Salt & Broom by Sharon Lynn Fisher – Review

Published: December 1, 2023

Publisher: 47North

Series: N/A

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 282 (Kindle)

My Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis:
A gifted healer unravels the mysteries of a cursed estate—and its enigmatic owner—in a witchy retelling of Jane Eyre .

“Salt and broom, make this room
Safe and tight, against the night.”

Trunks packed with potions and cures, Jane Aire sets out on a crisp, clear morning in October to face the greatest challenge of her sheltered girls’-school existence. A shadow lies over Thornfield Hall and its reclusive master, Edward Rochester. And he’s hired her only as a last resort. Jane stumbles again and again as she tries to establish a rapport with her prickly new employer, but he becomes the least of her worries as a mysterious force seems to work against her. The threats mount around both Jane and Rochester—who’s becoming more intriguing and appealing to her by the day. Jane begins to fear her herb healing and protective charms may not be enough to save the man she’s growing to love from a threat darker and more dangerous than either of them imagined.

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Salt & Broom is described as a witchy retelling of Jane Eyre, and I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. I admit, I’ve never read the original story, but I’ve seen multiple adaptations and I’ve loved them! I think I’ve consumed most of the classics via mini-series, actually.

This follows Jane Aire, a teacher at Lowood School which is renowned for producing skilled witches in addition to governesses and the like. Edward Rochester has requested a witch be sent to his home at Thornfield Hall to expel a lingering malevolent presence. Since Mr. Rochester’s young wife passed, the servants have been reporting strange events. Singing in the woods and spectral figures haunt the grounds of Thornfield Hall. Jane is determined to succeed, even as more disturbing events threaten the safety of everyone.

Salt & Broom manages to take a familiar classic and turn it into something fresh and unputdownable. I love the addition of the magical elements and the unexpected source of Jane’s parentage. This is also a much less bleak retelling despite the harrowing events and it doesn’t have the whole secret wife locked away in the attic thing going on, which was a relief. Rochester might be portrayed as a serious man, but Thornfield has kindly people on the staff and there’s a rather adorable little cat that keeps Jane company as well. Even Lowood School isn’t as awful as it’s generally portrayed, though it’s certainly not filled with luxuries.

This was a good reading experience. I enjoyed the characters, especially the simmering romance between Jane and Edward. It was filled with mystery, magic, and an excellent atmosphere. I would definitely recommend this to readers looking for magical retellings, very slow burn romance, and books with a nice witchy vibe!