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The Witch's Boy #1
The Witch's Boy
“A lightning bolt erupted from the cloud and aimed directly at Ned’s heart. He couldn’t cry out. He couldn’t even move. He could just feel the magic sink into his skin and spread itself over every inch of him, bubbling and slithering and cutting deep, until he didn’t know where the magic stopped and he began.”
When Ned and his identical twin brother Tam tumble from their raft into a raging, bewitched river, only Ned survives. Villagers are convinced the wrong boy lived. Sure enough, Ned grows up weak and slow, and stays as much as possible within the safe boundaries of his family’s cottage and yard. But when a Bandit King comes to steal the magic that Ned’s mother, a witch, is meant to protect, it's Ned who safeguards the magic and summons the strength to protect his family and community.
In the meantime, in another kingdom across the forest that borders Ned’s village lives Áine, the resourceful and pragmatic daughter of the Bandit King. She is haunted by her mother’s last words to her: “The wrong boy will save your life and you will save his.” But when Áine and Ned’s paths cross, can they trust each other long enough to make their way through the treacherous woods and stop the war about to boil over?
With a deft hand, acclaimed author Kelly Barnhill takes classic fairy tale elements--speaking stones, a friendly wolf, and a spoiled young king--and weaves them into a richly detailed narrative that explores good and evil, love and hate, magic, and the power of friendship.
When Ned and his identical twin brother Tam tumble from their raft into a raging, bewitched river, only Ned survives. Villagers are convinced the wrong boy lived. Sure enough, Ned grows up weak and slow, and stays as much as possible within the safe boundaries of his family’s cottage and yard. But when a Bandit King comes to steal the magic that Ned’s mother, a witch, is meant to protect, it's Ned who safeguards the magic and summons the strength to protect his family and community.
In the meantime, in another kingdom across the forest that borders Ned’s village lives Áine, the resourceful and pragmatic daughter of the Bandit King. She is haunted by her mother’s last words to her: “The wrong boy will save your life and you will save his.” But when Áine and Ned’s paths cross, can they trust each other long enough to make their way through the treacherous woods and stop the war about to boil over?
With a deft hand, acclaimed author Kelly Barnhill takes classic fairy tale elements--speaking stones, a friendly wolf, and a spoiled young king--and weaves them into a richly detailed narrative that explores good and evil, love and hate, magic, and the power of friendship.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2014
567 people are currently reading
11237 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Barnhill
54 books4,213 followersKelly Barnhill is an author and teacher. She won the World Fantasy Award for her novella The Unlicensed Magician, a Parents Choice Gold Award for Iron Hearted Violet, the Charlotte Huck Honor for The Girl Who Drank the Moon, and has been a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award, the Andre Norton award, and the PEN/USA literary prize. She was also a McKnight Artist's Fellowship recipient in Children's Literature. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her three children and husband. You can chat with her on her blog at www.kellybarnhill.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,122 reviews
May 8, 2021
I had high hopes after how much I loved The Girl Who Drank the Moon, but I did not find this all that interesting. It still had a fantastic writing style that was rather fairy-tale-esque, but overall I was bored for most of it. It had promise at the start but I thought it meandered quite a bit that it never really got back on the right path.
January 31, 2025
Приключенията на Нед и Аня ми бяха интересни, но може би ако историята се развиваше една идея по-бързо, книгата щеше да ми хареса с една идея повече, за това ѝ оставям 4 звезди.
Кралят на разбойниците няма да коментирам той само доказва до какво води алчността и ламтежа за повече.
Младата вещица, горката...
Кралят на разбойниците няма да коментирам той само доказва до какво води алчността и ламтежа за повече.
Младата вещица, горката...
October 10, 2014
Delightful, beautiful, heartfelt. A fairy-tale like story full of meaning and messages worth remembering. A story of love and sacrifice, redemption and forgiveness, unlikely friendships and new beginnings. Absolutely loved this book!
June 21, 2017
چرا باید اول و آخرش گریه م میگرفت؟ :))
خب داستان قشنگی داشت. یه بار خوندنش خوبه
ترجمه هم که خوب و روون بود. انگار که همین نسخه اصلیه و ترجمه نشده اصلا :دی دوست داشتم ^-^
«حتی پلیدی ها هم قادر به انجام کاری خوب و شجاعانه هستند.»
«مرگی وجود ندارد. فقط چیز بعدی وجود دارد. کوه برای رود راه باز میکند و بدل به دره میشود. درخت برای پوسیدگی راه باز میکند و بدل به خاک میشود. زندگی مان را که از راهی غیرمعمول کش آمده، رها میکنیم و چیز دیگری را میپذیریم. نمیدانیم چه چیزی! اما وقتی تجربه اش کنیم میفهمیم.»
خب داستان قشنگی داشت. یه بار خوندنش خوبه
ترجمه هم که خوب و روون بود. انگار که همین نسخه اصلیه و ترجمه نشده اصلا :دی دوست داشتم ^-^
«حتی پلیدی ها هم قادر به انجام کاری خوب و شجاعانه هستند.»
«مرگی وجود ندارد. فقط چیز بعدی وجود دارد. کوه برای رود راه باز میکند و بدل به دره میشود. درخت برای پوسیدگی راه باز میکند و بدل به خاک میشود. زندگی مان را که از راهی غیرمعمول کش آمده، رها میکنیم و چیز دیگری را میپذیریم. نمیدانیم چه چیزی! اما وقتی تجربه اش کنیم میفهمیم.»
November 2, 2021
Ухилени тикви греят в нощта със зловещи усмивки. Листата се сипят, за да може да чуваме шумолящите стъпки на онзи, който се прокрадва в тъмното. Отново е сезонът на оранжевото! И от изд. „Orange Books” не пропуснаха да ни зарадват с едно ново приключение – мрачно, забавно и трогателно. Какво ли са ни подготвили хората, които ни запознаха с автори като Катрин Арден, Маделин Ру и Хелена Дъган? „Синът на вещицата” от Кели Барнхил е прекрасна приказка за деца от всички възрасти, развиваща се в свят на вещици и бандити. Ако сте харесали „Момичето, което изпи луната” от същата авторка, то със сигурност не бива да пропускате и тази книга. Подарете си една завладяваща история, изпълнена с магия и приятелство, засягаща теми като загуба, изкупление и жертвоготовност. Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле”: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
May 8, 2015
So wonderful!!!
