A Witch Alone

The Apprentice Witch #2

by James Nicol, Daniela Terazzini (Illustrator)

Arianwyn Gribble is back!

During an eventful holiday in Kingsport, Arianwyn is recruited for an important mission: to retrieve the Book of Quiet Glyphs from its hiding place in the Great Wood.

But as she returns home to Lull, feyling refugees gather outside the town walls and hex plagues the forest. As tensions lead to fall-outs with her friends, town squabbles and magical mishaps, Arianwyn faces a sobering truth: she alone can find the Book, and wield its secrets ...

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Magic, Witches, Fiction, Adventure, Childrens

368 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2018

About the author

I always knew I wanted to write the kind of fantasy novel I had escaped into as a child, somewhere that felt safe and filled with characters that did brave things and had lots of fun at the same time. But I wanted the magic in my book to be part of the world, not a secret, and I wanted to see what happened after a witch was trained and was sent out into the world to work. When I was thinking about all this, one day I got a really clear image of a scene for the book – I wrote it all down as quickly as I could and then thought, now what happens next ...

James Nicol has loved books and stories his whole life. As a child he spent hours absorbed in novels, watching epic 1980s cartoons or adventuring in the wood at the bottom of the garden searching for dragons and witches. He has worked in bookshops and libraries and now spends all his spare time writing! He lives near the city of York in a house with too many books and too many musical instruments with his husband and daughter and a black and white cockapoo called Bonnie.

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

There needs to be a category just of "cozy fantasy" just for this book. A young witch solves problems. It's charming and I loved it.

[The Librarian Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely (and very much looked forward to) return to the charming little town of Lull.
I've been missing Arianwyn, Salle, Bob, and all the others (Apart from Gimma. I definitely didn't miss Gimma) for well over a year now and I was DYING to go on another adventure with them!

And I was not disappointed.

It's still the same, magical, enchanting world that I remember and fell in love with.
The characters are all still fantastic and feel like old friends. The adventures were just as enjoyable and fun! The magic was still as mysterious and interesting.

I will say, however, that this installment of the series does feel like more of a set-up for the next book rather than a complete story in its own right.
While not necessarily a bad thing, this does mean that we don't yet get to see the conclusion of some story arcs and will have to wait until the third book to find out what is actually happening with a lot of the plot lines that were started in this one.

Don't let this put you off though!

The story definitely keeps you hooked throughout the book and this whole series has charm and adventure in the bucket-loads!
Its the perfect book to snuggle up with under a blanket with a cosy cup of tea, no matter what age you are.

The whole of the world that James Nicol has created here just makes my heart so warm and full!

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go distract myself from the fact that I now most likely have to wait another whole year for the next book!
*sigh*

[Kat Drennan-Scace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so cozy! While there are dark threatening things in the world, there is also hot chocolate and nice hot baths :) While I didn’t find this one as compelling as book #1, it was still enjoyable and I’m looking forward to the next one, especially as there are lots of unanswered questions!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutley magical! I completely love this series! I love the plot, the little magical details, the cover art - everything.

[pati · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope book three is in the works!

[Hydre Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Segundas partes siempre son más complicadas de escribir. A destacar:
-TODOS los personajes importantes son FEMENINOS. Y no son 'enemigas' entre ellas. Lo especifico porqué normalmente cuando en un producto literario hay protagonismo de mujeres, se nos presenta como enemigas entre nosotras, por suerte este no es el caso

-SORORIDAD: todos los personajes femeninos se ayudan entre ellos, sin maldad y sin competir.

-No hay relación romántica: gracias, James Nicol!

-Arianwyn es un personaje empático, te alegras cuando le pasan cosas buenas y te entristece cuando se las hacen pasar cautas.

-Tiene la dulzura y la magia de los cuentos que me explicaban de pequeña.

-La forma de escribir del autor es muy muy tierna.

Pese a que esta segunda parte no tiene tanta acción como la primera, si que sirve como previa al tercer libro de la saga, que me da en la nariz, va a ser un bombazo. Siempre se agradece cuando un autor hace sagas de calidad sin caer en estereotipos de género. Sin duda, es un libro que me gustaría que leyesen mis hijas, además, Arianwyn es una buena referencia como personaje femenino, y esto es lo precisamente en un mundo tan masculinizado necesitamos con urgencia.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this universe and the writing here. It’s so full of magic and whimsy and joy. Nicol manages to portray a basically perfect middle grade world in my opinion, just the right balance of everything.
I still love Wyn and Salle, their friendship is lovely. I also love that we see it wobble here a bit, as real life isn’t all perfect friends all the time. There was not enough Bob in this book for me though ;)
My only real niggle about this book is that nothing really happens. This sounds more major than it is, I adore the world so much I seriously still wanted to give it 4.5 stars 😂. The whole book has lots of little things happening but it feels like the set up to the next book, and there’s no real resolution to the things we learn about hex, the spells or even Gimma. However apparently the next book is written so fingers crossed for a quick release!! Hehe.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Arianwyn and this lived up to my expectations. There must be more but I'm not sure how I will manage the wait

