Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Witch Hunter” as Want to Read:
The Witch Hunter
Enlarge cover
Rate this book
Clear rating

The Witch Hunter

by
4.39 of 5 stars 4.39  ·  rating details  ·  141 ratings  ·  45 reviews
The magic and suspense of Graceling meet the political intrigue and unrest of Game of Thrones in this riveting fantasy debut.

Elizabeth Grey is one of the king's best witch hunters, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and doling out justice. When she's accused of being a witch herself, Elizabeth is arrested and sentenced to die at the stake. Salvation comes from a man she tho
...more
Hardcover, 368 pages
Expected publication: June 2nd 2015 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
more details... edit details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Witch Hunter, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about The Witch Hunter

Red Queen by Victoria AveyardWe All Looked Up by Tommy WallachThe Girl at Midnight by Melissa GreyMy Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine WargaAn Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
YA Debuts 2015
6th out of 139 books — 759 voters
Winter by Marissa MeyerLady Midnight by Cassandra ClareUntitled by Sarah J. MaasA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasThe Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead
YA Novels of 2015
57th out of 743 books — 2,386 voters


More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)
filter  |  sort: default (?)  |  rating details
Virginia Boecker
Oct 02, 2014 Virginia Boecker rated it 5 of 5 stars  ·  (Review from the author)
Shelves: wow-i-wrote-this
I wrote this! Which is both awesome and weird.
Adam Silvera
Okay, WOW. I have mad love for this book.

THE WITCH HUNTER is a fantasy novel being published on June 2nd, 2015 but you need it on your radar NOW. If you love Leigh Bardugo's SHADOW AND BONE and Marie Lu's THE YOUNG ELITES, this one is definitely for you.

NO GIGANTIC SPOILERS BELOW, JUST SOME SUMMARY STUFF.

Elizabeth Grey is a calculating witch hunter who is loyal to her cause, even after the Inquisitor has turned his back on her and sentenced her to burn at the stake for possessing witches' h
...more
Stacey Lee
The Witch Hunter is one of those rare reads where you feel so immersed in the story and culture (alternate 16th century England) that you forget to put the laundry in the dryer and the bathtub nearly overflows. Elizabeth is the only female witch hunter in her country, part an elite group that hunts down witches to be burned at the stake. The stakes (ha) are raised when she is accused of being a witch hunter herself, and she finds refuge with the people who used to be her enemies, while trying to ...more
Kathylill
Jan 08, 2015 Kathylill marked it as to-read
Shelves: 2015
I really can't take another marketing introduction like "Game of Thrones meets Graceling/The Hunger Games/The Road/etc..." ... Every new book by some new debut author is apparently the new Game of Thrones for young adults minus politics plus love triangle.

Still the rest of the blurb sounds interesting I just wish marketing people would put at least some more thought into drawing comparisons.
Jessica Taylor
THE WITCH HUNTER will undoubtedly be one of the most talked about books of the year. The fully-realized alternate 16th century London setting combined with the most well-developed world building I’ve read in a long time make for a book that is compulsively readable. The protagonist, Elizabeth, is bad ass and wicked smart. Oh how I loved the secondary characters (Fifer!). And the boys…the boys! Dibs on John!

I need book two in my life immediately. Virginia Boecker is one skilled author.
Lori M. Lee
Holy wow, this book. I adore Elizabeth and her world. The characters were all so fantastic, and the world building was seamless. And the plotting? Superb. Not single detail out of place. I am literally bursting with the need to know what happens next.
Sabaa Tahir
What an excellent read. The details of 16th century England are meticulous, the characters original and lovable and funny, the story fast-paced and exciting. I wanted to ignore the world just so I could finish this book!
Helen
Nov 21, 2014 Helen marked it as i-want-it-like-i-want-food
I have so much hope for this little book.

I want this to forever sit beside my copy of Half Bad by Sally Green.

