Sunwise

By: Helen Steadman

Narrated by: Christine Mackie

The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy: Book 2

When Jane’s lover, Tom, returns from the navy to find her unhappily married to his betrayer, Jane is caught in an impossible situation. Still reeling from the loss of her mother at the hands of the witchfinder, Jane has no choice but to continue her dangerous work as a healer while keeping her young daughter safe. But as Tom searches for a way for him and Jane to be together, the witchfinder is still at large. Filled with vengeance, the witchfinder will stop at nothing in his quest to rid England of the scourge of witchcraft.

Sunwise tells the story of one woman’s struggle for survival in a hostile and superstitious world. The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy was inspired by the little-known 1650 witch hunt, where fifteen women and one man were hanged for witchcraft on a single day.

©2019 Bell Jar Books (P)2024 Bell Jar Books

Critic reviews

“The novel is rich in fascinating details: Jane’s remedies and the village customs, partly Christian, partly pagan. Ancient names for plants and festivities, both seasonal and Christian, add colour to the narrative.” Lynn Guest, Historical Novel Society

“A great read, not to be missed. Steadman’s skillful and resplendent prose leads the reader easily into villages, manses and cottages, festivities and day to day lives, with amazing detail and descriptions of a past age that jump off the page of the novel. The historical research is rich; scenes and spaces, deliciously visual, and the language employed by the protagonists and throughout the narrative is authentic and consistent, transporting us back in time just by virtue of its ancient tonality.” Susana Aikin, We Shall See the Sky Sparkling

"Sometimes charming, sometimes disturbing, and very firmly set in its time and place – don't expect an easy ride, though!" Lexie Conyngham, The Tender Herb

historical fiction sequel

This is the the sequel to Widdershins. It takes place not long after that book ends. Again this is historical fiction. This book is told from the view points of John and Jane. John descends further into madness and hasn't given up on getting Jane. Jane continues her own personal mission as well. John is certainly the worst villain you've ever read and you can't help hate. This is not a book I would ever normally read but I'm glad I gave it a shot.

4.5 Stars - Great Addition to the Series

This story was well written and kept my attention. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the book to life. I'm not sure if I liked the ending, I don't know that it could have ended any other way. I have so many questions that need answered and I think a spinoff would be nice.

I received a copy of this audiobook and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Where Was The Witchfinder?

This second book in "The Newcastle Witch Trials" series was as unsettling as the first book. Tom returned home only to find that Jane had married another man. Jane struggled with her feelings for Tom and the fact that she was married to someone else. The story had many ups and downs. The revelations were gut-wrenching. The beautiful prose made the times and people real in my imagination. I wonder what will happen in the third book of the trilogy. Christine Mackie's narration was skillful, and her performance reflected the ambiance of the times. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

Sunwise

I read the first book of this series after receiving it for a book tour, I enjoyed it so much that I went right out to purchase the follow up. Sunwise begins where Widdershins ends. Tom has returned from his conscription in the Navy and Jane is forced to explain the circumstances that led her to be married to his best friend. Her husband is more aggressive than ever and her short-lived thanks to him for saving her from being jailed as a witch is over. In that storyline, Jane and Tom are discussing how to escape to the new world to be together. All the while, Jane is still midwifing and providing herbs to the local townsfolk (hello - what got you in trouble in the last book, girl?).

In our other storyline, John has escaped Newcastle after the town turned and is focusing his witch hunts back in Scotland. He is as mad as a hatter now. In the last book, he was easy to hate preying on women as witches blaming them for his own lusts and whims. But in this one, his derangement is becoming more obvious and we find out why. He's gone from a character who you cringe to read because of the impact he will have on your other beloved characters to a character who you're anxiously awaiting karma to visit.

The fates of these two are barreling towards one another again and we get to sit back and watch. As with the last story, there are some graphic violent moments which are hard to read/hear however these are the things that humans did to one another in the name of God, while this is fiction, it is based on the stories of real people who suffered such fates. Another fabulous piece of historical fiction!

A bittersweet conclusion to Widdershins

This book picks up where Widdershins left off and brings the story to a bittersweet conclusion. I would have appreciated an epilogue, but this is a reasonable place to end the story.

The narration by Christine Mackie is consistent with her performance of the previous audiobook. I expect that I'll remember this story for quite some time.


Note: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Sunwise

This was well written. It was pretty historical and hard to listen to. I had to stop reading .

Better than book #1

So this is the second book of the series taking place during the real "witch trials" events that occurred in Newcastle. It follows many characters, focusing on each in the first person. Once of the main characters is a midwife and spans from her childhood on telling about her experiences and being accused of witchcraft.
While I really liked book #1, it didn't make me feel like I was going to enjoy the route the narrative was taking...then BAM! Book #2 shocked and rocked me!
I don't want to ruin the story for anyone, especially since this is book 2, but there are quite a few "unexpected turns" that I did NOT think were going to happen in the slightest. There are a few scenes that might make some people uncomfortable but nothing extreme. The story is excellent, the writing smooth, and the research sound (from what I can tell - I'm no expert on that era).
I have already bought book #3 (ebook and audiobook)!
I also want to mention the narrator of the audiobook...AMAZING. I shared time between reading and listening to this GREAT book and I will say I enjoyed both paths, but the narrator, Christine Mackie, IS AMAZING and really brings this story to life.

gripping

Sunwise is just as gripping as the first book in the series! You don't have to read them in order but I would recommend it. There are a few details in the first book you will enjoy knowing as you continue the story of Jane & John! Helen Steadman does a fantastic job transporting us back to the 17th century! With characters you can’t help but like and the great world building The Widdershins series is a heartbreaking, gripping & fascinating story all in one! Happy reading everyone!

Baskerville Book Reviews

I’ve forgotten what I used to call sequels like this. It’s more of a second-half or part 2 than a sequel. You could read it without having read the first book, but a lot of references to past events wouldn’t make any sense. It’s a direct continuation of the story.

As for the content of this story, it wasn’t nearly as brutal or in-depth as the first one. It wasn’t poorly written, I wouldn’t call it bad, but I didn’t really enjoy it either. Much like the first book, I have little to say. I found both stories to be a depressing slog that is difficult to write a review for because I gained nothing from this experience.

The narrator does an excellent job, as she did in the first story.

NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.

Excellent Read and Historically Accurate

'Sunwise' is the sequel to author Helen Steadmans 'Widdershins' and it picks right up where 'Widdershins ends. It also is just as good if not better than its predecessor. It is not necessary to read 'Widdershins' first but I did and am glad of it.
Jane Chandler having been tricked into marriage with her fiancee's friend is thrilled and saddened when her lover Tom returns from sea, she had been told he was drowned in a downed ship. The lovers are desperate to be together as a family with their young daughter Rose. But Janes current husband is a jealous and cruel man and he slowly becomes more and more violent toward her. The young lovers devise a plan to leave for the new world and a new life. At the same time John Sharpe, the lascivious and evil Witchfinder continues on his campaign of terror and violence against women moving from town to town accusing women and some men of being witches and murdering them. It is clear he is criminally insane and he seems to escape punishment time and again until his wickedness drives him back to Jane's village so he can do away with her. This book was intense and sometimes hard to listen to, such superstition and cruelty all in the name of God. It is thoroughly researched and very well written The narrator did a fantastic job and deserves and A+ for her narration. I will be looking for more works by Helen Steadman. This was a great read, most highly recommended.