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The Names of a Hare
Cornwall, 1628. A young girl guards a dangerous secret: she can leave her body and fly. Steeped in herbal lore and forbidden spells, the girl becomes a woman, while across the land whispers of witchcraft turn deadly. When witchfinder Matthew Hopkins sets out to hunt her down, their meeting will change the course of history. In a world that fears what it cannot explain, a story shared is the most potent magic of all.
236 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 29, 2026
Audiobook review: The Names of a Hare by Bernice Barry
Narrator: Emma Powell
Vibes: 🏞️🐇✨
Thanks to Netgalley and Bolinda audio for the ALC.
I don't know quite where to begin with this review. Some stories leave you feeling overwhelmed and speechless and this was one such for me.
This was perfectly, achingly beautiful. I was transported, transfixed, by the glorious prose and the wonderful audiobook narration. I listened to the entire thing in less than a day because I simply could not stop. It made me feel so much! A tale about the power of women and the power of stories, it's slow paced and (for the most part) quiet, but it's easily my top read of the year and it will stay with me for a long, long time.
This is far more historical fiction than fantasy. Inspired by various legends, stories and real historical events, The Names of a Hare tells the life story of a woman living in rural Cornwall in the 1700s. We never learn her true name, though she goes by many aliases throughout her life. The daughter of a country Reverend, it's clear from her girlhood that she's different to other people and she's pulled, inexorably, to learn the ways of plants and healing. Is there magic? Perhaps. But there is great danger, as witch burnings and persecution are still rife for women who don't fit the mould society has set for them.
The flawed, awkward, intelligent, courageous protagonist tells her story in the most self aware and sometimes self depreciating manner. Her vivid descriptions of the Cornish countryside made me feel as if I was there with her. Her loves, her fear, her passions and her anger come across so clearly throughout that I ached with her, rejoiced with her, grieved with her. Emma Powell's beautiful narration helped bring her to life in the most incredible way. The audiobook is simply perfect. I finished the story feeling like I'd journeyed through her life with her.
One of the stories that inspired this tale and is interwoven with it is Lorna Doone, which I have not yet read. I will have to read it now if only so I can fully understand all the references when I inevitably reread this one.
Pure magic.
Pub date: 1 July 2026
Narrator: Emma Powell
Vibes: 🏞️🐇✨
Thanks to Netgalley and Bolinda audio for the ALC.
I don't know quite where to begin with this review. Some stories leave you feeling overwhelmed and speechless and this was one such for me.
This was perfectly, achingly beautiful. I was transported, transfixed, by the glorious prose and the wonderful audiobook narration. I listened to the entire thing in less than a day because I simply could not stop. It made me feel so much! A tale about the power of women and the power of stories, it's slow paced and (for the most part) quiet, but it's easily my top read of the year and it will stay with me for a long, long time.
This is far more historical fiction than fantasy. Inspired by various legends, stories and real historical events, The Names of a Hare tells the life story of a woman living in rural Cornwall in the 1700s. We never learn her true name, though she goes by many aliases throughout her life. The daughter of a country Reverend, it's clear from her girlhood that she's different to other people and she's pulled, inexorably, to learn the ways of plants and healing. Is there magic? Perhaps. But there is great danger, as witch burnings and persecution are still rife for women who don't fit the mould society has set for them.
The flawed, awkward, intelligent, courageous protagonist tells her story in the most self aware and sometimes self depreciating manner. Her vivid descriptions of the Cornish countryside made me feel as if I was there with her. Her loves, her fear, her passions and her anger come across so clearly throughout that I ached with her, rejoiced with her, grieved with her. Emma Powell's beautiful narration helped bring her to life in the most incredible way. The audiobook is simply perfect. I finished the story feeling like I'd journeyed through her life with her.
One of the stories that inspired this tale and is interwoven with it is Lorna Doone, which I have not yet read. I will have to read it now if only so I can fully understand all the references when I inevitably reread this one.
Pure magic.
Pub date: 1 July 2026
Read
February 22, 2026This novel was one I found myself returning to slowly, not because it lacked momentum, but because its richness demanded time. Bernice Barry paints each scene with such vivid detail that you can almost feel the foliage of the countryside between your fingertips.
What stayed with me most, though, was the emotional core. The story highlights the enduring power of love and the potency of words - how they can wound, heal and reshape lives. By the final pages, it felt less like I had simply read a book and more like I had lived alongside its characters.
A thoughtful, beautifully crafted read that rewards patience and reflection.
What stayed with me most, though, was the emotional core. The story highlights the enduring power of love and the potency of words - how they can wound, heal and reshape lives. By the final pages, it felt less like I had simply read a book and more like I had lived alongside its characters.
A thoughtful, beautifully crafted read that rewards patience and reflection.
May 25, 2026
Oh, what a pleasure it was to read this book!
I thought I wasn't going to like it. There's a fad for books about witches and I gave up on all the clumsy ones I've tried recently. But as Geraldine Brooks did in Year of Wonders, Bernice Barry has created a convincing scenario with an unforgettable healer as heroine in an age of ignorance and superstition.
We never know the name of the central character who narrates The Names of a Hare. She is a healer in the 17th century when there were constant accusations of witchcraft and it was better to conceal her identity with a new name each time she was forced to move on. The story is set in Cornwall, where I lived as a child, and, released from of the grey tidiness of London, I revelled in its wild weather, rugged beach and deep winter snowdrifts. Barry has recreated that wildness, but also the isolation of villages set apart not so much by distance but by an unforgiving landscape that even today limits the imprint of the built environment. Coastal villages like St Agnes where I lived, and the one you see in the TV series Doc Martin, are hemmed in by treacherous cliffs and brutal hills that force travellers onto narrow winding roads. In the 17th century it was possible for a healer fleeing pursuit to disappear into a village not really so very far away and be totally unknown.
At least for a while. The problem is not ambition, but a desire to do good, and to use the skills she had learned as a motherless child from Gunnet, who warns her...
