The Witch's Daughter
Author: Imogen Edwards-Jones
The Witch’s Daughter opens in 1916. Rasputin has just been killed by Princess Militza, famed as one of the 'Witches of St Petersburg', and, coincidentally (or maybe not), Russia descends into chaos and violence as revolution ignites. The ruling Romanov family find themselves fighting for their lives as the citizenry, formerly friendly nations and even their own servants turn against them.
Militza and her daughter Nadezhda (the titular Witch’s Daughter) are just two of the book’s lively characters. It’s great to see so many strong female characters. Whether nobility or revolutionary, they don’t simply just make the most of whatever agency has been given to them by their position, but also proactively manufacture opportunities from whatever situation they find themselves in.
The menfolk of the period are certainly present, but very much in the background. Lenin and Trotsky make an appearance, as do various members of the Romanov family. But the most rounded figure is the seemingly bombproof Bertie Stopford (antiques dealer/diplomatic courier/smuggler of valuables/spy). I would have very much liked to know him, though suspect, sadly, that I would have been far too lowly for his crowd.
Edwards-Jones’s familiarity with all things Russian is woven throughout the book, without hitting you over the head with a sledgehammer. This is a period that is completely new to me, and I didn’t feel like I was drowning in facts, nor all at sea in an unfamiliar historical landscape. Occasionally it feels like there is some telling rather than showing, but it does bring readers up to speed quickly and help move the story along.
And the story does rattle at a pace. I read the book on my kindle as an ARC (thank you Aria and NetGalley) and was swiping through the pages quickly wanting to know what happened next.
This book follows on from The Witches of St Petersburg, but I didn’t realise this until I was about halfway through. It is completely not necessary to have read the first book before you tackle this one. Though, if you enjoy this one as much as I did, you might want to go back and read it afterwards!
The Witch’s Daughter is published on 7th December 2023.
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