Review – The Apprentice Witch (The Apprentice Witch, Book 1) by James Nicol (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Chicken House
Release Date: July 25, 2017
ISBN-13: 978-1338118582
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Swapped through Paperbackswap.com
Rating: 4/5 stars
“Arianwyn has flunked her witch’s assessment: She’s doomed. Declared an apprentice and sent to the town of Lull in disgrace, she may never become a real witch– much to the glee of her arch-rival, Gimma.
But remote Lull is not as boring as it seems. Strange things are sighted in the woods, a dangerous infestation of hex creeps throughout the town, and a mysterious magical visitor arrives with his eye on her.
With every spirit banished, creature helped, and spell cast, Arianwyn starts to get the hang of being a witch–even if she’s only an apprentice. But the worst still lies ahead. For a sinister darkness has begun to haunt her spells, and there may be much more at stake than just her pride . . . for Arianwyn and the entire land.”
This is the first book in the Apprentice Witch series. I enjoyed this book, it was a well done middle grade fantasy featuring a strong female lead.
The story is about a young witch apprentice who fails her witch exam and is sent off to a distant town to serve that town as an apprentice witch. Unfortunately, all sorts of dark creatures haunt the town and her abilities are put to the test trying to protect it.
This book was well written and easy to read. I enjoyed Arianwyn and her trials, she grows a lot throughout the book. I also really enjoyed the interesting dark creatures that emerged from the Great Wood that she had to confront.
Overall this book was a fun and quick read with some interesting magic and easy-to-love characters. I enjoyed this world a lot and plan on continuing with the series. I would recommend to those who enjoy magical middle grade fantasies featuring a strong heroine and evil dark creatures.
This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Goodreads Reading Challenge
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge
