was almost bored by her at times and I feel horrible for saying this because I really wanted to like her and her desire to rule her life by her standards. Her apathy towards other villagers, while described as a need for self-preservation, just felt cold in general. I was also not particularly happy that Aitken teased a sapphic love between Alice and her servant that took her place on the pyre, Petronilla de Meath, and then never did anything with it. 😡
The time jumps in this short book felt stunted and rushed. The reader never gets a sense of Alice as a character and narrator because of this, and you end up as apathetic towards her as she is towards others. In all honesty, I would rather have stuck with Petronilla as a MC instead because she stood out more on the page than Alice did. 😬
The last thing thing that I didn’t particularly like was that Aitken makes all these links to wise women and their ways, especially the connection to the lynxes of Ireland (which, also why would she claim the Romans hunted them while they were there, which is also weird because Rome never conquered Ireland!), but then never once goes into detail about how Alice learned how to make homeopathic remedies. 🫨
All in all, I’m just left rather stumped. I felt like nothing happened in the plot and there were so many missed opportunities to really make this book shine. Big thank you goes out Canongate Books, Knopf, and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review. I really wanted to like this. 🥲
Publication date: September 10
Overall: 1.5/5 ⭐️
Alice as a character was flat, rather one dimensional, and didn’t really go through any character development. I was almost bored by her at times and I feel horrible for saying this because I really wanted to like her and her desire to rule her life by her standards. Her apathy towards other villagers, while described as a need for self-preservation, just felt cold in general. I was also not particularly happy that Aitken teased a sapphic love between Alice and her servant that took her place on the pyre, Petronilla de Meath, and then never did anything with it. 😡
The time jumps in this short book felt stunted and rushed. The reader never gets a sense of Alice as a character and narrator because of this, and you end up as apathetic towards her as she is towards others. In all honesty, I would rather have stuck with Petronilla as a MC instead because she stood out more on the page than Alice did. 😬
The last thing thing that I didn’t particularly like was that Aitken makes all these links to wise women and their ways, especially the connection to the lynxes of Ireland (which, also why would she claim the Romans hunted them while they were there, which is also weird because Rome never conquered Ireland!), but then never once goes into detail about how Alice learned how to make homeopathic remedies. 🫨
All in all, I’m just left rather stumped. I felt like nothing happened in the plot and there were so many missed opportunities to really make this book shine. Big thank you goes out Canongate Books, Knopf, and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review. I really wanted to like this. 🥲
Publication date: September 10
Overall: 1.5/5 ⭐️
December 9, 2025
Bright I Burn is a razor-sharp, mesmerizing character study of a woman who learns from a very young age that the world is a game stacked against her, and then makes it her mission to play it better than any man ever could. Molly Aitken crafts a heroine who refuses to apologize for her ambition, her hunger, or the choices she makes to claw her way toward safety and power.
This is not a character designed to be universally liked, and that’s exactly what makes her so compelling. She’s selfish at times, laser-focused, and utterly driven. She pushes forward even when it costs her relationships, even when the wounds she inflicts are deliberate, and even when they’re accidental. But every decision she makes is rooted in a deep, human desire: to survive, to feel secure, to build a life where she’s no longer at the mercy of anyone else.
Aitken never softens her edges, and the story is all the stronger for it. Watching this character evolve, from a girl absorbing cruel lessons to a woman who wields her intelligence and ruthlessness like weapons, is electrifying. It’s uncomfortable at times, but always honest, and completely addictive to read.
Bright I Burn is fierce, fearless, and unforgettable. Aitken delivers a protagonist who breaks the mold and burns her way through every expectation. I loved every gripping, unflinching moment.
October 31, 2024
Thank you to Knopf for the free copy of "Bright I Burn"!
Wowsies, this has been the most disappointing book I've read all year. "Bright I Burn" is the story of Alice Kyteler, the first woman accused of witchcraft in Ireland (however, this is a fully fictional story - or at least, mostly fictional). Through the loss of her multiple husbands, climbing the ladder of wealth and power, her journey of motherhood, and a sexually charged revelation of her own, Alice becomes notorious in her town. Rumors swirl about her nefarious going-ons, as well as the wealth she has so quickly accumulated.