This books is a perfect example of how amazing children's books can be!
It was simply magical, imaginative, vivid in its worldbuilding, with well developed character, a lovely plot, and clever social commentary!
I hate that I'm not very good at expressing myself when it comes to books I really like, but take it from me, this is a book everyone should read!
This books is a perfect example of how amazing children's books can be!
It was simply magical, imaginative, vivid in its worldbuilding, with well developed character, a lovely plot, and clever social commentary!
I hate that I'm not very good at expressing myself when it comes to books I really like, but take it from me, this is a book everyone should read!
September 19, 2017
The Witch's Boy by Kelly Barnhill. Published September 16, 2014 by Algonquin Young Readers. 5 Stars. I got this ebook from the library. Engaging from the very start. Brilliantly written about a couple of teens (one a twin) and their soulful and magical relationships with the earth, the forest, the stones, their dreams of the sea, and even death. An involved plot that is deeply simple at its core—how do the intentions and choices people make about love affect the future—theirs and everyone else’s? An intriguing and fun YA read. Highly recommend!
December 4, 2014
First of all before I start talking about this book, I just want to say: That cover, you guys! I really love that cover and if anything, it was that cover that first drew me to give Kelly Barnhill's The Witch's Boy a closer look. I loved the play with the big shadows and those tiny little figures, and the sense that they were at the edge of the world. It is very fitting to the setting of the book and the villagers’ belief that there is nothing beyond the forest-clad mountains. But mostly it just made for an arresting visual. And all this was even before I read the blurb. When I opened the book and started reading I was sold, as Kelly Barnhill managed to break my heart twice in the span of two chapters, which meant I was in for a treat.
The story revolves around Ned and Áine, with several other points of view woven through their stories. Of these further points of views I especially loved that of Ned’s mother and that of the Speaking Stones. I really loved Ned and Áine. The way Barnhill developed their characters and the growing bond between them was wonderful. I loved the way they were juxtaposed, with Ned trusting Áine and the young wolf relatively quickly and Áine’s only grudgingly won trust. Ned was so sweet and earnest, and his silence was wonderfully portrayed. The question is whether his keeping mum is a physical consequence of his near-drowning of is a result of psychological trauma. In either case, his stuttering was treated so convincingly, such as the fact that it was often self-reinforcing; the harder it is for Ned to speak, the more stressed he becomes, the harder it becomes to speak. Áine is brilliant. Resourceful, tough, capable, and clever, I loved how hard she tried to save those she loves. And she’s also clearly described as a person of colour, with black hair and eyes and dark skin. As such, I’d count this book as one to add to the diverse books column.
Of the adults, my favourite was Sister Witch. Oh Sister Witch, how much I loved her. Her actions, which set in motion much of the story and are somewhat an explanation for the wrong boy having survived, where so convincing and I could so completely empathise. Her dilemma in the second chapter of the book was just heart-breaking. I love the strength she displayed in the latter half of the book when she travels to the capital to petition the queen. Her magic is fascinating too. The idea of the magic as something that needed to be contained and tamed, as something that needed to be both treated with respect and coerced, was fascinating and I loved its history within Ned’s family. Its origins and nature and its links to the Speaking Stones was awesome and I loved the manifestation of its power in Ned when he takes the magic into himself to keep it safe. The fact that it showed up as writing on his skin and that it talked to him – and with an attitude as well – was very well conceived.
The driving force at the core of the narrative is love. Love is what causes Sister Witch to save Ned by any means necessary, love is what motivates Áine to try and save her father even when he is beyond redemption, and in a way even The Bandit King was driven by love. Or perhaps more accurately the loss of the person he loved so fiercely that her death broke him. Ned’s dad just broke my heart. So much of his actions and behaviour are caused by grief, love and guilt. He can’t forgive himself for not being able to save both his boys and loving Ned is double-edged for him, because every day looking at Ned means remembering he failed the boy that looked so much like him.
I loved Kelly Barnhill’s latest. The Witch’s Boy is a middle grade novel, but it’s certainly one that can be enjoyed by older readers as well. It’s also a book that I can't wait to share with my girls when they are a bit older and understand English more fully than just the occasional word (or if the book is translated to Dutch). A beautifully written, lyrical, and subversive fairytale, The Witch’s Boy is a story about love, grief, letting go and forgiveness. And it’s one that will almost certainly feature on one of my ‘favourites for 2014’-lists.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
The story revolves around Ned and Áine, with several other points of view woven through their stories. Of these further points of views I especially loved that of Ned’s mother and that of the Speaking Stones. I really loved Ned and Áine. The way Barnhill developed their characters and the growing bond between them was wonderful. I loved the way they were juxtaposed, with Ned trusting Áine and the young wolf relatively quickly and Áine’s only grudgingly won trust. Ned was so sweet and earnest, and his silence was wonderfully portrayed. The question is whether his keeping mum is a physical consequence of his near-drowning of is a result of psychological trauma. In either case, his stuttering was treated so convincingly, such as the fact that it was often self-reinforcing; the harder it is for Ned to speak, the more stressed he becomes, the harder it becomes to speak. Áine is brilliant. Resourceful, tough, capable, and clever, I loved how hard she tried to save those she loves. And she’s also clearly described as a person of colour, with black hair and eyes and dark skin. As such, I’d count this book as one to add to the diverse books column.
Of the adults, my favourite was Sister Witch. Oh Sister Witch, how much I loved her. Her actions, which set in motion much of the story and are somewhat an explanation for the wrong boy having survived, where so convincing and I could so completely empathise. Her dilemma in the second chapter of the book was just heart-breaking. I love the strength she displayed in the latter half of the book when she travels to the capital to petition the queen. Her magic is fascinating too. The idea of the magic as something that needed to be contained and tamed, as something that needed to be both treated with respect and coerced, was fascinating and I loved its history within Ned’s family. Its origins and nature and its links to the Speaking Stones was awesome and I loved the manifestation of its power in Ned when he takes the magic into himself to keep it safe. The fact that it showed up as writing on his skin and that it talked to him – and with an attitude as well – was very well conceived.
