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Spellchasers #1
Beginner's Guide to Curses
Molly Drummond is whenever a dog barks, she turns into a hare -- which can make life quite dangerous... So she does the sensible thing and attends a curse-lifting workshop, run by a local witch. There she meets other cursed Innes, a kelpie; Beth, a dryad; Atacama, a sphinx; and a toad. But should they work together to lift their various curses? Or are they better off on their own? And will the crow-man, who draws on the energy of curses, destroy their chances to live a normal life?
By the author of the bestselling Fabled Beasts Chronicles series, this is the dramatic first installment in the brand new, long-awaited Spellchasers trilogy. Lari Don has once again created a world of brilliant magic, dark danger and sparkling friendship which will enchant children of upper primary age.
The Beginner's Guide to Curses will be followed in spring 2017 by The Shapeshifter's Guide to Running Away (book 2) and The Witch's Guide to Magical Combat (book 3) in autumn 2017. Publication will be supported by a major marketing and promotion campaign with Lari, across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
By the author of the bestselling Fabled Beasts Chronicles series, this is the dramatic first installment in the brand new, long-awaited Spellchasers trilogy. Lari Don has once again created a world of brilliant magic, dark danger and sparkling friendship which will enchant children of upper primary age.
The Beginner's Guide to Curses will be followed in spring 2017 by The Shapeshifter's Guide to Running Away (book 2) and The Witch's Guide to Magical Combat (book 3) in autumn 2017. Publication will be supported by a major marketing and promotion campaign with Lari, across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2016
19 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Lari Don
68 books101 followersI'm a children's writer based in Scotland, and most of my fiction is inspired by the Scottish landscape and local legends. I love writing fantasy adventures for 8-12 year olds, including the Fabled Beast Chronicles and the Spellchasers trilogy, but I also love creating stories for other age groups.
I've gone darker and more dangerous in my YA thriller MindBlind.
And I've worked with amazing illustrators on picture books, including a retelling of the Scottish tale of the kelpie, The Secret of the Kelpie, with gorgeous pictures by Philip Longson, and a new fable about Nessie, The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster, with fabulous artwork by Nataša Ilinčić.
I've written collections of myths and legends, including heroine tales from all over the world in Girls Goddesses & Giants, and Scottish tales in Breaking the Spell and Viking saga tales in The Dragon's Hoard, both illustrated by the wonderful Cate James.
I'm passionate about sharing old stories, creating new ones, and inspiring new young readers and writers. And I'm writing more adventures and retelling more myths, right now!
But I'm also reading... I read a lot of non-fiction, because a lot of my fictional ideas are inspired by folklore and history. I also read a lot of children’s fiction, because kids get all the best stories! And sometimes I remember how old I am, and read books for adults.
I also love discussing books, and answering queries about my books and stories, so please do get in touch. You can chat to me here on Goodreads, or through my own website, http://www.laridon.co.uk, or find me on Twitter @LariDonWriter, Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/laridonwriter, or Instagram: laridonwriter Have fun reading!
I've gone darker and more dangerous in my YA thriller MindBlind.
And I've worked with amazing illustrators on picture books, including a retelling of the Scottish tale of the kelpie, The Secret of the Kelpie, with gorgeous pictures by Philip Longson, and a new fable about Nessie, The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster, with fabulous artwork by Nataša Ilinčić.
I've written collections of myths and legends, including heroine tales from all over the world in Girls Goddesses & Giants, and Scottish tales in Breaking the Spell and Viking saga tales in The Dragon's Hoard, both illustrated by the wonderful Cate James.
I'm passionate about sharing old stories, creating new ones, and inspiring new young readers and writers. And I'm writing more adventures and retelling more myths, right now!
But I'm also reading... I read a lot of non-fiction, because a lot of my fictional ideas are inspired by folklore and history. I also read a lot of children’s fiction, because kids get all the best stories! And sometimes I remember how old I am, and read books for adults.
I also love discussing books, and answering queries about my books and stories, so please do get in touch. You can chat to me here on Goodreads, or through my own website, http://www.laridon.co.uk, or find me on Twitter @LariDonWriter, Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/laridonwriter, or Instagram: laridonwriter Have fun reading!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 24, 2018
Enjoyable, fast-paced magical adventure. Full review to come.
January 6, 2019
This is so cute. 4.5 (4 from my adult self, a probable 5 if I'd read it as a child), happily rounded up.
There's a lot of things I like about this book. It's thoroughly Scottish, features lots of great magical creatures (and for the most part not silly Bowdlerised versions), it's a damn good story and I think it sets up for a very fun trilogy without being a series for the sake of a series, which is a problem I have with a lot of books these days. I especially enjoy how they deal with witchcraft, and with the general adventure. This isn't a story about a girl discovering some inherent quality she's born with, as so many of these stories are. It could so easily have been about that discovery, as a perfectly good twist, and there's a specific point in the book where it looks like that could happen. It's the twist we have come to expect, à la Harry Potter, and the twist that is so fashionable these days with our obsession with DNA and inherent qualities. But this is far too well written and thought out for that, and instead is a proper fairytale, a true adventure, and a wonderful relatable book of Scottish magic - magic that anyone can find all around them if they look. It's a story where the important breakthroughs come from fear, bravery, curiosity, creativity, perseverance and resilience, as well as being changeable and learning to cope with the unexpected. The characters have agency, and use that agency to make their own decisions, and this is what propels the story forward. It's everything I could hope a children's story (actually, any story) would be, and also has some mild peril, which I think is imperative in any good children's tale. I had high hopes for this, and I'm very happy to say they've been met.
