Although I understand that witches really do exist, I don't have any leanings towards that discipline. This was a new subject for me to read, although similar to a book I reviewed last year called 'Blood Debts' about Witch Queens in New Orleans.

The story starts in Cassie Morgan's home town of Hedgely - you will find a map at the beginning of the book - somewhere in Wales, and is a border town between human land and Fairae, the land of magic. It has a huge and dark hedge which marks the border and which is visible from Cassie's home.

The witch's society is based on nature: herbs, trees, rocks, seasons and weather, helping with cures against ill health and dedicated to protecting humankind against the evil Fairae people and their powerful magic, as they conduct forays across the border in their attempt to disrupt human life by stealing possessions and children.

Cassie's mother was a witch who disappeared into the Hedge, in a quest to find Cassie's father and neither was ever seen again. She lives with her Aunt Miranda, the Hedgewitch, and head of the community. Cassie is a trainee witch and is a member of Oak Patrol, part of Hedgely's coven, with her friends and fellow trainee witches, Rue and Tabitha.

Cassie's plan is to eventually attain her Witches' licence for the purpose of gaining enough knowledge to penetrate the Hedge, reaching Fairae and finding her mum and dad. But in order to achieve her Witches licence, she must pass several levels of tests, the next one being to train a beginner witch to the first level.

This happens quite quickly. A beginner is introduced to the coven, but it's not what they expected.

Approaching the summer holidays, Cassie receives a letter from her cousin, Sebastian Penhallow. He says there are strange things happening in his hometown, and asks Cassie if she could come and help. 

Sebastian, who is not a witch, lives with his mother, who is a witch, in Porthmorven, a fictional seaside town in Cornwall. The author has conveniently added maps at the beginning of the book. Cassie discusses the letter with her fellow Oak Patrollers, who all decide this trip would be a good opportunity to go there on holiday.

This is the beginning of an adventure that is so captivating, I couldn't wait for my next reading session. The author writes in a refreshingly and grammatically correct manner that is just a treat to read. Her story lines are full of twists and turns and cliff-hangers kept me turning to the next page. I must also mention the pen and ink drawings throughout the book by illustrator, Tomislav Tomic. They are excellent, enhancing the story and the maps he created are beautifully decorative.

Disappointedly, she managed to sneak an Americanism into the book. She included the word 'dove', but later amended the word to the correct 'dived'. She continued with 'dived', but sadly reverted to the awful 'dove' once again. 

Also, I noticed with my proofreading eyes, that there were a couple of typos in the book - maybe you can spot them when you read this thrilling book.

Although this has been categorised as a teen book, I can guarantee that it's a great book for adults, too... well - I liked it and I've been an adult for decades. 

The Author

Skye McKenna grew up in mining town in The Australian outback.Surrounded by the red dust of the Pilbarra she developed a healthy respect for the wild things and the wild places at a young age. Longing for adventures of hr own, she travelled to the UK and fell in love with the British countryside. Skye now lives in Scotland where she enjoys exploring the woods, hills and castles of her new home.

The Illustrator

Thomaslav Tomic, graduated from the Academy of Fine Art in Zagreb and lives with his family in Croatia. He exquisite, intensely detailed pen and ink drawings, are based on the renaissance engraving style, perfectly illustrate tails of magic and fantasy with an appeal to adults and children alike.

Reviewed by Ken