Witchstorm by Tim Tilley

Book Summary

Join a hunt for lost witch treasure, in an enchanting adventure story of storms, spells, and the magic of the natural world, from bestselling and award-winning Tim Tilley.

Will believes in witches and the stories he's grown up with - of mythical storm-lions, disappearing villages, and secret songs. Most of all, he believes the tales of magical treasure hidden in the Fens centuries ago. Treasure that he has to find, to solve the mystery of his Ma's disappearance.

Then, in the eye of a storm, a witch arrives. She holds the key to finding the lost treasure - a powerful magical object that can summon storms. But someone else is searching for it too. If it falls into the wrong hands, Will's beloved home could be destroyed, and with it, his chances of ever finding his ma.

Join Will on an epic quest filled with riddles, ruined towers, cloud cities and broomstick chases, on a journey to save everything he loves before time runs out.

This was such an exciting adventure, so gripping that I didn't want to put the book down. I loved the mystery with all the clues and riddles to follow, it almost felt like being part of the story. What I didn't love was the bullying, and even more, friends who turn to side with the bullies. It was so hard to read and I just wanted to help Will and protect him! Luckily he makes a much better friend.

Unlike everyone else in The Fens, Will and his Ma still believe in witches, particularly as their ancestor was the one who helped the last witches when other people turned on them. The way Ma's folk stories gradually started to fit together was really clever. I wondered if maybe she was trying to prepare him for the future adventures she knew he would have one day.

There was a truly lovely ending. It was so touching and meaningful, really making people think about their effect on the world we live in. After this I ran out for a copy of Tim's previous book, Harklights and was so excited to find a signed copy!

Author Bio

Tim Tilley studied illustration at Anglia Ruskin University and now teaches children's book illustration courses at City Lit. He is always watchful of the world around him and loves collecting and drawing beautiful snapshots of nature, relishing the small things people often miss. Tim's debut children's book, the bestselling and critically-acclaimed Harklights, is the winner of the Joan Aiken Future Classics Prize and the Junior Design Award.

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I found the perfect cocktail to sip while reading about Will's adventures. To make the Witch & Broomstick cocktail, dry shake (without ice) 45 ml gin, 15ml lemon juice, 15ml honey syrup, 5ml Liquore Strega and 15ml egg white. Then add ice, shake again and strain into your cocktail glass.