The Blue Witch: The Witches of Orkney #1 by Alane Adams
Published by SparkPress on October 23rd 2018
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 346
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
Before Sam Baron broke Odin’s curse on the witches to become the first son born to a witch and the hero of the Legends of Orkney series, his mother was a young witchling growing up in the Tarkana Witch Academy. In this first book of the prequel series, the Witches of Orkney, nine-year-old Abigail Tarkana is determined to grow up to be the greatest witch of all, even greater than her evil ancestor Catriona. Unfortunately, she is about to fail Spectacular Spells class because her witch magic hasn’t come in yet. Even worse, her nemesis, Endera, is making life miserable by trying to get her kicked out.
When her new friend Hugo’s life is put in danger by a stampeding sneevil, a desperate Abigail manages to call up her magic—only to find out it’s unlike any other witchling’s at the Tarkana Witch Academy! Witchfire is meant to be green, but Abigail’s burns bright blue, something that’s bound to get her into trouble. After a competition is announced to see who can bespell the most powerful creature, Abigail enters the swamps, only to be snatched up by an Omera, a powerful winged beast capable of tearing Abigail to pieces. This one is a mother with a stubborn hatchling that won’t hatch—and if Abigail can’t find a way to help, Big Mama may just decide to eat her! Fortunately, Hugo arrives in time to help Abigail discover the truth about her magic: it was given by her father, Rigel, the morning star. Rigel was once a mighty warrior named Aurvendil and companion to the mighty Thor.
Rich in Norse mythology, The Blue Witch is the first of a fast-paced middle-grade series in which Abigail and Hugo must also travel to the Netherworld, along with a glitch-witch named Calla, to rescue her nemesis and save herself from being kicked out of the coven.
I received this book as an advanced reader’s copy and I thanked Mrs. Alane Adams for giving me one! I really enjoyed her works and instantly fell in love with Norse Mythology ever since the Legends of Orkney series, when I was working for my thesis. You can check my work featuring my thesis “An Animated Series Adaptation of Legends of Orkney: The Red Sun” HERE.
I love this book showing a new side from the Legends of Orkney universe. I’m really curious about the life of the witches back when I was reading The Red Sun, especially the characters’ Abigail and Endera Tarkana.
The Blue Witch is another tale of adventure and magic based on Norse Mythology. A prequel to Adam’s series,”The Legends of Orkney”, that focuses on the story of a 9-year-old young witch, Abigail, in the Tarkana Academy. It got a wonderful mix of adventure, friendship, and witchcraft!
Abigail Tarkana was a really cool Heroine archetype—she’s clever, unique and brave. I loved getting to know her life inside the academy, from the various classes and students to the magical creatures (its like Harry Potter), and as well as how she learned about the truth behind her origin and magic.
The other characters are full of personalities! The bully Endera (the most horrible witching in the Tarkana coven) along with her two cronies’ Glorian and Nelly. The curious and supportive Hugo (a balfin boy who becomes her first true friend), and Calla (a glitch-witch whose power never manifested). The teachers and creatures also gave a wonderful color, which gives humor and tense to the story.
The plot is a rollercoaster ride—full of ups and downs, it’s full of interesting events that leaves the reader tense but super excited to keep turning the pages, from Abigail’s classes to the adventures of Abigail, Hugo and Calla into the netherworlds. I loved how the book incorporated the myth tale of Rigel, a bright blue star that comes to earth in the shape of man—a interesting connection to the Norse Mythology.
The Blue Witch, rich in Norse Mythology, is full of magical tale and adventure filled with interesting characters, magical spells and mysterious creatures. It follows Abigail in growing up and becoming a blue witch. I cannot wait for the next series of this book!
Marvin Camara 