Lost Magic

by Berthe Amoss, Diane Stanley (Illustrator)

Ceridwen, the descendent of a talented spellmaker, wins love and confidence as the Wise Woman of Bedevere, but has trouble winning over Dame Bewick, the governess of Lord Robert's family. Reprint.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Middle Grade

Paperback

First published October 28, 1993

About the author

Born and raised in New Orleans, Berthe Amoss has never stopped writing about her home city. She is the author and illustrator of twenty-eight children's and young adult books. Her picture book The Cajun Gingerbread Boy won a Children's Choice Award and The Chalk Cross was a finalist for the Edgar Allen Poe Award.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ceridwen, an orphan known for her first twelve years simply as Waif, is taught herblore and healing by the traveling Wise-Woman Gallena, who warns her that all magic must have a purpose, and that simple tricks and illusion are the work of the Devil. When she heals Lord Robert, lord of the very castle in whose shadow she has always lived, Ceridwen finds her life transformed with dizzying swiftness. Proclaimed the Wise Woman of Bedevere, she is given her own garden and room in the castle, and after being made the companion of Lord Robert’s young daughter, Elinor, is given the precious gift of literacy, reserved only for the privileged few. But the jealousy of Dame Bewick, a castle servant with grand ambitions and an unpleasant disposition, and the arrival of the Plague at Bedevere, spell trouble for Ceridwen's new life and happiness...

While the transformation of Ceridwen’s social station seems unrealistic for the fourteenth century, the folkloric elements of Lost Magic are intriguing. The "magic" practiced here seems mostly to be herblore, though there are references to more powerful spells, and some genuinely supernatural elements, from fairy changelings to ancient sorcerers, are included. The Wise-Woman figure has been explored by authors such as Monica Furlong ( Wise Child ) and Frances Mary Hendry ( Quest for a Maid ), as well as featuring (not so positively) in Joan Aiken’s The Cuckoo Tree , and readers interested in this archetype should also seek out those authors.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My brain is still a little bleary and weary from a bad case of Swine Flu, and in this recovery phase I find myself reading books that don't involve much soul searching or deciphering. I'd say "easy reads" but sometimes the stories are not that easy. More the difference in watching The Thin Man or To Kill a Mockingbird vs a film by Fellini. Let's just say I'm not up for Cormack McCarthy right now, or The Brothers Karamazov, as good as either of those might be.

Lost Magic was a delightful find -- a story that blends folktales and legend, plus a pinch of herbal lore into a fine mix and a good story. It takes place in a time of myth and magic, with the superstitions and all too real horror of the plague and of personal jealousies. Young Ceridwen has herbal skill and instinct, but her knowledge and abilities with people is what gets her in trouble. In her struggles to save the daughter of the local nobleman, she gets entangled by the latter. Though she calls on the saints and her savior, witchcraft and wonder mix together to create a blend of excitement and danger. This was a well-crafted tale, that I hope will find another happy reader. I believe the author also did the cover illustration, which happily actually depicts two of the main characters with proper looks and sizes.

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably more like 3.5. I think I would have really enjoyed this if I had read it as a young child and hadn't read so much fantasy.

I did enjoy its use of Middle English and other poetry at the beginnings of the sections, particularly the riff on Alisoun for the last one. I think the book would have been improved by an afterword about the poems.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Witch or not? Set in medieval England, a young girl who knows nothing of her past is found by an old woman who lives near the castle. The child has some unusual "gifts" that make the locals wonder and she learns to hide them. Befriended by a healer, she learns the trade and becomes known for her abilities while at the same time engendering the dislike of some of those who question her abilities. Worth the read. Kind of nice and old-fashioned with a dose of herbal lore and a nod to the historical horrors of the Plague.

[Elwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember loving this book when I read it (ages and ages ago - possibly 2003 or earlier) but it for years I couldn't recall the title. I'm glad I finally found it again! I will have to hunt down a copy and review again.

[Christina]

Oh my gosh! I had completely forgotten about this book but I LOVED it as a kid. I definitely need to re-read it.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like I missed something, though this is definitely one of those books that I might have loved if I'd read it at 10. It's pretty disjointed and uneven (wait, she IS a witch, but she ISN'T a witch?), but there is lots of herbal healing, which I'm always down for.

[Sam Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a little too long since I read this, but I remember really liking it. I had a copy signed by the author with a little drawing and the inscription said, "Rosemary for Rememberance." 'Cuz the author's my friend's grandmother. I wish I could get my hands on it again, but I hate that I can't have my old copy with the inscription back.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually own this book, but it has been ages since I've read it. I remember at the time I loved it, but I probably should re-read it before I do a true review. As of now, I'd say it is great for the age it's written for, which is in the young adult range. I remember the story being really sweet, but still full of the unknown.

[Anna K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book!! It was exciting to read and I felt like I was actually in the book! It's captivating, breath taking, and too interesting to put down!! I'd recommend this book to everyone!!

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was younger. It was a great story with amazing detail, or at least from what I can remember. I haven't been able to find this book anywhere, but I would love to read it again given the chance!

*Edit*

Found an old used copy finally. As good as I remember!

[Cheese · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites a kid! And I'll have you know I just went apeshit on my bookshelves trying to find it.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books from when I was a kid, so I'm rating it with that in mind. I reread it just to refresh my memory.

[WhatMcKennaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for the target age group.