61 pages 2-hour read

Thomas Olde Heuvelt

Hex

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013

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Book Brief

Thomas Olde Heuvelt

Hex

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013
Book Details
Pages

384

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Edinburgh, Scotland • 1590

Theme
Fear

The Past

Good & Evil
Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Hex by Jenni Fagan follows young witch Geillis Duncan as she faces her impending execution and connects with Iris, a woman from the future. Set within the confines of Geillis's cell, the story explores themes of persecution, friendship, and resilience across time. It captures a poignant moment in their lives, emphasizing their shared experiences.

Dark

Unnerving

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Hex by Jenni Fagan delivers a haunting, poetic exploration of witchcraft and historical trauma, with Fagan’s lyrical prose and rich character development earning praise. However, some critics feel the narrative can be disjointed and the pacing uneven. Overall, its atmospheric depth and emotional intensity leave a lasting impression despite minor drawbacks.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Hex?

Hex by Jenni Fagan is perfect for readers who enjoy dark, atmospheric fiction with a blend of historical and supernatural elements. Fans of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic will appreciate Fagan’s lyrical prose and strong female characters navigating mystical narratives.

Character List

The foreboding presence in Black Spring, known as the 17th-century Black Rock Witch, whose eerie appearance with sewn-shut eyes and mouth is a symbol of the town's dark past.

A pragmatic doctor dedicated to protecting his family while grappling with the town's supernatural elements and oppressive rules, embodying the conflict between science and superstition.

A tech-savvy teenager driven by a desire for transparency and freedom who challenges the town's entrenched secrecy with his digital initiatives, unknowingly escalating tensions.

A volatile young man with a history of family trauma, whose actions are fueled by aggression and revenge, reflecting the town's underlying hostility and paranoia.

The disillusioned head of HEX, managing the town's curse with a mix of surveillance technology and traditional deception, caught between practicality and the town's chaos.

Steve's wife, caught in the struggle to maintain familial safety, illustrating the personal impact of the town's persistent supernatural threat.

A community member entwined with superstition and personal trauma, who turns to a secret devotion to Katherine in hopes of securing protection and vengeance.

A young teen initially detached from the town's secrets, whose innocence is drastically affected by the unfolding events around him.

A group of teenage boys aligned with Tyler's project, embodying youthful rebellion and the influence of the town's ominous atmosphere.

A rigid, puritanical authority figure leading the Town Council, whose stern governance is rooted in traditional beliefs and harsh punishments.

Book Details
Pages

384

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Edinburgh, Scotland • 1590

Theme
Fear

The Past

Good & Evil
Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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