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an idyllic readers world, you get to read a trilogy in order. If you borrow books from libraries, sometimes you are faced with a dilemma of reading Book 2 before Book 1. It's the true test of a fantasy writer, if they can take you in, fill you in on the back story without spoilers and entangle you in an adventure that you feel part of, even having missed out on the first.

Fear not if you are coming to Book 2 without Book 1 and wondering if these can be read out of order. James Nicol crafts such a beautiful story that you can jump right in and be equally as beguiled as anyone who has followed our young witch Arianwyn's adventures from the beginning, in The Witch's Apprentice.

For me, A Witch Alone is one of those nurturing fantasies. Even without knowing the first book, I already want a job at The Spellorium. I would have loved a grandma with a bookshop. I'd jump at chance to drink too many hot chocolates with Arianwyn, Salle and Colin. To tickle the ears of Bob, the Moon Hare and feed him his favourite biscuits. I would fly miles on a broomstick just to see the gentle herd of qered grazing in the twilight - to catch a single note of their call to each other, just outside the walls of the cobblestone streets of Lull. James Nicol is an alternative world builder!

Embedded in a tale of magic, reality bites like a Snotling with the complications of friendships, trusting others, feeling so very alone when you are surrounded by people, the weight of expectations from adults, the creeping dark that threatens from both inside and outside, and the constant tension Arianwyn feels between doing what feels right and knowing if it is good.

Arianwyn faces battles with the darkest of spirit creatures and because she has a beautiful, gentle core, her compassion becomes part of the conflict in performing her duties as a witch. She is learning her craft and her language (glyphs that conjur spells) and sometimes that may mean breaking the rules to stay true to her heart. This gets her in a bit of bother.

Make sure you have lots of snacks on hand, as the mentions of jam and marmalade, scones, buttered toast and countless cups of tea and hot chocolate sessions might have your tummy rumbling quite a bit.

I can't wait to read the final in the trilogy - A Witch Come True!

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in The Apprentice Witch series and I just loved this story and can't wait to read the next book. The story continues to follow Adrianwyn and now that she has her star, she is a qualified witch. The High Elder summons her after seeing her quick action at the King's Parade and asks her to go on a mission into the Great Woods. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I have to say that the Hex is starting to take over! I highly recommend this book as well as the first book of the series to everyone especially around the Autumn/Halloween season.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great pleasure to return to Lull again in this sequel of The Apprentice Witch. Aryanwin is now a fully-fledged witch but she has never been so alone. Everyone expects too much from her and she doesn't receive a lot of recognition for everything she is doing. I really loved the first book and was waiting to discover more magic, magical creatures and adventure in this second book and this is exactly what I found. The only reason I cannot give a 5 is because I was waiting for a bit more content, there are really not enough things happening and even if I suppose it was a choice, I really didn't like how the book ended in the middle of nowhere. Guess I will just have to wait another year for the next one!

[Lucía Cafeína · Rating 5 out of 5]

Necesito que todo el mundo lea estos libros: Arianwyn #1 fue precioso y mágico, pero es que esta segunda parte no se ha quedado atrás, con una trama que engancha sin remedio, y unos personajes adorables, no hay ni uno solo al que no me gustaría achuchar.
Encima, resulta completamente adictivo, por cómo Arianwyn y sus compis van evolucionando, y también por todo el tema de la magia, del maleficio, el misterio... buf, me ha mantenido en ascuas de principio a fin, ¡qué estupendo!
Ahora a sufrir hasta que pueda leer el tercero porque ¡madre mía!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

At last Arianwyn’s gifts are appreciated but now she is under huge pressure to save Lull. Fallings out with her friends leave her isolated in her quest to find the Book of Quiet Glyphs and unlock its secrets.
A fabulous follow up to The Apprentice Witch, the excitement is intensified as we learn more about the world Arianwyn lives in and what is at stake as well as getting to know all our favourite characters better. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Fiebre Lectora · Rating 5 out of 5]

La trama resulta más oscura, más peligrosa, con la magia corrompida que encontramos en el Gran Bosque, y todas sus consecuencias, y los momentos peligrosos por los que tienen que pasar los protagonistas, pero no pierde su esencia, y los personajes, que evolucionan y nos muestran nuevos aspectos que desconocíamos, nos hacen querer achucharlos incluso si no son tan "buenos" como parecería.
Reseña completa: http://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/202...

