The Whitby Witches

I read this book a couple of years ago and loved it! I was really looking forward to the sequel but that's where the "but" comes in! It looks like this series came out in the UK in full, but by the time we got it: it was on its way out! Now the only way to get the next book is to pay a lot of money for it used. This first book stands well enough on its own, but just don't get too excited about reading the second in the series.

Two young orphan siblings are sent to live with an elderly lady at the English seaside. Eight-year-old Ben's disability with other families turns into an advantage there as he discovers that his "sight" finds him new friends and can help save--or destroy--the world. This charming story of magic stands alone, but it was a relief to find that the trilogy has already been written. I'm anxious to know the fate of the mythical "fisherfolk" that little Ben and Aunt Alice can see, but which practical Jennet cannot. This story could work as a read-aloud to an elementary-age audience (though a bit long for a class), and should appeal to those who like Harry Potter.

As we join the story, we find Jennet (12) and her brother, Ben (8) on the train to meet their new guardian, Alice Boston (92). It seems that Jennet and Ben are orphans who have been moving from foster home to foster home (four so far) because Ben is different...he can see ghosts, this has cost them four new homes and Jennet is determined that he won't mess things up for them in Whitby with Alice. Upon arriving in Whitby by train, they meet Alice Boston their new caretaker, and are surprised to find that she's an eccentric old lady...kind of the town busybody. It's not long before they fall into a casual friendship with Alice and things start to get a little weird around town. The Whitby Witches turns out to be something of a junior paranormal thriller with a dark side...but not too dark. The cast of characters include Ben, Jennet, Alice, the ladies circle (friends of Alice who meet once a month and includes Prudence, Matilda, Dora, and Edith), Rowena Cooper (our resident bad guy), and the local Aufwader's - the strange fisher people who live in caves by the sea (Nelda, Hesper, Tarr, and Silas). It all seems to start shortly after the arrival of Rowena Cooper...Alice's friends start dying, all labeled accidents by the police, but Alice believes differently (as does Ben who has met Nelda the young Aufwader girl whose father and uncle are missing). We really are given two parallel plot lines, the deaths of the ladies circle and the Aufwader mystery (including the search for the mysteries, mythical moonkelp). Everything in the story is linked to the moonkelp, the ruins of the abbey, and the mysteries Sister Bridget. Will Nelda and Ben find the moon kelp and save her people from extinction? Will Alice find out what Rowena is up to and will they all come out of it alive? You'll have to read to find out...and I don't think you'll be disappointed! Overall, this is one of the best children's books I've read in the last couple of years...it's got mystery, intrigue, the paranormal, danger (and lots of it), bad guys that might just get away with it (and those are the best kind)...but it's also got heart and characters that you can really get to know and like! I could hardly put it down and my daughter ate it up! I give The Whitby Witches five stars and hope that they reprint the rest of the series soon, we're anxious to get our hands on the second book! Highly recommended!!