The Banishing Stones

by Elizabeth Ward

Stella is ugly, flies a broomstick and can wield a magic wand. In these respects she is just like the other witch girls in Wartville. But, unlike the other witch girls, Stella does not enjoy turning toads into slime or setting the elves' forest home on fire. She would rather help a bear cub escape from its cage than cook it in a stew. It's only a matter of time before she finds herself in serious trouble.

Stella's fate is linked with the fate of two human children, Mitchell and Sarah, who don't even believe in witches. That is, they didn't believe in witches until they found themselves whisked out of their own world and into a completely different one, into the land of Wystovia.

Mitchell and Sarah soon find themselves running from an evil wizard who thinks nothing of enslaving dwarves in the mountain mines, turning giants to stone, and terrorising innocent merchildren that his eagles catch frolicking in the sea. Mitchell and Sarah will need a lot of luck and the help of friends to survive.

278 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2013

About the author

Elizabeth Ward grew up in Sydney, Australia, where she still lives. From an early age she has loved reading children’s books. Inspired by the Narnia chronicles by C.S.Lewis, she decided to create her own magical world, Wystovia, in her first book The Banishing Stones.

Reviews

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a a good book for young readers. The story reminded me of a mix between The Wizard of OZ and The Lord of the Rings. Our young heros, Mitchell and Sarah are transported to another world full of witches, wizards, dwarfs, mermaids, and elves. They must make there way around the magical world in search of the 4 Banishings Stones. Along the way they have trials and tribulations while making friends and allies along the way. This is a fast easy read and there is action in every chapter. I would have liked to see the story more drawn out as it feels that the journey the characters go on is too easy and of course it has a happy ending.

[Sarah]

24th May 2013
Received a free copy today as part of a first reads giveaway I am still reading another giveaway book at the moment but will read and review as soon as possible.
Thank you for this giveaway.

[Peter Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good-hearted tale. Vocabulary quite challenging for the target audience.