October 2024 Witchspark is the absolutely charming new series from the master of magical story-telling Dominique Valente. A step up from the lovely Starfell series, Witchspark challenges slightly older readers to be true to themselves and never g…
Witchspark is the absolutely charming new series from the master of magical story-telling Dominique Valente. A step up from the lovely Starfell series, Witchspark challenges slightly older readers to be true to themselves and never give up on their dreams. With messages of embracing your unique self, striving to be a force for good, and facing hatred and prejudice head on, it is a story to remember. Authentic representation through a main character with limb difference similar to the author herself reinforces positive messages of ability and strength.
Be bold, be brave and let us begin!
Witchspark follows the growth of two characters – one who would do anything to be a witch and one who wishes she was anything but. Set in an alternative magical Britain called Magical Isles, the Department of Isle-Spark Regulation keeps tight control over who is permitted to practise magic. Only those who pass the isle-spark test at age 9 may dare to cast a spell. Strangely (or perhaps not so strangely given the tight government controls), the number of children passing the test is decreasing every year – especially among girls and the poor. It seems only the wealthy or well-connected have the privilege of being "touched by magic".
For others wanting to learn about magic, their only option is to turn to illegal methods. Miss Hegotty's course for aspiring and ungovernable witches is one such banned school. Anyone who dares enquire about this clandestine correspondence course is threatened with punishment. Is anyone actually foolish enough to go through with it?
We first meet Eglantine Bury in this wonderfully magical world. Her sapient, magical house is in danger. With a change in inheritance law, it did not pass to her uncle but rather to her mother and then on to Eglantine herself. Her uncle is not happy. He wants the house for himself and will do anything to obtain it – including enlisting the help of the powerful Whistlewitch. The trouble is, Huswyvern (the house) needs to bond with its magical owner and Eglantine does not have any magic. Maybe Miss Hegotty's course is the answer she's looking for and she can learn enough magic to claim the house properly and stop her uncle from taking everything that's dear to her.
Meanwhile, Princess Victoria is struggling with an uncontrollable magic that surprises her at the most inopportune times. How can the future queen have such a mortifying secret? She reaches out to Miss Hegotty in an attempt to bind her magic forever.
Neither girl can risk failure. Their entire futures depend on how quickly they can master Miss Hegotty's spells and take control of their magic. Witching needles that help to untangle their threads of magic and the most wonderful sidekicks who support the girls every step of the way, create the most engaging of fantasy adventures.
Thank you to Usborne & Fritha Lindqvist for an early copy of this brilliant book!
An extract from Starfell: Willow Moss and the Lost Day also by Dominique Valente is featured in Contemporary Children's Literature for Years 3-4 in the Developing Reading Comprehension Skills series.
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