It was many years since the old King's Act against witchcraft but women were still being accused of sorcery and enchantment for nothing more than falling out with a jealous neighbour, or for walking along after dark, or just for being solitary and aged, Found guilty, an innocent soul was hanged. But if her accusers decided she had also used witchcraft to commit wilful murder, then burning at the stake was her sentence. Death in flames, an appropriate end for one of Satan's disciples. Gunnet's face was ashy with concern as she told me those fears had started growing again, multiplying, spreading all over England. (p.22)
So, careful as she is, word spreads about her, and women come to her isolated cottage for balms and cures, and occasionally for spells.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2026/05/25/t...
I thought I wasn't going to like it. There's a fad for books about witches and I gave up on all the clumsy ones I've tried recently. But as Geraldine Brooks did in Year of Wonders, Bernice Barry has created a convincing scenario with an unforgettable healer as heroine in an age of ignorance and superstition.
We never know the name of the central character who narrates The Names of a Hare. She is a healer in the 17th century when there were constant accusations of witchcraft and it was better to conceal her identity with a new name each time she was forced to move on. The story is set in Cornwall, where I lived as a child, and, released from of the grey tidiness of London, I revelled in its wild weather, rugged beach and deep winter snowdrifts. Barry has recreated that wildness, but also the isolation of villages set apart not so much by distance but by an unforgiving landscape that even today limits the imprint of the built environment. Coastal villages like St Agnes where I lived, and the one you see in the TV series Doc Martin, are hemmed in by treacherous cliffs and brutal hills that force travellers onto narrow winding roads. In the 17th century it was possible for a healer fleeing pursuit to disappear into a village not really so very far away and be totally unknown.
At least for a while. The problem is not ambition, but a desire to do good, and to use the skills she had learned as a motherless child from Gunnet, who warns her...
It was many years since the old King's Act against witchcraft but women were still being accused of sorcery and enchantment for nothing more than falling out with a jealous neighbour, or for walking along after dark, or just for being solitary and aged, Found guilty, an innocent soul was hanged. But if her accusers decided she had also used witchcraft to commit wilful murder, then burning at the stake was her sentence. Death in flames, an appropriate end for one of Satan's disciples. Gunnet's face was ashy with concern as she told me those fears had started growing again, multiplying, spreading all over England. (p.22)
So, careful as she is, word spreads about her, and women come to her isolated cottage for balms and cures, and occasionally for spells.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2026/05/25/t...
April 20, 2026
i need to be a witch or something so bad
February 22, 2026
The Names of a Hare by Bernice Barry
It’s England in the 1600s. A young girl born into a world that fears what it cannot explain & therefore who becomes a fugitive in plain sight within her own country, due to accusations that she is a witch due to her healer abilities - being able to provide ailments with cures or pain relief with the use of natural products that she grows in her garden of finds within the natural environment.
Matthew Hopkins is on a mission to hunt her down after their initial meeting where she managed to escape his clutches.
This novel is wonderfully written and delves into a period of time of our history where women were considered witches for their abilities that couldn’t be explained therefore were feared by rather than accepted by others.
I did enjoy this book to a certain degree, but also found I did struggle to get through it as I just found it a bit slow moving.
It’s England in the 1600s. A young girl born into a world that fears what it cannot explain & therefore who becomes a fugitive in plain sight within her own country, due to accusations that she is a witch due to her healer abilities - being able to provide ailments with cures or pain relief with the use of natural products that she grows in her garden of finds within the natural environment.
Matthew Hopkins is on a mission to hunt her down after their initial meeting where she managed to escape his clutches.
This novel is wonderfully written and delves into a period of time of our history where women were considered witches for their abilities that couldn’t be explained therefore were feared by rather than accepted by others.
I did enjoy this book to a certain degree, but also found I did struggle to get through it as I just found it a bit slow moving.
June 20, 2026
In a dangerous period to be an intelligent woman, capable of many things, our mc bounces around escaping those who would do her harm for her abilities for nearly her entire life. With each move she changes her name. But we only get to know her pseudonyms, never her true name.
Along the way she deepens her knowledge, falls in love, settles in, and passes on her hard won knowledge.
The book was a slow starter for me and even though it never got exactly fast paced, it definitely engaged me and kept me interested.
As with another book I recently read, the afterword actually added a little something something for me with a bit of info about the inspiration.
"If they ever saw us, when we gather together, two or three, or more of us. If they heard the things we share, the bawdy words and the laughter that bring tears as we cling to one another, breathless with mirth. They would see they are not the masters, we just let them believe it."
Along the way she deepens her knowledge, falls in love, settles in, and passes on her hard won knowledge.
The book was a slow starter for me and even though it never got exactly fast paced, it definitely engaged me and kept me interested.
As with another book I recently read, the afterword actually added a little something something for me with a bit of info about the inspiration.
"If they ever saw us, when we gather together, two or three, or more of us. If they heard the things we share, the bawdy words and the laughter that bring tears as we cling to one another, breathless with mirth. They would see they are not the masters, we just let them believe it."
July 4, 2026
A young girl with witchy powers lives a dangerous life in 17th century Cornwall.
This novel was beautifully written. The audio narration was wonderful, with such a soft lilting voice. There was a strong atmosphere of magic and nature and wisdom in this evocative setting. The time and place was drawn so clearly.
The thing that held me back from completely loving this book was a lack of connection with the characters. There also isn't a strong plot, it felt like she was just passively moving between one event and the next. If you are a
plot driven reader this won't be for you. But if you are a vibes, and historical atmosphere reader, who enjoys lush descriptions of nature and place, give this one a try.
Thanks netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC.
This novel was beautifully written. The audio narration was wonderful, with such a soft lilting voice. There was a strong atmosphere of magic and nature and wisdom in this evocative setting. The time and place was drawn so clearly.
The thing that held me back from completely loving this book was a lack of connection with the characters. There also isn't a strong plot, it felt like she was just passively moving between one event and the next. If you are a
plot driven reader this won't be for you. But if you are a vibes, and historical atmosphere reader, who enjoys lush descriptions of nature and place, give this one a try.
Thanks netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC.
