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Familiar Magic #1
Familiars and Foes: A Contemporary Witchy Fiction Novella
An old crush. A long-lost family member. A magical Labrador and a whole load of ghosts... At least Adeline can't say life is boring!
Adeline yearns for family, but for years, the closest she's gotten is her assistance dog, Coco.
When a frightening encounter with a ghost brings an old friend back into her life, it seems like Adeline's about to find the companionship she's been missing.
But her crush might have to wait. As the ghost's smoky presence increases around Wellington, Adeline feels its hold on those around her tightening dangerously.
Will Adeline figure out the source of the ghostly smoke, or will her chance at happiness go up in flames?
NZ$1 from the sale of each copy of Familiars and Foes will go to Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust to support their valuable work.
Adeline yearns for family, but for years, the closest she's gotten is her assistance dog, Coco.
When a frightening encounter with a ghost brings an old friend back into her life, it seems like Adeline's about to find the companionship she's been missing.
But her crush might have to wait. As the ghost's smoky presence increases around Wellington, Adeline feels its hold on those around her tightening dangerously.
Will Adeline figure out the source of the ghostly smoke, or will her chance at happiness go up in flames?
NZ$1 from the sale of each copy of Familiars and Foes will go to Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust to support their valuable work.
180 pages, Paperback
Published October 29, 2020
About the author
Helen Vivienne Fletcher
30 books33 followersHelen Vivienne Fletcher wrote her first novel between the ages of thirteen and sixteen. It is, by several accounts, one of the funniest novels ever written. It’s just a shame it was supposed to be a psychological thriller.
Helen has worked in many jobs, doing everything from theatre stage management to phone counselling. She discovered her passion for writing for children and young people while working as a youth support worker, and now helps children find their own passion for storytelling through her business Brain Bunny Workshops, which runs creative writing holiday programmes and afterschool classes.
She has written an impressive collection of books for everyone from preschoolers to adult readers. Her work has been both traditionally and independently published, and she has won and been shortlisted for numerous awards.
She lives in Wellington, New Zealand, with her disability assistance dog, Bindi.
Overall Helen just loves telling stories, and is always excited when people want to hear or read them.
Helen has worked in many jobs, doing everything from theatre stage management to phone counselling. She discovered her passion for writing for children and young people while working as a youth support worker, and now helps children find their own passion for storytelling through her business Brain Bunny Workshops, which runs creative writing holiday programmes and afterschool classes.
She has written an impressive collection of books for everyone from preschoolers to adult readers. Her work has been both traditionally and independently published, and she has won and been shortlisted for numerous awards.
She lives in Wellington, New Zealand, with her disability assistance dog, Bindi.
Overall Helen just loves telling stories, and is always excited when people want to hear or read them.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 3, 2021
Adeline yearns for family, but for many years, since the death of her parents when she was a teenager, the closest she's gotten is her assistance dog, Coco. Adeline can also see ghosts. She has seen them all her life, off to the side as she goes about her days, never interacting, but always there. So you can imagine how shocked she is when a ghost speaks to her in the supermarket. And then a particularly malevolent one attacks here in her own home. Adeline also suffers severe epileptic seizures and her reactions to things around her, and people's reactions to her are often tempered by the seizures, which can be extreme, and unexpected by all, except her beloved companion Coco.
But things in her life definitely take a turn after the ghosts start to interact with her, from the reaching out by a blind woman in the park, to the use of service dogs and a childhood friend who it turns out always wanted a closer relationship, creating some lovely hopeful, touching light where there's darkness, hanging like a heavy cloud over the city of Wellington, seemingly centred around Adeline and her home.
