Witchlanders

Starred review from July 11, 2011
Living in the Witchlands, Ryder struggles to maintain his family's remote farm after his father's death. Falpian is a "blackhair" Baen prince from the Bitterlands, sent on a retreat to mourn his drowned twin. They are hereditary enemies, carrying the weight of disappointed expectations and unquestioned cultural assumptions. All his life, Ryder has been taught by his mother, the lapsed witch Mabis, to mock the prophecies of the coven that drove off the invading Baen army 20 years ago. When a drug-crazed Mabis returns to prophesying, Ryder considers her madâuntil the prophecies begin coming true. And if this madness is true, what about his own visions of black-haired sisters or the strange power of the songs he sings in the fields? In her first novel, picture book author Coakley (Mrs. Goodhearth and the Gargoyle) takes on faith, doubt, and dualities, exposing their flaws and strengths alike. Plot twists unfold at a riveting pace, the boys' characters are compellingly sketched, and Coakley explores her subject matter masterfully without falling prey to safe plot choices. Ages 12âup.

Starred review from July 15, 2011

Exquisite storytelling plus atmospheric worldbuilding equals one stunning teen debut.

Ryder wants to harvest his family's hicca before the chilling arrives in Witchland, but now his mother, a rebel witch addicted to a mind-altering flower, has thrown the bones and seen a vision of an assassin in the mountains. Meanwhile, along the border of the Bitterlands, Falpian hopes to find his own magic as he mourns the loss of his brother and awaits an assignment bestowed by his father. As these two distrustful strangers begin to share each other's dreams and find a magical connection through music, enemies from their rival, warring lands—with radically different religious systems—have been stirring up trouble. In Witchland, this trouble takes the form of gormy men, pretend creatures normally used to frighten young children, which have come to life. When Ryder's and Falpian's destinies collide, they use their burgeoning knowledge of magic to destroy the gormy men and expose evil Witchlander forces. But their mission is not as straightforward as it may seem. Both young men grapple with loyalty and their faiths and experience how fear and secrets have shaped religion and culture. A sequel to this thought-provoking fantasy is certain, as is a broad fan base.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

Starred review from December 1, 2011

Gr 8 Up-After the death of his father, Ryder is forced to take over the care of his troubled mother, Mabis; two younger sisters; and the farm. Though they live in the foothills of the "Witchlander" mountain territory and Mabis was raised as a witch, Ryder scoffs at their supposed magic and resents the tithe he is obliged to pay for protection against the Baen people. Years earlier, the witches drove the Baen out of their territory and the groups now live as acrimonious neighbors. Ryder watches his mother battle her own demons as she deals with an addiction to a hallucinogenic flower called "maiden's woe." While under its influence, she chances upon a frightening vision of monsters set to destroy the Witchlanders. Meanwhile, Baensman Falpian has been exiled for a winter season to mourn the death of his twin brother. With only his massive hound to keep him company, he begins to discover that he holds the coveted ability to sing magic-a powerful accomplishment sought by the Baen. Ryder and Falpian find themselves oddly drawn toward one another despite being pitted on opposing sides of a decades-old hatred. Singing together increases their latent powers, leading them to realize that they are extremely powerful spiritual twins. But will this be enough to save their people from monsters-and from one another? This ambitious tale is tautly spun. Coakley's world comes to life with exquisite detail and imagery; readers will feel the chill of the frost and smell the crackling bonfires. High fantasy lovers will gobble up Witchlanders.-Tara Kehoe, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2011
Grades 7-10 What if your spiritual twin is also your sworn enemy? Worse, this person who saved your life and can share your thoughts believes that he has been sent to start a war between your two countries. That is the state of things between Witchland commoner Ryder and Baen Prince Falpian. Differences in magical belief systems feed the enmity, and Falpian's Baen are intent on taking back territory they believe they unjustly lost in the last conflict. Ryder and Falpian must overcome mutual distrust as well as deceit at the highest levels if they are to save the people they love and avert a senseless war. First-time author Coakley incorporates inventive magicharmonic tones that can stop a man's heart, golem-like creatures that appear unstoppablein her tale of trust, sacrifice, truth, and love. She also handles action scenes well and has crafted an engaging set of characters who learn hard but deftly delivered lessons about first impressions, revisionist history, and the folly adults can perpetrate in the name of pride. A welcome fantasy debut.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)