The driving force at the core of the narrative is love. Love is what causes Sister Witch to save Ned by any means necessary, love is what motivates Áine to try and save her father even when he is beyond redemption, and in a way even The Bandit King was driven by love. Or perhaps more accurately the loss of the person he loved so fiercely that her death broke him. Ned’s dad just broke my heart. So much of his actions and behaviour are caused by grief, love and guilt. He can’t forgive himself for not being able to save both his boys and loving Ned is double-edged for him, because every day looking at Ned means remembering he failed the boy that looked so much like him.
I loved Kelly Barnhill’s latest. The Witch’s Boy is a middle grade novel, but it’s certainly one that can be enjoyed by older readers as well. It’s also a book that I can't wait to share with my girls when they are a bit older and understand English more fully than just the occasional word (or if the book is translated to Dutch). A beautifully written, lyrical, and subversive fairytale, The Witch’s Boy is a story about love, grief, letting go and forgiveness. And it’s one that will almost certainly feature on one of my ‘favourites for 2014’-lists.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
March 10, 2017
This was my first exposure to Kelly Barnhill and when I started reading this book I did not realize that the next book on my to-read pile is her Newbery winner, The Girl Who Drank the Moon. I am looking forward to reading more of her next, as I really enjoyed The Witch's Boy!
I appreciated that the magic in the book seemed different from other fantasy novels involving magic. I liked that it had its own personality and that I didn't always know whether or not to trust it. I also thought the plot and setting, including the history of the fantasy world, seemed unique and well-thought out. For the most part, the plot was paced well and I found myself itching to get back to it. I do, however, have two complaints:
First, the author was inconsistent with periods of strong showing and then periods of lengthy telling. When Aine was first introduced, I felt that I was being told about her character rather than shown her character. It was brief and minor, but stuck out to me after being introduced to Ned in a more gradual reveal. The history of the magic and the way that it worked was complicated, and at times I didn't understand it. I think the author knew this, and in an attempt to make it clear to her reader she would sometimes have characters lecture about how it works. That took me out of the story and made characters go out-of-character in my opinion. There was also a lot of telling of the lessons that everyone learned at the end.
Second, pacing became an issue for me at the end, for the last 50ish pages. The climax was misplaced. I realized what Ned would do with the magic, but then it took forever to actually happen and did not seem to be a big deal. I thought it should be more climactic Once it did happen, the rest of the story was too drawn out. It seemed like the author was building up the rest of the story to be the climax, but since it was taking forever to get to it I found myself skimming to try to get to the action. Then the action that did happen was too little and over too quickly.
I appreciated that the magic in the book seemed different from other fantasy novels involving magic. I liked that it had its own personality and that I didn't always know whether or not to trust it. I also thought the plot and setting, including the history of the fantasy world, seemed unique and well-thought out. For the most part, the plot was paced well and I found myself itching to get back to it. I do, however, have two complaints:
First, the author was inconsistent with periods of strong showing and then periods of lengthy telling. When Aine was first introduced, I felt that I was being told about her character rather than shown her character. It was brief and minor, but stuck out to me after being introduced to Ned in a more gradual reveal. The history of the magic and the way that it worked was complicated, and at times I didn't understand it. I think the author knew this, and in an attempt to make it clear to her reader she would sometimes have characters lecture about how it works. That took me out of the story and made characters go out-of-character in my opinion. There was also a lot of telling of the lessons that everyone learned at the end.
Second, pacing became an issue for me at the end, for the last 50ish pages. The climax was misplaced. I realized what Ned would do with the magic, but then it took forever to actually happen and did not seem to be a big deal. I thought it should be more climactic Once it did happen, the rest of the story was too drawn out. It seemed like the author was building up the rest of the story to be the climax, but since it was taking forever to get to it I found myself skimming to try to get to the action. Then the action that did happen was too little and over too quickly.
December 22, 2014
I really couldn't get into this. None of the characters felt real, but more like made-up fairytale tropes. It was beautifully written but sloooooooow.
December 22, 2014
What a lovely, enchanting story..
Full review to come...
Arc provided by Algonquin Books through Netgalley
How much I loved thee... let me count the ways...
I loved it all, so much, that I don't even know how to properly write this review...
Fair warning...
Ode To a Book:
(Just not lyrical... or written in metrical form... although if you want to, be free to sing it! Basically this is just my way to give voice to the fangirl in me!
I loved your storytelling abilities. I loved your multidimensional approach to this engrossing story.
I loved how I keep feeling as if I was reading a fairy tale, an adventure, a magical fantasy with dashes of epic fantasy all seamlessly stitched into a perfect combination.
I loved your characters. Characters who weren't perfect, characters far away from Maries or Garys Stue.
I loved how the main characters were portrayed. I loved their character development so much that, had I the time, I would definitely start re-reading this one... starting now.
Ned:
I loved him, for the difficulties he went through life, his disability; but mainly for his courage. I loved him because he wasn't strong, or especially bright. I loved him for what he lost, and what made him so.
Aìne:
She, I loved for her mind. For her straightforward way of thinking. Mostly, for the way she never gave up. For her strength, courage and for the very important fact that she isn't portrayed as the usual white bread roll.
"A girl—black hair, black eyes, skin the color of oiled wood"
— (arc, subject to changes, and which I shouldn't be quoting o_O)
I loved the interesting story, that went to so much more more besides the main characters' problems.
We have treasons in the court (the guy is an idiot, but he wants power, so, that makes him a dangerous idiot), provinces at the edge of war, (the ones that are content with their lot in life, fighting off the spoiled brat King's army), a witch who is seen as a threat by one of the sides, and dismissed by the other.
Grieving families and the love between them which just isn't showed.
All the characters are so alive in this tale! And although there's so many of them, never once do their voices get mixed.
Not the King of thief's or the ageing Queen. Even the rocks get their own very distinguishable personality.
Such a masterpiece use of writing, and story telling abilities makes of this story one of the strongest ones I've read this year.
Definitely recommended. Not only to middle graders, but to the YA audience who wants something completely different from what they're used to. But especially to the adult audience, to remind us why we love to read so much.