[ECL · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the first Apprentice Witch book. Sadly, many of the plot points and decisions people make in this sequel seem to have been introduced only for the sake of bringing back old characters, and are deeply implausible. The author would have done better to move things on by introducing new characters.

[Billie · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are cute and enjoyable, but often lacking in originality. This one had more than a few shades of Bedknob and Broomstick, tossed with a bit of Diana Wynne Jones and a Miyazaki film. None of this is a bad thing, just an attempt to explain why I didn't rate it higher.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable and easy to read.

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s silly how embarrassed I am to admit how much I liked this book! Can’t wait to get my hands on book 3

[Loang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 7 out of 10

This was a wonderful, cozy and charming story! I enjoyed every single second of it and it managed to warm my heart. I thought it was much better than the first installment (something really rare!) but it still kept all the elements that made the previous book so fun to read.

Something I love about Arianwyn is that even if she can be silly at times or say the wrong things, you can tell she's got a geniunely good heart. She has an adorable sort of innocence that makes her character special and absolutely perfect to be the protagonist of this story in particular.

She wasn't the only character I loved, of course! I'm quite fond on Salle and I adored that her friendship with Arianwyn was strengthened in this book! This sequel also made me appreciate Colin a lot more than before, as he's definitely grown on me after this!

However, between all of the characters that appeared in this book, there was one who truly stood out: Gimma. During the first book she was, for most of the plot, the sterotypical blonde mean girl, but the end of that book showed that she was a lot more than that. And this sequel demonstrated it! She's, in my opinion, the character with the most depth and one I'm highly interesting on finding more about!

The relationship between her and Arianwyn was one of this book's greatest strengths. They started out as rivals who decidedly hated each other to death, but as the story progressed they developed a classmate-like bond and later on even something resembling of a friendship!

Because these books are pretty calm on nature, I found the attempt of an overarching plot a bit underwhelming. The stakes, which were between the lowest I've seen in the genre, were often exaggerated in order to create a tension that really wasn't there.

The plot itself was ok. There were some twists, but they were quite forgettable. Nothing remarkably original nor too cliche that it would be worth mentioning. I remember some tense scenes (exciting even!) but this is not the book for someone who's coming for a wild ride of adrenaline.

What this installment (and this series in general) does surprisingly well, though, is the atmosphere. Lull feels as home to the reader just as much as it does to Arianwyn. Even if underdeveloped, the background characters all feel like neighbors anyone could have, and you grow to care about them, even if only a little bit.

Overall, A Witch Alone is what it claims to be, no more and no less. A young witch solves problems in a little town, some dark events may occur but the tone remains light most of the time. It's a great break from the much more common ambitious stories that usually dominate the fantasy genre. There is no romance (a pleasant surprise for me!) and no world-in-danger, which makes it perfect for someone who wants to try something different from epic fantasy or just wants something sweet to read!

I would be lying if I said that I'm "dying" to read the next (and last!) book of the series, but I know for sure that it'll be entertaining to no end!

[Anthony Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the second book of James Nicol’s witchy series he’s achieved that rare thing: he’s created a sequel that’s even better than The Apprentice Witch! The prose is jovial and flows like a fast-paced river, so much so I didn’t even realise that – on starting to read it – I’d got to page 180 in one sitting. I was thoroughly engrossed in Arianwyn’s latest adventure in Lull.

Now that young witch Arianwyn has graduated to become the “girl with a star” (meaning she is a fully qualified witch), this new story moves her world onwards and ramps up the stakes of the kind of dreadful, dark magic she now has to deal with. The Great Wood is infected with hex, which is creeping towards the town she loves and protects (Lull) and the only way to stop it is if she works with her friends Salle, Colin, Miss Dellafield and the enigmatically light-dark Gimma.

Given a mission by the High Elder, Arianwyn battles the dark hex and many nasty critters and creatures along the way, as she goes in search of a book of magical Glyphs held by the Feyling creatures (including her old blue friend from the first book in this series, Estar). There are struggles, self-enlightenment, action galore and some incredibly tense moments in this story.