I'd recommend this to any child or adult that reads children's stories.
There's a lot of things I like about this book. It's thoroughly Scottish, features lots of great magical creatures (and for the most part not silly Bowdlerised versions), it's a damn good story and I think it sets up for a very fun trilogy without being a series for the sake of a series, which is a problem I have with a lot of books these days. I especially enjoy how they deal with witchcraft, and with the general adventure. This isn't a story about a girl discovering some inherent quality she's born with, as so many of these stories are. It could so easily have been about that discovery, as a perfectly good twist, and there's a specific point in the book where it looks like that could happen. It's the twist we have come to expect, à la Harry Potter, and the twist that is so fashionable these days with our obsession with DNA and inherent qualities. But this is far too well written and thought out for that, and instead is a proper fairytale, a true adventure, and a wonderful relatable book of Scottish magic - magic that anyone can find all around them if they look. It's a story where the important breakthroughs come from fear, bravery, curiosity, creativity, perseverance and resilience, as well as being changeable and learning to cope with the unexpected. The characters have agency, and use that agency to make their own decisions, and this is what propels the story forward. It's everything I could hope a children's story (actually, any story) would be, and also has some mild peril, which I think is imperative in any good children's tale. I had high hopes for this, and I'm very happy to say they've been met.
I'd recommend this to any child or adult that reads children's stories.
October 9, 2017
Spellchasers was a series I hadn't heard of until the publisher contacted me for a blog tour, a few days later I had the first two books on my iPad waiting to be read. The Beginners Guide to Curses was a book that was easy to dive into and follow.
I loved the idea behind the curses that each character has, how they were cursed, and how they were brought together. Molly finds herself at a witches workshop, attending a class on curse removal. Whilst there she meets Innes, Beth, Atacama, and a toad. Together they are sent out as a group to dig up potatoes, then receive their lesson afterwards. But this group soon find out that only one of them will have their curse removed, and their attitudes towards each other quickly change as they each fight to be the first.
The Beginners Guide to Curses was a book that has strong characters, especially Molly who remained true to herself throughout it all. I liked the different creatures and learning about them...with Beth coming out as my favourite, even if she did need an attitude adjustment. There was a nice mix of personalities that worked well together (most of the time) and I enjoyed seeing this group of strangers getting to know each other ans form friendships.
The Beginners Guide to Curses was an easy read, with a plot that was easy enough to follow which is perfect for it's target age group. There was always some new twist to the plot to keep you reading, as well as trying to guess how it would all be straightened out.
Final Verdict
The ending of The Beginners Guide to Curses wasn't what I expected, but it also makes me happy to know I can jump right into the next book to see what happens.
I loved the idea behind the curses that each character has, how they were cursed, and how they were brought together. Molly finds herself at a witches workshop, attending a class on curse removal. Whilst there she meets Innes, Beth, Atacama, and a toad. Together they are sent out as a group to dig up potatoes, then receive their lesson afterwards. But this group soon find out that only one of them will have their curse removed, and their attitudes towards each other quickly change as they each fight to be the first.
The Beginners Guide to Curses was a book that has strong characters, especially Molly who remained true to herself throughout it all. I liked the different creatures and learning about them...with Beth coming out as my favourite, even if she did need an attitude adjustment. There was a nice mix of personalities that worked well together (most of the time) and I enjoyed seeing this group of strangers getting to know each other ans form friendships.
The Beginners Guide to Curses was an easy read, with a plot that was easy enough to follow which is perfect for it's target age group. There was always some new twist to the plot to keep you reading, as well as trying to guess how it would all be straightened out.
Final Verdict
The ending of The Beginners Guide to Curses wasn't what I expected, but it also makes me happy to know I can jump right into the next book to see what happens.
April 6, 2019
I really liked this book and I am excited to read the next. But first, I'll be continuing the Fabled Beasts Chronicles! We had the first book in each series, but now we have the rest, I'll finish the series I started with.
As I said, I really liked Beginners Guide to Spellchasers. I enjoyed that it was a different take on magical adventures. It felt fresh and not just another Harry Potter-esque tale. The the urgency to lift the curses didn't feel weighted down by some long forgotten family history put on the shoulders of the main chatacter, but rather, the adventure felt relevent to all the characters in the here and now.
I love that the book, just like the Fabled Beast Chronicles, is set in Scotland as it feels like a place where magic could be a reality. Being from there doesn't hurt either!
The characters were well written and not just there to be liked becsuse they were in the inner circle of the main character. It keeps the reader on their toes and checking in with the story ('why are they like that?')
Reading books aimed at 9-12 year olds, it could be easy to point out plot holes, but the books aren't aimed at adults and the stores are strong enough in every other way to cancel them out.
As I said, I really liked Beginners Guide to Spellchasers. I enjoyed that it was a different take on magical adventures. It felt fresh and not just another Harry Potter-esque tale. The the urgency to lift the curses didn't feel weighted down by some long forgotten family history put on the shoulders of the main chatacter, but rather, the adventure felt relevent to all the characters in the here and now.
I love that the book, just like the Fabled Beast Chronicles, is set in Scotland as it feels like a place where magic could be a reality. Being from there doesn't hurt either!
The characters were well written and not just there to be liked becsuse they were in the inner circle of the main character. It keeps the reader on their toes and checking in with the story ('why are they like that?')
Reading books aimed at 9-12 year olds, it could be easy to point out plot holes, but the books aren't aimed at adults and the stores are strong enough in every other way to cancel them out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2022
I enjoyed this book but not as much as “The Fabled Beast Chronicles “ which is a book series by the same author which shares the theme of mythical creatures working together with one human girl and bonding along the way (I know it sounds cheesy but it’s really worth a read.
I liked the characters and how they were a new variety of beings.
I loved how fun it was and I think Lari Don really got creative with the curses, like how Molly turned into a Hare every time a dog barked, or how Innes’s family would suffer from the water getting too salty (I loved the description of the salt moving up his body like little crystals) and even the toads basic curse had many more layers in the end.
So to sum it up, it’s a great book, just not my favourite
I liked the characters and how they were a new variety of beings.
I loved how fun it was and I think Lari Don really got creative with the curses, like how Molly turned into a Hare every time a dog barked, or how Innes’s family would suffer from the water getting too salty (I loved the description of the salt moving up his body like little crystals) and even the toads basic curse had many more layers in the end.
So to sum it up, it’s a great book, just not my favourite
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2017
I found this book a bit strange. It was not quite what I expected. I have read many children's and young adult books in my lifetime so I have a good idea of what they should be. Somehow this just jarred a little with me. I can't put my finger on it but it lacked warmth somehow. The characters lacked charm for a start. I guess the lesson was meant to be that people should work together for the common good but it didn't gel.
December 3, 2020
I liked the idea of this book.
Molly has been cursed and when she hears a dog bark she turns into a rabbit.
The characters were interesting and the plot was good, I am looking forward to readin g the next in the series
Molly has been cursed and when she hears a dog bark she turns into a rabbit.
The characters were interesting and the plot was good, I am looking forward to readin g the next in the series
July 29, 2017
We really liked this one.
March 21, 2018
Excellent, pacey adventure. Loved reading this to my daughter.
August 5, 2020
We really liked this one.
March 11, 2025
Finally finished this with the kids book club!
September 25, 2016
Molly Drummond is just an ordinary girl, visiting her aunt, her life is humdrum and normal until one day she upsets a grumpy old man in the village and he shouts some strange words at her. She thinks nothing of it until a dog barks near her and she transforms into a hare! Luckily her aunt knows what to do and she soon finds herself enrolled in a beginners curse course along with 4 companions. They have to work to become a team and build relationships that will enable them to break the magic curses they all live under. Molly is a great protagonist, brave, honest and loyal and I greatly enjoyed reading this story. Beginner's Guide to Curses is the first in a series but it can be read as a stand alone story and has a conclusion that seemingly ties up all the loose ends. An excellent introduction to the world of magical stories, suitable for younger more confident readers.
September 11, 2016
Magic, adventure, action, friendship and accepting who you are all wrapped up in a wonderful tale.
This is a great story, with plenty happening to engage the reader and keep them turning the pages plus interesting characters who you almost want to dislike but quite don't. And Molly could be slightly twee but she isn't. She's sensible, determined and adventurous with a streak of stubbornness that stops her from giving up!
It's the first of a trilogy but definitely doesn't feel like it which makes for a satisfying ending. It's also a book that would have w ide appeal from younger children through to years 7 and 8.
This is a great story, with plenty happening to engage the reader and keep them turning the pages plus interesting characters who you almost want to dislike but quite don't. And Molly could be slightly twee but she isn't. She's sensible, determined and adventurous with a streak of stubbornness that stops her from giving up!
It's the first of a trilogy but definitely doesn't feel like it which makes for a satisfying ending. It's also a book that would have w ide appeal from younger children through to years 7 and 8.
August 21, 2016
This is a fast-paced, funny and magical book for children aged 8 to 12, the first in a brand new trilogy. We are dropped dramatically into the heart of the action from the very first sentence, as Molly, the main character, turns into a hare at the most inconvenient moment and has to run for her life from a hungry dog. As she tries to set herself free from the curse which causes her to shape-shift at the sound of a dog's bark, she meets a cast of intriguing characters and enters a magical and dangerous world. Engaging, entertaining and richly drawn, this is a brilliant read for children.
June 20, 2016
Book review will be posted near publication on www.mrripleysenchantedbooks.com
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews