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Cheryl Burman
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River Witch: Compelling historical fantasy with more than a touch of romance (Book 1 in The Wise Women series.) Kindle Edition

by Cheryl Burman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 239 ratings
SPR Book Awards Finalist

‘A beautifully written tale of magic and lore. This story flowed from the first page to the last.'

Alone, in hiding, a desperate Hester battles for her life and her dream. Will the river be her friend?

‘You and I are not ordinary folk, little mistress. We are wise. We call the river by her goddess name, Sabrina.’

In late 19th century England, Hester yearns for more than the simple routine of her father’s farm. She listens to the river's whispers and envies the freedom of the nymphs who ride the white horses of the tides, calling to her to join them.

When Hester succumbs to Sabrina’s song, she is snatched from the rising waters by wise man Aaron – a stranger powerful in herbal lore – and more.

Aaron becomes her reluctant, and secret, mentor. But when Hester suggests to her widowed mother that healing is a way to help feed the family, she is met with scorn and accusations of witchery.

Mother decrees Hester must marry to settle her down. Any husband will do. The rough-handed, lustful fisherman, all manners with Mother, cannot wait to bed the fey and beautiful girl.

But when Hester flees to Aaron, she finds him gone.

Abandoned, alone, Hester must fight for her dream, or lose all she has gained.


A story of fantasy, love, faith, forgiveness, and strength, Hester’s plight will keep you turning the pages late into the evening.

Inspired by the true story of Ellen Hayward, tried for witchcraft in the Forest of Dean in 1906.

What readers say -

'This book goes right into the top 5 of the best witchy vibe books with feminist themes such as self reliance and empowerment that I have ever read.'

'Vivid world-building, angst and more. I was hooked.'

'I was left thinking about Hester long after I had closed the book.'


Scroll up to buy River Witch and discover the magic of the river.
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    The Wise Women series
  2. Print length
    333 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    September 9, 2022
  5. File size
    768 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

young woman wearing a coat, in a snow storm

Fantasy spun from the threads of real life

River Witch is inspired by the true story of a woman skilled in healing, a ‘wise woman’, accused of witchcraft in the early 20th century in the Forest of Dean, UK, where Cheryl Burman lives. It’s right by the river Severn, known to the Romans as Sabrina, goddess. There’s a sacred well in the woods there too. Who could pass up all that as the seeds for a witchy tale?

review quote vivid world building, angst and more ... I was hooked
review quote be prepared for a full range of emotions
review quote 'a captivating story which had me hooked all the way through'

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B16Q2VXP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Holborn House Ltd (September 9, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 9, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 768 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 333 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 239 ratings

About the author

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Cheryl Burman

Cheryl Burman

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Cheryl Burman grew up as the child forever reading on her bed. But as this was Australia, she was also often tempted outside to the beach and the yabby creeks near her suburban home. When she moved to the Forest of Dean in SW England she, like Tolkien and Rowling, was inspired to write. Given she is lucky enough to live in a place chock-a-block full of history, legend and myth, there is much to draw on. She does so, as well as on her own childhood in Australia.

She started with middle grade fantasy, discovered a taste for historical fiction, also that short stories and flash can be fun, and now she has moved on to historical fantasy. She likes a challenge and a change.

As Cheryl Mayo, she is a former Chair of Dean Writers Circle and a founder of Dean Scribblers, which encourages the creative writing spark in young people in the community. She is also the co-author, with her (now sadly deceased) border collie of the ever-popular Sammy's Walks Dog friendly Walks in the Forest of Dean, which is available on Amazon and in local outlets in the Forest of Dean.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
239 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's unique perspective on lore and local history. They find the writing quality beautiful and well-crafted, with a well-developed character and fantastical world.

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PerspectiveWriting quality
3 customers mention "Perspective"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's perspective on lore. They say it explores lore from many viewpoints, creating a fantastical world steeped in local history. The book is described as a different way to build a story.

"...Burman’s, River Witch, will be your ticket to a fantastical world steeped in local history...." Read more

"...Beautifully written and explored from many viewpoints. I will be excited to explore Ms. Burman's other books." Read more

"...Witches, nymphs, unmarried mothers. Such a different way to build a story. I don't know if I would read the second book if there is one." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality. They find it well-written and engaging, with a well-developed character and plot.

