The Doomspell Trilogy

Doomspell #1-3

by Cliff McNish

The bestselling fantasy trilogy, THE DOOMSPELL, THE SCENT OF MAGIC and THE WIZARD'S PROMISE in one magical volume. Rachel and Eric are hurtled to a terrifying place. Like thousands of other children before them, they have been snatched away by the Witch. But she has met her match. Rachel and Eric discover they have astonishing powers. Rachel is a spellmaker who can fly, change shape and scent magic across other lands and oceans. Eric is a destroyer of spells. Together they embark on a journey from which there may be no return. The Witch will stop at nothing to enslave them and destroy her old adversaries the Wizards. The fate of all children lies in the balance - will Rachel and Eric save them, or will the Witch finally triumph? Cliff McNish's dazzling storytelling makes each page compulsive reading

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Magic, Teen

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

I was born in Sunderland, a city in the north-east of England.
I don’t recall too much about my first 8 years of life other than I loved being outdoors especially in the woods near our house. I came home every night covered in scratches.
My first real book memory is being given C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew by my English teacher, Mrs Baldwin. I loved that, and all the other Narnia books.

So how did I become an author?
As a parent I was used to making up short and funny stories for my daughter, Rachel. When she was about ten, however, she wanted a story about a really, really nasty witch. This time I put pen to paper and what started off as a tiny scrap of an idea got bigger and bigger and BIGGER. It became The Doomspell.
After I finished it, I continued my love affair with fantasy by creating The Silver Sequence which I still think is probably my best and definitely my most original work. Following that, I tried to scare everyone half to death with a couple of ghost novels – Breathe and The Hunting Ground.

I could tell you more about myself, but the truth is that perhaps the biggest gift we can give anyone is our imagination and everything important I have to offer you about that is in the novels.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cliff McNish has an imagination that won't let you down and a writing style that matches perfectly. I was sucked into this world a dozen times over when I was younger. Reason why? It is Rule of Cool all over. 4 and a half stars.

[Yumiko_Youku · Rating 2 out of 5]

Id liked the concept of magic acting like it is its own entity, and I liked the wizards and Morpeth, yet the other characters were rather boring and even annoying. But its a children's book after all.

[oliviasbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually I stopped after finishing the first book of the three this volume contains. So my rating does not cover the whole package. I shouldn't forget that this is a story purely aimed at children, but in my opinion there is not enough plot: Running, resisting, getting stronger, fighting, running, resisting ....
Also if I had read this bad-witch-good-witch story as a child, I think it would have been too cruel and too yucky for my easily frightened self, although the descriptions are not very graphic. Among other similar ones there is a scene in which tiny teeth (unattached to anything) eat the skin of the heroine's face. The process is stated, but the effects (how it looks, how it hurts, how the rest is held up) remain to be imagined. However, the ratings of many others, who loved this trilogy as children, show that not every child has that kind of over-imaginative mimosa mind I had. So probably this is worthwhile children's fantasy after all: The good triumph over the bad - trailing a high, but anonymous body count behind.

[Jildou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. McNish found the perfect creative way to describe young children's magic and the feelings of delight that go with it. The witches, their enemies, have obviously been thought about a lot - outlined so well you'll start sympathizing with them, despite their hideous features. The protagonists are, unfortunately, not as striking as the extra characters. It's clearly written for children. Read this when I was a little girl, didn't cease to amaze me the second time (I'm 17 now) as well. McNish did a good job on this.

[Hilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my childhood. Even moreso than Harry Potter, it shaped my interests in witchcraft, and magic in general. I can still remember always being so amazed at what those kids could do. Without a doubt, this was one of the books that ignited the most profound desire to have similar abilities, or even any magical abilities at all (to this day *nostalgic sigh*).

[Cheryl (Gwyneiira's Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book to pieces after a friend of mine brought it to school and forced me to read it. She had the whole trilogy! Couldn't put it down until I reached the last page. There's the whole magic and fantasy theme going on throughout the book. Definitely an interesting read, time well spent I would say.

[bluejo · Rating 4 out of 5]

THESE BOOKS SHAPED ME !!!!!!!! no one ever knows what I’m talking about when I mention them but my mum found these books in a charity shop when I was a kid and they changed my life. Seriously

[Pieter · Rating 2 out of 5]

While a children book, I hoped to at least enjoy it some extent as I have in the past with other children books, but not so much in the case of the Doomspell Trilogy. Don't get me wrong, it has its moments. The magic system is whimsical and full of wonder, making each spell a creature on its own is certainly a fun idea. The worlds feels reasonably unique, although some of the imagery is a tad dark or extremely familiar. For example, the first scene is of a witch on a world of eternal winter accompanied by a dwarf and giving candy to a boy. Don't get me wrong, the story has little in common with Narnia, but there are more of such scenes. The characters and plot are simple, but that in itself isn't bad.

