The Witches of Vardo: Utterly propulsive - Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of THE MERCIES

Norway, 1662. It was a perilous era, especially for women, when something as innocent as dancing could spark accusations of witchcraft. In this harsh climate, Zigri, mourning the tragic loss of her husband and son, becomes romantically involved with a local merchant. Her actions soon lead to her arrest and imprisonment at the fortress in Vardø, where she faces charges of witchcraft. Determined to reunite her family, Zigri's daughter, Ingeborg, ventures into the untamed wilderness to rescue her mother. Alongside her is Maren, a spirited young woman with a lineage tied to sorcery, whose bravery encourages Ingeborg to confront the unknown and risk everything for her family's sake.Inside the fortress, Anna Rhodius, formerly a favored mistress of the King of Denmark, finds herself imprisoned as well, stripped of her status and disgraced. Driven by a desire to regain her past privileges, Anna must navigate a treacherous path of alliances and betrayals. Yet these women of Vardø are resilient, defying even the Danish monarch. Living in an age rife with misogyny and fear, they resist their roles as victims. Their path to justice lies in displaying the true extent of their strength and power.