So, that sounds like it would be a wicked interesting and really captivating book, right? Unfortunately, I don't know how the premise could be SO good, but SO little happens. Seriously - I read it in one shot, and as I closed the book I remember saying, "What was even the point of that book?" What I thought would be about scandal and witchcraft was just a boring tale of a woman in early times Ireland.
I thought there would be more since it was the story of THE first woman accused of witchcraft, but alas. Not really anything happened. For like 250 pages! Wild. However, now I'm trying to find other books about her that can do Alice some justice.
Wowsies, this has been the most disappointing book I've read all year. "Bright I Burn" is the story of Alice Kyteler, the first woman accused of witchcraft in Ireland (however, this is a fully fictional story - or at least, mostly fictional). Through the loss of her multiple husbands, climbing the ladder of wealth and power, her journey of motherhood, and a sexually charged revelation of her own, Alice becomes notorious in her town. Rumors swirl about her nefarious going-ons, as well as the wealth she has so quickly accumulated.
So, that sounds like it would be a wicked interesting and really captivating book, right? Unfortunately, I don't know how the premise could be SO good, but SO little happens. Seriously - I read it in one shot, and as I closed the book I remember saying, "What was even the point of that book?" What I thought would be about scandal and witchcraft was just a boring tale of a woman in early times Ireland.
I thought there would be more since it was the story of THE first woman accused of witchcraft, but alas. Not really anything happened. For like 250 pages! Wild. However, now I'm trying to find other books about her that can do Alice some justice.
May 10, 2024
I'm not sure "fun" is the right word to use to describe the time I had while reading this, but it's the closest I can get.
Learning about real life Alice Kyteler felt like looking into my past, present, future self; felt like learning about my ancestors, and the ancestors of others. It was sad, terrifying, joyful, and insistent.
Molly's writing took a little getting used to, but it felt reminiscent to how I felt reading Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell and Weyward by Emilia Hart.
I'll probably think about this book for the rest of my life!
*I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Learning about real life Alice Kyteler felt like looking into my past, present, future self; felt like learning about my ancestors, and the ancestors of others. It was sad, terrifying, joyful, and insistent.
Molly's writing took a little getting used to, but it felt reminiscent to how I felt reading Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell and Weyward by Emilia Hart.
I'll probably think about this book for the rest of my life!
*I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2024
Thoroughly delicious writing for this book. Loved it. The only reason it’s 4 stars and not 5 is that the end seemed a little rushed. Interesting insight in to the attitudes of others towards an intelligent and wealthy woman and the 13th century church.
January 10, 2026
we are the daughters of the witches you didn't burn core
September 25, 2025
Excellent writing! This is the story of a thirteenth century woman in Ireland. She is married multiple times, to wealthy, powerful men. As she outlives each one, suspicion grows. Is she a witch?
May 6, 2024
Now this is the type of feminism I can read all day. After finishing the book, I did look up more information about Alice. The things she and her servants were accused of were insane. Molly Aitken's thorough research shines through and she did a great job giving a voice to a woman who was lost to history.
Thank you to Netgalley as well as Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this arc
Thank you to Netgalley as well as Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this arc
August 27, 2024
3.5
This was fiction but based on Alice Kyteler-
In 13th century Ireland, Alice was the first woman to be condemned as a witch.
She was a strong and successful businesswoman which was unusual. The story seemed to focus on how she acquired each of her four husbands and how they all conveniently died.
And she really was not a likeable character.
I enjoyed the book but was hoping for a bit more..
This was fiction but based on Alice Kyteler-
In 13th century Ireland, Alice was the first woman to be condemned as a witch.
She was a strong and successful businesswoman which was unusual. The story seemed to focus on how she acquired each of her four husbands and how they all conveniently died.
And she really was not a likeable character.
