Showing posts with label witches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label witches. Show all posts

Sunday, 1 December 2024

The DECEMBER Witches

Written by  Jennifer Claessen

                            

A Christmassy cover of matt red with the three main Merlyn witches standing with backs to us. Centrally on the cover, in white text, is the title and author name. The girls are dressed in long scarves and bobble hats that match their hooded coats. From left to right, the colours are mauve, red & yellow. The decorations on the cover include a Christmas tree, an owl, a robin, leaves, snow, a wooden spoon and a recipe book. There are loads of stars that feature prominently in the story.
                                                        

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.



Hello, and welcome to my latest book review. This week we are featuring a magical Adventure in Middle-Grade Fiction. A topical one at that, as it begins in December, and features two very special witches' covens, the Merlyns and the Morgans.

This is the third of the trilogy, and even though we never got to read the first two stories, I feel we can quite ably guide you through this grand finale, which really does sew up all the loose ends, all rather neatly. That pun I shall let you discover for yourselves.

Without further ado, and with my trusty housekeeper, Mrs H, toiling over a bubbling saucepan of homemade soup (she assures me there is nothing even remotely like eye of newt or leg of toad), let's get on with the show!


A Christmassy cover of matt red with the three main Merlyn witches standing with backs to us. Centrally on the cover, in white text, is the title and author name. The girls are dressed in long scarves and bobble hats that match their hooded coats. From left to right, the colours are mauve, red & yellow. The decorations on the cover include a Christmas tree, an owl, a robin, leaves, snow, a wooden spoon and a recipe book. There are loads of stars that feature prominently in the story.


AUTHOR:  Jennifer Claessen

 

Cover Illustrations by: Heidi Olivia Cannon 

 

Published by:  UCLAN Publishing

 

Publication date Paperback: 7 November 2024

 

Paperback 13 digit ISBN:  978 1916 747 166

UK Cover price for Paperback:  £8.99


Amazon KINDLE price:  £8.99

 

Pages: 330 (plus bonus short story)

 

Age range: 9 to 12


Any dogs or cats? Witchy birds, and a rather spry donkey have important parts to play.

 

 



SPOILER ALERT

YES, as to plot direction and characters from all three books in the series.



Thank you to...


We are exceedingly grateful to Graeme Williams Marketing and UCLan Publishers for offering us a chance to Read & Review this story.

As ever, our views are our own, and we only share reviews of books we have bought, received as gifts, or received in exchange for an impartial review.

First and foremost, the books we review are those we select to read, like, and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they, their family, friends and students will enjoy.



A plot summary of books one and two:

In book one, called The October Witches, we get introduced to our lead protagonist, Clementine/Clemency/Clem and her relations that form the Merlyn witches. We are introduced to the other coven called the Morgans. Both, as I am sure you will know from Arthurian legend, don't really get on.

It is the month of October, and 12-year-old Clem's magic descends from the stars for the very first time. Witches in the covens get their magic only for one month a year. Year-round magic would be too much for their bodies. But Clem can't really use hers. She discovers that her mother and two aunts have cooked up a plan to make their magic last beyond their allotted month by storing it in a pumpkin. But this goes awry when the Morgans take the pumpkin and the three elder witches.

The young Merlyn 'hags' as they are called, Clem and Mirabelle, join up with hags Kerra and Senara from the Morgan side and restore an ancient 12-panel tapestry. This shows the ancient history of both families, from a time when the witches discovered that the magic was too strong and needed to be rationed from the stars.

In the grand finale, the Merlyn coven elders are saved in a big battle at the Morgan castle. And, with the destruction of the pumpkin, all the witches' magic is returned to the stars, just in time to celebrate Halloween.

In book two, The November Witches, Clem decides the best way to atone to her elders for all the chaos of October and the loss of their magic is to repair the tapestry by stitching the parts back together. This goes against the advice of Kerra. Despite there being no magic in their home, knights start arriving at their door. So, to evade them, the young hags return to the Morgans castle. There are problems for the Morgans, with wild magic on the loose, fires springing up everywhere, not to mention a forest starts to cover everything.

It dawns on them, on Clem, that the November chaos and twisted magic come directly from the now-restitched tapestry!

