It's superbly produced, a thing of genuine physical beauty but, most importantly, the writing is immense and mesmerising * Fully Booked * Aldwyn, Skylar and Gilbert, determined to save their loyals (the human companion of a familiar), go on a quest to free them. They experience many trials on their quest, vanquish a witch, defeat a mountain troll, pay a visit to Gilbert's homeland, and encounter the great Mountain Alchemist, who, along with Queen Loranella and Kalstaff, were the first 'prophesied three' 60 years ago. Finally, just before the third sunset when the protection spells around their three loyals fade, which will allow Queen Loranella to finally kill them, the three familiars arrive. Upon arrival, they realize that their real enemy is the Queen Loranella's familiar, a hare named Paksahara, who had imprisoned the real queen, and shifted into her likeliness. They also become aware that murdering Kalstaff and kidnapping their loyals was also really done by Paksahara under the guise of Queen Loranella. As the three familiars make desperate endeavors to rescue their loyals, Aldwyn discovers that he is in fact magical and possesses the power of telekinesis. With his newfound power, Aldwyn and his fellow familiars defeat Paksahara, who ultimately escapes. Aldwyn, Skylar and Gilbert free their loyals, and discover that the three real wizards that the shooting stars foretold are Aldwyn, Skylar and Gilbert, the three animal wizards. I found the narrative to be unexpectedly gripping and fast paced and in Fleetwood, a character easy to root for as she struggles against the uniformly unpleasant, bigoted and misguided men of the story (There are few male characters with redeeming features) Having read Stacy Hall’s The Foundling I couldn't wait to get my hands on The Familiars and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Fleetwood is distressed by the letter and wants to confront her husband about it but doesn’t know how. She decides to go a different route and hire a local woman to be her midwife, a woman that knows all about potions and herbs and promises to deliver a healthy baby – Alice Grey.

I’m also delighted to have signed up another two books from Stacey following The Household. Our partnership with Stacey and Juliet is a special one and we can’t wait to see what incredible stories she comes up with next." In seventeenth century England, things and happenings not understood were often attributed to the realm of witches. It was a time with an eerie fascination with the people thought to be witches and this thinking led to many executions of those tried and convicted. Even King James of that time had a certain fascination with witchcraft. The Pendle witch trials held at Lancaster, were one of many trials held. Twelve people were accused, one died while in Lancaster prison, while eleven went to trial. Ten were found guilty and executed by hanging and one was found not guilty. The Familiars" written by Stacey Halls is a story based on a true historical timeline and real life people, namely Fleetwood Shuttleworth born in 1595, who was a woman of gentry and mistress at Gawthorpe Hall. It is a work of fiction based on the premise of the Pendle witch trial in Lancaster 1612 and sadly highlights the plight of women disproportionately targeted as part of witch hunts during the time period set. Soon the two women's lives will become inextricably bound together as the legendary trial at Lancaster approaches, and Fleetwood's stomach continues to grow. Time is running out, and both their lives are at stake. An amazingly intricate and ambitious first novel - ten years in the making - that puts an engrossing new spin on the traditional haunted-house tale.Is there more to Alice than meets the eye? Fleetwood must risk everything to prove her innocence. As the two women’s lives become intertwined, the Witch Trials of 1612 loom. Time is running out; both their lives are at stake. Only they know the truth. Only they can save each other. The atmosphere of the time was perfectly recreated I felt, and found this historical fiction taken from fact enjoyable reading from start to finish * Mrs Blogg's Books *

She hires Alice as midwife who has untraditional methods but Fleetwood accepts any help she may get. As they unconventional friendship grows, King James’ minions wander around to accuse the innocent women for being witches, weeding them out from the community. This book gets under your skin! So pacy and brilliantly creepy * Juliet West, author of THE FAITHFUL AND BEFORE THE FALL * A wonderful novel, enthralling, spellbinding, terrifying, full of twists and turns, written with heart and style - and the final chapters will have you racing to the end. A brilliant novel about a true story - and a real mystery. * Kate Williams, author of THE STORMS OF WAR *Fleetwood is pregnant again and is determined that this time round she will do everything she can to protect her baby. Fluent, well paced and beautifully imagined, this is a real treat for anyone who enjoys historical fiction- and also for all those who do not normally choose this genre. Highly recommend, and Halls is definitely a writer to watch * Bibliomaniac * Come for the draw of the witch trials, stay for the story of a noblewoman in a prison that was England in the 17th century * The Irish Times *

