The Secret Healer by Ellin Carsta

 SPOILER(Y) REVIEW

Book 1

Based in the fourteenth century, a young female healer Madlen is in kind terms, misunderstood. The apprentice to midwife Clara, Madlen learns the art of herbal healing. Unfortunately these unexplainable techniques are considered the work of the devil, and soon, Clara is called into the fire. Post Clara’s death, Madlen was called upon to help in an emergency birth at a nobleman’s home. What she walks into is not the joy of saving a life, but a conspiracy of murder.

To escape her violent fate in her hometown, she runs away to her aunt Agathe’s home in Worms to start over. A coughing epidemic breaks out in Worms, and Madlen’s passion to save life once again throws her own life into turmoil. Pregnant, Madlen once again has to run away to start anew. But this time her husband Johannes, a lawyer for the Church, is on the case to bring the secret healer to justice. Is Madlen the devils worker that she is thought to be? Or are all the accusations and stories surrounding her misunderstood? What is the truth?

The Secret Healer was easy for me to fall into. This was a new read for me, and I was not left wanting. I expected this book to be a slow read, but I was wrong. Full of suspense, just when you think Madlen has reached the end of her ill fortune, you’re hit with more pain in ways you didn’t expect. As much as trouble follows this girl, I didn't feel like it was just an avalanche of unfortunate events and was just too overbearing like how the book Precious by Sapphire read. The Secret Healer read naturally. I can't wait for the sequel, The Master of Medicine to become available (March 2017 according to Amazon-Kindle Unlimited).

The Secret Healer’s biggest flaw was the lack of description. While more description was given in the latter half of the book, in the beginning, it was basically a name and age grouped in a bubble of personality. Same for the scenery as well. In the latter half of the book, while the hunting for the secret healer was happening, much more physical description was given. This I think though, may have been on purpose. A tactic I am currently using in my own writing, so it was exciting and eye opening to see an example of how it works. The lack of detail was portionally made up for in characterization. These characters are people I could legitimately see walking around in the real world. I bonded just short of instantly to Madlen, mourned Clara, and wanted a few beers with Madlen’s lawyer. Madlen is only fourteen years old, and no more than seventeen or eighteen when the book ends. Madlen’s bravery despite her age, overwhelms and demolishes some of those who are older such as the maid I have pretty much zero respect for, Barbara.

I rate The Secret Healer 4 out of 5 stars.

The Secret Healer was a suspenseful, and engaging book. I went in with my own ideas of what it was about, and left being right on only a general basis. It was one of the few books I’ve read that left me conflicted to leave it. I am happy Madlen’s turmoil was done, and she can finally find happiness, but I wasn’t ready to let her go quite yet. I hope The Master of Medicine has more description though. We shall see...

My favorite character: Killian, Madlen's brother. He was the most realistic, resilient, and the underdog hero. Killian is also the character I wish I saw more of.

My least favorite character: Barbara. The maid that started it all. While she was obviously not the most “evil” character, it was her weakness and fear that caused the domino effect of Madlen's and various others' turmoil.

Would I re-read: Yes

Would I recommend it: Most definitely. Despite the extreme lack of details (in my opinion), it didn’t stop me from truly loving this book.