A Time of Witches, Madeline Martin (Review by Josie Evans)

A Time of Witches by Madeline Martin swept me straight back into the whimsical nostalgia of being a little girl in my grandmother’s garden—mixing flowers, grass, and imagination into secret potions. That same spark of magic and possibility pulses through this story.

Martin guides the reader through a time‑slipping journey where Lilith, the main character, must either embrace her gifts to shape her future or risk erasing her existence entirely. After years of suppressing her abilities—blamed by her mother for her father’s death—Lilith finally has the space to confront who she truly is once her mother passes.

Haunted by vivid dreams and an unshakable pull toward her ancestry, Lilith travels to London in search of answers. There, she meets Asher and his aunt, who runs the charming bed‑and‑breakfast where she stays. Each of them helps her open her eyes and heart to the truths she’s been avoiding. The seamless movement between past and present keeps the tension alive, building anticipation as Lilith races to prevent catastrophe for her family line.

In the past, we meet Sybil—an ancestor deeply connected to the Earth—living in Suffolk in 1645 at the height of the witch trials. She has supported her village through plague, hardship, and fear, but her strength may not be enough when the infamous Witch Hunter arrives. Her chapters are raw and emotional, revealing the brutality inflicted on women and anyone who dared to stand beside them. Reading her story stirred something deep in me, reminding me how sacred and vital community among women has always been.

By the end of this novel, you’ll find yourself longing for a familiar of your own and a honeysuckle grove to retreat to. It’s a story that lingers—earthy, magical, and full of heart.