In a twist, young Kerra Morgan, fed up of being ever ignored, proclaims herself Queen of the Knights so she can seize the tapestry.


In the finale of the tale, Clem leads the witches to victory over the knights and forces the dark and twisted back into the tapestry. But in the chaos, whilst Clem finds her voice, she losses Kerra, who is literally drawn into the fabric of the weave.

So, on to book three.

It is finally December, which means Clem turns 13 and gets her first proper month of magic. There is joy in their house as cakes are made and gifts are given. But there is also ill health amongst the family of witches. Especially Aunt Connie, who has a terrible, worrying cough. Then with a bang, Clem is filled to overflowing with magical stars, the carriers of the magic. Things start to explode, and not just the occasional lightbulb.

She has way more than she should have. In fact, she has more than any witch could ever bear and runs the risk of exploding as her body tries to contain the ever-increasing burden and volume.

Someone, it seems, has chosen her to be the One True Witch! And that someone the hags, especially Clem, will come to know as the Stitch Witch', the embodiment of thousands of years worth of magic being stuck in the tapestry, stewing away. And what the Stitch Witch wants is to release all the energy into a witch they can easily control, and then create Avalon, a witch's home. This comes with a huge price tag, for the earth, witches and all of life as we know it.

It becomes a race to not only try to rescue Clem before she dies but to get rid of the malignant power before its new world of Avalon supplants all the Merlyns and Morgans know and hold dear. And let's not forget Kerra, who is still held captive within the tapestry threads.

So, what did we think?

Wow. End of review.

OK, so we need to fill that in a bit. Whether you like witch stories or not, this, like the twelve months of the year and the twelve panels of the tapestry, is so very much more.

The relationship between the young hags of both covens and between their elders is captivating, at times fun, and rings so true of many diverse multi-generational families.

A coming-of-age adventure, finding oneself and family, this book most certainly is, and it does it well. The facts, sadness and joy of gaining and then losing family is very well portrayed, heartfelt and brings true strength to the story that hangs about Clem's shoulders like the tapestry. It would be hard for us not to conclude the tapestry in this story is an analogy for life. Yes, that may seem obvious, as tapestries are often snapshots of a moment in time. But this one is more so. It depicts in layers the past, present and what may come if one is consumed by things; the risk of repeating destructive patterns.

As the conclusion to a trilogy, it is wholly satisfying. It brings delightful humour, and unexpected additions to the cast who all play a critical role, though both we and they may not realise it at first sight.


So . . . .

Crunch time.



A skilled, at times deeply heartfelt, but always compelling and fun adventure that is as worthy of telling and retelling as befits a modern re-imaging of the Arthurian legend and witchcraft shenanigans.

Would I watch this as a movie? Absolutely. Should you buy this? Again, absolutely, a perfect set to get the young or older 'hags' in your life.


A Christmassy cover of matt red with the three main Merlyn witches standing with backs to us. Centrally on the cover, in white text, is the title and author name. The girls are dressed in long scarves and bobble hats that match their hooded coats. From left to right, the colours are mauve, red & yellow. The decorations on the cover include a Christmas tree, an owl, a robin, leaves, snow, a wooden spoon and a recipe book. There are loads of stars that feature prominently in the story.


Want to buy a copy?

To get a copy, steering clear of evil tapestries, please magic yourselves by whatever means to your local independent bookshop. Or order on-line. There are plenty out outlets out there, and each store is just waiting to brew you up whatever kind of mystery, fun and adventure you desire.


Jennifer Claessen's web page can be found HERE or type this: https://www.jenniferclaessen.com/

UCLan Publishing's web page can be found HERE or type this: https://uclanpublishing.com/

Heidi Olivia Cannon's web page is being updated https://heidioliviaillustration.com/ But she can also be found on the site formerly known as Twitter under: @HeidiOliviaArt



I hope you enjoyed that adventure and review. 

I shall leave you with a Selfie of ME!






We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the wonderful Kitties Blue and their mum, Janet Blue, from the Cat on My Head blog in America. Click this sentence to visit Janet Blue's site.

Small image. The Cat on My Head Sunday Selfies Blog Hop badge. Features a yellow-haired lady with a tuxedo cat on her head.

🙂 🙂

Till laters!

ERin


This is a Blog Hop!