One moment that was unbearably tense to read (for which I have to congratulate James and his brilliant writing on achieving), involved a hex-infected stagette. I won’t spoil the scene, but suffice to say: make sure you have enough fingernails to bite down on for this scene as I haven’t read anything quite so dramatic in ages!

Throughout the book, it is clear that the threat from the hex and other dark forces are rising and that A Witch Alone is expanding Arianwyn’s character and the world she lives in. The book deftly takes us on a widening journey, leading to the culmination of Arianwyn discovering she is a much better and more special witch than she believes and that there is a bigger fight coming soon.

I will say I felt the book’s end was a little abrupt, but I guess the reason for this is because book three is coming and Arianwyn and her pals are about to embark on far more adventures (the old adage “keep them wanting more” applying here). Aside from this small point, it was good Arianwyn discovered something mysterious and magical of herself at the end, and that James has managed to return us to Arianwyn’s world effortlessly with A Witch Alone. I felt like I was walking, running, leaping, eating and casting spells around the streets of Lull and in the woods with her as the book jaunted along.

I also loved the fact that, I’ve never read a book - since Alice in Wonderland – that has its characters eat so much cake, and drank so many hot chocolates and cups of tea. It made me feel hungry and cosy and warm inside, helping bring Arianwyn’s world to life even more. Fantastic job James – can’t wait for book three!

[Mr. Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such a joy to return to the wonderful world and characters James Nicol has created in this follow on from The Apprentice Witch.

A Witch Alone gives you the warm feeling you get when you step into one of your favourite classic children's stories like the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe or The Secret Garden. The story offers a host of brave and intelligent female characters who are a wonderful to spend time with and span the generations from the young witch Arianwyn to her wonderful Grandmother and many others besides (which gives a feel of Call the Midwife except with witches!). There are some brilliant new magical creatures to discover too and some scary moments to keep us on our toes.

A Witch Alone is an enchanting magical read. I can't wait for book three!

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arianwyn is a full witch with unique talents in shadow magic. While dark beings from the void seem to be escaping all over the land, witches everywhere are busy rescuing their wards from these dangerous creatures. While visiting Kingsport, Arianwyn saves the king from a creature, which catches the eye of the High Elder of the witches. Arianwyn's connections to feyling make her the perfect witch to find a book of quiet glyphs from the feyling capital. She is given this secret assignment, but soon finds that sabotage in the Dark Wood near her home village of Lull has caused a hex to spread throughout the wood, the habitat for many creatures of light. Arianwyn has to make difficult choices and her relationship with her apprentice Gimma is strengthened as they work together to protect Lull.

A refreshingly simple story about a good witch. While there is darkness, Arianwyn is a delightful person and the tone of this series is so much more lighter than much middle grade fare these days. I noticed another reviewer called this a cozy mystery, which is a perfect description.

Upper elementary/middle grade

[Kim Mento · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Apprentice Witch series. Arianwyn finds herself in the middle of a parade battling magical creatures. This attracts the attention of the Elder Witch, who has a special quest for her. Now Arianwyn has to battle the hex, find a friend, deal with Gimma, and take care of the Spellorium while trying to follow the directions from the Elder Witch.

In our library F NICOL.

[American Mensa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel A Witch Alone is the sequel to Apprentice Witch by James Nicol. The novel has three hundred six pages and starts with the young witch, Airianwyn Gribble enjoying her short vacation in Kingsport and coming back to her hometown, Lull. As it turns out, Lull is in a mess after magical creatures started appearing and causing trouble. Airianwyn is needed by residents of Lull pouring in through her magic shop's door and arguing about who needs her help the most. The novel has many interesting characters, including the mayor's daughter, Gimmina, Salle, Colin, and Airianwyn's moon hare, Bob. The theme of the book is magic, bravery, friendship, and a little about family because that is a large sum of what Airianwyn needs during her adventures throughout the book. It also has a very interesting plot, and someone who likes fantasy books might like this book. I would rate this book 5 stars and recommend it for ages nine through eleven.
review by Aubrey L., age 10, Greater NYC Mensa

[Sarah Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a fantastic mix of being sweet and charming, yet full of tension and mystery!

The magic system is really interesting, and the characters are fantastic!

This book feels cosy, quirky, quintessentially English and yet full of magic, mystery and a little bit of darkness and deceit!

[DG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit slow, but it gets interesting in the last few chapters

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Lull and (most of) its inhabitants. Another magical tale and now another year to wait for the next visit. *sigh*

[Alvaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful listen! I can't wait for the third.

[John Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic adventure in Lull. I've been Enchanted!