I enjoyed the book but was hoping for a bit more..
September 14, 2025
"Once brightly I burned, I drew them all to me and consumed them all, unwittingly and wittingly, in my fire."
Set in Medieval Ireland covering the years 1279-1331, this is the story of Alice Kyteler. An unconventional woman with dubious actions, she was feared yet envied. Strong minded, wealthy, manipulative, and passionate, a money lender and innkeeper, a woman of wealth and power. This was an appealing book yet a little different in form with its direct writing style, but I think you will finish with an understanding of women's lives in medieval times.
Set in Medieval Ireland covering the years 1279-1331, this is the story of Alice Kyteler. An unconventional woman with dubious actions, she was feared yet envied. Strong minded, wealthy, manipulative, and passionate, a money lender and innkeeper, a woman of wealth and power. This was an appealing book yet a little different in form with its direct writing style, but I think you will finish with an understanding of women's lives in medieval times.
September 28, 2024
5⭐️
Engrossing, beguiling, lyrical.
It's a bit different to a lot of current WitchLit, which is refreshing.
Engrossing, beguiling, lyrical.
It's a bit different to a lot of current WitchLit, which is refreshing.
January 2, 2026
This was such a quick and interesting read. Alice was an independent character that refused the role written for women of her time. She chose herself over the acceptance of others.
February 14, 2026
I did not enjoy this book. I feel I need to justify this rating a little but I'm not in the mood for long elaboration. So, to be succinct:
For a book that supposedly sets out to humanize a character it instead makes her out as thoroughly deserving of the punishment she escaped. In telling Alice's story, the author treats every accusation against her as at least based on truth, rather than as misogynistic lies extracted under torture from her maid (there's even some indication with her cat that she really is a witch).Yes, she was accused of killing at least one of her husbands for money, but making her cold blooded and calculating about everything was a choice. This is a novel.
By the time Ledrede is even introduced Alice is already a psychopathic murderer so it's hard to sympathize with her or think of him as an antagonist. Doesn't help that Alice acts like he's no threat and we hear almost nothing about the accusations until she's about to flee. The author didn't want to dwell on what happened to the co-conspirators, but in doing so, erases their lives in favor of the lead cutting down a tree. Edward III wrote to the Pope accusing Ledrede of senility and malice. Why wasn't there more characterization of him in the book? Maybe if I'd had more crimes by him than crimes by her I would like her more?
Why is the mental narration so vague and/or disinterested about any abuse Alice experienced? My father did.... something... to me. It was bad. What is this, social media? My husband beat me, so anyways, we throw out the old bread tomorrow.
My point is, I would have expected a modern portrayal of a medieval witch to try and exonerate the reputation of someone accused of a fake crime, but instead it doubles down on her being just awful.
I'm tagging this with spoilers because of the last year's bread being thrown out. Big spoilage.
For a book that supposedly sets out to humanize a character it instead makes her out as thoroughly deserving of the punishment she escaped. In telling Alice's story, the author treats every accusation against her as at least based on truth, rather than as misogynistic lies extracted under torture from her maid (there's even some indication with her cat that she really is a witch).Yes, she was accused of killing at least one of her husbands for money, but making her cold blooded and calculating about everything was a choice. This is a novel.
By the time Ledrede is even introduced Alice is already a psychopathic murderer so it's hard to sympathize with her or think of him as an antagonist. Doesn't help that Alice acts like he's no threat and we hear almost nothing about the accusations until she's about to flee. The author didn't want to dwell on what happened to the co-conspirators, but in doing so, erases their lives in favor of the lead cutting down a tree. Edward III wrote to the Pope accusing Ledrede of senility and malice. Why wasn't there more characterization of him in the book? Maybe if I'd had more crimes by him than crimes by her I would like her more?
Why is the mental narration so vague and/or disinterested about any abuse Alice experienced? My father did.... something... to me. It was bad. What is this, social media? My husband beat me, so anyways, we throw out the old bread tomorrow.