June 26, 2026
4.5 stars
June 23, 2026
A girl with a gift for herbal healing is tricked into sharing a confidence with a woman wooing her widowed father. Teased and called a witch, she has no option but to leave home. This is her story of survival, set against a backdrop of ignorance and shaming that ruined (and, in many respects, continues to ruin) the lives of girls and women for centuries. Interesting yet woefully sad.
The audiobook is well narrated and the story is engaging (if a tad long).
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BolindaAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheNamesofaHare for review purposes. Publication date: 1 July 2026.
The audiobook is well narrated and the story is engaging (if a tad long).
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BolindaAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheNamesofaHare for review purposes. Publication date: 1 July 2026.
May 8, 2026
While I loved huge parts of this book, I also wanted so much more from it. I found the initial story intriguing and was hoping for the hares storyline to eventually unravel, and the witch hunter to develop more. When she left Beardon Gorge for Lynmouth, the story began to tire and it lost its quirk and charm. The chapters became repetitive and dull and it all read as a warning to the reader rather than a tale of a life or time. The endless longing for Doone I found strange, particularly when it was a very woman focused story, but she was more than happy to drown herself for an unworthy man. Towards the end there were too many historical facts, kings, laws, thrown in that did not further the story in any way and just clogged up chapters and added length rather than depth. Great bones, but I wanted more.
May 16, 2026
3 5 I wanted to love this, but sadly it was a little too 'and then...and then...' for me. That said, there was some beautiful writing, an excellent creation of atmosphere, and some golden nuggets of wisdom. "I discarded my wish to have an ordinary life like an ordinary woman many years ago because there is no such thing. Every one of us is extraordinary."
March 3, 2026
The Names of a Hare is a historical fiction novel that explores identity, resilience, and survival against the backdrop of a changing past. The line, "The greatest wealth is contentment with little," captures the heart of the story. It's a timeless reminder that true richness lies in gratitude and simplicity.
March 31, 2026
Exceptional, introspective, creative, brilliant way to interplay magic in the real world. I hope to go to Cornwall and Devon to get lost in its magic maybe trully then I'll understand what it means to be a hare
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2026
★★★★☆
The Names of a Hare (Bernice Barry - audiobook releasing 07.01.2026)
audioARC Review
✧ Read with me ✧ Instagram ✧ | @haileydianereads
A massive thank you to Bolinda Audio & author Bernice Barry for the audioARC in exchange for my honest book review! 🥰🙌
“What marked me as different, the object of spiteful words and isolation, that made me special.” 🐇 ✨
“I discarded my wish to have an ordinary life like an ordinary woman many years ago because there is no such thing. Every one of us is extraordinary.” 👩🏼🤝👩🏽 💥
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy…
- 1600s setting during the witch hunts
- Rite of passage themes
- Found families
- Fictional narrative memoirs
- 1st Person POV
This novel served as my introduction to Bernice Barry. I request this audioARC because the description felt very much in the same vein as Alice Hoffman (whom I ADORE). Barry’s writing did not disappoint. I really enjoyed this novel and felt like the audiobook was superb! My typical Bonus portion of the review will focus on the audiobook and narration itself.
RATING SYSTEM: I rate my books by 5 literary element groupings: plot and pacing, characters and development, setting and world building, dialogue and writing style. See below for a full review:
📖Plot and Pacing
“There are things you'll be wanting to know, and I will tell you most of them. But there is one thing I will not give, and that is my name.” I was HOOKED from the beginning. We first meet the main character of this novel when she is just a young girl who has accepted that she is different than most other young women her age. She struggles to fit in and hates to be touched. She likes things to be orderly. However, her natural healer abilities begin to separate her further from others. Once rumors start to spread, she must flee from her current home to save her life. Matthew Hopkins, a local witch hunter, is determined to find her. Throughout her life, we are introduced to new characters, with some becoming her found family while others serve the plot by teaching her life’s hardest lessons.
🧞♀️Characters and Development
I absolutely crave character development and complex relationships in the books I read. Barry delivers in spades. This felt like a quintessential coming -of-age story set in the 17th century. Our young main character has so much to learn in life and already feels as if life might be stacked against her. How is it possible to form ties with a community that fears what they don’t understand? This is a novel that wrestles with identity, trusting others after hurt, and being a woman in a world that holds contradicting views and impossible standards.
🌇Setting and World Building
I will NEVER tire of books set in England. And while London is my favorite city in the world, there are so many villages and towns to explore. This story begins in 1628 as a young girl must flee her home and all those who know her once her deeply held secret is revealed. Throughout the book, the main character travels from Cornwall to other Cornish villages bordering Exmoor. Barry has a true talent for not only describing the setting but transporting the reader to those locations through her vivid imagery and world-building.
🗣️Dialogue
While this book wasn’t what I’d call “dialogue-heavy”, there is a considerable amount of dialogue. As with the rest of the book, the writing style adds to the emotional impact of conversations. Many of the most profound quotes from this novel are internal dialogues that the main character experiences throughout her life at different pivotal moments.
📝Writing Style
Wow, wow, wow. First, I would encourage readers not to skip the author’s note at the end that ties real stories from the 17th century into the plot of this book. The inspiration that stemmed from stories of real women during this dark period of history crafted a heart-wrenching book. It is evident that Barry does her research and uses the painful parts of history to drive her writing. The result is an intense and brilliant story that fills me with rage but at the same time offers a balm to my soul.
❉BONUS❉: Narration of Audiobook
Emma Powell was the narrator for this audiobook and did an excellent job at drawing me in from the very beginning. Barry’s writing and setup at the beginning of the story were performed so well by Powell. As the main character ages throughout the book, Powell does a wonderful job making slight changes to her voice, adding an extra bit of magic to the story.
😤The Flaws
Honestly, the only flaw I found with the book is that I wanted it to be longer. I wanted more depth. I felt like the beginning of the book had such richness in its setup and exploration of her youth, but the middle and end left me wanting more detail. By the end of the book, I wanted to know the main character better than I did.
I enjoyed this book and have added some of Barry’s other writings to my TBR - Sarah Evans and Georgiana Molloy. I look forward to seeing what Barry decides to write next.
Gratitude, always.
- H.