They would look so cool together.

descriptiondescription


I'm shipping book covers with one another. Oh my life...
Aqsa
Sep 14, 2014 Aqsa marked it as to-read
THIS SOUNDS VERY HOWL AND SOPHIE-ESQUE OMG IM GON CRY I WANT THIS NOW

Lori Goldstein
When you make me laugh out loud, you've got me hooked. Elizabeth is brave, lovable, and flawed, and all those reasons are why we follow every step of her journey with our hearts in our throats, desperate to know what's to come. The setting of alternative 16th century England is both entirely new and familiar at the same time, allowing us to slip in easily and still experience the wonder of all that's unique about this world. And there's some kick-ass fight scenes too. ;)
Maggie Hall
Elizabeth Grey is a witch hunter. Since she was a child, she’s spent her life tracking down and turning in those accused of practicing witchcraft in a country that’s been ruined by magic and is now trying to eradicate it. But when she’s accused of being a witch herself, everything changes.

I’ve seen a lot of X meets Y comparisons for this book, and as much as a lot of them ring true (if you love GRACELING and the Grisha trilogy, I think you will love this book), this is its own thing.

We have a
...more
Ashlea
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS. Be so excited about this book, guys. It's everything I wanted it to be and more.

Review with more words closer to release, but PUT IN YOUR PRE-ORDER NOW.
Nikki
....Holy shit
Kelly
An alternate history: Inquisition-era England, but with magic. And it's every bit as awesome as it sounds.

Elizabeth Gray is a (successful, badass) witch hunter, but when she's accused of witchcraft (for a heartbreaking reason that left me totally stunned), she's forced to take refuge with Anglia's most notorious wizard. The magic in THE WITCH HUNTER is beautifully imagined and so totally entrancing, and the writing is tight, nuanced, and unbelievably imaginative. The plot is astonishing, with tw
...more
Renee Ahdieh
this book is SO FUN. everything about it catches you from the very first page and takes you into a world that's familiar, yet fresh enough to keep you guessing and smiling at every turn.

sure, elizabeth is tough, but she's also smart and damned funny. seriously, this dialogue made me laugh out loud (literally), and the tête-à-tête was so well done that there were times i felt miffed when it ended.

do you want to see what happens when a girl takes on a brace of flying birds with nothing but some ki
...more
Kim Liggett
I devoured this book-- the pacing, the action, the magic, the intrigue-- what's not to like? But the world building is... INSANE. I didn't want to leave that world. Good thing there's more to come. Can't wait for book 2.
Jenn Marie
I want this book series to get its own theme park so I can go visit this world and its characters in my down time. Compulsively addictive, smart and fun. My only regret is having to wait to read a sequel. I want it now!
Clarissa
Sep 12, 2014 Clarissa marked it as to-read
Shelves: priority-tbr
As long as this is Shadow and Bone minus Malina meets the Tudors I'm down.

Update
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS COVER. *excitement grows*
SammyB
Ok... so I got an early copy of this book. AND IT WAS AMAZING!!! I LOVED every part of it. From the first page to the last. The idea of this to me was so enthralling and entertaining, I finished it in two days (so for those of you who are like don't you have a life I say yes but this book was just so damn good that I ignored it). Now before I go any further I just have to say it – IF YOU DON”T READ THIS BOOK YOU’LL BE SORRY. I loved it that much. With that out of the way… here is my review.