You are next... Click here to enter
This list will close in 4 days, 3 hrs, 10 min (12/5/2024 11:59 PM North America - Eastern Standard Time)

What is a blog hop?
Get the code here...

Saturday, 4 December 2021

STARFELL. Willow Moss and the Vanished Kingdom

 

by Dominique Valente;  

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Cat Princess©

 


 

Writing reviews is such hard work!
Hello, and welcome to my Saturday Book Review featuring adventures in Middle-Grade Fiction!

 

 

This week we are sparking with joy to share with you the third and latest book featuring Willow Moss and her iracund kobold monster in the green bag (sometimes under the bed and certainly NOT a cat) feline-like companion, Oswin.

 


But first, by popular request of the village paperboy, Eccles McKnees, so he can have a lay in this week, is....... 

 

 

The UMM VILLAGE NEWS. (Delivered hands-free online. This edition  is kindly sponsored by Mrs Singh's International Food Emporium – Authentic International Fast food, delivery by Jumbo the Elephant.)


In the Front page. Following on from PC Beatworn's request last week for info about twenty missing hair dryers, he issued a press release on Tuesday to confirm he is following up on some leads he's received. Alas, news in this morning from the saloon bar of the Pied Sparrow Public House, seems to indicate that there were no fingerprints on the 13Amp plugs attached to the leads. 


In the Sports News. Upper Much-Mousing's new seniors football team, The Wobbly Wanderers, have made it home from their first (and I suspect last) away match. Apparently, the week-long delay was caused by the driver, Paulo, getting stuck on a Midland's ring road whilst looking for the much-famed eatery called Spaghetti Junction. 


In the Wanted Column. The vicar has put out a call for villagers to play parts in this year's upcoming version of Richard Whittington. Apparently, I, as a cat, am excluded from applying as I am, seemingly, too much like a cat! That's the last time I water his begonias!


Also in the wanted column is a request from the WI for additional members for the WI's Inter-County Contact Yoga Team. If you are wondering what that is, just think of a rugby scrum crossed with some zen karma, lycra and panpipes.


And finally. . . .


In Breaking NEWS: Hot from the village's only FAX machine (discovered last week buried in my study) and slightly blurred by Mrs H's spilt coffee and a dollop of thick-cut marmalade, is news of two break-ins in the early hours of this morning. 

 

The first alarm went off at the village's new designer tea rooms, Bags2Brew2You. Nothing was taken though many items of crockery had been smashed. The next break-in occurred next door some ten minutes and much clattering later, at Mrs Hornrim's Opticians. Two pairs of glasses are missing and presumed stolen. 

 

Given the seriousness of the current crime spree, Detective Sergeant Sid Warrant from CSI Deeping-Mire has been in attendance and is looking studiously into the matter. Apparently, he made a good start by being fitted with a new pair of horn-rim diamante varifocals – guaranteed by Mrs Hornrim to read a car licence plate from 500 yards and read the warranty on Dicky Dans dodgy used goods – or your money back!


OK, with the news and small ads sorted, let's get on with the review!


 




 

STARFELL. Willow Moss and the Vanished Kingdom, by DOMINIQUE VOLENTE

 

Published by HarperCollins.

 

Cover artwork by Sarah Warburton

 

Hardback ISBN: 978 - 0 - 00 - 830847 - 6  

Paperback ISBN: 978 - 0 - 00 - 830848 - 3 

Trade paperback ISBN: 978 - 0 - 00 - 837715 - 1

Cover price for Hardback £12.99, Paperback £7.99 (or cheaper)

 

 

 

SPOILER ALERT


As ever, to review book three in this series, we need to reveal elements of the first two books. So, if you do want to read those first two, please do turn away. . . . NOW!

 

Or, if you turned away and turned back too soon, to see my reviews of books one and two, follow the links below.

 

Book 1 review LINK: STARFELL. Willow Moss on the Lost Day.

 

Book 2 review LINK: STARFELL. Willow Moss and the Forgotten Tale. 


 

The Plot: 

Willow is heading to school. Not just any school but one that now accepts magical children into its classes. Usually, this would all seem very inclusive. But Willow is suspicious. Up unto this point, the schools, which are controlled by the Brothers of Wol, have wanted nothing to do with magical folk. In fact, they have done everything to push magic as far out of the kingdom as possible.