I've been lucky enough to read quite a few of Helen Vivienne Fletcher's YA styled novels now and I have to say she's become a firm favourite YA author. All of her stories revolve around the "other" and the way that difference can be particularly empowering. The depictions of other often include the supernatural or the offbeat but at the core there's always a real life difference to consider. None of them are preachy or overt in their messaging, all of them are perfect, for young girls in particular, who feel like they don't fit in (although boys would get a lot from these stories as well). Each one of them has been perfectly crafted, short and rich with detail, experience, emotion and opportunities for connection and FAMILIARS AND FOES follows that pattern perfectly.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
But things in her life definitely take a turn after the ghosts start to interact with her, from the reaching out by a blind woman in the park, to the use of service dogs and a childhood friend who it turns out always wanted a closer relationship, creating some lovely hopeful, touching light where there's darkness, hanging like a heavy cloud over the city of Wellington, seemingly centred around Adeline and her home.
I've been lucky enough to read quite a few of Helen Vivienne Fletcher's YA styled novels now and I have to say she's become a firm favourite YA author. All of her stories revolve around the "other" and the way that difference can be particularly empowering. The depictions of other often include the supernatural or the offbeat but at the core there's always a real life difference to consider. None of them are preachy or overt in their messaging, all of them are perfect, for young girls in particular, who feel like they don't fit in (although boys would get a lot from these stories as well). Each one of them has been perfectly crafted, short and rich with detail, experience, emotion and opportunities for connection and FAMILIARS AND FOES follows that pattern perfectly.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
April 5, 2024
Cute book
This was a very cute book. I loved the inclusivity of it. I seldom see anything written about anyone that is handicapped or suffering from medical issues without there being some catch or joke made about it. I really liked how the book planned out and the pacing was just about perfect. The romance was adorable and though the plot was a little confusing at times I still enjoyed the read.
This was a very cute book. I loved the inclusivity of it. I seldom see anything written about anyone that is handicapped or suffering from medical issues without there being some catch or joke made about it. I really liked how the book planned out and the pacing was just about perfect. The romance was adorable and though the plot was a little confusing at times I still enjoyed the read.
January 30, 2024
Great short story
Great short story,it has a lot of
twists and turns. I really enjoyed it alot. A fun read. Will read this author again.
Great short story,it has a lot of
twists and turns. I really enjoyed it alot. A fun read. Will read this author again.
October 30, 2020
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of the novel 'Familiars and Foes' by Helen Vivienne Fletcher. This book is nothing short of amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book for many reasons.
Firstly, Helen Vivienne Fletcher is an incredible author. Her writing is beautiful, clear and full of imagery. The characters all have a lot of depth and you feel like you're right there with them, experiencing the adventure and forming the same friendships.
'Familiars and Foes' follows Adeline (love the name!) and her discovery of her family history and how that is now impacting her present. It is such a great read. As well as this, I love the inclusion of Coco, Adeline's assistance dog, familiar and companion. As someone who has a service dog (specifically a mobility dog), I felt overjoyed to read of this representation. Not only that but reading about different capabilities, disabilities, etc. in such a positive light. It felt empowering to read this.
The story itself moved at a really good pace. As it all unravelled, there was suspense right to the final page. I loved all the surprises, but also all familiarity in the book. Reading about New Zealand, about dogs, disability, service dogs, etc. it was all amazing.
I highly, highly recommend you read 'Familiars and Foes' by Helen Vivienne Fletcher when it's released. It's something you feel happy reading, but also suspense, awe, and so much more. You will not regret reading this book!! It has a bit of everything, mystery, magic, romance, adventure, and of course, dogs!
Firstly, Helen Vivienne Fletcher is an incredible author. Her writing is beautiful, clear and full of imagery. The characters all have a lot of depth and you feel like you're right there with them, experiencing the adventure and forming the same friendships.
'Familiars and Foes' follows Adeline (love the name!) and her discovery of her family history and how that is now impacting her present. It is such a great read. As well as this, I love the inclusion of Coco, Adeline's assistance dog, familiar and companion. As someone who has a service dog (specifically a mobility dog), I felt overjoyed to read of this representation. Not only that but reading about different capabilities, disabilities, etc. in such a positive light. It felt empowering to read this.
The story itself moved at a really good pace. As it all unravelled, there was suspense right to the final page. I loved all the surprises, but also all familiarity in the book. Reading about New Zealand, about dogs, disability, service dogs, etc. it was all amazing.
