The Witch’s Boy by Kelly Barnhill (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Witch’s Boy by Kelly Barnhill April Spisak Barnhill, Kelly The Witch’s Boy. Algonquin, 2014 372p ISBN 978-1-61620-351-1 $16.95 R* Gr. 5–7 The loss of Ned’s twin brother leaves a difficult legacy: Ned’s father feels guilty for not saving his son, Ned’s mother misused her magic to ensure Ned’s survival, and the town seems to believe the wrong brother lived. Far away, Aine struggles with her father, the Bandit King, who is driven by grief and greed to find the magic stored in Ned’s home. When Aine and Ned meet, they’re initially distrustful but eventually become deep friends. Warring nations, mysterious stone figures, and the running thread that magic is alive and dangerous all add to the gripping core narrative of two children who find wells of strength and ingenuity from being pushed out of their comfort zones. The setting is exceptional: lush descriptions are flawlessly integrated, conveying a deep understanding of the natural world and the people, flawed and complex, who populate it. Quiet desperation leavens the novel, counterpointed with the protagonists’ staunch striving for better lives (whether gotten through good or corrupt means). Offer this to Gaiman and Wynne-Jones fans, and to realistic fiction buffs who are open to brilliant coming-of-age stories sharing space with touches of magic. Copyright © 2015 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois