The Book of Shadows by James Reese c2002

Set in 19th century France, The Book of Shadows is the story of Herculine, from the day her mother dies until she becomes a young woman. Herculine's mother directs her to take refuge in a nearby convent in her dying moments. The convent takes her in, but they are not particularly kind, at least most of the nuns are not kind, treating her, rather, as a servant.

The Mother Superior of the convent is a wealthy woman, whose family has used their influence to gain her the position. Mother Marie is kind to Herculine, lending her books and giving her the task of watching over the headstrong Peronette--a niece sent to the convent by her indulgent though absent father and crazed mother.

When a prank of Peronette's goes wildly wrong, Sister Claire (who was envious of Mother Marie, thinking the position was rightly hers) accuses Peronette and Herculine of witchery, bringing down the wrath of the village folk on the convent.

All of this takes place in the opening chapters, and the vast proportion of the book is a description of Herculine's life, after real witchcraft enters in.

There are some interesting ideas and characters in The Book of Shadows, but for me it's descriptive passages are overblown and it never regains the pacing of the early chapters. All of the tension of the story is let out in the early chapters, such that the bulk of the book has little narrative drive. I see on Amazon, that there have been two sequels. I will not be seeking them out.