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Netherfeld Trilogy #1
Cauldron's Bubble
A magical bubble transports Alda through time and place to a realm of witches and curses, pirates and princes, and the lost worlds of Shakespeare. She, along with a cabin boy called Dreng, must navigate the conflicts and characters of Macbeth, Hamlet, and The Tempest. But will they escape with their lives? Or will they become lost and forgotten?
Imagine that Shakespeare's characters could interact off-stage and that their adventures could span beyond the bounds of the Bard's fiction: Hamlet deviously escapes from pirates who capture him on his way to England; Macbeth's witches perform their magic on unsuspecting victims; and a shadowy figure awakes from the backstory of The Tempest.
These stories and more come to life in Cauldron's Bubble as readers explore the worlds of Shakespeare's plays with an orphan girl named Alda and a cabin boy called Dreng, who each search for something lost.
Alda discovers a magical bubble that transports her to witches on a moor. Dreng, meanwhile, saves a prince. They are finally united on an enchanted island, where Alda is on a quest to free a magical being, and Dreng is smitten with a mysterious young woman. Ultimately, Alda must find power she gained in a forgotten realm to defeat a dreadful summoner, and Dreng must awaken to the realities around him before they are both consumed by magic.
Shakespeare experts and curious newcomers alike will enjoy these original adventures.
Imagine that Shakespeare's characters could interact off-stage and that their adventures could span beyond the bounds of the Bard's fiction: Hamlet deviously escapes from pirates who capture him on his way to England; Macbeth's witches perform their magic on unsuspecting victims; and a shadowy figure awakes from the backstory of The Tempest.
These stories and more come to life in Cauldron's Bubble as readers explore the worlds of Shakespeare's plays with an orphan girl named Alda and a cabin boy called Dreng, who each search for something lost.
Alda discovers a magical bubble that transports her to witches on a moor. Dreng, meanwhile, saves a prince. They are finally united on an enchanted island, where Alda is on a quest to free a magical being, and Dreng is smitten with a mysterious young woman. Ultimately, Alda must find power she gained in a forgotten realm to defeat a dreadful summoner, and Dreng must awaken to the realities around him before they are both consumed by magic.
Shakespeare experts and curious newcomers alike will enjoy these original adventures.
189 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2017
5 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Amber Elby
4 books41 followersAmber Elby was born in Grand Ledge, Michigan but spent much of her childhood in the United Kingdom. She began writing when she was three years old and created miniature books by asking her family how to spell every, single, word. Several years later, she saw her first Shakespearean comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, in London. Many years later, she studied Creative Writing at Michigan State University’s Honors College before earning her Master of Fine Arts degree in Screenwriting at the University of Texas at Austin. She currently resides in Texas with her husband and two daughters and spends her time teaching, traveling, and getting lost in imaginary worlds.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 15, 2019
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Fourteen-year-old Alda has just buried her beloved Grandmother who she lived with in a cottage on Seventh Island. Whilst sobbing at the kitchen table, the herbs that were sat on the table rearrange to spell the word ‘Cloak’. Alda jumps up and grabs her Grandmother’s cloak and searches it, finding a marble-sized iridescent sphere in one of the pockets.
Alda holds the sphere tight to herself and soon finds that she is sat on a ship in the middle of the sea watching a young boy, before reappearing back at the cottage. Alda learns that the sphere is a time-travelling device called ‘Cauldron’s Bubble’.
Over time Alda travels to some strange, inhospitable, and dangerous realms searching for her true self, one factor is always present though, the young boy she saw on the ship. Who is this young boy and what is their connection?
Cauldron’s Bubble is the first book is the Netherfeld Trilogy, all the other books in the series have been released. The story is told in the third person and follows Alda as she travels through time and goes on adventures dealing with witches, curses, pirates and much more.
The book has been artistically and very cleverly written. The author Amber Elby certainly studied hard to make the book as perfect as possible, especially when it came to the Shakespearean characters that make an appearance. It is also a great introduction to Shakespeare for young adults that are either studying the Bard’s plays or will be soon.
The tiny little issues I have with the book are that there are no illustrations throughout, which judging by the market the book is aimed at and the content I did expect and feel would make the book even more enjoyable. The other relates to my paperback copy in that the text was small and it was written on a pure white background which did hurt my eyes and meant I had to put the book down roughly every couple of chapters.
However, the above did not distract from the fact that the plot is most certainly fascinating and that this is a near-perfect debut that is exciting and keeps the reader on their toes the whole way through, it is also a fast-paced novel too meaning you’ll have to keep up with it!
Fourteen-year-old Alda has just buried her beloved Grandmother who she lived with in a cottage on Seventh Island. Whilst sobbing at the kitchen table, the herbs that were sat on the table rearrange to spell the word ‘Cloak’. Alda jumps up and grabs her Grandmother’s cloak and searches it, finding a marble-sized iridescent sphere in one of the pockets.
Alda holds the sphere tight to herself and soon finds that she is sat on a ship in the middle of the sea watching a young boy, before reappearing back at the cottage. Alda learns that the sphere is a time-travelling device called ‘Cauldron’s Bubble’.