A couple of things really hold back my overall enjoyment of the story. First of all, there are a lot of deus ex-machina (or should I say magic ex-machina?) moments. Secondly, there are multiple scenes that to me feel very over the top, too much special effects over too wide an area involving too many creatures that kind of lessened the sense of wonder. I will admit I have also become a little bit too cynical for the core message of the book (violence is never the answer), but that is on me.

So, overall, I did manage to finish the book, but for me the bad outweighed the good.

[Ryan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical is the perfect word to describe this but still doesn’t give it justice. A perfect example of a kids book that will appeal to all ages. Magic system and world building is intricate with Cliff Mcnish signature mix of fantasy/sci-fi. Heavy themes handled that will be understood at whatever level the reader is at, makes it worth a re-read as you will enjoy it on a different level

[Svetlana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished book one of The Doomspell trilogy and, unfortunately, will pass on books two and three.
While the story itself was original, I found the characters rather boring and underdeveloped. I didn't really care about any of them.

[Tom Maclaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Came to my attention at the same time as the Harry Potter books did. Never met anyone else who has read the trilogy but it's one of my favourites

[Elis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this triology a long time ago and it was quite enjoyable. I liked the originality of the witches and the magic system. I should try to find out where I left the book.

[denv · Rating 3 out of 5]

but why are they all kissing on the mouth?

[Cait Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is MY Narnia

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. So, about 7-9 years ago, when I was around in grade 2, I don't remember much. I do remember, however, that I went downstairs and saw my brother's unused bookshelf. I really wanted a book to read, and I started browsing the shelves. A fantastic purple caught my eye, and I've worshiped this book ever since. It's by far my favourite book, or series, by far. I mean, I read Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, a ton of really well written fantastic books, and this book just triumphs over all of them. I don't know what drove me to look around in my brother's room, or what circumstances that came to be that day, but I know for sure that if they hadn't happened exactly the way that they did, I would be a very different person today. I might've even been a jock. The Doomspell trilogy saved my life. 20/10, read hundreds of times.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the first bok in the trilogy when it first came out, I must have been about 9 or 10... and I loved it so much I read it from cover to cover twice in a row... As the years progressed I continued to re-read it.
Then when I was maybe about 14 I saw the paper back that combines all three books into one, and I had to buy it. Although I didn't actually get round to reading it untill very recently.
I'm now 20, and realize this is a story aimed at children (but then so is Harry Potter and people of all ages adore that!!! And to me, that is a mark of a good book!) but I absolutely adored it! I couldn't put it down! It's so well written and excellently described. A thoroughly good read for anyone of any age who enjoys fantasy stories!

[Jona Letrondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first trilogy I had ever read! I'm so thrilled because this series gives the fire of my bookworm side. It was a very good book for young readers even to young at hearts. Doomspell will bring you to a world of magic and adventures that will surely make you want to finish it until the very last page.

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even 8 years after I first picked up The Doomspell Trilogy I still love it.I know it's aimed at children and you can see that in the writing style, but it's good for any ages and never fails to entertain.

[Rachel Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute delight to revisit one of the worlds that captivated me as a child! Despite being twenty years older it was as enthralling as ever. Will always be at the top of my all time favourites list.

[Vanja Greenleaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

All three of the books in this series were good. I would recommend this to younger readers who enjoy magic and fantasy but can't find a book suitable for their reading age. Despite the fact that these books are for younger audiences I read it and had a blast doing so. Loved it!

[Jill Fraser]

Really good teen fiction story bout evil scary witches and how the kids of the world need to try and save the world!

[Tine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think that is not a good book at all. I would not let my kids read it.

[*luv of ur life* (aka caitlin) · Rating 5 out of 5]

i havent read it yet

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely magical! Pure fantasy :)

[Szeireil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it thousand times! First, when I was a child. Absolutely amazing, deep and touching history!

[Rebekah · Rating 1 out of 5]

blurg!

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book-really enjoyed it.

[Languoreth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather enjoyed this trilogy - it was entertaining when I was younger.

Of course, meeting the author 3 times and having my copy of the omnibus signed by him in person made it quite good too... :)

[Maaike · Rating 5 out of 5]

guys ive been lying, this is my favourite fucking book ever im not even kidding i love it so much(tbh it's like the kids version of the magicians sooooo )

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved them all!