 

But, the wizard, Silas, has managed through magic to get himself in charge of the brotherhood. Worse still, he has somehow managed to convince the magical folk of the Enchancil (the magic council) to send their kids to school. To Willow, this just doesn't seem possible, let alone credible. Her parents and the council seem to have forgotten the evil Silas and the brotherhood have done. 

 

To find out more, Willow heads to school. She instantly is considered dangerous and scares the kids and the teacher. Just when the teacher thinks things couldn't get worse than having a witch pupil, another arrives in the form of an elf child called Twist Howling. Twist, who controls the icy Northwind, comes in a literal mini tornado and creates more havoc as the classroom is turned upside down. Once the class settles, the teacher opens the new coursework sent by the Brothers of Wol. Suddenly, and most suspiciously, he is all confident.

 

Placing a chalk X on the classroom door, he instructs the pupils to open their new books. This reveals the Brother's plans — to teach the magical and non-magical kids alike that magic is evil and wrong. Worse still, the X on the door is magic and will cause all the kids to go home happy and content and help dissuade them from using magic again. Effectively it is brainwashing! 

 

Not only that, Willow and company discover that Silas is working on a way to strip the magic from all magical beings in Starfell! The kids are just the first stage in a monstrous plan which will elevate Silas to the status of a god. Well, in his eyes at least, and who would be left to oppose him if they are all subdued???

 

All Silas needs to complete his plan is the 'elf staff', a powerful magical staff that belonged to the queen of the vanished elf kingdom of Llandunia. The staff could give, or take away, the magic of anyone or thing. But the kingdom and staff disappeared at the end of the last magic war to save Starfell. Nobody living knows their whereabouts. That is no living human or elf. Silas has pinched an old elf manuscript that is supposed to reveal the whereabouts of the kingdom. 

 

So, knowing this, Willow, Twist, Oswin, and Peg – the only non-magical kid in the class who's not afraid of the magic – must set off to find what is lost and really doesn't want to be found. But can they escape the classroom and the enchanted handcuffs the school teacher is intent on shackling our heroes with?!

 

OK, I could easily give away so much here as the adventure does literally take off and becomes a classic race between good and evil. So that is where I must leave you to discover for yourselves what happens to our heroine and her companions.

 

 

So, what did we think?

 

Brilliant! Willow's adventures keep on getting better and better. This is the best story to date, and the first two were excellent, as I am sure you recall me saying. It really had Mrs H, and me hooked. I even got Mrs H up early to light the fires and make breakfast so she could come back to bed and read the closing chapters to me this morning.

 

It really ROCKS in more ways than one. And dear Oswin, the so very much like but not a cat Kobold, has a really great adventure too, and a not so welcome but funny reunion.

 

The best books do have an underlying theme, and I am sure you would agree on reading that the morals of this story are nicely woven into it. It is all too easy for adults to forget that we need to learn about the rights and wrongs of things. And understand the value of friendships and the smallest of gifts or talents that might not seem much, especially when compared to others.


Add to this the interior and cover artwork by the very talented Sarah Warburton, and you have an excellent all-around sense of everything that makes this series so worthwhile.



Inside front cover...

 

Inside front cover....

 


And inside back cover. 


 

And inside back cover.
 

So . . . . 



Crunch time. 

 

There is no crunch in this adventure unless you count the many trolls and fierce dragons. So, if you know someone who would like this in their stocking this year, and there is really no upper age limit to that, then do consider getting a copy. There you have it. There is nothing more to add, except that book four is due next year, so there is a lot to look forward to. We, all being well, will review this as soon as we can. 

 

Till then, please do come back for more Adventures in Middle-Grade reading. 

 

Hang on!

 

But why not experiment yourselves? Browsing through an actual book shop is so much fun, and some even have sofas and serve food and tea! You don't need an excuse to be there either, and the shop assistants are usually only too pleased to advise and steer you to the hot reads and new releases. If you find a book that you would recommend, then please share it with us. After all, the gifts of reading and sharing are as important and magical as the worlds of the authors in which we lose ourselves and meet the likes of Oswin and Willow.

 

 

Want to buy a copy?

 

To add some magic into the life of someone you know, then head to the real kingdom of literary magic, your local independent bookshop, before they, too, vanish. 

