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A review by sperchikoff
The Blue Witch by Alane Adams
4.0
Once again, I have to say that while this books is the first in this new series, it is part of a larger series that I haven't read. That being said, you do not need to read that series before you read The Blue Witch. I knew nothing about the series beforehand and I could follow the story completely. Now that I've got that out of the way, let me just say before we get to the full review that I really enjoyed this book! I always love a book that has a witch in it and The Blue Witch was no exception. And as has been the case in the past, it didn't matter that this is a middle grade book. This almost-30-year-old love it. Now, let's get to the review!
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Before Sam Baron broke Odin's curse on the witches to become the first son born to a witch and the hero of the Legends of Orkney series, his mother was a young witchling growing up in the Tarkana Witch Academy. In this first book of the prequel series, the Witches of Orkney, nine-year-old Abigail Tarkana is determined to grow up to be the greatest witch of all, even greater than her evil ancestor Catriona. Unfortunately, she is about to fail Spectacular Spells class because her witch magic hasn't come in yet. Even worse, her nemesis, Endera, is making life miserable by trying to get her kicked out.
When her new friend Hugo's life is put in danger by a stampeding sneevil, a desperate Abigail manages to call up her magic?only to find out it's unlike any other witchling's at the Tarkana Witch Academy! As mysteries deepen around her magic and just who her true parents are, Abigail becomes trapped in a race against time to undo one of her spells before she is kicked out of the coven forever!
Abigail was sent to The Creche as a baby witch. She couldn't stay with her mother, so the Gods sent her there to be taken care of by the old witches, more specifically in Abigail's case, Old Nan. But once she turned 9, it was time for her to go to school and when witches go to school, they go to Tarkana Witch Academy (duh.). And while going to school for the first time always comes with fear and challenges, that is nothing compared to the dark creatures, mean girl witches, and weird stuff that Abigail has to contend with. But even though Abigail is anxious and a bit timid, she still manages to fight off all those obstacles and all while she tries to figure out why her magic is blue instead of green. Her anxiety spoke to mine and she reminded me of my timid self at 9 years old. I really loved going along on her journey with her.
But that doesn't mean she does it alone. Soon after arriving at school, she meets a boy named Hugo, who is from the all-boys school nearby. The boys are training to be the guards to the witches. And Hugo proves himself more than worthy. He's smart, brave enough to help fight off the creatures of the forest with Abigail despite having no magic powers, and believes in Abigail, even when she doesn't. Besides Abigail, Hugo is definitely one of my favorite characters. I like how he isn't what would usually beconsidered a strong, tough kid, but he still goes on adventures, fights beasts, and sasses witches. He is vulnerable and brave and I love that in a character.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story (and not just due to the witches). I liked that it shows good witches and bad witches and witches with and without magic. I love all of Abigail and Hugo's adventures outside of school and I particularly loved learning more about Abigail's backstory. The scene with her dad had me tearing up *sniff sniff*. There were a few parts that I thought were a little slow but other than that this was a really enjoyable and fun read. I am giving The Blue Witch by Alane Adams 3.5 out of 5 stars.
The Blue Witch comes out October 23, 2018.
Thank you to Edelweiss and SparkPress for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Before Sam Baron broke Odin's curse on the witches to become the first son born to a witch and the hero of the Legends of Orkney series, his mother was a young witchling growing up in the Tarkana Witch Academy. In this first book of the prequel series, the Witches of Orkney, nine-year-old Abigail Tarkana is determined to grow up to be the greatest witch of all, even greater than her evil ancestor Catriona. Unfortunately, she is about to fail Spectacular Spells class because her witch magic hasn't come in yet. Even worse, her nemesis, Endera, is making life miserable by trying to get her kicked out.
When her new friend Hugo's life is put in danger by a stampeding sneevil, a desperate Abigail manages to call up her magic?only to find out it's unlike any other witchling's at the Tarkana Witch Academy! As mysteries deepen around her magic and just who her true parents are, Abigail becomes trapped in a race against time to undo one of her spells before she is kicked out of the coven forever!
Abigail was sent to The Creche as a baby witch. She couldn't stay with her mother, so the Gods sent her there to be taken care of by the old witches, more specifically in Abigail's case, Old Nan. But once she turned 9, it was time for her to go to school and when witches go to school, they go to Tarkana Witch Academy (duh.). And while going to school for the first time always comes with fear and challenges, that is nothing compared to the dark creatures, mean girl witches, and weird stuff that Abigail has to contend with. But even though Abigail is anxious and a bit timid, she still manages to fight off all those obstacles and all while she tries to figure out why her magic is blue instead of green. Her anxiety spoke to mine and she reminded me of my timid self at 9 years old. I really loved going along on her journey with her.
But that doesn't mean she does it alone. Soon after arriving at school, she meets a boy named Hugo, who is from the all-boys school nearby. The boys are training to be the guards to the witches. And Hugo proves himself more than worthy. He's smart, brave enough to help fight off the creatures of the forest with Abigail despite having no magic powers, and believes in Abigail, even when she doesn't. Besides Abigail, Hugo is definitely one of my favorite characters. I like how he isn't what would usually beconsidered a strong, tough kid, but he still goes on adventures, fights beasts, and sasses witches. He is vulnerable and brave and I love that in a character.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story (and not just due to the witches). I liked that it shows good witches and bad witches and witches with and without magic. I love all of Abigail and Hugo's adventures outside of school and I particularly loved learning more about Abigail's backstory. The scene with her dad had me tearing up *sniff sniff*. There were a few parts that I thought were a little slow but other than that this was a really enjoyable and fun read. I am giving The Blue Witch by Alane Adams 3.5 out of 5 stars.
The Blue Witch comes out October 23, 2018.
Thank you to Edelweiss and SparkPress for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.