A story to devour in one sitting _unless you find yourself sick as a dog for the longest couple of days of your (cough *my*) life.
Author's Official Site
Buy... (Pre-order it until September arises!) The Witch's Boy:
@Bookdepository.com
Full review to come...
Arc provided by Algonquin Books through Netgalley
How much I loved thee... let me count the ways...
I loved it all, so much, that I don't even know how to properly write this review...
Fair warning...
Ode To a Book:
(Just not lyrical... or written in metrical form... although if you want to, be free to sing it! Basically this is just my way to give voice to the fangirl in me!
I loved your storytelling abilities. I loved your multidimensional approach to this engrossing story.
I loved how I keep feeling as if I was reading a fairy tale, an adventure, a magical fantasy with dashes of epic fantasy all seamlessly stitched into a perfect combination.
I loved your characters. Characters who weren't perfect, characters far away from Maries or Garys Stue.
I loved how the main characters were portrayed. I loved their character development so much that, had I the time, I would definitely start re-reading this one... starting now.
Ned:
I loved him, for the difficulties he went through life, his disability; but mainly for his courage. I loved him because he wasn't strong, or especially bright. I loved him for what he lost, and what made him so.
Aìne:
She, I loved for her mind. For her straightforward way of thinking. Mostly, for the way she never gave up. For her strength, courage and for the very important fact that she isn't portrayed as the usual white bread roll.
"A girl—black hair, black eyes, skin the color of oiled wood"
— (arc, subject to changes, and which I shouldn't be quoting o_O)
I loved the interesting story, that went to so much more more besides the main characters' problems.
We have treasons in the court (the guy is an idiot, but he wants power, so, that makes him a dangerous idiot), provinces at the edge of war, (the ones that are content with their lot in life, fighting off the spoiled brat King's army), a witch who is seen as a threat by one of the sides, and dismissed by the other.
Grieving families and the love between them which just isn't showed.
All the characters are so alive in this tale! And although there's so many of them, never once do their voices get mixed.
Not the King of thief's or the ageing Queen. Even the rocks get their own very distinguishable personality.
Such a masterpiece use of writing, and story telling abilities makes of this story one of the strongest ones I've read this year.
Definitely recommended. Not only to middle graders, but to the YA audience who wants something completely different from what they're used to. But especially to the adult audience, to remind us why we love to read so much.
A story to devour in one sitting _unless you find yourself sick as a dog for the longest couple of days of your (cough *my*) life.
Author's Official Site
Buy... (Pre-order it until September arises!) The Witch's Boy:
@Bookdepository.com
May 17, 2015
I had high hopes for this book which it didn't quite meet. It's not that this book was bad. On the contrary, if I saw a child reading it I certainly wouldn't slap it out of their hands. I just can't really say it moved me the way I like books to do (even children's novels).
The concept is great. There are witches and bandit kings and wolves. Both the beginning and end of the story are strong, but the middle began to drag for me. The author made a couple of plot choices that I didn't quite see the merit of, and that I personally felt took away from the overall story. Still, she definitely gets bonus points for having a whole slew of very strong female characters.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes fantasy. For me, it had the same feel as The Dark Crystal, and is a nice break from some of the more pop-culture infused fantasies that seem to have flooded the market. It should also be noted that this is not a book that shies away from some of the darker and more difficult aspects of life. (Within reason. It is still a children's book.) Overall, a good read for a bored kid, though I wouldn't call it great children's literature.
The concept is great. There are witches and bandit kings and wolves. Both the beginning and end of the story are strong, but the middle began to drag for me. The author made a couple of plot choices that I didn't quite see the merit of, and that I personally felt took away from the overall story. Still, she definitely gets bonus points for having a whole slew of very strong female characters.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes fantasy. For me, it had the same feel as The Dark Crystal, and is a nice break from some of the more pop-culture infused fantasies that seem to have flooded the market. It should also be noted that this is not a book that shies away from some of the darker and more difficult aspects of life. (Within reason. It is still a children's book.) Overall, a good read for a bored kid, though I wouldn't call it great children's literature.
January 13, 2017
I can't remember the last time I unexpectedly loved a book so much! (Lies. I totally can remember. It was when I read "The King of Attolia" by Megan Whalen Turner a couple of years ago. I accidentally read it out of order of the rest of "The Queen's Thief" series...so I just re-read it within a week of reading it the first time. Yep.) This book starts in a kind of dark place, but I guess not the kind of "witchcraft" dark I'd expected from the cover and the blip on the inside cover. More poignance. As the story rolled along, I just enjoyed it more and more--the way Kelly Barnhill weaves the storied threads together, as well as her uncanny friendship with words, pushed this book up to "love" level for me. And, there are some really lovely moments throughout with deeply moving messages that don't bash you over the head with "moral of the story"-ness. Yup. This is a book I would own.
Read
October 23, 2017قویا اعتقاد دارم که یکسری از کتابها را در یک سن و سال خاص باید خواند . هر چند مطمئنا افراد کمی با من هم عقیده هستند.
کتاب را دوست نداشتم. چون گمانم سن 37 سالگی، وقت خوبی برای لذت بردن از کتاب پسر زن جادوگر مبود.
امتیازنمی دهم. چون این حق را برای خودم قائل نیستم که برای کتاب کودک و نوجوان ارزش گزاری کنم.
کتاب را دوست نداشتم. چون گمانم سن 37 سالگی، وقت خوبی برای لذت بردن از کتاب پسر زن جادوگر مبود.
امتیازنمی دهم. چون این حق را برای خودم قائل نیستم که برای کتاب کودک و نوجوان ارزش گزاری کنم.
July 2, 2015
Gorgeous, spare writing that brings to life an unusual and wonderful story. I couldn't put this one down, and it made me sad and joyful at the same time.
April 25, 2021
I'm sorry, but that was garbage and it should have been 150 pages shorter.
February 11, 2022
چرا نویسنده ها به خصوص اونایی که تک جلدی مینویسن پایان رمانشون حتی اگر شاد باشه ادم به گریه میندازه؟ :)
2.75
باید زودتر میخوندم قطعا تاثیرش بیشتر بود اما در کل داستان قشنگی داشت و دردناک :(
2.75
باید زودتر میخوندم قطعا تاثیرش بیشتر بود اما در کل داستان قشنگی داشت و دردناک :(
May 27, 2022
The wrong boy was barely alive. He had swallowed so much of the murky river that his small belly swelled. His lungs sagged under the weight of water—they slurped and wheezed and wouldn’t hold air.