At the Dreamworld, they meet a realmwalker, who guides them through the world. They pass a castle full of puzzles and set of to the Palace of Dreams. As Alice is drawn into the witchcraft accusations that are sweeping the North-West, Fleetwood risks everything by trying to help her. But is there more to Alice than meets the eye? While it is a work of fiction, The Familiars contains real characters and events from the early 1600s. It’s a darkly atmospheric tale of friendship, loyalty and witchcraft. Charaipotra, Sona (May 13, 2011). "Debut Author Q&A: Endcap Entertainment's Andrew Jacobson and Adam Epstein On 'The Familiars' ". Teen Writers Bloc . Retrieved January 9, 2013.

Diaries & Calendars

Many of the characters in The Familiars are “historical figures” but Stacey Halls goes beyond a fictional recasting of the Pendle witch trials. She deftly “explores the lives and rights of seventeenth-century women, ultimately raising the question: Is witch-hunting really just women-hunting?” The second definition for witch-hunt, taken from Merriam-Webster, may also occur to readers: “the searching out and deliberate harassment of those (such as political opponents) with unpopular views.” Simply substitute the word “religious” for “political.” The Familiars is a riveting story, and although it takes place more than three hundred years ago, it raises issues that are still yet to be resolved. The Familiars is a series of children's fantasy books written by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson. The Familiars is also the title of the first book in the series, featuring familiars, magical animal companions to a wizard or witch. The series consists of 4 books, published between 2010 and 2013 by HarperCollins. In September 2010, it was revealed that Sony Pictures Animation will adapt The Familiars into a 3D animated feature film, with Doug Sweetland set to direct it. [5] According to the books' authors, the film was scheduled to be released in 2014 but it got cancelled. [6] Fergal Reilly joined Sweetland to co-direct the film, [7] but in 2013, he left to co-direct The Angry Birds Movie. [8] In January 2013, when it was announced that Sweetland will direct a 2015 film for Warner Bros. (that would eventually become Storks from Warner Animation Group in 2016), Sony Pictures Animation responded that " The Familiars is cancelled." [9] Epstein and Jacobson said in September 2013 in an interview. [10] Mostly I liked Fleetwood’s change and growing by taking risks, acting brave to protect her friend and baby!

Anethum graveolens.” She pointed from left to right. “ Calendula, lavendulan, camamelum.” I stared at her in bewilderment, and she laughed. “To you, and your cook—dill, marigold, lavender, chamomile.” Her face was long and narrow, her eyes large, their color unusual even from a distance: a warm gold, like new coins. There was something fiercely intelligent, almost masculine, in her gaze, and though she was crouched down and I standing, for a moment I felt afraid, as though I was the one who had been discovered. Mushens added: “Stacey’s writing goes from strength to strength and The Household feels like her best book yet." I thoroughly enjoyed it. It left me feeling enthralled with parts and spellbound by others * Whisperingstories * It was interesting to observe the incredibly privileged life that Fleetwood lived, especially in comparison to Alice, but for all that privilege she was still a woman, no real rights, almost a kind of ornament to decorate their home, Gawthorpe Hall. She is pregnant for the fourth time, and if she doesn't manage to provide a living child she is essentially useless. I had a great deal of sympathy for her. I don't think I've ever been so invested in a pregnancy before, real or fictional.Stacy Hall’s has written a very crisp and beautiful debut and certainly an author that I gad to have add to my favorites list. A debut to look out for, one of these books that once you start reading, you cannot put down * The Fountain * A midwife’s role is to protect the life of mother and child so when Alice tells Fleetwood she can bring her and her unborn child safely to term, their lives are irrevocably intertwined. Why then does Roger imprison Alice? He claims that Alice is part of a family of witches. What does Roger fear from Alice? Alice states baldly that the King, and those who would please him, are afraid of wise women. It follows two girls at the home, Martha and Josephine, as well as the eminent figure of Miss Coutts, who privately is plagued with her own demons. The publisher says this is Halls’ “most ambitious and captivating novel yet”. The novel is enriched by a visual dimension, with marvellous evocations of period clothing, the details of interiors, the food eaten and the appearance of the characters themselves. The reader is given colour, texture and light in relationship to both human activity and the landscape; descriptions which are sometimes quite lovely, and sometimes very graphic images of appalling poverty and destitution * Bridport Times *