Witchstruck

Gr 8 Up—In 1554 England, Meg Lytton, 15, demonstrates an uncanny power for witchcraft that strengthens her relationship with the banished Tudor princess Elizabeth, yet also threatens their lives. Elizabeth yearns to discover whether she will ultimately become Queen in place of her half-sister, Mary. Will the current Queen die so that she can be crowned, or will Elizabeth be convicted for treason and hanged for abandoning the Catholic faith? Only Meg and her Aunt Jane can conjure a spell to reveal the answers Elizabeth craves. A well-balanced blend of magic and historical facts about 16th-century England will lure readers into an exotic and grim world. Witchfinders, men who mercilessly condemned innocent people, add danger to the plot while the arrival of a handsome stranger from Spain contributes romantic intrigue. Stark descriptions (e.g., "the lamb's entrails began to spill bloodily onto the floor") deliver images that are not easily forgotten. The most complex character in the book is the proud Elizabeth, who emerges as surprisingly vulnerable as she is valiant. Fans of all things "magick" will find themselves both enriched and bewitched by this first installment in a planned series. This commendable book should be a first purchase for most libraries; it will leave readers anticipating the sequel.—Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY