Kate Bousfield

Quotes and Reviews

"Dorcas Fleming has completed her training and is ready for a future as a simple hedgewitch.  But as soon as she hears of her placement in the heathen south, it is clear Dorcas's destiny is to run on a deeper plane. 

As we travel with her on her momentous journey, through a vividly drawn and dramatic landscape, accompanied by a mischievous and wise talking cat and a colourful cast, we too are drawn into a magical world of spells, potions and enchantment.  Rooted in the author's pagan beliefs, this is a truly magical book.

Read it.  I can promise you a bewitching experience that will stay with you long after you turn the final page."

Debi Alper, author of Nirvana Bites.


"Another strong female lead– huzzah! I loved Kate Bousfield's (aka Minx) debut novel– the story of a woman's journey of self-discovery.

Dorcas is a young witch who dreams of joining the coven at Masterbridge, capital of the pagan North. But when she finishes her training she is sent to Pendartha– a small fishing village in the heathen South.

At first it seems she has simply been summoned to treat the aches and pains of a hard-working community. But there is more to Pendartha than meets the eye and when Dorcas hears the tales of death and misfortune that have plagued the village for the last generation, she realises she has a bigger job to do here than healing physical ills.

It is a physical and spiritual test that forces Dorcas to search her innermost soul to find out who and what she is. It is a story of good and evil, prejudice and superstition and a story about love and magic. Wonderful."

Dr Sian Lewis, science editor


"I have never really been one for fantasy, supernatural or science fiction novels, even as a child; I've always preferred going for real life drama, something that I can relate to. That is why I was a little hesitant when I began Coven of One by Kate Bousfield (aka Inner Minx in the blogosphere). A story about a witch? A story about spells? A story with words like scrying, athame, Akashic, Samhain, and grimoire? I worried that it would take more than a spell for me to fall for this kind of book.

Then along came Dorcas Fleming!

I instantly fell in love with this character, relieved to find that she was a "down to earth" protagonist in a world that was very easy to relate to: the witch in this story is not often on a broomstick and not often wearing a pointed hat, and the book is not saturated with hocus-pocus. This is a story about a strong, likeable woman who just happens to be a witch. The world created by the author is totally accessible.

What made this tale so adorable for me were the universal themes that a reader is looking for when they want an escape: it's a love story (the witch even has sex!); it's a story about good and evil; it's also about the battle to be accepted, and the struggle to belong somewhere and find a raison d'être.

This is a fun and easy read that runs to 247 pages. The author, in my opinion, hasn't made the mistake of delving too deeply into witchcraft and black magic, the detail of which might have turned out to be too heavy. I believe the balance is just right, with very little getting in the way of what in essence is a feel-good story about Dorcas Fleming and her mission to save a small, remote town from a deadly curse. There is humour too, which gives Dorcas an air of mischief. The talking with cats is fantastic!

It has to be said though that the editing was disconcerting in parts, with commas missing before the closing speech mark at the end of much of the dialogue. Example: 'I miss her' he said. Some full stops were also AWOL. I wondered if this was deliberate, except that the commas were in place in other sections. Was it a problem at the printers? This is a minor grumble, however, as it didn't distract me from enjoying the book.

I look forward to the next adventure of Dorcas Fleming. I also look forward to recommending it to people who have always been suckers for fairies, gremlins and witches - my mother included. People like me will also love it. I have the sneaky feeling that this character is going to work her magic far and wide!"

Seamus Kearney, journalist from France

"We are used to thinking of novels like Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice as the über typical bildungsroman, or novel of personal development, where the feisty heroine endures hardship and attains maturity rewarded by their just desserts. But what happens when you combine the esoteric genre of fantasy with the bildungsroman? Coven of One by Kate Bousfield is one answer.

After the intriguing prologue, the scene is set with Dorcas Fleming, the heroine, about to graduate from her thoroughly long education and embark on her first witching placement. Life is only just beginning for Dorcas, as she is despatched beyond the normal boundaries of her known land. Initially, the pace of the novel reflects a rural perspective: nature is lovingly invoked without being overly wordy and the slow build up to Dorcas' departure is justified by the incorporation of additional exposition which is essential to later plot development.

Bousfield's created world holds intact for the most part in her novel. The successive trials and tribulations of Dorcas' sojourn with the heathen unbelievers of the foreign land are not only entertaining but explore our own deep-seated beliefs about the 'other' in society. What happens when seemingly opposing forces come together within a feminine context? Rather than war, there is resolution through communication, understanding and good old-fashioned feminine wiles, as Dorcas wins the confidence of a deeply mistrustful community through the women-folk first.

Coven of One as a debut novel reflects a world carefully crafted from imagination and reality, with a superb writing style and a sure voice. All characters are vividly painted: most especially Dorcas. Bousfield draws on sea-lore, herb-lore, witchcraft and much, much more in this novel. Without giving too much of the plot away, it is enough to say that although this novel fuses realism with fantasy, it is neither too clever, nor superficial, it bears re-reading and the dramatic climax of the book is well executed.

Following Dorcas' development to emotional maturity through this 'other' world definitely enhances reader's enjoyment. Fantasy works on a level that some readers may find difficult to reconcile with fiction set in the contemporary world. But sometimes the imagined fantasy world created, reaches from the ordinary world we inhabit to beyond it, credibly stretching our notions of what is possible. Magic can, and does happen in real life (although that may depend on your own point of view) and perhaps that is the best satisfaction of all.

This is highly recommended reading for a wide range of age groups, whether a young adult or more mature reader. It is to be hoped that Bousfield's imaginative world houses other characters and novels for the future!"

Barbara Smith, Irish poet

"BOOK REVIEW: Coven of One by Kate Bousfield

 Coven of One is Kate Bousfield's first novel and, to be honest, not the kind of book I'd usually read, but I was hooked from the beginning.

When hedgewitch Dorcas Fleming completes her training, she is shocked to be sent south, to Pendartha, where witches can still be tried and sentenced to death. When she gets there she finds some support in the local population, particularly her neighbour, Jubal, but she also finds that there is a curse on the village and that is the reason they requested a witch. But lifting curses is surely beyond Dorcas's capabilities ... or is it?

I really enjoyed Coven of One. I found myself constantly awestruck at this world Kate Bousfield has created which, while supernatural, was at the same time wholly believable and convincing. My only criticism is that it wasn't quite exciting enough - I never actually felt worried for the characters like I do reading a Harry Potter book, for example - but that's possibly because I felt totally safe in the author's hands and believed all along that everything would be okay.

Dorcas is an interesting and original character - well, she is a witch, after all - strong, accomplished, confident, but at the same time with enough vulnerability and relateability to have the reader rooting for her from the beginning.

Coven of One is an accomplished first novel, at the end of which (or should I say "witch" ... no, I shouldn't) we're promised more. I can't wait."

Keris Stainton, Trashonista


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