The first sentence and paragraph often give a good indication of what you can expect from a book.
As you can see, this book isn't all butterflies and rainbows. And that's one of the reasons why this story is strong. Even though it's a middle grade children's book, there are a few unexpected turns and characters have to deal with loss and grieve. Not only Ned - 'the wrong boy' - but Áine as well:
“The wrong boy,” her mother whispered, her voice as rough and dry as a mouthful of sand. She coughed. “The wrong boy will save your life, and you will save his. And the wolf—” She choked and shuddered.
Áine's mother dies before she can finish her sentence. From then on it's only Áine and her father, the Bandit King.
The latter wants to steal the magic of Ned's mother. So it's inevitable that the paths of these characters will cross someday.
The eldest Stone was silent for a long time. Minutes. Hours. Days. What is time to a Stone? The Youngest started to wonder if he had forgotten about her.
And then there also are the Nine Stones in the forest.
What they are exactly and which role they play in this story is for you to find out.
But rest assured, they too add a touch of magic to the whole.
Kelly Barnhill (Minneapolis, Minnesota - ° 1973) succeeds once again to deliver an original story with fairy tale elements.
Sometimes the atmosphere is quite dark, like this used to be the case in original fairytales.
But there's also room for some lighter moments.
All in all it's a little darker than The girl who drank the moon, but I enjoyed it as much.
Did you know that Kelly Barnhill published two new books this year? The Ogress and the Orphans (middle grade/YA) and her first adult fantasy novel When Women Were Dragons.
Really looking forward to discover these and all of her other books too!
The first sentence and paragraph often give a good indication of what you can expect from a book.
As you can see, this book isn't all butterflies and rainbows. And that's one of the reasons why this story is strong. Even though it's a middle grade children's book, there are a few unexpected turns and characters have to deal with loss and grieve. Not only Ned - 'the wrong boy' - but Áine as well:
“The wrong boy,” her mother whispered, her voice as rough and dry as a mouthful of sand. She coughed. “The wrong boy will save your life, and you will save his. And the wolf—” She choked and shuddered.
Áine's mother dies before she can finish her sentence. From then on it's only Áine and her father, the Bandit King.
The latter wants to steal the magic of Ned's mother. So it's inevitable that the paths of these characters will cross someday.
The eldest Stone was silent for a long time. Minutes. Hours. Days. What is time to a Stone? The Youngest started to wonder if he had forgotten about her.
And then there also are the Nine Stones in the forest.
What they are exactly and which role they play in this story is for you to find out.
But rest assured, they too add a touch of magic to the whole.
Kelly Barnhill (Minneapolis, Minnesota - ° 1973) succeeds once again to deliver an original story with fairy tale elements.
Sometimes the atmosphere is quite dark, like this used to be the case in original fairytales.
But there's also room for some lighter moments.
All in all it's a little darker than The girl who drank the moon, but I enjoyed it as much.
Did you know that Kelly Barnhill published two new books this year? The Ogress and the Orphans (middle grade/YA) and her first adult fantasy novel When Women Were Dragons.
Really looking forward to discover these and all of her other books too!
January 13, 2017
A beautifully told fairy tale. A proper fairy tale- it has teeth.
Ned is "The Wrong Boy" the twin who lived, son of Sister Witch who guards a small store of magic and keeps it "good" by not using it for personal gain - until the moment she loses Tam and stitches his soul to Ned to strengthen him in an act of desperation to save at least one of her sons.
Aine is the daughter of the Bandit King, a man who was saved from banditry and magic by the love of his wife but when she died became lost again.
People in this story make mistakes, do the wrong thing for the right reason, have to shoulder responsibility and pain they are not ready for and grieve for loved ones taken too soon. Yet it is not gloomy nor does it gloss over these things. They simply are.
Ned is "The Wrong Boy" the twin who lived, son of Sister Witch who guards a small store of magic and keeps it "good" by not using it for personal gain - until the moment she loses Tam and stitches his soul to Ned to strengthen him in an act of desperation to save at least one of her sons.
Aine is the daughter of the Bandit King, a man who was saved from banditry and magic by the love of his wife but when she died became lost again.
People in this story make mistakes, do the wrong thing for the right reason, have to shoulder responsibility and pain they are not ready for and grieve for loved ones taken too soon. Yet it is not gloomy nor does it gloss over these things. They simply are.
April 4, 2018
4.5
amazing amazing amazing story telling! the best! beautiful words come together to make beautiful sentences and a great story. the best book to read by the fire in the winter, to read in the nature in spring time ... the best when you need an old beautiful fiction for your soul...
ترجمه ی فوق العاده که سبک نویسنده و حس داستان رو کاملا حفظ کرده ...
حتی پلیدی های هم توانایی انجام کاری خوب و شجاعانه را دارند.
هرکلمه جادویی در خود دارد،ماهیت یک شی یا یک ایده را میرساند و به جهان میخش می کند.
مرگی وجود ندارد. فقط چیز بعدی وجود دارد...زندگیمان که از راهی غیر معمول کش آمده،رها می کنیم و چیز دیگری را می پذریم. نمی دانیم چه چیزی! اما وقتی تجربه اش کنیم می فهمیم.
amazing amazing amazing story telling! the best! beautiful words come together to make beautiful sentences and a great story. the best book to read by the fire in the winter, to read in the nature in spring time ... the best when you need an old beautiful fiction for your soul...
ترجمه ی فوق العاده که سبک نویسنده و حس داستان رو کاملا حفظ کرده ...
حتی پلیدی های هم توانایی انجام کاری خوب و شجاعانه را دارند.
هرکلمه جادویی در خود دارد،ماهیت یک شی یا یک ایده را میرساند و به جهان میخش می کند.
مرگی وجود ندارد. فقط چیز بعدی وجود دارد...زندگیمان که از راهی غیر معمول کش آمده،رها می کنیم و چیز دیگری را می پذریم. نمی دانیم چه چیزی! اما وقتی تجربه اش کنیم می فهمیم.