 

Dominique Volente's web page can be found HERE

 

Harper Collins Chidrens web page can be found HERE. 

 

If any authors, publishers or agents wish us to review their books, please do get in touch. Details are listed on our book review page.

 

 

Till laters!

 

ERin

Saturday, 20 November 2021

STARFELL. WILLOW MOSS and the FORGOTTEN TALE

 

by Dominique Valente;  

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Cat Princess©

 


Erin, addicted to Mystery Adventure and Mice!

 

 Hello, and welcome to my Saturday Book Review!

 

 

This week we are delighted to bring you the second book featuring Willow Moss and her under the bed monster (NOT a cat) feline-like companion, Oswin.

 

The books are beautifully and funnily illustrated by the talented Sarah Warburton.

 

 

NEWS FLASH:- UPDATE! 

 

FOLLOWING on from last weeks disclosure of farmer Clarksin's sheep being used to clean the village crockery, I am pleased to announce the Grand Opening of the UMM (Upper Much-Mousing) automated car wash. 

 

Yes, it seems my idea for cleaning Mrs H's brand spanking new Brough Superior motorcycle caught on. Mrs Singh spotted the sheep doing their thing, and in 'nine shakes of a lamb's tail', she had signed the contract for exclusive car cleaning rights. Thankfully, the sheep do not have to spin around. A cunning arrangement of multiple elevated oscillating walkways and some carefully aimed hosepipes has seen the village cars cleaned, dried and sparkling like new. If you stack the sheep right, Mrs Singh says she can even accommodate tractors, too!


On a more serious note, we have an appeal from Police Constable Beatworn. He asks anybody who may have witnessed the theft of two dozen hair dryers from the village's hairdressers to get in contact with him at his usual office. That would be inside the Public Call Box, adjacent to the Pied Sparrow Public House. Incidentally, their sparrow and mash pie is delicious!

 


OK, so enough with the village's crazy crime spree, let's get on with the review!


 



 

STARFELL. Willow Moss and the Forgotten Tale, by DOMINIQUE VOLENTE

 

Published by HarperCollins.

 

Cover artwork by Sarah Warburton

 

Hardback ISBN: 978 - 0 - 00 - 830843 - 8  

Paperback ISBN: 978 - 0 - 00 - 830844 - 5 

Trade paperback ISBN: 978 - 0 - 00 - 837714 -4

Cover price for Hardback £12.99, Paperback £7.99 (or cheaper)

 

 

 

SPOILER ALERT


As ever, to review book two in this series, we need to reveal elements of book one. So, if you haven't read book one and do want to, please head off to have a cup of tea and a nice warm scone and jam. Come back in maybe fifteen minutes, when we'll have moved on to discussing mouseholes that I have known. 


 

The story thus far . . . .  

 

Willow Moss, age 13, is the youngest daughter and witch in a family of witches. She is less powerful than her sisters and imbued only with the gift of finding lost things: spectacles, shoes, socks, or fish. 


Something is wrong in Starfell — Tuesday, the actual day and all that happened, the memories of its existence or otherwise have vanished. Come Wednesday, Starfell's most feared and capable witch, Moreg Vaine, knew something was up. She came to find Willow and together, along with Oswin, the monster that lives under Willow's bed, set off searching for answers. 

 

On route, Moreg is arrested and imprisoned by the Brothers of Wol, priests who hate magic and think those with the gift are possessed by evil. Without Moreg and her undoubted skill, Willow has to quite literally save the day. Along the way, she meets new friends, including a dragon called Feathering, an ogre, and an Oublier– a seer of secrets and things past, called Nolin Sometimes. Of course, there are villains – the Brothers of Wol. One of them, a boy named Silas, is secretly a wizard with a dark heart bent on revenge. 

 

Of course, there is an evil potion maker of a witch, too, determined to do bad things to Willow to protect her dark secret. 

 

Ultimately, in a rather dramatic deadly scene, the magic that stole Tuesday was reversed. With the day found and duly restored and Silas under lock and key, things seemed to be good. But the trouble with it all was, nobody other than Willow and her new close friends remembered it. So as far as everyone else is concerned, Willow achieved nothing extraordinary at all! To make matters worse, the tragedy that befell Willow's family that Tuesday is brought back home. It is a bittersweet ending worthy of tears.



 

The Plot: 

 

Willow gets a message by leaf mail, delivered by an oak tree, from Nolin Sometimes. He has just foreseen his own kidnapping. Willow is desperate to go and help and tries to explain to her family. The thing is, Willows magic has become quite. . . erratic. Since the death of one of her most trusted and favourite relations, Willow's ability to summon things has sort of flipped to making them disappear also. Worse still, she has no control over what disappears, when, or when they return. Not good when you vanish half your home and some of your relatives! Her family, of course, think she needs help. And don't believe her about meeting an oublier or the dragon, and just put it all down to stress and upset. 

 

Making good her escape, having vanished her family, she heads off with everyone's favourite grumpy Kolbold, Oswin, in search of clues as to Nolin's whereabouts and his captors. It is a journey that will take her to the very underworld of Starfell, Neatherfell, searching for clues and her friend Nolan. Along the way, she will be kidnapped at least once, tried to be cured of her 'dangerous' habit and meet strange folk, some good, others less so. Did I mention the wraiths? No, well, there are some of them up to no good too. Of course, we meet new friends who have a significant part to play in the adventure that will take young Willow Moss to uncharted and dark deep waters and into, essentially, hell itself.

 

What she makes of it all and whether she survives really does depend on one thing. And it's not a small thing either. It's whether, in the face of great sadness, doubt, mistrust and betrayal by those she loves, she can see what she must do. But more than that, she must find something within herself to believe. That's a big ask for a small witch who has a knack for misplacing family and friends, including dear old Oswin encamped in his bag.

 

Now, in all this, what of the Forgotten Tale? Now here's the thing. . . . you'll just have to read to find out about that and what it means to all of magic and Starfell! **** cue the dramatic music****

 

 

So, what did we think?

 

This is most definitely a worthy sequel to Willow Moss and the Lost Day. A cast of characters is nicely assembled, and new allies are met. Oswin is Oswin, and we get a better feel for the kobold's softer side, but please do not say that to him else he might well explode.

 

Mrs H and I loved how the story keeps a lot back without starving the plot of action. It is really only towards the end that a lot gets revealed. Until then, the adventure runs along with barely a pause for a cup of tea and a plate of Rain Biscuits. It delves nicely into the Starfell world and those that inhabit it, past and present. It also acts as a harbinger for things to come. 

 

Of course, Sarah Warburton has supplied the marvellous artwork throughout the book, on the hardback book's sleeve and on the cover within. It is a rare treat to find additional artwork and one that we always appreciate and enjoy. 

 

 



 

 

If I was to try and explain more of the ins and outs and unders and overs of the story, I would have to give far too much away. That I definitely don't want to do. 

 

So . . . . 



Crunch time. 

  

 

As ever, we are not in the habit of marking books. We only read and review books we enjoy, based on research, recommendations from authors, and those in the know. That is our guarantee to you. However, taste is, all said and done, so very personal. 

 

So, if you are thinking of getting this book for your younger readers (age 8+) and maybe reading this yourself before you pass it on, then go for it. If you read book one, then this is a must. It is good, clean, fun, and builds very nicely on what has already happened and opens the door for more and interlocking adventures to come. Whilst I was dictating this, I got a real buzz of expectation for book three. The same sort of good vibe as I had whilst waiting for the next of Murder Most Unladylike series of books by Robin Stevens. 

 

The great news is that book four is due next year, so there is a lot to look forwards to. 

 

Do look out for our review of book three, Starfell, Willow Moss and the Vanished Kingdom, coming soon. 

 

 

 

Want to buy a copy?

 

 

As ever, to add some magic into your life, then do take the nearest cloud dragon, skirting around any underworld witchly kingdoms, to your local independent bookshop. 

 

Dominique Volente's web page can be found HERE

 

Harper Collins Chidrens web page can be found HERE. 

 

If any publishers, agents or authors wish us to review their books, please do get in touch. Details are listed on our book review page.

 

 

Thanks for dropping by. I'm off to see if I can get one of those sheep to balance on a pole to clean my upstairs windows!

 

 

Laters!

 

ERin

 

 

 

Writing reviews is such hard work!