My point is, I would have expected a modern portrayal of a medieval witch to try and exonerate the reputation of someone accused of a fake crime, but instead it doubles down on her being just awful.
I'm tagging this with spoilers because of the last year's bread being thrown out. Big spoilage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2024
I read this entire thing in one day. It's safe to say I am obsessed with how Molly brought Alice Kyteler to life. Historical fiction books rooted in real people or events are becoming a favourite subgenre of mine, and this ticked all the boxes.
Yes, Alice Kyteler was condemned as a witch, but I want to make it very clear that this book has nothing to do with witches. We follow her through the years as she makes a name for herself, becoming a successful business owner and having many an admirer. Morally grey characters are my absolute favourite. I loved Alice, but my gosh, did she do some very questionable things👀
I just wanted to touch on the fact that the writing style took me by surprise at first, but I soon settled into the narrative, and then I couldn't read it quick enough. There are town gossip chapters scattered throughout the book, and I love how these added another layer to the story. It felt very reminiscent of books I've loved previously in narrative style, like The Wall and I Who Have Never Known Men, and one for lovers of historical literary fiction like The Dance Tree and Cursed Bread.
Thank you so much to Canongate and Molly for my gifted early copy. Bright I Burn is out now!
Yes, Alice Kyteler was condemned as a witch, but I want to make it very clear that this book has nothing to do with witches. We follow her through the years as she makes a name for herself, becoming a successful business owner and having many an admirer. Morally grey characters are my absolute favourite. I loved Alice, but my gosh, did she do some very questionable things👀
I just wanted to touch on the fact that the writing style took me by surprise at first, but I soon settled into the narrative, and then I couldn't read it quick enough. There are town gossip chapters scattered throughout the book, and I love how these added another layer to the story. It felt very reminiscent of books I've loved previously in narrative style, like The Wall and I Who Have Never Known Men, and one for lovers of historical literary fiction like The Dance Tree and Cursed Bread.
Thank you so much to Canongate and Molly for my gifted early copy. Bright I Burn is out now!
September 2, 2024
This was such an unusual book. The writing was haunting, sparse and foreboding. I felt it was an excellent reflection of what we have lost to history and the bits and pieces of what we know have been recorded.
In 13th century Ireland, Alice Kyteler is ready to marry and gather what little independence a woman of her time can possess. When her father dies, she sheds no tears and wastes little time in marrying and taking over his inn in Kilkenny.
What draws attention to Alice is her knack for moneymaking and her several marriages. She also has knowledge of herbs and cures that many of the time see as a sign of witchcraft. Alice will go on to become the first woman in Ireland to be condemned for witchcraft.
Alice is not a likable character, but her story illustrates how many of her time were frightened of a powerful woman with her own resources and what struggles women have had to work to overcome.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review and recommend to other readers.
In 13th century Ireland, Alice Kyteler is ready to marry and gather what little independence a woman of her time can possess. When her father dies, she sheds no tears and wastes little time in marrying and taking over his inn in Kilkenny.
What draws attention to Alice is her knack for moneymaking and her several marriages. She also has knowledge of herbs and cures that many of the time see as a sign of witchcraft. Alice will go on to become the first woman in Ireland to be condemned for witchcraft.
Alice is not a likable character, but her story illustrates how many of her time were frightened of a powerful woman with her own resources and what struggles women have had to work to overcome.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review and recommend to other readers.
September 9, 2024
Bright I Burn is an engrossing story about one badass woman, Alice Kyteler, who ruled in a man’s world. 1200s Ireland was rife with danger for such a woman, whether in be from disease, marriage, childbirth, or machinations of others. I loved the pacing of this story and interspersed town gossip. It’s dark. It’s feminist. It’s surprisingly funny at times. It’s not as witchy as one might infer, though all badass women are usually accused as witches (or bitches).
Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
July 22, 2024
A strong 3.75.
Not sure I liked Alice the main character but found I was always hoping things would work out for her, she is certainly brave and bold! I enjoyed the writing, the short chapters and mini dialogues.