September 6, 2019
Anika and I were reading this aloud, and then got stuck at probably the hardest part in the whole book. It seemed all was lost, and what in the world would this tale come to? We let it sit for a few months, then I picked it up and polished it off -- and it got better and better. I loved how the strength of the characters shone through in the end. I'm listening for the rumble of speaking stones.
May 2, 2022
Een boek om uit te lezen met biggelende tranen en een diepe zucht, en dan nooit meer los te laten.
"Een woord, tenslotte, is als magie. Het vat de essentie van een ding in een geluid of een symbool en brengt het over naar papier of steen, of naar een oor. Woorden wekken de wereld tot leven. Er zit kracht in woorden."
"Een woord, tenslotte, is als magie. Het vat de essentie van een ding in een geluid of een symbool en brengt het over naar papier of steen, of naar een oor. Woorden wekken de wereld tot leven. Er zit kracht in woorden."
August 12, 2019
Nie wiem, co poszło nie tak. Powieść ma dokładnie takie same elementy, co "Dziewczynka, która wypiła księżyc", którą uwielbiam. Prastara magia, niezwykłe dziecko z ciężkim brzemieniem, ciekawi sojusznicy, realne zagrożenie. Ale jakoś nie chwyciło. Nastrój był inny. Nie cierpię porównywać książek, ale "Dziewczynka..." miała w sobie tajemnicę, którą nie tak łatwo było rozwikłać, zagrożenie wydawało się o wiele większe. Tutaj fabuła jest prosta, wszystko jest jasne od początku, a czarne charaktery są groteskowe i komiczne, nie przerażają. Może chodzi o to, że "Syn wiedźmy" jest naprawdę bajką, taką Disneyowską wręcz, podczas gdy "Dziewczynka..." była jak film ze studia Ghibli - dla dzieci, ale i dla dorosłych, coś, z czym można dorastać i zrozumieć na nowo. Napisane jest sprawnie i jak już czytałam to szło szybko, ale z trudem przekonywałam się, aby sięgnąć po powieść po jej odłożeniu. Nie byłam ciekawa, co będzie dalej, bo wiedziałam, co i jak się potoczy. Relacje pomiędzy postaciami są też dość płytkie, może z wyjątkiem tej pomiędzy Aine i jej ojcem. Koncepcja magii jest niejasna i dość mętnie tłumaczona. Wiem, że chodziło o to, aby magia była samoświadoma, ale powstało przez to wiele plot holi, a jeśli zauważa się plot hole w bajkach, to znak, że opowieść nie wciągnęła. Niestety. Bardzo chciałam polubić "Syna wiedźmy" i jarałam się na tę książkę jak Rzym za Nerona, ale entuzjazm szybko opadł i jestem tym zasmucona.
June 12, 2014
When I saw this gorgeous cover I knew I had to read the book. Then I read the summary and fell in love. And then it was on NetGalley. And I had to request it. So happy that the publisher approved me. <3 Took me some weeks to start reading it, but today I finally did. And it was so worth it. I adored it a lot.
I'm not sure how to begin talking about this book. First I want to mention that the writing is beautiful. I really loved it. It made the story come alive for me. Then there are the characters. I adored reading about them all. Especially Ned. I loved that the book is told from many different point of views.
I just loved so much about this book. And I won't talk too much about it. Because it felt so short while I read it. And I don't want to say everything that happens. Just a few small things that I really adored. First, I really loved Ned. Though the beginning of the book.. it is heartbreaking. We learn that Ned had a twin; Tam. That he died when they were very young. He drowned. And we get to read that scene. And it was so sad and so real and I loved it to pieces. Then we get to know their mother, who is called Sister Witch. Because she kind of is a Witch. And I loved getting to know her a little too. She was awesome. But their dad. Sigh. I don't know. I liked him later in the book. In the beginning he just seems so broken. And I couldn't be sure whether he loved Ned or not. But I do know that he did. I do. And I did like him. For the most part.
Because you see. Life for Ned is not all that good. He has his mom and his dad. But he has no friends. It's been many years since Tam died. And his mother did something terrible. Yet also beautiful, because it kept Ned alive. But oh. So heartbreaking as well. Sniffs. Anyway. Ned cannot speak much, because he stutters. And he is very weak. And it is so heartbreaking. And everyone in the village is saying that the wrong boy survived the river that day. And it made me so angry and so sad. Yet it was amazing to read.
I just loved reading about Ned. He was such an amazing character. Such an adorable boy. Yet so broken. Sniffs. Though I wish we had gotten more about that. There just wasn't enough. Sigh. There is also a wolf in this book. And that was all kinds of awesome. I loved that wolf so much. Yet.. a few parts I found a bit heartbreaking. Sniffs. There is a bunch of mean things in this book. Mean people. Deaths. Heartbreak. But also friendship. There are many characters. Some I really hated. Just so you know :D
But then there was Áine. And oh, I really did love her. Though I was a bit unsure about her sometimes, as she seemed a bit cold. But we got to know her a little better and I started to like her a lot. I loved the starting of the friendship between her and Ned. It was sweet. But sniffs. I would have liked the book to be longer. I would have liked to get to see more of it. Sigh. But anyway. It was enough. Because Áine was an amazing character. As was Ned. And the wolf. And just about everyone. Sigh. Oh, how I enjoyed this.
There is magic in this book. And it is amazing. It reminded me a little bit about The Thickety, which I loved. But at the same time it was very different from it. Which made me happy. Because I love both books now, hih. Anyway. The magic. It speaks. And it was a bit creepy. Yet all kinds of awesome. I really enjoyed reading about it. Though it did do some awful things. Sigh. But anyway. I found The Witch's Boy to be a beautiful book. Full of adventure, friendship and heartbreak. This book just made me so happy.
Though there was this one thing. And I cannot decide how I felt about it. Okay, fine, it broke my heart a little. So this small part will be spoilery. Just a warning. It is about the ending. First, I loved the ending. But. A whole year went by. And Áine and the wolf just left Ned. Then came back. And it broke my heart. Because he was so sad and dreaming about them and it broke my heart into a million pieces. Oh, I need a sequel. I need to read about Áine making up to Ned for leaving. And I might want some romance, hih.
