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Anaïs Blue #0.5
The City of Shades
I am Anaïs Blue. Seventeen years of age. Trapped in the body of a five-year-old. And a witch.
You see, we grow differently to the rest of you guys. It kind of sucks, but It’s not all bad. At least I get to experiment on naturals like you.
If you were in London recently our paths may have crossed. Then your world probably looked a little strange for few hours.
My caretaker told me I should apologise. So, here goes…
Sorry!! :)
I’ve also been told I should explain myself. This short story should help clear it all up.
Before Amsterdam there was London. Follow Anaïs's magical mishaps in the city of shades. Painting a town purple was never so much fun.
The City of Shades is the prequel to the Anaïs Blue series. Volume 1 and 2 in the series out now. Available free for a limited time with Kindle Unlimited.
You see, we grow differently to the rest of you guys. It kind of sucks, but It’s not all bad. At least I get to experiment on naturals like you.
If you were in London recently our paths may have crossed. Then your world probably looked a little strange for few hours.
My caretaker told me I should apologise. So, here goes…
Sorry!! :)
I’ve also been told I should explain myself. This short story should help clear it all up.
Before Amsterdam there was London. Follow Anaïs's magical mishaps in the city of shades. Painting a town purple was never so much fun.
The City of Shades is the prequel to the Anaïs Blue series. Volume 1 and 2 in the series out now. Available free for a limited time with Kindle Unlimited.
ebook
First published October 18, 2017
4 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
P.J. Whittlesea
8 books46 followersP. J. Whittlesea is an author, blogger and singer-songwriter. Originally from Australia, he now lives in Amsterdam in The Netherlands.
His debut novel, LORELESS, released in July 2016, has been nominated for two Australian literature awards.
Upon completion of LORELESS, his children asked him to write something for them. His vivid imagination invented a witch with a twist. What began as a short story, developed into a full series of books which are not strictly only for children.
Books in the Anaïs Blue series:
THE CITY OF SHADES: Anaïs Blue Prequel
THISTLE WITCH: Anaïs Blue Book 1
DISCOVERING MAGIC: Anaïs Blue Book 2 A NEW SOURCE OF MAGIC: Anaïs Blue Book 3
A WITCH’S CALLING: Anaïs Blue Book 4
MAGIC AWAKES: Anaïs Blue Book 5
(Join the author's tribe of avid readers via his website and download your copy of the prequel to the series for free)
Out now:
BLIND SHIPMENT
The first book in a new thriller series about psychic detective Kurt Killan.
Visit him online and follow his writer's journey at PJWhittlesea.com, on twitter @PJWhittlesea, pinterest.com/pjwhittlesea and facebook.com/pjwhittlesea
His debut novel, LORELESS, released in July 2016, has been nominated for two Australian literature awards.
Upon completion of LORELESS, his children asked him to write something for them. His vivid imagination invented a witch with a twist. What began as a short story, developed into a full series of books which are not strictly only for children.
Books in the Anaïs Blue series:
THE CITY OF SHADES: Anaïs Blue Prequel
THISTLE WITCH: Anaïs Blue Book 1
DISCOVERING MAGIC: Anaïs Blue Book 2 A NEW SOURCE OF MAGIC: Anaïs Blue Book 3
A WITCH’S CALLING: Anaïs Blue Book 4
MAGIC AWAKES: Anaïs Blue Book 5
(Join the author's tribe of avid readers via his website and download your copy of the prequel to the series for free)
Out now:
BLIND SHIPMENT
The first book in a new thriller series about psychic detective Kurt Killan.
Visit him online and follow his writer's journey at PJWhittlesea.com, on twitter @PJWhittlesea, pinterest.com/pjwhittlesea and facebook.com/pjwhittlesea
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 19, 2017
This is the prequel to Complicated Blue and The Promptuary. Having read both these books, I was really looking forward to reading The City Of Shades, and the author didn't disappoint! Once again we follow the exploits of Anais Blue, the 17-year-old witch in a 5-year-old girl's body, as she creates havoc in London.
The book takes us inside Anais's mind as she tries to paint the town purple in her own unique way, dodging shades on the London buses and Underground, and generally getting into trouble. This is a fun story that will appeal to all ages, and introduce you to this brilliantly-written series if you haven't already come across it. I can't wait for the next instalment!
The book takes us inside Anais's mind as she tries to paint the town purple in her own unique way, dodging shades on the London buses and Underground, and generally getting into trouble. This is a fun story that will appeal to all ages, and introduce you to this brilliantly-written series if you haven't already come across it. I can't wait for the next instalment!
December 21, 2018
For a short story, it's cute even being an intro.
Anaïs Blue is a witch. Not one that you and I might assume, but an entity crammed in the body of a five year-old little girl. Yes, she's still a novice and is learning the ropes, but we're still not quite sure what her function is other than she must help shades, her term for ghosts, to cross over... I think. You can never be certain because she is so damn evasive.
Good thing I have KU because here is an excellent example of not wanting to risk $2.99 to determine if I want to spend the money on the series this story started. Right now, I am still debating. Maybe I'll KU the next one and see if it's worth it. I am looking for novel-length stories to amuse me while I recuperate, and I am sick and tired with indie writers writing novellas, thinking them to be superior to novels. (Sorry, folks, you cannot craft a story I'll like and will re-read because a very good story cannot be adequately developed in a short number of pages, and continuation of the same storyline in a subsequent book is criminal because it should had been included in the first volume!)
