The November Witches

LoveReading4Kids Says

The November Witches is the follow-up to Jennifer Claessen’s sparkling debut, The October Witches, an atmospheric, folk-lore flavoured story about two covens of witches who only get their magic powers during the month of October.

It reunites the covens, the Merlyns and the Morgans (cousins, though there’s not much love lost), during the traditionally quiet month of November. ‘Young hag’ Clemmie is central character and narrator once again and quite enjoying having her cousin Kerra to stay, though she can’t help teasing her.

Things suddenly get much livelier with the arrival of knights in shining armour, ever so eager to do knightly things and alarmingly easily convinced that this means burning witches. As a huge forest swallows up their house and town, Clemmie, her close family and those snobby Morgans take refuge amongst the trees until they can find a way to work out what the disruptive magic is, where it’s come from, and how to control it.

It’s time for Clemmie to face up to things she’s done, and for her long-suffering mother to step up too. There’s real magic in this story, the magic of transformation and enchantment and extraordinary events, but also the magic of family and family relationships. Claessen conjures up both sorts with equal dexterity and readers will relish being in her world.

Reviewed by Andrea Reece
Andrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece

About The November Witches

At the beginning of what is going to be a miserable, magicless month for their coven elders, also known as November, Clemmie is relieved to finally be done with magical mess. Having sent their October magic packing, she wants to make amends. And so she starts mending their ancient family tapestry.

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