Huge thank you to the publisher, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill for accepting my request to read and review The Witch's Boy early via NetGalley. <3 I'm so glad I got to read it. And I cannot wait for September to arrive, so that I can own it in hardcover as well. Because this book is gorgeous. And the story is stunning. I suggest that you all read it when it comes out. Or go request it on NetGalley. Because it is worth it. Despite my heartbreak about the ending, lol. It is such a beautiful story. I loved it a lot.
I'm not sure how to begin talking about this book. First I want to mention that the writing is beautiful. I really loved it. It made the story come alive for me. Then there are the characters. I adored reading about them all. Especially Ned. I loved that the book is told from many different point of views.
I just loved so much about this book. And I won't talk too much about it. Because it felt so short while I read it. And I don't want to say everything that happens. Just a few small things that I really adored. First, I really loved Ned. Though the beginning of the book.. it is heartbreaking. We learn that Ned had a twin; Tam. That he died when they were very young. He drowned. And we get to read that scene. And it was so sad and so real and I loved it to pieces. Then we get to know their mother, who is called Sister Witch. Because she kind of is a Witch. And I loved getting to know her a little too. She was awesome. But their dad. Sigh. I don't know. I liked him later in the book. In the beginning he just seems so broken. And I couldn't be sure whether he loved Ned or not. But I do know that he did. I do. And I did like him. For the most part.
Because you see. Life for Ned is not all that good. He has his mom and his dad. But he has no friends. It's been many years since Tam died. And his mother did something terrible. Yet also beautiful, because it kept Ned alive. But oh. So heartbreaking as well. Sniffs. Anyway. Ned cannot speak much, because he stutters. And he is very weak. And it is so heartbreaking. And everyone in the village is saying that the wrong boy survived the river that day. And it made me so angry and so sad. Yet it was amazing to read.
I just loved reading about Ned. He was such an amazing character. Such an adorable boy. Yet so broken. Sniffs. Though I wish we had gotten more about that. There just wasn't enough. Sigh. There is also a wolf in this book. And that was all kinds of awesome. I loved that wolf so much. Yet.. a few parts I found a bit heartbreaking. Sniffs. There is a bunch of mean things in this book. Mean people. Deaths. Heartbreak. But also friendship. There are many characters. Some I really hated. Just so you know :D
But then there was Áine. And oh, I really did love her. Though I was a bit unsure about her sometimes, as she seemed a bit cold. But we got to know her a little better and I started to like her a lot. I loved the starting of the friendship between her and Ned. It was sweet. But sniffs. I would have liked the book to be longer. I would have liked to get to see more of it. Sigh. But anyway. It was enough. Because Áine was an amazing character. As was Ned. And the wolf. And just about everyone. Sigh. Oh, how I enjoyed this.
There is magic in this book. And it is amazing. It reminded me a little bit about The Thickety, which I loved. But at the same time it was very different from it. Which made me happy. Because I love both books now, hih. Anyway. The magic. It speaks. And it was a bit creepy. Yet all kinds of awesome. I really enjoyed reading about it. Though it did do some awful things. Sigh. But anyway. I found The Witch's Boy to be a beautiful book. Full of adventure, friendship and heartbreak. This book just made me so happy.
Though there was this one thing. And I cannot decide how I felt about it. Okay, fine, it broke my heart a little. So this small part will be spoilery. Just a warning. It is about the ending. First, I loved the ending. But. A whole year went by. And Áine and the wolf just left Ned. Then came back. And it broke my heart. Because he was so sad and dreaming about them and it broke my heart into a million pieces. Oh, I need a sequel. I need to read about Áine making up to Ned for leaving. And I might want some romance, hih.
Huge thank you to the publisher, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill for accepting my request to read and review The Witch's Boy early via NetGalley. <3 I'm so glad I got to read it. And I cannot wait for September to arrive, so that I can own it in hardcover as well. Because this book is gorgeous. And the story is stunning. I suggest that you all read it when it comes out. Or go request it on NetGalley. Because it is worth it. Despite my heartbreak about the ending, lol. It is such a beautiful story. I loved it a lot.
September 18, 2014
Ned and his twin brother build a raft, but it is not seaworthy, and Tam dies. Ned survives only through Tam's soul and his mother's magic. But the villagers are convinced the wrong boy lived, especially because the experience left Ned without words. Meanwhile, practical Áine lives in the forest with her bandit father, who is being overtaken by a strange force.
THE WITCH'S BOY is a lovely book. Ned and Áine are both hugely likeable in different ways. Ned has had to struggle with himself his whole life, and struggling with an external force for once (magic) helps him gain better control of himself. Áine is super practical (it bears mentioning again), but hurt by her father abandoning her for greed. She's cold and reluctant to trust, but a good person to have on one's side. I quite enjoyed that their parents were a crucial part of the story. Ned's father and Áine's mother aren't mentioned much, but do have actual personalities. The Bandit King and Sister Witch are much bigger figures. Especially Sister Witch, whose moment of weakness sets most of the plot in motion. (But how could she let her other child die too?)
The mythology of the world is very interesting. There are nine Stones, three sources of magic - most gone from the world - , and wolves. There's a little provincial kingdom with a tough and benevolent queen, and a bigger, more worldly kingdom with a young tyrant. It all comes together quite smoothly, each bit having its place in a tale about the importance of words and of firmly doing good. And, well, I was a huge fan of the magic having a personality and voice of its own. The concept of it was not just interesting, but well executed.
There's a speech at the end that's a touch too didactic for me, but I think it is well suited to the middle grade age group. It's not so didactic as to be condescending. Much of the rest of the book isn't particularly subtle, but it is not like being hit over the head with the message either. It is just every present. THE WITCH'S BOY isn't quite a fairytale, but it has a bit of that atmosphere, with few extraneous details, a foreboding tone, and a logic that works more strongly for the story than the real world.
THE WITCH'S BOY is a terrific little fantasy. The violence is non graphic and most of the tyrant's cruelties are just hinted at, so I think this will appeal to the younger MG crowd as well as the older. The length and complexity do push it more towards the older side.