Elisa
...more
Elizabeth
This book was amazing. I was sucked into the story immediately. Despite knowing that Elizabeth Grey is a witch hunter, as you begin this story you never can quite bring yourself to believe that she has no problem with the awful things that are being done. Once Blackwell betrays her the first time (that we know of...) you know that she is going to end up turning around and helping the Reformists. The best part of the story for me was how believable Elizabeth Grey is, she isn't able to just give u ...more
Jen Brooks
I read an ARC of this book as a member of the Freshman Fifteens. Elizabeth Grey is a witch hunter in an alternate 16th century England. When she is accused of witchcraft herself (for a heartbreaking reason) and sentenced to burn at the stake, she is busted free by and falls under the protection of the wizard who was once her greatest enemy. As she spends more time with the wizard and his group of followers, she comes to question the rightness of her former occupation, ultimately facing the decis ...more
Lady Danielle
Oct 01, 2014 Lady Danielle marked it as need-to-read-next
Well colour me curious! The description for this book sounds AMAZING! Wow!
Katie
I won The Witch Hunter through Goodreads giveaway. I haven't read a book so gripping in such a long time, I couldn't put it down! The characters evolve from page to page and the story intensifies which each word. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Young Adult novels. It not only has the fantasy aspect but also the romance aspect which makes it ideal for young adults like myself. I have a feeling this will be one of those books that I will reread through out time and I'm so glad I go ...more
Jaime Loren
I loved this novel from the first page to the last, and I honestly didn't want it to end!!! The writing was insanely brilliant, the characters were so well-rounded, and the story? Riveting! Virginia has done such a wonderful job of bringing this world to life. Any book that can make me grieve, gasp, panic, laugh out loud, and swoon--well, I have no choice but to give it 5 stars. I'd give it more if I could. :D

Go on! Read it! You know you want to! :D
Madison
The Witch Hunter reads like a cross between Harry Potter and a tale of Camelot, set in 16th century Britain. There is friendship, spells, magic, nymphs and wizards, burning at the stake, kings, evil plots, pirates, magical midwinter parties, swords and seers. Excited yet?

Full review will be posted closer to release.

The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Tricia
If you love Joss Whedon and J.K. Rowling, and really who doesn't, this is the book for you. I couldn't put it down. It's hilarious, action packed and completely engrossing. I'm so glad I had the privilege of reading it early. Run, don't walk, when The Witch Hunter comes out.
Lee Kelly
This is one of those addictive stories that pulls you in on those first pages and then doesn't let go. The world-building is incredible -- thoughtful, clearly researched and enveloping -- and Elizabeth Grey is a heroine you would follow anywhere. Can't wait for the sequel!
missART
This beautiful cover is sure to draw the eyes and hands of many shelf-goers, and most will be pleased with the well-crafted writing and dimensional characters Boecker offers in this engaging debut. The story line nestles well among its peers in Young-Adult fantasy as spunky and competent Elizabeth Grey struggles through the secrets and magic reshaping her world. The romantic interest (dark-haired healer boys FTW) and depth of secondary characters (Fifer is a fav) only serve to enhance the readin ...more
Alexa
Dec 07, 2014 Alexa marked it as to-read
You had me at "Shadow and Bone meets The Tudors."
Dawn Abron
Overview

Elizabeth is a witch hunter and when she is accused of witchcraft; she becomes the hunted.

That was Good, Dang

The Writing. Boecker is a debut author and it’s written really well. She does a good job of leaving little crumbs to keep the reader interested. The opening dilemma was quite intriguing and different from other YA fantasy novels.
* It’s one of those books where Boecker drops little details that eventually come full circle. If you pay attention to the details, it makes for an enjo
...more
« previous 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 99 100 next »
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
  • Truthwitch (The Witchlands, #1)
  • Blood and Salt
  • The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn, #1)
  • Court of Fives (Court of Fives, #1)
  • Lock & Mori (Lock & Mori, #1)
  • When I Wake
  • Ash & Bramble
  • The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight, #1)
  • Rook
  • Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1)
  • Nobody's Goddess (The Never Veil, #1)
  • I Am Her Revenge
  • Daughter of Deep Silence
  • An Ember in the Ashes
  • The Sin Eater’s Daughter (The Sin Eater’s Daughter, #1)
  • Hold Me Like a Breath (Once Upon a Crime Family, #1)
  • Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1)
  • Tell the Wind and Fire
7170939
Virginia Boecker recently spent four years in London obsessing over English medieval history, which formed the basis of her debut novel, The Witch Hunter. She now lives in the Bay Area, California with her husband and spends her days writing, reading, running, and chasing around her two children and a dog named George.

In addition to English kings, nine-day queens, and Protestant princesses, her o
...more
More about Virginia Boecker...

Share This Book