The Names of a Hare (Bernice Barry - audiobook releasing 07.01.2026)
audioARC Review
✧ Read with me ✧ Instagram ✧ | @haileydianereads
A massive thank you to Bolinda Audio & author Bernice Barry for the audioARC in exchange for my honest book review! 🥰🙌
“What marked me as different, the object of spiteful words and isolation, that made me special.” 🐇 ✨
“I discarded my wish to have an ordinary life like an ordinary woman many years ago because there is no such thing. Every one of us is extraordinary.” 👩🏼🤝👩🏽 💥
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy…
- 1600s setting during the witch hunts
- Rite of passage themes
- Found families
- Fictional narrative memoirs
- 1st Person POV
This novel served as my introduction to Bernice Barry. I request this audioARC because the description felt very much in the same vein as Alice Hoffman (whom I ADORE). Barry’s writing did not disappoint. I really enjoyed this novel and felt like the audiobook was superb! My typical Bonus portion of the review will focus on the audiobook and narration itself.
RATING SYSTEM: I rate my books by 5 literary element groupings: plot and pacing, characters and development, setting and world building, dialogue and writing style. See below for a full review:
📖Plot and Pacing
“There are things you'll be wanting to know, and I will tell you most of them. But there is one thing I will not give, and that is my name.” I was HOOKED from the beginning. We first meet the main character of this novel when she is just a young girl who has accepted that she is different than most other young women her age. She struggles to fit in and hates to be touched. She likes things to be orderly. However, her natural healer abilities begin to separate her further from others. Once rumors start to spread, she must flee from her current home to save her life. Matthew Hopkins, a local witch hunter, is determined to find her. Throughout her life, we are introduced to new characters, with some becoming her found family while others serve the plot by teaching her life’s hardest lessons.
🧞♀️Characters and Development
I absolutely crave character development and complex relationships in the books I read. Barry delivers in spades. This felt like a quintessential coming -of-age story set in the 17th century. Our young main character has so much to learn in life and already feels as if life might be stacked against her. How is it possible to form ties with a community that fears what they don’t understand? This is a novel that wrestles with identity, trusting others after hurt, and being a woman in a world that holds contradicting views and impossible standards.
🌇Setting and World Building
I will NEVER tire of books set in England. And while London is my favorite city in the world, there are so many villages and towns to explore. This story begins in 1628 as a young girl must flee her home and all those who know her once her deeply held secret is revealed. Throughout the book, the main character travels from Cornwall to other Cornish villages bordering Exmoor. Barry has a true talent for not only describing the setting but transporting the reader to those locations through her vivid imagery and world-building.
🗣️Dialogue
While this book wasn’t what I’d call “dialogue-heavy”, there is a considerable amount of dialogue. As with the rest of the book, the writing style adds to the emotional impact of conversations. Many of the most profound quotes from this novel are internal dialogues that the main character experiences throughout her life at different pivotal moments.
📝Writing Style
Wow, wow, wow. First, I would encourage readers not to skip the author’s note at the end that ties real stories from the 17th century into the plot of this book. The inspiration that stemmed from stories of real women during this dark period of history crafted a heart-wrenching book. It is evident that Barry does her research and uses the painful parts of history to drive her writing. The result is an intense and brilliant story that fills me with rage but at the same time offers a balm to my soul.
❉BONUS❉: Narration of Audiobook
Emma Powell was the narrator for this audiobook and did an excellent job at drawing me in from the very beginning. Barry’s writing and setup at the beginning of the story were performed so well by Powell. As the main character ages throughout the book, Powell does a wonderful job making slight changes to her voice, adding an extra bit of magic to the story.
😤The Flaws
Honestly, the only flaw I found with the book is that I wanted it to be longer. I wanted more depth. I felt like the beginning of the book had such richness in its setup and exploration of her youth, but the middle and end left me wanting more detail. By the end of the book, I wanted to know the main character better than I did.
I enjoyed this book and have added some of Barry’s other writings to my TBR - Sarah Evans and Georgiana Molloy. I look forward to seeing what Barry decides to write next.
Gratitude, always.
- H.
July 2, 2026
The Names of a Hare by Australian author Bernice Barry is a compelling work of fiction that blends historical fiction, patriarchal violence, folklore, identity and drama.
Set in Cornwall, 1628, the story follows a young girl born in 17th century, she is raised by a wise woman, Gunnet Dawes who teaches her herbal lore, midwifery, and the old ways tending to the sick the poor. Girl is gifted with an unusual sensitivity to the natural world and an ability that borders on the supernatural, she can leave her body and fly.
This gift is both a wonder and a curse, shaping her life in a time when anything unexplained is branded as magic and placing her directly in the path of suspicion as witch hunts sweep across England.
When the infamous witch hunter Matthew Hopkins rises to power and begins to hunt those that possess supernatural powers or making pacts with the Devil, Girl’s life becomes a cycle of reinvention moving from village to village, taking on new names and identities, and trying to stay one step to avoid punishment or death.
From the first chapter, I was completely pulled into this girl’s world, this unnamed, ever changing, ever surviving girl who keeps slipping through the cracks of history. Her life is fragile and fierce at the same time while constantly being forced to become someone new, I found myself constantly rooting for her. The novel builds toward a powerful reckoning in which she must decide whether to keep running or claim her identity.
The supporting characters are the forces that shape the protagonist’s identity, survival, and transformation. I particularly liked Gunnet and Annis, they are gentle, intuitive, her protective and are quietly powerful shaping the girl into a woman.
Hopkins a historical figure woven into the narrative, was often called the Witchfinder General, and was one of the darkest and most unsettling figures in English history. He is self-righteous, cruel and the embodiment of patriarchal fear and violence. Barry did a wonderful job portraying him.
The authors extensive research and insight bring 17th century Cornwall to existence. The Cornish landscape feels alive with descriptions of the coastline, woods and moorland. I enjoyed the folklore of this period being heavily focused on the supernatural with the herbal practices, the day to day of rural life, and the dread of witch hunts.
Everything about this cover feels elegant, the hare symbolism is subtle but powerful. I admire the overall effect of the palette and type that works so beautifully together with the imagery. A definite stand out on a shelf and exactly what a book cover should do.
