Thursday 7 April 2022

WILDE

  by ELOISE WILLIAMS;  

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©

 




 


Hello, and welcome to A Thursday Book Review featuring Adventures in Middle-Grade Fiction! 

 

This week we have a book first published in 2020, but one I think is so original and such a compelling story that it is worth sharing for those that may not yet have come across it. It was written by a highly accomplised author, and the then Childrens Laureate Wales. That is 'an ambassadorial post which aims to engage and inspire the children of Wales through literature, and to promote every child's right to have their stories and voices heard.'

That such a posts exist is heartening to see, and this story is a testament to the undoubted creativity and skill of the author.

So, without further ado, here is my second solo selection for you to enjoy. I present, WILDE by Eloise Williams 

 

 





WILDE, by ELOISE WILLIAMS

 

Cover art by:ANNE GLENN

 

Published by: FIREFLY PRESS


Publication date: First published May 2020


Paperback ISBN: 978 191 310 2180

 

Cover price for Paperback £6.99.

 

Available in Kindle? YES

 

Pages 256.

 

Age range: Middle Grade (9-12 AND upwards)


Any dogs or cats?A cat called Mrs Danvers, who may just have magical leanings, and a long-eared sociable hound called Denzel.


 

 

SPOILER ALERT


In order to advise as to the plot there will be some small spoilers as to certain characters/ situations within the story. We do how recommend this story, so if you wish to read it, spoiler free, please skip over the plot summary below.

 

Disclaimer. 

 

We were pleased to see and be approved to download a free reader copy of this book. We are even happier that we can share our own free opinion of this fine adventure with you.

 


The plot


Wild is a year six (10-year-old) student. Her mother died when she was young and her father works away a lot of the time. It is fair to say she has had problems at school – she doesn't fit in and things go wrong somehow, wierd things that she cant explain but gets the blame for. Each time she ends up moving school. This time she got herself kicked out so she go stay with her dad. But, he cant get out of his work in America so she has to go stay with her aunt Mae, in the town of Witch Point, Wales. Witch Point holds a deep family connection. But it is a place that is rooted in the memory of witches. Wierd things happen there. People get struck by lightning, in the same spot. And when theres a funeral, the clock chimes thirteen. 

 

But worse, the town and townsfolk were cursed by a witch called Winter who lead seven sisters to their death centuries before. She had been hanged but her memory, and the curse live on in memory.


Witch Point is in the middle of an unrelenting heatwave, which the curse predicts will lead to the death of all the townsfolk.


With only a few days left before the school year ends, Wilde, named after Oscar, attends Witch Point Primary. Desperate to fit in and leave all the wierd stuff behind, she tries to keep a low profile. But, the wierd stuff just gets worse, and the heat magnified. She soon makes an enemy of Jemima, the class bully. But she also gains a friend in a talkative and knowledgeable girl called Dorcas.


The year 6 class gets to meet noted actress Gwyneth Fox-Rutherford, who has come to direct the end of year school play. Much to the students dismay, yet again they are to study and then perform a retelling of the legend of 'A Witch Called Winter'.


And that is when the wierd stuff starts to happen begining with a crow flying into the classroom and landing on Wilde's lap!


Now here I will leave the story as we are getting into the realms of revealing far too much of the actual adventure.




So, what did we think?


There is, once in a while, a story that fully engages the senses from the opening paragraphs. A story that is so well executed, so thorough in its presentation it becomes an instant and irresistible read. This is one. Richly written, it is a confection for the imagination that starts slowly, tempting and drawing the reader in. A slow burn as they say, but one that, with all the might and suspense of Hitchcock, and the flare of the Bard and fear wrought by William Golding (all tempered for MG readers) progresses to a crescendo that is as wholly fulfilling as it is dramatic, fearful and delightful.


So . . . . 



Crunch time. 


This story is told in the first person by Wilde, and is as dramatic engaging and adictive as any story I have read for this grade. It will I am sure be a classic in its own time. We wholly recommend this story to readers of all ages.




Want to buy a copy?

 

To get a copy, and are not in the midst of a cursed heatwave, please do think of your local independent bookshop.  There are plenty out there, and each is just waiting to serve up a treasure of literal magical resource, fun and adventure with a personal touch.

 


Eloise Williams'  WEB page can be found HERE   https://eloisewilliams.com/


 

Firefly Press's web page can be found HERE.  https://fireflypress.co.uk/

 


Thank you for visiting the blog. We hope you enjoyed the review and will return soon.


Till laters!

ERin

 



15 comments:

  1. ERin ewe bee lookin most bee ewe tee ful two day N we hopez yur dreemz iz filled
    with mice creem ;) ♥♥

    thiz soundz like a fun storee...tho frank lee, we think WINTER iz a live and well
    and livin in trout towne !!!! cauz itz spozed ta SNOWZ thiz weeke end :) ♥♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet you wouldn't want the heat wave Winter created either, thought tyhat is quite a contradiction on her part. But the truth of the tale is in the telling, so I wont spoil it for you.
      ERin
      PS. We have a shortage of mice and icecream in these parts!

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  2. Sounds like a really interesting book, Erin! Love the adorable photo of you too!

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    Replies
    1. It is a very pleasant find, and very powerful for an MG read. Thank you, that is my midweek picture, which sort of reflects how I feel, MOL. I try to get a fresh one for Sundays. :)
      ERin

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  3. Replies
    1. Thanks. That is my weekday pose for the book reviews.
      ERin

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  4. Erin, wherever do you find the time to do so much reading? We are so busy eating and napping and guarding against intruders, We never seem to have time for anything else.
    Well, blogging, of course - and visiting Our Furriends, like you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, Mrs H does lots of reading and I listen. Naturally we cats can absorb a story whilst we sleep, so that makes things easier. Thanks for calling by, and I shall see you on your blog soon :)
      Purrs
      ERin

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  5. ERin, you look so peaceful there in the sun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. It is an old picture, winter nap time.
      ERin

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  6. Layla here, I think Google is misbehaving today. This sounds like it would be enjoyed by adults too. I’m curious to know how you enjoy the entire Dalai Lama’s Cat series. They are a favorite.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gooogle certainly does what it does, for sure. This is a great book, one that all can love if they are prepared to enjoy the delights of MG fiction. It really has loads to offer, beyond the norm. As does the Dalai Lama's Cat.
      Purrs
      ERin

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  7. Hi Erin! I bet you had no idea what was in store for us re heatwaves when you did your review! This sounds like another book I really want to read. I usually get them in Kindle now so it looks like I will be going on a shopping spree this week!

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    Replies
    1. Well I do hope you enjoy this one. At least on Kindle, your TBR pile isnt actually physiically large! Maybe this is one yu can get in a second hand shop, or Library?
      Purrs
      ERin

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    2. Actually, the heatwave thing is rather spooky! Must be some magic at work in the UK! ;)
      ERin

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