Witchstruck

August 1, 2013
Witchcraft and intrigue dominate the life of a 16th-century girl serving the Lady Elizabeth Tudor, imprisoned in Oxfordshire by her sister Queen Mary in this series opener. Fifteen-year-old Meg is a witch--a real one. She and her aunt Jane try to see the future at Elizabeth's request, but in 1554, witchcraft is a hanging offense. Looming over all Meg's activities are Marcus Dent, the area's professional witchfinder, who wants to marry her, and Alejandro de Castillo, a priest-in-training sent by Queen Mary to watch over Elizabeth's Catholicism. Complicating matters further, Meg's family wants to foment rebellion against the crown by dragging Elizabeth into their plans, an action that could get Elizabeth killed. An established romance novelist, Lamb sticks closely to the genre conventions for this book. Meg's volatile emotions command her actions entirely, usually leading her into serious mistakes that provide much of the novel's tension. Meg's hang-fire romance is with the character most impossible for her, and the book's villain is over-the-top evil. Full of cliffhanger moments, impossible escapes, dastardly villainy and even a few chase scenes, the story has enough suspense and unrestrained emotion to satisfy romance fans and enough witchy activity for paranormal fans. The mostly accurate history is something of a lagniappe. Great for romance fans, probably too shallow for history fans. (Paranormal historical romance. 12 & up)

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December 1, 2013

Gr 8 Up-In 1554 England, Meg Lytton, 15, demonstrates an uncanny power for witchcraft that strengthens her relationship with the banished Tudor princess Elizabeth, yet also threatens their lives. Elizabeth yearns to discover whether she will ultimately become Queen in place of her half-sister, Mary. Will the current Queen die so that she can be crowned, or will Elizabeth be convicted for treason and hanged for abandoning the Catholic faith? Only Meg and her Aunt Jane can conjure a spell to reveal the answers Elizabeth craves. A well-balanced blend of magic and historical facts about 16th-century England will lure readers into an exotic and grim world. Witchfinders, men who mercilessly condemned innocent people, add danger to the plot while the arrival of a handsome stranger from Spain contributes romantic intrigue. Stark descriptions (e.g., "the lamb's entrails began to spill bloodily onto the floor") deliver images that are not easily forgotten. The most complex character in the book is the proud Elizabeth, who emerges as surprisingly vulnerable as she is valiant. Fans of all things "magick" will find themselves both enriched and bewitched by this first installment in a planned series. This commendable book should be a first purchase for most libraries; it will leave readers anticipating the sequel.-Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2013
Grades 7-10 Two very different men want 15-year-old Meg Lytton to deny her growing power as a witch: Alejandro de Castillo, the handsome soon-to-be priest from Spain, and Marcus Dent, the malicious witch hunter whose desire for Meg outweighs his suspicions about her craft. While drawn to the former and running from the latter, Meg must also guard against becoming a pawn in her father and cousin's treasonous plans against Queen Mary. Yes, this is set in Tudor England while Princess Elizabeth (Meg's employer) is under house arrest on suspicion of treason against her half sister Queen Mary. The sexy stuff is limited to a few scenes of slightly ripped bodices, and the book is a bit predictable and stocked with character types common within the genre. That said, some teens will likely thrill to the darkly handsome priest whose order allows him to marry (foreshadowing?), and will appreciate Meg's continued attempts to save herself. Romance genre readers, at least, will be at home here.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)