The Names of a Hare will take readers into another dimension with its folklore, symbolism and mysticism. For those who enjoy character-driven stories and atmospheric writing, it is incredibly rewarding and will linger long after you’ve finished it. I highly recommend.
Thank you, Beauty & Lace and Fremantle Press for the opportunity to read and review.
Set in Cornwall, 1628, the story follows a young girl born in 17th century, she is raised by a wise woman, Gunnet Dawes who teaches her herbal lore, midwifery, and the old ways tending to the sick the poor. Girl is gifted with an unusual sensitivity to the natural world and an ability that borders on the supernatural, she can leave her body and fly.
This gift is both a wonder and a curse, shaping her life in a time when anything unexplained is branded as magic and placing her directly in the path of suspicion as witch hunts sweep across England.
When the infamous witch hunter Matthew Hopkins rises to power and begins to hunt those that possess supernatural powers or making pacts with the Devil, Girl’s life becomes a cycle of reinvention moving from village to village, taking on new names and identities, and trying to stay one step to avoid punishment or death.
From the first chapter, I was completely pulled into this girl’s world, this unnamed, ever changing, ever surviving girl who keeps slipping through the cracks of history. Her life is fragile and fierce at the same time while constantly being forced to become someone new, I found myself constantly rooting for her. The novel builds toward a powerful reckoning in which she must decide whether to keep running or claim her identity.
The supporting characters are the forces that shape the protagonist’s identity, survival, and transformation. I particularly liked Gunnet and Annis, they are gentle, intuitive, her protective and are quietly powerful shaping the girl into a woman.
Hopkins a historical figure woven into the narrative, was often called the Witchfinder General, and was one of the darkest and most unsettling figures in English history. He is self-righteous, cruel and the embodiment of patriarchal fear and violence. Barry did a wonderful job portraying him.
The authors extensive research and insight bring 17th century Cornwall to existence. The Cornish landscape feels alive with descriptions of the coastline, woods and moorland. I enjoyed the folklore of this period being heavily focused on the supernatural with the herbal practices, the day to day of rural life, and the dread of witch hunts.
Everything about this cover feels elegant, the hare symbolism is subtle but powerful. I admire the overall effect of the palette and type that works so beautifully together with the imagery. A definite stand out on a shelf and exactly what a book cover should do.
The Names of a Hare will take readers into another dimension with its folklore, symbolism and mysticism. For those who enjoy character-driven stories and atmospheric writing, it is incredibly rewarding and will linger long after you’ve finished it. I highly recommend.
Thank you, Beauty & Lace and Fremantle Press for the opportunity to read and review.
April 7, 2026
The novel 'Lorna Doone' was my nemesis as a teenager. At that stage of my life, I read every book to completion regardless of its quality or my level of enjoyment, but 'Lorna Doone' was the one novel that I just could not get to the end of. I was persistent! I came back to it many times, but no attempt was successful. The reason still eludes me - I read quite a lot of classics at the time, so there was nothing in particular about the location, plot, characters, or style of writing which should have defeated me. Nethertheless, it did.
Now, why I am reviewing 'The Names of a Hare' with an anecdote about 'Lorna Doone'? If you have only read the blurb, you will be quite confused. Because this book sells itself as a young woman escaping a famously corrupt witchfinder. But the book is actually exploring a possible back story for a wise woman character from the famous novel of...'Lorna Doone'. This is not apparent when you start the novel. You start to get suspicious when her love interest turns up, but maybe that's just a coincidence of last name? And then towards the end it is made very obvious when Lorna Doone and John Ridd both make an appearance. The author's note also makes this very apparent, and I was fully on board with her vision at that point because I love to know the authorial intention. But I don't understand why this element is not conveyed in the blurb or at the start of the novel. It is essential for the reader to know this. If you don't know of its inspiration and you are unaware of 'Lorna Doone' the original novel, then there are a few elements in this text which would be quite confusing because there’s no reason for them to be there. If you know of it but are fuzzy on the details, then you can see what is happening but might feel that the characters are being tacked on and don’t have a purpose in the plot of the novel that you are actually reading. If you loved the novel and can remember it in detail, then I assume you will be the happiest reader of the lot. I was firmly in the middle - I knew enough to get the references but not enough to genuinely enjoy that addition to the story.
My preference was for the first half that had nothing to do with 'Lorna Doone'. I doubt that this is related to be prejudice against the material of my teenaged nemesis either, the first part just felt more fleshed out. The characters here allowed to be themselves, not being wedged into someone else's story. Also, the blurb makes the witch hunting part a much bigger part of the story then it really ends up being. I expected a lot more tension in terms of the plot. However, it was beautifully written and atmospheric. If 'Lorna Doone'-less, then definitely a 5 star novel.
Now, why I am reviewing 'The Names of a Hare' with an anecdote about 'Lorna Doone'? If you have only read the blurb, you will be quite confused. Because this book sells itself as a young woman escaping a famously corrupt witchfinder. But the book is actually exploring a possible back story for a wise woman character from the famous novel of...'Lorna Doone'. This is not apparent when you start the novel. You start to get suspicious when her love interest turns up, but maybe that's just a coincidence of last name? And then towards the end it is made very obvious when Lorna Doone and John Ridd both make an appearance. The author's note also makes this very apparent, and I was fully on board with her vision at that point because I love to know the authorial intention. But I don't understand why this element is not conveyed in the blurb or at the start of the novel. It is essential for the reader to know this. If you don't know of its inspiration and you are unaware of 'Lorna Doone' the original novel, then there are a few elements in this text which would be quite confusing because there’s no reason for them to be there. If you know of it but are fuzzy on the details, then you can see what is happening but might feel that the characters are being tacked on and don’t have a purpose in the plot of the novel that you are actually reading. If you loved the novel and can remember it in detail, then I assume you will be the happiest reader of the lot. I was firmly in the middle - I knew enough to get the references but not enough to genuinely enjoy that addition to the story.
My preference was for the first half that had nothing to do with 'Lorna Doone'. I doubt that this is related to be prejudice against the material of my teenaged nemesis either, the first part just felt more fleshed out. The characters here allowed to be themselves, not being wedged into someone else's story. Also, the blurb makes the witch hunting part a much bigger part of the story then it really ends up being. I expected a lot more tension in terms of the plot. However, it was beautifully written and atmospheric. If 'Lorna Doone'-less, then definitely a 5 star novel.
June 8, 2026
‘There are things you’ll be wanting to know and I will tell you most of them, but there is one thing I will not give and that is my name.’
Looking back over her life, a woman tells her story. Starting in Cornwall in 1628, she lives with her father, Reverend Martyn and their housekeeper Gunnet Dawes. Her mother died in childbirth. Gunnet teaches her how to recognise, name and collect plants to use in treating various aliments but reminds here that such knowledge is considered dangerous. Women are (still) being persecuted as witches. Unusually for the time, her father teaches her mathematics, grammar and Latin. And the girl (whose name we are not told) becomes a woman.
‘A woman with knowledge is dangerous.’
She is grabbed by a boy coming back from the beach and as she fights him off, he falls into the furze (gorse) bushes and is scratched by the thorns. According to the boy’s mother ‘the scratches don’t look human’ and she accuses her of cursing him ‘with diabolical oaths’ and of using her nails to mark him ‘like a woman bewitched’. But when a woman, whom she thought was her friend betrays her trust, she is accused a being a witch.
She escapes with the help of her father and of Gunnet.
And so begins a life in which our unnamed woman moves from place to place, adopting different names, still learning and practicing what is thought to be magic. Hares are significant, and despite various superstitions about them, Gunnet has told her that hares will bring you luck if you respect and honour them. But, Gunnet added, you must never call them by their true name.
Is it fate or chance that draws her into the sight of Matthew Hopkins, the self-styled Witchfinder General, and later of Ensor Doone? She has lived, as May, happily with Annis but must flee when Matthew Hopkins attacks her.
And so, her life continues. She finds happiness for a while as Maple Durham, survives another confrontation with both Matthew Hopkins and later with his deputy, Philip Spicer.
I was drawn into this story and thoroughly enjoyed it. The Author’s note adds background to the story and tempts me to reread R. D. Blackmore’s ‘Lorna Doone’.
‘Comero weeth.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Looking back over her life, a woman tells her story. Starting in Cornwall in 1628, she lives with her father, Reverend Martyn and their housekeeper Gunnet Dawes. Her mother died in childbirth. Gunnet teaches her how to recognise, name and collect plants to use in treating various aliments but reminds here that such knowledge is considered dangerous. Women are (still) being persecuted as witches. Unusually for the time, her father teaches her mathematics, grammar and Latin. And the girl (whose name we are not told) becomes a woman.
‘A woman with knowledge is dangerous.’
She is grabbed by a boy coming back from the beach and as she fights him off, he falls into the furze (gorse) bushes and is scratched by the thorns. According to the boy’s mother ‘the scratches don’t look human’ and she accuses her of cursing him ‘with diabolical oaths’ and of using her nails to mark him ‘like a woman bewitched’. But when a woman, whom she thought was her friend betrays her trust, she is accused a being a witch.
She escapes with the help of her father and of Gunnet.
And so begins a life in which our unnamed woman moves from place to place, adopting different names, still learning and practicing what is thought to be magic. Hares are significant, and despite various superstitions about them, Gunnet has told her that hares will bring you luck if you respect and honour them. But, Gunnet added, you must never call them by their true name.
Is it fate or chance that draws her into the sight of Matthew Hopkins, the self-styled Witchfinder General, and later of Ensor Doone? She has lived, as May, happily with Annis but must flee when Matthew Hopkins attacks her.
And so, her life continues. She finds happiness for a while as Maple Durham, survives another confrontation with both Matthew Hopkins and later with his deputy, Philip Spicer.
I was drawn into this story and thoroughly enjoyed it. The Author’s note adds background to the story and tempts me to reread R. D. Blackmore’s ‘Lorna Doone’.
‘Comero weeth.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
July 1, 2026
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for an audio copy of The Names of a Hare by Bernice Barry in exchange for an honest review.
Set in Cornwall 1628, the novel introduces us to a young girl who guards a dangerous secret: that she can access forbidden magic allowing her to levitate and astral project. As she ages, her abilities intensify while across the land whispers of witchcraft turn deadly. When witchfinder, Matthew Hopkins sets out to hunt her down, their meeting will change the course of history.
I realise this novel won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. If you’re seeking an exhilarating, fast paced, action-packed read you won’t find it here. Instead, this is a hushed, emotional, person-centred telling of the unnamed protagonist and her life’s experiences.
This read felt like an origin story of the first witch. Although she’s well-liked among neighbours and is sought out to heal her communities’ ailments, the dynamic shifts when witchcraft becomes recognised. Yet, because it’s foreign and unknown, it’s feared and classed as evil (and yes, it’s always men.)
Though the pacing is purposefully slow, there were moments between the protagonist and witchfinder, Matthew Hokins that were genuinely frightening and tense. (Spoiler ahead) a standout moment for me was when the ordinary women of the town rallied around the protagonist and stood strong and unwavering against Matthew Hokins, even though he took on a cruel and violently murderous persona. Women supporting women, I love it see it.
The storytelling was well crafted and made even more immersive by the audio narrator, Emma Powell. Steeped in herbal lore and forbidden spells, it made for a perfect winter read.
Publication date: 1 July 2026 (out now!)
Set in Cornwall 1628, the novel introduces us to a young girl who guards a dangerous secret: that she can access forbidden magic allowing her to levitate and astral project. As she ages, her abilities intensify while across the land whispers of witchcraft turn deadly. When witchfinder, Matthew Hopkins sets out to hunt her down, their meeting will change the course of history.
I realise this novel won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. If you’re seeking an exhilarating, fast paced, action-packed read you won’t find it here. Instead, this is a hushed, emotional, person-centred telling of the unnamed protagonist and her life’s experiences.
This read felt like an origin story of the first witch. Although she’s well-liked among neighbours and is sought out to heal her communities’ ailments, the dynamic shifts when witchcraft becomes recognised. Yet, because it’s foreign and unknown, it’s feared and classed as evil (and yes, it’s always men.)
Though the pacing is purposefully slow, there were moments between the protagonist and witchfinder, Matthew Hokins that were genuinely frightening and tense. (Spoiler ahead) a standout moment for me was when the ordinary women of the town rallied around the protagonist and stood strong and unwavering against Matthew Hokins, even though he took on a cruel and violently murderous persona. Women supporting women, I love it see it.
The storytelling was well crafted and made even more immersive by the audio narrator, Emma Powell. Steeped in herbal lore and forbidden spells, it made for a perfect winter read.
Publication date: 1 July 2026 (out now!)
June 23, 2026
🎧4⭐️
I had the audiobook book read by Emma Powell who is good, she brings the healer to life with her rustic country voice.
Historical fiction with a literary feel set in 17th Century Cornwall the main character is a healer in a time when people fear what they don’t understand. She comes to the attention of the witch hunter so goes into hiding, but as her skills become known wherever she is, she needs to keep moving each time changing her name.
This is a very slow told tale, it’s beautifully written, lyrical with descriptions of the location and the plants and trees used for healing. I think it might appeal to readers of Crawdads, and Dark Wild shore.
The language used is easy to follow, with just a few old country words used for flavour.
It took me some time to get drawn in, but it’s one of the best witch books that I’ve read. The title is different, in old Cornish there are many names for a hare, as our main character has many names trying to evade the witch hunter, we never know her real name. Listening to the authors notes I learned that hares are associated with the mystical As I came to the end I found that I’m so connected to her. The reason it’s not rated higher is the length of time that it took me to engage, early on I was tempted to DNF. I do love some character driven books, but they have to work hard to hook me. I’m sure others will rate this much higher, so I would recommend it if this style of book appeals to you. From the authors notes much is based on historical events, the level of detailed research is evident.
I had this book for free via Netgalley
I had the audiobook book read by Emma Powell who is good, she brings the healer to life with her rustic country voice.
Historical fiction with a literary feel set in 17th Century Cornwall the main character is a healer in a time when people fear what they don’t understand. She comes to the attention of the witch hunter so goes into hiding, but as her skills become known wherever she is, she needs to keep moving each time changing her name.
This is a very slow told tale, it’s beautifully written, lyrical with descriptions of the location and the plants and trees used for healing. I think it might appeal to readers of Crawdads, and Dark Wild shore.
The language used is easy to follow, with just a few old country words used for flavour.
It took me some time to get drawn in, but it’s one of the best witch books that I’ve read. The title is different, in old Cornish there are many names for a hare, as our main character has many names trying to evade the witch hunter, we never know her real name. Listening to the authors notes I learned that hares are associated with the mystical As I came to the end I found that I’m so connected to her. The reason it’s not rated higher is the length of time that it took me to engage, early on I was tempted to DNF. I do love some character driven books, but they have to work hard to hook me. I’m sure others will rate this much higher, so I would recommend it if this style of book appeals to you. From the authors notes much is based on historical events, the level of detailed research is evident.
I had this book for free via Netgalley
June 23, 2026
The Names of a Hare felt less like listening to an audiobook and more like sitting beside a fire while your granny shared stories from her youth. The narrator has that wonderfully familiar quality, warm, meandering, and full of personality. Some tales circle back on themselves, some details feel a little embellished, and occasionally you find yourself wondering whether every story happened quite the way it’s told. But somehow that’s part of the charm.
It’s especially interesting listening to a woman’s tale set against the backdrop of the English witch trials, adding an extra layer of tension and historical intrigue to her voice and experiences.
The book is rich with adventure, folklore, and a deep sense of place. It moves at its own pace, inviting you to slow down and enjoy the journey rather than rush toward a destination. At times it felt cozy and comforting, while at others it sparked the same curiosity and wonder as hearing an old family story for the hundredth time.
If you enjoy historical fiction, folklore, and books that feel like oral histories passed down through generations, this is well worth picking up. It may wander a bit, but it’s a delightful wander, and I finished it feeling both entertained and oddly comforted.
It’s especially interesting listening to a woman’s tale set against the backdrop of the English witch trials, adding an extra layer of tension and historical intrigue to her voice and experiences.
The book is rich with adventure, folklore, and a deep sense of place. It moves at its own pace, inviting you to slow down and enjoy the journey rather than rush toward a destination. At times it felt cozy and comforting, while at others it sparked the same curiosity and wonder as hearing an old family story for the hundredth time.
If you enjoy historical fiction, folklore, and books that feel like oral histories passed down through generations, this is well worth picking up. It may wander a bit, but it’s a delightful wander, and I finished it feeling both entertained and oddly comforted.
June 18, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Audiobook ARC of The Names of a Hare by Bernice Barry.
This was a beautifully atmospheric historical fiction novel that blends folklore, superstition, and a touch of magic. Set in 17th-century Cornwall, the story follows a young woman forced to reinvent herself again and again as she tries to survive in a world where being different can come at a terrible cost.
The pacing was a little slower than I typically prefer, which is why this wasn’t quite a 5-star read for me, but the beautiful writing and immersive storytelling more than made up for it.
The audiobook narration added to the experience and helped bring the story’s atmosphere to life. While the pacing was a bit slower than I usually prefer, I was still invested in the character’s journey and wanted to see where her story would lead.
I’m not the biggest fan of historical fiction but the main character’s journey of survival and self-discovery kept me invested from beginning to end.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Audiobook ARC of The Names of a Hare by Bernice Barry.
This was a beautifully atmospheric historical fiction novel that blends folklore, superstition, and a touch of magic. Set in 17th-century Cornwall, the story follows a young woman forced to reinvent herself again and again as she tries to survive in a world where being different can come at a terrible cost.
The pacing was a little slower than I typically prefer, which is why this wasn’t quite a 5-star read for me, but the beautiful writing and immersive storytelling more than made up for it.
The audiobook narration added to the experience and helped bring the story’s atmosphere to life. While the pacing was a bit slower than I usually prefer, I was still invested in the character’s journey and wanted to see where her story would lead.
I’m not the biggest fan of historical fiction but the main character’s journey of survival and self-discovery kept me invested from beginning to end.
June 22, 2026
I loved the themes of reinvention, of continuing to evolve not due to growth, but because your situation demands it in order for you to survive.
This was a beautifully atmospheric historical fiction novel that blends folklore, superstition, and a touch of magic. Set in 17th-century Cornwall, the story follows a young woman forced to reinvent herself again and again as she tries to survive in a world where being different can come at a terrible cost.
The writing was absolutely lovely and I think that’s what kept me coming back to this book. I wanted to devour it whole. Some of the plot was slow-driven but the immersive storytelling offset my feelings about that. I knocked off a star for the number of slow moving portions.
3.5 rounded up on goodreads.
The Names of a Hare will have the audio version published July 1, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
This was a beautifully atmospheric historical fiction novel that blends folklore, superstition, and a touch of magic. Set in 17th-century Cornwall, the story follows a young woman forced to reinvent herself again and again as she tries to survive in a world where being different can come at a terrible cost.
The writing was absolutely lovely and I think that’s what kept me coming back to this book. I wanted to devour it whole. Some of the plot was slow-driven but the immersive storytelling offset my feelings about that. I knocked off a star for the number of slow moving portions.
3.5 rounded up on goodreads.
The Names of a Hare will have the audio version published July 1, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
June 14, 2026
This book showed so much promise at the start, a girl cleverer than most, with knowledge that could get her burnt as a witch. It put me in mind of The Chrysalids by John Wyndham. It starts off well, but like most authors, she suffers from a saggy middle where the book seems to lose its way. This happens right after she leaves home where the very interesting themes of the first section seem to get lost.
The most interesting idea was that the subject could fly, that is, leave her body and fly, which led to her being accused of being a witch. But once she leaves home, the idea of flying gets left behind and it would’ve been interesting to maintain this in someway throughout the book.
The business with the Hares and naming them whilst also a good idea, but more could’ve been made of this in her life.
The most interesting idea was that the subject could fly, that is, leave her body and fly, which led to her being accused of being a witch. But once she leaves home, the idea of flying gets left behind and it would’ve been interesting to maintain this in someway throughout the book.
The business with the Hares and naming them whilst also a good idea, but more could’ve been made of this in her life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2026
A literary fiction that takes place in a part of history that has such shame to it mirroring to the present conditions in the western world. The writer paints a beautiful landscape of environment and a great fantasy element of the main character being able to fly by leaving her body. At the embark of her quest, the story takes a turn and loses steam for me. This is not an adventurous kind of story yet an exploration of the main character and her inner thoughts while not being able to be herself and living in fear. I listened to the audiobook and the narrations of #emmapowell was a solid performance with a vivid Witcher’s tone.
Thanks to #netgalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheNamesofaHare
Thanks to #netgalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheNamesofaHare
June 14, 2026
There is so much to like about this book. If you are addicted to social media or have grand designs on becoming an influencer this is a book for you.
This book explores a plethora of relevant topics about mental health, social media, the need for fame at any cost, etc etc.
The audiobook narration is top notch. Several voice actors take the reins and they all do a wonderful job!
Some of my favorite quotes: “hashtag semen smoothie.” That one made me spit out my coffee!
“Being a fashionista makes her popular, being an activist means she’s often angry about something, and being a Servant of god allows her to live in constant guilt.
This book explores a plethora of relevant topics about mental health, social media, the need for fame at any cost, etc etc.
The audiobook narration is top notch. Several voice actors take the reins and they all do a wonderful job!
Some of my favorite quotes: “hashtag semen smoothie.” That one made me spit out my coffee!
“Being a fashionista makes her popular, being an activist means she’s often angry about something, and being a Servant of god allows her to live in constant guilt.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Travel back to the 1600's where witches are hunted, the church rules and the Black Plague is to come. Take a somewhat very brave young lady with hidden identity that can create such pharmaceutical and tinitcure products to heal what many cannot. This type of apothecary at the time is seen as scorcery and risks being burned at the stake.
Marketed to be linked as a prequel to Lorna Doone this delved into history that most might not be aware of. If you enjoyed reading In the Margins you will enjoy this book.
Marketed to be linked as a prequel to Lorna Doone this delved into history that most might not be aware of. If you enjoyed reading In the Margins you will enjoy this book.
March 7, 2026
I found 'The Names of a Hare' by Bernice Barry a beautifully atmospheric historical novel. Set in seventeenth-century Cornwall, it tells the story of a girl growing up with knowledge of herbs and healing in a society that fears and mistrusts such skills. The writing brings the landscape and folklore vividly to life, and the story quietly explores how easily fear can turn into suspicion. A thoughtful and evocative read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of audiobook
I've read a lot of books about witches, witch hunts, trials, the lot.
I think this is up there with the higher rated ones.
Read in a way I felt I was being confided in. The tempo picking up with danger, and sounding amused at a funny line.
Great narration.
The story was compelling, and I felt I knew the character well, and maybe now have a recipe or two under my belt.
Will be recommending this to my friends.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
I've read a lot of books about witches, witch hunts, trials, the lot.
I think this is up there with the higher rated ones.
Read in a way I felt I was being confided in. The tempo picking up with danger, and sounding amused at a funny line.
Great narration.
The story was compelling, and I felt I knew the character well, and maybe now have a recipe or two under my belt.
Will be recommending this to my friends.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
July 1, 2026
3.5 stars. This book has a fairytale like quality that makes it very appealing. Set in Cornwall in the 1600, the plot unfolds through the eyes of a healer and the dangers of women having that - or any other - type of knowledge. The descriptions of nature are lovely but the story gets a little lost in the middle and doesn't fully recover. That said, I really enjoyed as an easy read.
April 26, 2026
Sensational. Brilliant writing. Amazing premise. I can't think of a main character I've ever loved more, and I can't even tell you her name. Witchcraft, love, lust, adventure, loss. This is a story I'll return to for years to come.
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