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Review: A Sprinkle of Sorcery

Book Title: A Sprinkle of Sorcery (available here)

Author: Michelle Harrison

Illustrator: Melissa Castrillion

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: Feb 2020

Most Suitable For: Upper KS2

Reviewed By: Julie Wells

For me, A Pinch of Magic (the first book in this series) had all the elements of a perfect book: intruiging characters that I engaged with from the start; mysterious objects that turned out to be magical; plot twists and edge-of-the-seat adventure that kept me turning page after page. It entranced me so completely I was desperate to meet back up with the Widdershins sisters and find out what they had been up to in this second book in the series, A Sprinkle of Sorcery.

The sequel did not disappoint. Once again Michelle Harrison transported me to the marshes and islands with descriptions so captivating it was as if I was there. The Poacher’s Pocket became real, as did its inhabitants, who grew and matured through this second adventure, developing distinct characteristics and facing trials that challenged them as individuals and as a family.

Numerous strands weave through the story and there are elements that I think would appeal to a wide range of readers. The mysterious map leads to a high energy nautical quest with the kind of fine detail that would hook in middle grade adventure fans. The magical objects have nuances of the Harry Potter tales, saving the day at the last minute, but also causing more issues than expected and never being an easy fix. Finally, the theme of family and friendship runs deep, a theme all readers will relate to – relationships are put to the test and emotions are explored beautifully amidst the rip-roaring adventure.

This book was a pleasure to read and review and I can’t wait to find out if there will be another one in the series!

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You can order A Sprinkle of Sorcery online or from your local bookshop or library.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to Review Panel member Julie for reviewing it.

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