Bridget Bramble and the Wandering Elf

Chronicles of Oakenwald #1

by Aurora Springer

Fantasy quest and romance. A young witch escapes the destruction of her home and embarks on a perilous quest for the fabled land where elves and humans live in peace. In a land threatened by cruel invaders from the east, Bridget Bramble lives in a small village where she barters herbs and carved buttons. When marauders target her village and murder her family, she flees into the woods. Armed with her Granny’s advice and a bag of magic buttons, she sets out on the perilous journey to Oakenwald, the fabled land where elves and men live in harmony. On her journey through the wilderness, she encounters malicious creatures from the worst kind of folktale.Lost in the foothills of the mountains, Bridget meets the elf, Windswift the Wanderer. He offers to guide her across the mountain range. But what is the elf doing in human lands? Can an ordinary, or almost ordinary, human girl trust a cold hearted elf to lead her to safety? This story weaves elements of folklore in a quest for a safe haven in a world where magic is real and dangerous.

Genres: Fantasy

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2021

About the author

Aurora Springer is a scientist morphing into a novelist. She has a PhD in molecular biophysics and discovers science facts in her day job. She has invented adventures in weird worlds for as long as she can remember. In 2014, Aurora achieved her life-long ambition to publish her stories. Her works are character-driven romances set in weird worlds described with a sprinkle of humor. Some of the stories were composed thirty years ago. She was born in the UK and lives in Atlanta with her husband, a dog and two cats to sit on the keyboard. Her hobbies, besides reading and writing, include outdoor activities like gardening, watching wildlife, hiking and canoeing.

Reviews

[Soha Amer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bridget Bramble and the Wandering Elf feels like stepping into a soft, magical world where adventure and comfort exist side by side.

The story has a very cozy fantasy vibe—light, whimsical, and full of gentle moments. Bridget is a relatable and grounded character, and her journey alongside the wandering elf adds a sense of curiosity and discovery that keeps things engaging.

The world-building is simple but effective, making it easy to visualize without feeling overwhelming. It’s more about the journey and the characters than intense action, which gives it that warm, almost fairytale-like feel.

If you enjoy quiet adventures, magical settings, and character-driven stories, this is a really pleasant and comforting read.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good story.

I admit that fantasy is rarely on my to-read-list. Despite that, I'm so glad I read this book.

Springer does a marvelous job of making Bridget (female MC) a sympathetic character. Within the first couple of pages, I was invested, rooting for her.

Bridget's village is invaded, people killed, remains pillaged. She manages to avoid capture, and then sets off on a journey over the mountains to find her grandparent's people who live peacefully among the elves. It's a frightening journey, filled with danger. Along the way, she meets Windswift, the 'wandering elf.'

The story is not overreaching or complex, which I liked. The magic does not ever reach a point where I felt like it was one of the characters . The descriptive writing was enough, but not so much that it forces the reader to slog through it. The characters are likable. The world-building is intriguing. And the bonus, for me, at the end of the story was realizing that it's the first in a series.

I look forward to the second book.

[Glenna Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet read I enjoyed very much

A very sweet story with adventure, evil men and monsters. The story kept me spell bound and eager to read more of Bridges her Elf.