"...Hester is a well-developed figure and the reader becomes invested in her journey...." Read more

"...Beautifully done!" Read more

"...Beautifully written and explored from many viewpoints. I will be excited to explore Ms. Burman's other books." Read more

Fantastic Characters
4 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Characters
Although I found the start of the story a little slow, I quickly became invested in the characters, and once that happened, I could not put this book down. Beautifully written with song-like prose, River Witch tells the story of Hester, a young girl who has heard the call of the river and its nymphs all of her life. Working on the family farm, she wants nothing more than to learn how to use nature to heal. As she grows into a young woman, she’s given that chance by a stranger who lives in a nearby cottage.Aaron can hear the nymphs and the river too, but his past keeps him from succumbing to his true feelings for Hester. The story rounds out with accusations that Hester is a witch, and the interest of the brutish fisherman, Jem. He is intent on making Hester his wife and the way their paths cross makes for a stunning final showdown. The characters of this story really made this book for me and I loved the friendship between Hester and Catherine, the slow-burn romance of Hester and Aaron, and that Jem was a true villain worthy of the scorn the author expertly creates for him.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Becky F.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great adult fantasy
    Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    If you’re ready to take a journey into an adult fantasy, then Cheryl Burman’s, River Witch, will be your ticket to a fantastical world steeped in local history. Burman’s inspiration for the main character, Hester, is loosely based on Ellen Hayward, a woman tried for witchcraft in 1906 in the Forest of Dean, UK. Knowing this fact before reading this story will bring a chilling, yet fascinating excitement.

    Burman paints a realistic world of the common class during the early 1900s while weaving in a touch of magic. The reader gets to learn about the mysterious and eerie power of the river, Sabrina, along with Hester as she grows into adulthood.

    And as a delicious side plot, Burman adds in a romance between Hester and the young man who teaches her how to cure and heal the sick. But be forewarned, this is not a straight line toward happiness plot. Hester goes through many hardships, and you won’t be able to put this book down because you’ll be rooting for Hester to find her place in life—to finally find her own powers.

    This is not the first book I’ve bought and read from this author, nor will it be my last.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Katherine D Graham
    4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing mix of reality, myth, and magic with high stakes.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2022
    Tired of sitting helplessly while innocents and loved ones lose their lives, Hester follows a goddess's call and risks all to change fate.

    **I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author and Reedsy Discovery. Receiving a free copy of the book did not impact my review in any way. This is an honest, spoiler-free review, and all opinions expressed within are solely my own.**

    Hester is a diligent farmer's daughter in all ways but one: she can't quit talking to the river.

    Rather, the river won't quite talking to her. Sabrina, that is--the goddess whose form makes up the river.

    River Witch follows young Hester's heart-wrenching growth from a pure-hearted, innocent child who cannot stand the injustice of death (especially when she feels she has the power to change it, thanks to a legendary healer's lineage) to an adult wrapped in all the complexities of a cruel, convoluted world.

    Seeking freedom for herself (and her heart) after an arranged marriage is proposed, fighting against social stigmas and unfounded prejudices, and in the end embracing who she truly is (both good and bad), Hester is a courageous young woman with a powerful story to tell.

    I adored the fact that a platonic friendship in this story is what 'saves the day' in so many instances. There is no love at first sight for Hester, but their is an unconditional love from a friend that transcends any romance. (Don't be too discouraged if you're a romance reader, though. There are still romantic subplots to be had.)

    Burman brings to life the extraordinary power of what women who cease competition with each other and instead band together in respect, love, and good will can accomplish. The story is powerful and gripping, tackling hard themes such as estrangement from family, the harsh reality of not 'fitting in', and the worst aspects of superstitions in a way that is raw enough to pierce the heart, while being hopeful enough to make you need to keep reading more.

    The only reason this is not a solid 5-star review is because of some formatting errors within the text, where two different scenes appear verbatim at different places in the same chapter, as well as some recurring editing things. This book is definitely worth putting up with a couple repeated scenes to read, though.

    In a sweeping fantasy world, with magic and wives' tales entwined, Burman's The River Witch will challenge the way readers look at 'normalcy' and gossip while encouraging the best of what makes us human. A truly magical read!
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully woven
    Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The world and characters elicit a range of emotions. The relationships are sometimes frustrating or infuriating, but the ultimate resolution provides much satisfaction. Hester is a well-developed figure and the reader becomes invested in her journey. The ending doesn't come with any guarantees, so I'm hopeful that the tale continues.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Deb's reviews
    5.0 out of 5 stars A haunting tale of magic and purpose
    Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I've always been fascinated by witchcraft and the "magical" properties to be found in nature.
    Based on the true story of Ellen Hayward, tried for witchcraft in the Forest of Dean in 1906, this tale of Hester's journey towards learning how to heal and choosing her calling over the typical female roles of the period is a realistic and compelling read.
    From the very beginning the relationship between Aaron and Hester caught my attention and I swept through this in one afternoon.
    Definitely an author to pay attention to.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Maryn Belling
    3.0 out of 5 stars River Witch by Cheryl Burnam
    Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2022
    River Witch by Cheryl Burman - Review by Maryn Belling

    Once upon a time, in Big Magic Elizabeth Gilbert supposed that ideas pass from one author to another until someone allows them to be born through their writing. This book offers us an alternate solution: that the same ideas ride the wild hunt of human intellect and are born in multiple iterations for our evaluation and determination of preference.

    River Witch is an interesting iteration of archetype. Hester pops into our collective consciousness at 8.

    If you haven’t read Louisa Morgan’s A Secret History of Witches or Tracy Chevalier’s A Single Thread, this book might find a good space in your library. If you HAVE read those two books, caveat emptor. Especially if you’re a teacher, professor, or evaluator of nuances be sure your rubrics are safely ensconced in your briefcase before you start reading.

    Younger readers or those who prefer to avoid triggers might be better served by The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E Pearson.

    Trigger Warnings: domestic violence

    River Witch, Cheryl Burman, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, Witch, Historical
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  • Ramona G. Hickey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I couldn't believe I had gotten to 75% read and so much left to resolve...even to 15 pages left! Beautifully done!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon User
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ethereal magic realism and vividly drawn characters
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Hester feels the river (Sabrina) talks to her and she to it. She realises she is not one of the ‘ordinary folk’ (just like her grandmother) and she yearns for something other than the farming life. But her mother disagrees. As does Aaron — a young man with whom she has an affinity and trust.

    Cheryl Burman tells us that this novel is inspired by the true story of a healing woman in the Forest of Dean: Ellen Hayward, who was tried for witchcraft as recently as 1906. River Witch does indeed deftly weave an ethereal magical realism with vividly drawn, believable characters. This creates a sophisticated mix between historical fiction and fantasy.

    This duality between the fantastical with the real and rooted also runs parallel with the harsh contrast between industry and nature in the book. The landscape of the book — like the tone — is at times lyrical and magical, and others harsh. This makes for compulsive reading.

    There is a strong sense of place, with beautiful and vivid descriptions, which makes it immersive. I found myself caught up in Hester’s world and rooting for this independent character as she grew from child to woman.

    However if, like me, you have read any others of Cheryl Burman’s work, you will know that she is not one to settle for a straightforward story arc or a simple happily ever after! Like Sabrina, the story rolls, and twists, and turns - leaving you desperate for Hester to reach the happy conclusion she yearns for.
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  • Elise Carlson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A historically rich tale with a touch of the supernatural
    Reviewed in Australia on January 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was lighter on fantasy and heavier on historical inspiration than I anticipated, but this story very much pulled me in nonetheless. Hester's world, her farm, village life and other settings are all conveyed with historically rich detail, touched by the supernatural.

    I was drawn by Hester's plight, and Catherine's strength and determination to help others, despite what appeared to be an at times crippling chronic illness.

    Another draw was the clear impressions I of had of characters, even minor ones and their feelings and values from how they were written. This was an interesting read, slower paced than I usually read, concluding in a more dramatic, page turning sequence I quite enjoyed.
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  • Daisy Wood
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written book - amazing!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    When I started reading this book I did not know what to expect, but slowly as it progressed, I could tell that it would be one of those books that stays with you, long after it has finished.
    It is beautifully written, at a time when the world was changing in more ways than one. Based on a true story, the central character is Hester, who realises she has other powers at a very early age, having inherited these from her Grandmother, which sets her apart from ordinary people. Ms Burman weaves us a tale of pure magic, but, there are hidden depths and meanings within the writing, of justice, a woman’s plight at that time, and her right to be heard, and live as she wanted.

    The river, Sabrina, speaks to Hester, as she hears its calling. Saying that, have you never stood by a running river or stream and heard the gurgle as it passes over stones, or rushes through on undercurrents. Ms Burman brings all this alive in this story.

    This is a gem of a book, superbly written, and beautifully told. Ms Burman’s style of writing suits the tale so well, and you are drawn into the lives of these people that literally live by the river, as for many, it is their livelihood.

    It captivated my sense of fantasy, as well as telling of the hardships that abounded at that time. River Witch is a beautiful book, and I would highly recommend it.
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  • F. Phillips P. Phillips
    4.0 out of 5 stars Historical drama with just a smidgen of magic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 7, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A charming tale of self discovery, love, friendship, and treading one’s own path, regardless of the odds. This novel has a well painted and developed cast, especially the main character Hester. The ending is both exciting and satisfying.
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  • Vicky35
    5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely mix of fantasy and history!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This beautifully written historical fantasy had me right there in the midst of it all. I could imagine and feel what the characters were feeling. The heartbreak of difficult situations had me wanting more, to know it would all work out in the end. A lovely mix of fantasy with history. Not the first book I've read by Cheryl and I'm sure it won't be the last. Thoroughly recommend this book.
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