I highly, highly recommend you read 'Familiars and Foes' by Helen Vivienne Fletcher when it's released. It's something you feel happy reading, but also suspense, awe, and so much more. You will not regret reading this book!! It has a bit of everything, mystery, magic, romance, adventure, and of course, dogs!
August 29, 2024
Adeline is twenty-six and lives in Wellington, New Zealand and since her parents’ sudden death, she has lived alone in her childhood home along with her Labrador assistant (Service) Dog, Coco due to uncontrolled epilepsy.
During one of their outings, Coco made a new friend, an assistant Dog named Lola and her seeing impaired, companion Clara. Seems Clara and Adeline may have more in common than they think as magic has brought them together to solve some serious ghostly home invasions. You see, Adeline has been seeing ghosts her entire life and for the first time, some are trying to communicate with her. Ghostly apparitions, assistant dogs that are familiars, and discovering she is a witch are just a few things going on in her life!
Along the way, Adeline discovered she isn’t so alone, and she discovers new family, reconnects with a long-lost friend, Hemi, who is also her secret crush, which stirs up old feelings bringing romance along for the ride.
This is a sweet story! And I love the fact that our protagonist has a disability and a familiar who just happens to be her Service animal! It’s a clever twist on a witchy/ghost tale and I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend it.
During one of their outings, Coco made a new friend, an assistant Dog named Lola and her seeing impaired, companion Clara. Seems Clara and Adeline may have more in common than they think as magic has brought them together to solve some serious ghostly home invasions. You see, Adeline has been seeing ghosts her entire life and for the first time, some are trying to communicate with her. Ghostly apparitions, assistant dogs that are familiars, and discovering she is a witch are just a few things going on in her life!
Along the way, Adeline discovered she isn’t so alone, and she discovers new family, reconnects with a long-lost friend, Hemi, who is also her secret crush, which stirs up old feelings bringing romance along for the ride.
This is a sweet story! And I love the fact that our protagonist has a disability and a familiar who just happens to be her Service animal! It’s a clever twist on a witchy/ghost tale and I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend it.
June 26, 2021
Adeline can see ghosts. She has watched them all her life, but has never interacted with them. So it comes as a shock when one speaks to her in the supermarket. That one, at least, seems harmless. A more malevolent spirit attacks her in her home. The situation escalates as that ghost draws power from other people in Wellington, casting a pall over the city.
With the help of friends both old and new, including another woman who helps her discover her powers as a witch, Adeline digs into her family history to uncover an old, and still unresolved, tragedy.
There’s a lot to like about this story: glimpses into the lives of two women—one blind, one with epilepsy—with service dogs/familiars, the cohesion of a “found” family, and a romance involving one of my favourite tropes (old friends to lovers).
With the help of friends both old and new, including another woman who helps her discover her powers as a witch, Adeline digs into her family history to uncover an old, and still unresolved, tragedy.
There’s a lot to like about this story: glimpses into the lives of two women—one blind, one with epilepsy—with service dogs/familiars, the cohesion of a “found” family, and a romance involving one of my favourite tropes (old friends to lovers).
November 13, 2020
Adeline has long felt very alone. Her epilepsy; the death of her parents when she was still a teenager, she felt a bit separate
Her assistance dog Coco has begun to change that. A seizure alert dog, Coco is a wise guide when working, and a playful sprite when not in harness.
The return of her long ago friend Hemi stirs up a variety of things too - including good goosebumps.
Confronted with long hidden family secrets, a vengeful spirit and unexpected powers, Adeline is on a journey- happily not alone.
The accepting help and giving help and caring seems to be a challenge for Adeline too
Sometimes challenges are a very good thing in the end, if hard along the way
Finding their way and growing with chosen family with supernatural overtones story
Her assistance dog Coco has begun to change that. A seizure alert dog, Coco is a wise guide when working, and a playful sprite when not in harness.
The return of her long ago friend Hemi stirs up a variety of things too - including good goosebumps.
Confronted with long hidden family secrets, a vengeful spirit and unexpected powers, Adeline is on a journey- happily not alone.
