THE WITCHES OF VARDO

As the Witch Panic mounts it appears any act of agency can brand you a witch: dancing, drinking beer, midwifery, falling in love with a married man. Anna is caught between the Governor and the accused women.

''Three women''s fight for surv
ival in a time of madness'' Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies

They will have justice. They will show their power. They will not burn.

Norway, 1662. A dangerous time to be a woman, when even dancing can lead to accusatio
ns of witchcraft. After recently widowed Zigri''s affair with the local merchant is discovered, she is sent to the fortress at Vardo to be tried as a witch.

Zigri''s daughter Ingeborg sets off into the wilderness to try to bring her mother b
ack home. Accompanying her on this quest is Maren - herself the daughter of a witch - whose wild nature and unconquerable spirit gives Ingeborg the courage to venture into the unknown, and to risk all she has to save her family.

Also captive
in the fortress is Anna Rhodius, once the King of Denmark''s mistress, who has been sent in disgrace to the island of Vardo. What will she do - and who will she betray - to return to her privileged life at court?

These Witches of Vardo are
stronger than even the King. In an age weighted against them, they refuse to be victims. They will have their justice. All they need do is show their power.

''An intricately woven, timeless novel about prejudice, misogyny, freedom and the po
wer and strength we can find within'' - Christy Lefteri

''A passionate indictment of the patriarchy ... a vibrant exaltation of the resilience of women ... Anya Bergman summons a historic witch trial with breathtaking detail and immediacy''
Hannah Kent

''A vividly atmospheric exploration of power in all its forms'' Claire Askew

''A page-turning magical story ... with powerful resonance for the world we live in now'' L.R. Lam

''Brilliant, brutal ... and with th
e best kick-ass feminist female characters ever'' Sinead Moriarty