Guest Review: A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton

A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton

publisher: Hodder Children's Books

release date: January 5th, 2012

paperback, 368 pages

intended audience: Young adult

series: Winter Trilogy, Book 1

rating:



source: from publisher for honest review
Reviewer: Amy

description: Anna Winterson doesn't know she's a witch and would probably mock you for believing in magic, but after moving to the small town of Winter with her father, she learns more than she ever wanted to about power. When Anna meets Seth, she is smitten, but when she enchants him to love her, she unwittingly amplifies a deadly conflict between two witch clans and splits her own heart in two. She wants to love Seth, to let him love her – but if it is her magic that's controlling his passion, then she is as monstrous as the witch clan who are trying to use her amazing powers for their own gain.

Review:

A Witch in Winter is a delightful British tale of a girl named Anna, in the midst of many changes in her life. Not only is she moving towns, changing from private high school to public, adjusting to her dad losing his job and buying a run down fixer upper house that is supposedly haunted, but she also starts to discover who she really is...a secret that's been kept from Anna her whole life. This story weaves an enchanting spell as you find yourself identifying with Anna---I'm sure almost every girl with a crush experiences that timeless wish of casting a love spell that truly works. Only Anna finding herself swept up by the consequences that follow when she truly decides to dapple in magic.

This is a wonderful tale of a young couple that has an undying need or, shall we say, a cosmic pull to be together when the world and powers that be want to tear them apart. The classic tale of boy and girl whose family histories try to stand between them. But the magic of the heart is stronger and Anna finds herself constantly torn with the internal battle of who she really is and if there is any way to correct a magical wrong.

Once Anna finally embraces her true self, the story takes off, taking Anna into many precarious predicaments, but the one constant that always remains is the fact the Anna always stands true to who she is and the choices she makes. Which truly is a breath of fresh air amid a lot of other teenage dramas out there.

I also enjoyed reading about a strong bond between father and daughter that doesn't end in turmoil or face an overabundance of challenges, its just a sweet relationship between a dad (almost completely clueless) and his daughter.

And in a writing style that give the story a poetic feel, the book ends with the same quote that resonates throughout the book, tying up this the story in a nice neat package giving you an actual end. Yes, there always could be another book, but you don't find yourself turning the last page feeling like the book was cut off mid-sentence, luring you in for the second book.

And can I also say the other wonderful charming addition to this story it the fact it was written in the UK which, yes, that means it is filled with wonderful British slang, some of which are still a mystery to me! So if anyone knows what sheets of A4 paper are or what it means to be swooty, then this book is for you (and please let me know!), and if not it just makes the adventure that much more fun. This book is a great read that is completely appropriate for the full spectrum of YA readers, from 12 to 18, and even older.

Visit Ruth Warburton's site here.

Purchase A Witch in Winter at: Book Depository • Amazon UK
(not available in the US)