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Pendle Hill #1.5
Before
Cora and Jack are childhood friends who have always lived next door to each other in a beautiful, idyllic part of Lancashire. What binds them as lifelong friends are their powers.
As young witches, life is hard. If the commoners find out their secret, they will be killed. But Cora is lucky, she has her best friend Jack by her side.
Having grown up together they know each other, they trust each other, they love each other. However their blossoming relationship is cut short by the events of one day. A date that will bring their perfect worlds crashing down around them.
20th August 1612
Cora and Jack are forced to face the reality of being a witch during these turbulent times, however they don’t know that their lives will become part of one of the most famous witch trials to have ever hit England.
The Pendle Hill witch trials of 1612.
As young witches, life is hard. If the commoners find out their secret, they will be killed. But Cora is lucky, she has her best friend Jack by her side.
Having grown up together they know each other, they trust each other, they love each other. However their blossoming relationship is cut short by the events of one day. A date that will bring their perfect worlds crashing down around them.
20th August 1612
Cora and Jack are forced to face the reality of being a witch during these turbulent times, however they don’t know that their lives will become part of one of the most famous witch trials to have ever hit England.
The Pendle Hill witch trials of 1612.
- GenresWitches
Unknown Binding
First published October 8, 2018
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51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 30, 2013
Before is a Pendle Hill series novella, which chronicles the time before Cora re-awakens in modern time in the first book in the Pendle Hill series. Cora and Jack are destined to be together and their families are fro the same coven, the only problem is, they are living in a time when witch-hunts are normal and it may ruin everything.
I read this novella while in the middle of the first book of the series, and I think it was a good time to do so. I had just learned about Cora and who she is versus who she thought she was and I wanted the backstory. This novella gives you that and so much more. Cora is strong, stubborn and resilient. Tabitha, also a recurring character, is determined, thoughtful, and her plotting goes a long way for the good of Cora. Then there is Jack, I had met him in Returned, and thought he was a butt, and then I read this and it seems his personality issues go way deeper. There is a strong history between Cora and Jack and this novella not only shows the readers of the series, but is full of panic, mayhem, and scheming. I cannot wait to finish book one in the series to see how these elements play out further in the series overall.
At only about 100 pages, this novella is a quick and easy read, especially those interested in witches, and the witch-hunts.
I read this novella while in the middle of the first book of the series, and I think it was a good time to do so. I had just learned about Cora and who she is versus who she thought she was and I wanted the backstory. This novella gives you that and so much more. Cora is strong, stubborn and resilient. Tabitha, also a recurring character, is determined, thoughtful, and her plotting goes a long way for the good of Cora. Then there is Jack, I had met him in Returned, and thought he was a butt, and then I read this and it seems his personality issues go way deeper. There is a strong history between Cora and Jack and this novella not only shows the readers of the series, but is full of panic, mayhem, and scheming. I cannot wait to finish book one in the series to see how these elements play out further in the series overall.
At only about 100 pages, this novella is a quick and easy read, especially those interested in witches, and the witch-hunts.
September 4, 2013
Wow! What a stunning start to the Pendle Hill Series! This story, despite being short, was executed perfectly, with brilliant character and story development. It simultaneously broke my heart and made me smile. I loved to see the strength of Tabitha's love for her best friends daughter, and it really made me smile to see the sacrifices Tabitha's made for Cora. Jack completely broke my heart! I can't even express how much I wanted to slap him when he unfairly blamed Cora, and loved how Cora used her powers against him. Loved the bit of girl power! I'd like to see how Jack's character develops in the next book as I loved the easy, and beautiful love that he and Cora shared at the beginning of the book, and would like to see a happy ending for them both after he stops being such an idiot, and admits that he was wrong. I'd like to see some grovelling on his part :P
The historical content was perfect, and I really admired how well Keeley Smith set the scene, and really gave a realistic taste of how prejudice and paranoia during the Witch Trials caused even the closest of friends and the most loving of partners to turn on each other. Brilliantly done!
5 stars, and a definite recommended read!
The historical content was perfect, and I really admired how well Keeley Smith set the scene, and really gave a realistic taste of how prejudice and paranoia during the Witch Trials caused even the closest of friends and the most loving of partners to turn on each other. Brilliantly done!
5 stars, and a definite recommended read!
September 30, 2013
I was so excited to start this one. Having read Returned already and reading about the incidents in the past I was really curious as to what actually happened!
Before gave me just that and I'm so happy! Since it's a novella I don't have much to talk about without giving everything away, So I'll be short and sweet. In before we get to know in detail as to what exactly happened in 1612. The relationship between Jack & Cora. The tragedy they both had to go through had me in tears. The climax was so heartbreaking I had tissues all around me. Yes that's how sad the terrible events of 20th august 1612 made me.
The misunderstanding between Jack and Cora was another sad incident among others which happened during the same time. Overall I'm glad I got this book to read and understand the history of Jack Cora even better. Can't wait for the next book in the series :) I recommend this to all those out there regardless of age who love history with a twist of magic in it. You sure would be glad by the end that you picked it up. I know I am!
Before gave me just that and I'm so happy! Since it's a novella I don't have much to talk about without giving everything away, So I'll be short and sweet. In before we get to know in detail as to what exactly happened in 1612. The relationship between Jack & Cora. The tragedy they both had to go through had me in tears. The climax was so heartbreaking I had tissues all around me. Yes that's how sad the terrible events of 20th august 1612 made me.
The misunderstanding between Jack and Cora was another sad incident among others which happened during the same time. Overall I'm glad I got this book to read and understand the history of Jack Cora even better. Can't wait for the next book in the series :) I recommend this to all those out there regardless of age who love history with a twist of magic in it. You sure would be glad by the end that you picked it up. I know I am!
August 22, 2013
Wow...wasn't sure if I would really get into this book at first, but oh man, when I did, I couldn't put it down. From the minute her and Jack had their "issues" forward, I was glued to my kindle. I couldn't put it down! I've already got the second book, Returned, open and ready to read tonight. So excited to see what happens with Cora and Jack!!
September 25, 2013
This book was received free of charge as part of a book tour (Share My Destiny Blog) for an honest review.
After Jack's marriage proposal, live seems to be perfect for Cora and her family. But it takes only one day to make Cora's life crumble...
Even though "Before" is short, it's a book packed with a lot of action. I never got bored throughout the whole story. You can fully understand how every character thinks and feels, therefore it almost made me cry, when Cora and Jack started to hate each other. They were so cute together! :(
There was one thing on my mind though: Why didn't they save Cora's mother? She was a powerful witch, so she could have simply escaped. Tabitha once says it would lead to a lot of more people dying, but in my opinion that's not true. A lot of people died anyway and Cora still had to hide after her mother's death. So why aren't they trying to save her mother and hide afterwards? I definitely wanted her to live.
Anyway it was a really nice short story and I totally enjoyed reading it, so "Before" definitely deserves 5 stars.
After Jack's marriage proposal, live seems to be perfect for Cora and her family. But it takes only one day to make Cora's life crumble...
Even though "Before" is short, it's a book packed with a lot of action. I never got bored throughout the whole story. You can fully understand how every character thinks and feels, therefore it almost made me cry, when Cora and Jack started to hate each other. They were so cute together! :(
There was one thing on my mind though: Why didn't they save Cora's mother? She was a powerful witch, so she could have simply escaped. Tabitha once says it would lead to a lot of more people dying, but in my opinion that's not true. A lot of people died anyway and Cora still had to hide after her mother's death. So why aren't they trying to save her mother and hide afterwards? I definitely wanted her to live.
Anyway it was a really nice short story and I totally enjoyed reading it, so "Before" definitely deserves 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews