I’ll admit that, until I started reading, the magic – and the mentions of “witch lit” I’d noticed on social media – did worry me just a little. But that was so very wrong of me – this book was simply wonderful. The magic is all wrapped up with family and relationships – all done in a lovely natural matter-of-fact way, and totally believable. And I can’t believe I just said that – but by the time I reached the end of this beautiful story, I was more than happy to accept the existence of witches, spells sustained by candles, magic wands, travelling distances in the blink of an eye and so much more. It helped a lot that Sky shared my early scepticism – unexpectedly finding herself running sister Star’s magic supplies shop, learning about the three types of customers (such a lovely touch!) and their purchases, discovering the power of crystals and candles, and that all wands aren’t necessarily black with a white tip.
And as well as being a story about a family and their secrets, this is a rather lovely romance too – I loved the developing relationship between Sky and Jethro, his sadness and the loss of his writing ability (and of fantasy too – what a great idea), their lunches at the shop, and the preparations for the Christmas magic show were just wonderful. I loved Sky’s chaotic but loving family, the relationships wonderfully drawn – and I very much liked Castor and his part in the story. But the undoubted star has to be Belle, the characterful little black cat who decides that the shop is where she wants to be, and who draws together and walks through so many of the story’s threads.
There was nothing I didn’t love about this book. The writing is excellent – I really liked the characters and their interactions, the gentle humour, the moments of drama and disagreement, and the whole structure and concept of the lovely story. Sharon Booth is a natural storyteller, and I was totally caught up in the web she wove through to the final page. And I really must mention the vividly drawn setting – Castle Clair is based on Knaresborough, which I know very well, and I really liked the way she used details I recognised, infused them with all the tastes and smells of Christmas and then added a sprinkle of real magic. A very special book, and despite its Christmas content, one that you could enjoy every bit as much as I did at any time of the year. I’m already looking forward to my next visit to Castle Clair…