THE WITCH'S BOY is a lovely book. Ned and Áine are both hugely likeable in different ways. Ned has had to struggle with himself his whole life, and struggling with an external force for once (magic) helps him gain better control of himself. Áine is super practical (it bears mentioning again), but hurt by her father abandoning her for greed. She's cold and reluctant to trust, but a good person to have on one's side. I quite enjoyed that their parents were a crucial part of the story. Ned's father and Áine's mother aren't mentioned much, but do have actual personalities. The Bandit King and Sister Witch are much bigger figures. Especially Sister Witch, whose moment of weakness sets most of the plot in motion. (But how could she let her other child die too?)
The mythology of the world is very interesting. There are nine Stones, three sources of magic - most gone from the world - , and wolves. There's a little provincial kingdom with a tough and benevolent queen, and a bigger, more worldly kingdom with a young tyrant. It all comes together quite smoothly, each bit having its place in a tale about the importance of words and of firmly doing good. And, well, I was a huge fan of the magic having a personality and voice of its own. The concept of it was not just interesting, but well executed.
There's a speech at the end that's a touch too didactic for me, but I think it is well suited to the middle grade age group. It's not so didactic as to be condescending. Much of the rest of the book isn't particularly subtle, but it is not like being hit over the head with the message either. It is just every present. THE WITCH'S BOY isn't quite a fairytale, but it has a bit of that atmosphere, with few extraneous details, a foreboding tone, and a logic that works more strongly for the story than the real world.
THE WITCH'S BOY is a terrific little fantasy. The violence is non graphic and most of the tyrant's cruelties are just hinted at, so I think this will appeal to the younger MG crowd as well as the older. The length and complexity do push it more towards the older side.
May 13, 2019
Kelly Barnhill po raz kolejny po „Dziewczynce, która wypiła księżyc” udowadnia, że jest mistrzynią współczesnych baśni dla dzieciaków mniejszych i większych w „Synu wiedźmy”, opowieści o magii, o stracie, o poświęceniu.
To nie jest przypadek, że poprzednia powieść autorki została okrzyknięta współczesnym klasykiem oraz obsypana wieloma nagrodami, w tym prestiżowym Medalem Johna Nebery’ego za wybitny wkład w amerykańską literaturę dziecięcą. Kelly Barnhill nie boi się w swoich opowieściach poruszać tematów trudnych, bolesnych, uznawanych powszechnie za traumatyczne, trochę na modłę Braci Grimm. O ile ich zbiór tradycyjnych legend i baśni był raczej spisany ku przestrodze, to amerykańska autorka pokazuje dzieciakom, że świat po stracie, skąpany w smutku i rozpaczy może być kanwą dla czegoś dobrego i pięknego. Każdy ma swój początek, swoją legendę, a tylko od nas zależy, czy poddamy się zawczasu, czy ruszymy ku wielkiej przygodzie jaką jest życie.
Dorosłych czytelników „Syn wiedźmy” zaskoczy bezprecedensowym okrucieństwem przedstawionego świata, tak odmiennym od przesłodzonych, cukierkowych obrazków, jakimi popkultura karmi dzieci na co dzień. To świat pełen bólu, tęsknoty, niewypowiedzianych żali i rozpaczy. Kelly Barnhill na głos mówi o śmierci, o stracie, o żałobie. Magia jest w jej powieściach kapryśna, chaotyczna, jest jedynie narzędziem w rękach ludzi, a ludzie z natury kierują się skrajnymi emocjami. Ten świat niesie za sobą więcej smutków niż radości, a młodzi bohaterowie muszę odnaleźć jakoś swoje przeznaczenie.
Tym razem Kelly Barnhill unika postmodernistycznych wizji, nie obala schematów, jak w „Dziewczynce, która wypiła księżyc”, ale w „Synu wiedźmy” snuje piękną, podszytą smutkiem opowieść o dorastaniu, odpowiedzialności i przyjaźni w świecie, który często nie daje większego wyboru.
To nie jest przypadek, że poprzednia powieść autorki została okrzyknięta współczesnym klasykiem oraz obsypana wieloma nagrodami, w tym prestiżowym Medalem Johna Nebery’ego za wybitny wkład w amerykańską literaturę dziecięcą. Kelly Barnhill nie boi się w swoich opowieściach poruszać tematów trudnych, bolesnych, uznawanych powszechnie za traumatyczne, trochę na modłę Braci Grimm. O ile ich zbiór tradycyjnych legend i baśni był raczej spisany ku przestrodze, to amerykańska autorka pokazuje dzieciakom, że świat po stracie, skąpany w smutku i rozpaczy może być kanwą dla czegoś dobrego i pięknego. Każdy ma swój początek, swoją legendę, a tylko od nas zależy, czy poddamy się zawczasu, czy ruszymy ku wielkiej przygodzie jaką jest życie.
Dorosłych czytelników „Syn wiedźmy” zaskoczy bezprecedensowym okrucieństwem przedstawionego świata, tak odmiennym od przesłodzonych, cukierkowych obrazków, jakimi popkultura karmi dzieci na co dzień. To świat pełen bólu, tęsknoty, niewypowiedzianych żali i rozpaczy. Kelly Barnhill na głos mówi o śmierci, o stracie, o żałobie. Magia jest w jej powieściach kapryśna, chaotyczna, jest jedynie narzędziem w rękach ludzi, a ludzie z natury kierują się skrajnymi emocjami. Ten świat niesie za sobą więcej smutków niż radości, a młodzi bohaterowie muszę odnaleźć jakoś swoje przeznaczenie.
Tym razem Kelly Barnhill unika postmodernistycznych wizji, nie obala schematów, jak w „Dziewczynce, która wypiła księżyc”, ale w „Synu wiedźmy” snuje piękną, podszytą smutkiem opowieść o dorastaniu, odpowiedzialności i przyjaźni w świecie, który często nie daje większego wyboru.
May 5, 2022
Câu chuyện thì ổn nhưng cách viết lại không có nhiều cuốn hút. Mình đã hơi kỳ vọng quá rồi. Bản thân câu chuyện lại khá đen tối đến mức đọc xong mình không rõ là có phải sách cho thiếu nhi không nữa.
August 15, 2025
Loved it! Great book for advanced elementary school students. I hope my kids read this someday.
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