Synopsis
After eleven young-adult novels, best-selling and award-winning author Nancy Werlin casts a brilliant new spell in a middle-grade historical fantasy for fans of classic fare.
Nancy Werlin’s first story for middle-grade readers tackles and transcends traditional fantasy tropes: can a young woman gifted with magic learn to manage her powers—and claim her strength—without violence? Sylvie and her mother and grandmother are beloved, trusted healers in their medieval French village, though some whisper that fifteen-year-old Sylvie and her grand-mere deal in more than herbs and medicines. Perhaps they’re a bit . . . witchy? After her grandmother dies, and an attempt to use magic to heal her mother’s grief brooks tragic consequences, Sylvie leaves her village in search of a teacher. The journey subjects her to strange alliances, powerful temptations, danger, and deceit. In the end, there may be only one wise woman Sylvie can trust in a world that would define her limits: herself. Beautifully crafted, this quietly powerful work for younger readers assures a whole new audience for an established author.
Review
1530s France isn’t the safest time to gain magic powers and lose the grandmother who intended to teach you. Sylvie, named after her grandmother, tries to erase her mother’s grief and discovers why “Find & Delete” is such a dangerous function. She leaves her tiny village in search of a new teacher.
I love how Healer and Witch uses the historical setting to establish obsticles in Sylvie’s quest. She considers herself a good Catholic and believes her magic is a gift from God, but the church and average layperson consider it witchcraft and think it comes from the Devil. Locating someone else with magic to train her is difficult because they also need to hide for their own safety.
Sylvie is accompanied on her journey by Martin, a nine-year-old boy from her village. He’s likeable and helpful but only seems to exist to push the story along and reveal information when Sylvie needs it. If it turned out he was special somehow I could forgive more of the contrivances but as is I find him frustrating.
Convenient child aside, Healer and Witch is a lovely story about finding ones place in the world while retaining freedom.
Leave a Reply