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“Barnhill…creates an absorbing world of kingdoms and prophecies in which
transformation comes through language and through courage and self-awareness as
well…Áine, with her sharp survival skills and fearless navigation of the
forest, is a cunning and strong figure unlike any typical damsel in distress.
She is sure to make young girls aspire to more than the dainty and pretty
female image of older fairy tales. The
Witch’s Boy may be yet another children’s novel about magic, but it should
open young readers’ eyes to something that is all around them in the very world
we live in: the magic of words.”
— New York Times
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“[Barnhill] is an eloquent writer who spins beautiful lines…This
spellbinding fantasy begs for a cozy chair, a stash of Halloween candy, and
several hours of uninterrupted reading time.”
— Washington Post
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“In [this] gorgeously written and fast-paced adventure through forest and
flood, bandits and courtiers, wolves and queens and witches, the boy and the
girl must stop a war, restore magic to its rightful place, and find their own
places in a world they’ve helped to make bigger. Barnhill is a fantasist on the
order of Neil Gaiman, and this story feels fully inhabited.”
— Minneapolis Star Tribune
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“Kelly Barnhill is deft at crafting strong characters, and this classic
fairy tale is filled with otherworldly beasties and plenty of magic.”
— San Antonio Express-News
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“The boy’s growing confidence and ability to wield and protect his mother’s magic adds elements of a classic origin-quest tale to a story that’s already brimming with a well-drawn, colorful supporting cast, a strong sense of place, and an enchanted forest with a personality to rival some of the best depictions of magical woods.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)
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“Barnhill skillfully interweaves the stories of Ned, Áine, Sister Witch, and the stones, along with an intriguing group of secondary characters. The third-person narration switches perspective smoothly, and it’s all related in a precise, flowing prose that easily places readers into the fantastic setting and catches them up in the story. The classic fantasy elements are all there, richly reimagined, with a vivid setting, a page-turning adventure of a plot, and compelling, timeless themes.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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“The characters are vivid and well
developed, despite their basis in fairytale archetypes. The writing is
beautiful and lyrical but keeps pace with an action-packed story. Powerful
themes of grief, redemption, forgiveness, sacrifice, and generosity are all present.
Recommend this title to those who like retellings and strong, narrative
fantasy.”
— VOYA
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“While the story moves slowly at
times, Ned and Áine’s adventures will appeal to fans of middle-grade fantasy,
and Lister’s narration adds to the magical feel of the story.”
— AudioFile