14th June, 2020
Review: A Sprinkle of Sorcery by Michelle Harrison (Simon & Schuster)
Meddling magpies! How I love Michelle Harrison's writing! A Sprinkle of Sorcery is the sequel to the wonderful A Pinch of Magic and thus forms part 2 in the Widdershins series. It not only picks up the wonderful world of Crowstone and the Sorrow Isles again but actually surpasses the brilliant first book in a variety of ways. And yes, it also expands the setting to new islands, some of them just mysterious, others even invisible and only accessible through magic.
A Sprinkle of Sorcery is both action packed and whimsical. We are thrown right back into the story of the three sisters. As in the first instalment, Harrison does an outstanding job in developing her characters further. I simply adore the sisters: they have spunk and loyalty, and don't shy away from helping those in need. It was great to see them grow with the challenges that were put in their way.
The sisters' adventure is thrilling, sometimes a bit creepy, and it had me on the edge of my seat throughout. If you are looking for a story that has pirates, secret islands, talking ravens, meddling witches and wisps - Harrison's book will not disappoint. I particularly loved the folkloric elements: The story of the will-o-the-wisps was heartwrenching and beautiful. There is also a new fable introduced which eventually turns out to be not just a simple fairytale but also provides some deep wisdom that helps the Widdershins sisters in their quest.
A Sprinkle of Sorcery is a real treat. Its strong sisterly bond is extremely moving while the swashbuckling adventure Fliss, Betty and Charlie are experiencing grips the reader right from the beginning. There was one element that was supposed to be surprising in the end but which, instead, I saw coming early on, but this doesn't take away from the story as such. Harrison's book is storytelling at its best and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fast-paced read full of magic.
Rating: 5/5 stars