Not sure I liked Alice the main character but found I was always hoping things would work out for her, she is certainly brave and bold! I enjoyed the writing, the short chapters and mini dialogues.
January 27, 2026
Freaky cringe millennial girlboss but make it 1300s
April 26, 2026
Era destino che questo libro mi avrebbe completamente rapito e vi spiego perché.
Durante il mio viaggio tra i villaggi irlandesi e le città più grandi, c’è stato un momento preciso in cui tutto ha iniziato a prendere forma: Kilkenny. È lì che ho incontrato per la prima volta la storia di Alice Kyteler, la prima donna in Irlanda condannata per stregoneria. Ma ciò che rende questa vicenda ancora più magnetica è la leggenda che la circonda: si racconta che Alice riuscì a sfuggire alla condanna, lasciando al suo posto la serva Petronilla.
Questo romanzo sceglie di fare qualcosa di prezioso: restituisce voce proprio a chi la storia ha lasciato ai margini. E lo fa partendo dalla vita di Alice, i suoi quattro matrimoni, la sua attività di usuraia, costruendo il ritratto di una donna impossibile da ignorare.
La scrittura di Molly Aitken è lirica, quasi onirica, ma allo stesso tempo incredibilmente fluida; mi ha ricordato, a tratti, le atmosfere di Sarah Blakemore.
Ho amato profondamente il modo in cui la Natura attraversa il romanzo: le piante, l’orto, la terra diventano parte integrante dell’identità di Alice, quasi un contrappunto silenzioso al mondo degli uomini. Perché è proprio lì che il libro affonda: in una società patriarcale dove una donna ricca e indipendente non passa inosservata, ma viene inevitabilmente trasformata in bersaglio di sospetti, calunnie e pettegolezzi.
Alice è tutto fuorché accomodante: è forte, spietata, affamata di ricchezza e di desiderio, e proprio per questo viene giudicata.
E viene da chiedersi, non è sempre stato così? Quando una donna rompe il canone della “buona etichetta”, la storia cambia solo in superficie, ma il meccanismo resta lo stesso.
Una storia antica, sì. Ma anche terribilmente attuale.
Super consigliato ♥️
Durante il mio viaggio tra i villaggi irlandesi e le città più grandi, c’è stato un momento preciso in cui tutto ha iniziato a prendere forma: Kilkenny. È lì che ho incontrato per la prima volta la storia di Alice Kyteler, la prima donna in Irlanda condannata per stregoneria. Ma ciò che rende questa vicenda ancora più magnetica è la leggenda che la circonda: si racconta che Alice riuscì a sfuggire alla condanna, lasciando al suo posto la serva Petronilla.
Questo romanzo sceglie di fare qualcosa di prezioso: restituisce voce proprio a chi la storia ha lasciato ai margini. E lo fa partendo dalla vita di Alice, i suoi quattro matrimoni, la sua attività di usuraia, costruendo il ritratto di una donna impossibile da ignorare.
La scrittura di Molly Aitken è lirica, quasi onirica, ma allo stesso tempo incredibilmente fluida; mi ha ricordato, a tratti, le atmosfere di Sarah Blakemore.
Ho amato profondamente il modo in cui la Natura attraversa il romanzo: le piante, l’orto, la terra diventano parte integrante dell’identità di Alice, quasi un contrappunto silenzioso al mondo degli uomini. Perché è proprio lì che il libro affonda: in una società patriarcale dove una donna ricca e indipendente non passa inosservata, ma viene inevitabilmente trasformata in bersaglio di sospetti, calunnie e pettegolezzi.
Alice è tutto fuorché accomodante: è forte, spietata, affamata di ricchezza e di desiderio, e proprio per questo viene giudicata.
E viene da chiedersi, non è sempre stato così? Quando una donna rompe il canone della “buona etichetta”, la storia cambia solo in superficie, ma il meccanismo resta lo stesso.
Una storia antica, sì. Ma anche terribilmente attuale.
Super consigliato ♥️
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