The accepting help and giving help and caring seems to be a challenge for Adeline too
Sometimes challenges are a very good thing in the end, if hard along the way
Finding their way and growing with chosen family with supernatural overtones story
December 23, 2025
I acquired this from a stuff your Kindle day, and I was pleasantly surprised by it. It's a solid witch cozy in which the main character has a service dog to help manage her epilepsy. I appreciate the representation of disabled people with service dogs, and I enjoyed the found-family aspect and ghost story mystery.
December 7, 2020
Such a unique idea with Adeline's familiar and the bond they share.
Always something new and surprising with Helen Vivienne Fletcher’s stories. Always beautifully told and captivating, with depth and characters you’d love to meet.
And what a cover! Stunning.
Always something new and surprising with Helen Vivienne Fletcher’s stories. Always beautifully told and captivating, with depth and characters you’d love to meet.
And what a cover! Stunning.
December 19, 2021
I found this book through the Jingle Spells anthology. It’s a quick read about the meaning of family starring Adey and her seizure-alert dog, Coco.
Love the realistic setting and the easy romance!
Love the realistic setting and the easy romance!
March 20, 2022
I really enjoyed this!
This is a new author for me and I am pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the read. It's a nice blend of mystic and mundane and it felt real.
This is a new author for me and I am pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the read. It's a nice blend of mystic and mundane and it felt real.
February 11, 2024
I usually do not leave reviews, but this book caught
my attention and keep it until the end.
I am a avid reader, and love all books
my attention and keep it until the end.
I am a avid reader, and love all books
April 29, 2024
My extended family
A lot of action, I think to get a .better insight. to this story I would have to read it again. It was interesting. I would read more stories my this author.
A lot of action, I think to get a .better insight. to this story I would have to read it again. It was interesting. I would read more stories my this author.
July 8, 2024
A bit too weird for me.
October 2, 2024
Entertaining
Neat little cozy Witchy mystery. I enjoyed reading it. Interesting magical talents and magical events. The ending really grabbed me.
Neat little cozy Witchy mystery. I enjoyed reading it. Interesting magical talents and magical events. The ending really grabbed me.
October 5, 2025
I picked up this book bc the cover reminded me of my yellow lab Bennet 🥹
Coco, the lab in the book is a service dog/familiar for the fmc who suffers from epilepsy. I couldn't believe the coincidence bc my lab also suffers from epilepsy. It was a cute, short witchy story, with an interesting magical element & mystery.
🖤YA Contemporary Fantasy
✨️Witchy Short Story
🖤A magical Labrador
✨️Ghosts
🖤Mystery
Coco, the lab in the book is a service dog/familiar for the fmc who suffers from epilepsy. I couldn't believe the coincidence bc my lab also suffers from epilepsy. It was a cute, short witchy story, with an interesting magical element & mystery.
🖤YA Contemporary Fantasy
✨️Witchy Short Story
🖤A magical Labrador
✨️Ghosts
🖤Mystery
October 31, 2020
Helen Vivienne Fletcher is an awesomely talented author! Everything I have read of hers is simply excellent, great characters, engaging plot, real page turners! This cozy is just as good.
Adeline lives a secluded life. She works and goes out in her small community but her closest family is her support dog. Since she was young, seeing ghosts was just part of her life. Normally they don't have much impact on her.
However when she not only sees but also, for the first time, hears a ghost, things quickly go bad for Adeline. It seems something evil is traveling through her town. Will Adeline be able to stop the spirit before permanent damage is done?
I was gifted a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Adeline lives a secluded life. She works and goes out in her small community but her closest family is her support dog. Since she was young, seeing ghosts was just part of her life. Normally they don't have much impact on her.
However when she not only sees but also, for the first time, hears a ghost, things quickly go bad for Adeline. It seems something evil is traveling through her town. Will Adeline be able to stop the spirit before permanent damage is done?
I was gifted a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
October 6, 2024
3.5⭐️ This was such a nice surprise. Cozy, well written prose. It’s short but didn’t feel that way (in a good way), as in, the story felt very full and engaging.
Great choice for a quick October witchy read.
Great choice for a quick October witchy read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews