They Can't Burn Us All

From the award-winning author of A Poisoner's Tale comes a dark, feminist retelling of the most famous witch trial in 17th-century Iceland, perfect for fans of The Witches of Vardo and The Mercies.

'Immersive and heartrending . . . I was completely captivated by this vital work of witch literature' ANYA BERGMAN, author of international bestseller, The Witches of Vardø

'Kemp has created a magnificent retelling of an infamous Icelandic witch trial, beautifully handled in a story that is by turns shocking, violent and deeply moving'KATE FOSTER, Women's Prize shortlisted-author of The Maiden

'This is a haunting, mesmerising tale of C17th Icelandic witch trials, with descriptions so evocative you can feel the snow’s chill and hear the ravens’ cries and smell the fires burning'NAOMI KELSEY, author of The Burnings

Westfjords, Iceland. 1655

Þuríður Jónsdóttir has grown up praying to the old gods and watching her father and brother practise rune magic.

But now, a witch-hunting craze is sweeping across the land of ice and fire, fuelled by the Protestant Reformation. Unlike elsewhere in Europe, those condemned as witches here are not women, but men of learning. And when Þuríður’s father and brother are accused of witchcraft and condemned to burn at the stake, she is helpless to save them.

As Lutheran Pastor Jón Magnússon's accusing gaze turns to Þuríður herself, the first woman to be called ‘witch’, he will find that she is no ordinary woman.

She is prepared to fight back. But at what cost?

And in an age of fear and persecution, whose side will the community take? Who will fight for justice?

Set against a backdrop of sweeping religious and social change, They Can’t Burn Us All is a feminist retelling of Iceland’s notorious Kirkjuból witch trials.

Readers LOVE THEY CAN'T BURN US ALL:

'A stunning read, in every sense of the word' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Richly atmospheric and so immersive that Iceland itself really became a character' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Utter brilliance. Had me feeling all the rage and injustice' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'I was NOT prepared for how much this book was going to live in my chest . . . Immersive, furious, freezing, unforgettable. Five stars, no notes, just vibes and rage and ravens.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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