I didn't see any glaring editing errors – that surprised me. I will have to re-read it a little more slowly this time to determine the sanity in the insanity. That's the best way I can explain it. You read something completely brain-unhinged, trying to decipher anything from the inane. This is something that, if done well, is done exceptionally well. (Does that make any sense? That's what I mean!) That's really the overall effect this story has.
But Anaïs isn't happy being constantly restrained. Unfortunately, she finagles her benefactress to allow her some "personal time" so that she can explore prior to attending a land-breaking rock concert, and she concocts a ton of mischief while finding herself being attached by a shade who simply cannot be eluded. She tries her best, and with the help of a security guard named Carl, she plays around with her magic, only to cause her and her watcher trouble.
(heavy sigh)
Perhaps this is why our little anti-heroine Anaïs will have a change in scenery that brings her Amsterdam (oops! Spoiler alert! A little too late...) But we all knew she'd get in trouble for her efforts. There must be balance in all things, and she really messed up.
I guess we'll learn more in Book One. I would highly advise all to read this story first before exploring beyond. Who knows? You may be intrigued or you might be totally turned off. At least you had warning.
Anaïs Blue is a witch. Not one that you and I might assume, but an entity crammed in the body of a five year-old little girl. Yes, she's still a novice and is learning the ropes, but we're still not quite sure what her function is other than she must help shades, her term for ghosts, to cross over... I think. You can never be certain because she is so damn evasive.
Good thing I have KU because here is an excellent example of not wanting to risk $2.99 to determine if I want to spend the money on the series this story started. Right now, I am still debating. Maybe I'll KU the next one and see if it's worth it. I am looking for novel-length stories to amuse me while I recuperate, and I am sick and tired with indie writers writing novellas, thinking them to be superior to novels. (Sorry, folks, you cannot craft a story I'll like and will re-read because a very good story cannot be adequately developed in a short number of pages, and continuation of the same storyline in a subsequent book is criminal because it should had been included in the first volume!)
I didn't see any glaring editing errors – that surprised me. I will have to re-read it a little more slowly this time to determine the sanity in the insanity. That's the best way I can explain it. You read something completely brain-unhinged, trying to decipher anything from the inane. This is something that, if done well, is done exceptionally well. (Does that make any sense? That's what I mean!) That's really the overall effect this story has.
But Anaïs isn't happy being constantly restrained. Unfortunately, she finagles her benefactress to allow her some "personal time" so that she can explore prior to attending a land-breaking rock concert, and she concocts a ton of mischief while finding herself being attached by a shade who simply cannot be eluded. She tries her best, and with the help of a security guard named Carl, she plays around with her magic, only to cause her and her watcher trouble.
(heavy sigh)
Perhaps this is why our little anti-heroine Anaïs will have a change in scenery that brings her Amsterdam (oops! Spoiler alert! A little too late...) But we all knew she'd get in trouble for her efforts. There must be balance in all things, and she really messed up.
I guess we'll learn more in Book One. I would highly advise all to read this story first before exploring beyond. Who knows? You may be intrigued or you might be totally turned off. At least you had warning.
October 19, 2017
A lovely prequel to what is turning out to be a most delightful series and one of my favourites this year.
Anais is absolutely adorable and devious. Her essence is captured perfectly in this novella. Had I not already read the next books, I would immediately have hunted them down and taken a day off life to read about her adventures. That said, it is an intriguing and captivating read, but does not require you to have read the other two (so far) books in the series - this truly is a prequel, and as such can be read first.
The writing is, as usual from P.J. Whittlesea, flawless. Each character has their own flair, so perfectly captured on paper that they are almost tangible beings. I am enamoured of this book, and this series, and can not wait for more.
Anais is absolutely adorable and devious. Her essence is captured perfectly in this novella. Had I not already read the next books, I would immediately have hunted them down and taken a day off life to read about her adventures. That said, it is an intriguing and captivating read, but does not require you to have read the other two (so far) books in the series - this truly is a prequel, and as such can be read first.
The writing is, as usual from P.J. Whittlesea, flawless. Each character has their own flair, so perfectly captured on paper that they are almost tangible beings. I am enamoured of this book, and this series, and can not wait for more.
October 18, 2017
I love that this story is told from the viewpoint of Anais. Anais is 17 yrs. old in the physical body of a 5 yr. old, but that doesn't stop her in her quest to have some fun time. Who can blame her for wanting to use her skills to make things more interesting? The difficult part for her is dodging all the shades who want her attention and escaping the attention of her caregiver. This is a short, fun, and lighthearted story of a mischievous witch and the trouble she can get into. Who doesn't like a story that makes you laugh?
October 29, 2018
The City of Shades (The Good Witch Anais Blue #0.5) by P.J. Whitt.esea is the prequel to Complicated Blue and The Promptuary. I was given a copy and am voluntarily posting a review. This prequel gives great insight into Anais Blue and how she got started. Loved this book and all the Good Witch Anais Blue stories.
October 21, 2017
Anaïs is trapped in the body of a five year old. What a totally different concept for a story. Lots of havoc is wrecked in London. Just loved it and read for another story by this superb author. Received an ARC.
October 8, 2019
I love the world building in this series. It’s a refreshing change to all the ‘same same’ urban fantasies.
August 25, 2022
Delightful.
Anaïs Blue,a little witch that appears to be a five year old child, lives in London with Nan her guardian and manages to get into lots of mischief. This is a very good start to a series.
I received this as an ARC for review and found it an excellent introduction.
Anaïs Blue,a little witch that appears to be a five year old child, lives in London with Nan her guardian and manages to get into lots of mischief. This is a very good start to a series.
I received this as an ARC for review and found it an excellent introduction.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews