Coven of One by Kate Bousfield

This is an enchanting book set in an alternative Britain where witches are commonplace and respected, especially in the North of England. We are never told the date, but I'm guessing it could be the 18th or early 19th century.

The story focus's on Dorcas, a hedgewitch who has just completed years of training at Masterbridge, a witches' college (I love the idea!). To her dismay, she is being sent to a village (in what sounds very much like Cornwall) down south. She does not welcome the news because the south embraces the religion of the one God, and no longer looks kindly on witches.

The story is taken up with Dorcas' struggle to integrate herself in her new surroundings, her dealing with the hostile locals and her struggle with a force of evil that only a Truewitch like herself can deal with.

I found the book highly entertaining, I liked the humour and the often amusing characterisation, and I especially liked the descriptions of the salves and potions Dorcas made up from natural ingredients for the various aches and pains of the villagers.