Over time Alda travels to some strange, inhospitable, and dangerous realms searching for her true self, one factor is always present though, the young boy she saw on the ship. Who is this young boy and what is their connection?
Cauldron’s Bubble is the first book is the Netherfeld Trilogy, all the other books in the series have been released. The story is told in the third person and follows Alda as she travels through time and goes on adventures dealing with witches, curses, pirates and much more.
The book has been artistically and very cleverly written. The author Amber Elby certainly studied hard to make the book as perfect as possible, especially when it came to the Shakespearean characters that make an appearance. It is also a great introduction to Shakespeare for young adults that are either studying the Bard’s plays or will be soon.
The tiny little issues I have with the book are that there are no illustrations throughout, which judging by the market the book is aimed at and the content I did expect and feel would make the book even more enjoyable. The other relates to my paperback copy in that the text was small and it was written on a pure white background which did hurt my eyes and meant I had to put the book down roughly every couple of chapters.
However, the above did not distract from the fact that the plot is most certainly fascinating and that this is a near-perfect debut that is exciting and keeps the reader on their toes the whole way through, it is also a fast-paced novel too meaning you’ll have to keep up with it!
January 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. There’s a lot of great aspects to it including the plot, the characters, the use of Shakespeare, and the writing style.
Alda is not a witch, or so she says, but she is given a series of tasks by the weird sisters from Macbeth which includes travelling to Prospero’s island to rescue Ariel from Sycorax’s spell. However, when she gets there she finds that Ariel is already free and she is stuck on the island. The book is full of magic and wonder but it also has some good plot twists which keep you interested in the story. I did guess one of the plot twists but I was so happy that I was right that it didn’t spoil anything for me. I got a lot of satisfaction out of being right.
I liked the main character, Alda. She’s not perfect and she frankly has no idea what she’s doing most of the time. It was refreshing to see a protagonist that wasn’t amazing at everything she does. One of the other main characters is called Dreng and I liked him too. He’s young boy who is taught how to read by Prince Hamlet and washes up on Prospero’s island after a shipwreck. He changes his name to Ferdinand and falls in love with the beautiful Miranda but all is not as it seems. Dreng meets Alda at several times in his life but they don’t interact that much which surprised me but I’m sure they will in the sequels. He’s frustrating at times in his blind love for Miranda but it all makes sense in the end.
I love the fact that this is based around Shakespeare’s plays and Macbeth and The Tempest are two of my favourite plays. Elby does not simple retell the plays though, she also adds her own twists to the tales and uses the characters and settings for her own purpose. It’s an interesting take on Shakespeare and I was surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did since I work on Shakespeare. It’s fun and I loved how she used the stories. Hamlet did seem a little off to me but that’s just my opinion
I liked Elby’s writing style too. It was sharp and clear but it was full of wonderful description which transported you to Prospero’s island. She captures the voices of the weird sisters really well and they all blended into one voice, like they do in the play, even though they were distinct characters.
The ending was a bit abrupt for me but this is the first book in a trilogy so I’m assuming that the next book will pick up from where this one left off. It does leave you wanting more from the story though so that’s a good thing.
Alda is not a witch, or so she says, but she is given a series of tasks by the weird sisters from Macbeth which includes travelling to Prospero’s island to rescue Ariel from Sycorax’s spell. However, when she gets there she finds that Ariel is already free and she is stuck on the island. The book is full of magic and wonder but it also has some good plot twists which keep you interested in the story. I did guess one of the plot twists but I was so happy that I was right that it didn’t spoil anything for me. I got a lot of satisfaction out of being right.
I liked the main character, Alda. She’s not perfect and she frankly has no idea what she’s doing most of the time. It was refreshing to see a protagonist that wasn’t amazing at everything she does. One of the other main characters is called Dreng and I liked him too. He’s young boy who is taught how to read by Prince Hamlet and washes up on Prospero’s island after a shipwreck. He changes his name to Ferdinand and falls in love with the beautiful Miranda but all is not as it seems. Dreng meets Alda at several times in his life but they don’t interact that much which surprised me but I’m sure they will in the sequels. He’s frustrating at times in his blind love for Miranda but it all makes sense in the end.
I love the fact that this is based around Shakespeare’s plays and Macbeth and The Tempest are two of my favourite plays. Elby does not simple retell the plays though, she also adds her own twists to the tales and uses the characters and settings for her own purpose. It’s an interesting take on Shakespeare and I was surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did since I work on Shakespeare. It’s fun and I loved how she used the stories. Hamlet did seem a little off to me but that’s just my opinion
I liked Elby’s writing style too. It was sharp and clear but it was full of wonderful description which transported you to Prospero’s island. She captures the voices of the weird sisters really well and they all blended into one voice, like they do in the play, even though they were distinct characters.
The ending was a bit abrupt for me but this is the first book in a trilogy so I’m assuming that the next book will pick up from where this one left off. It does leave you wanting more from the story though so that’s a good thing.
January 27, 2025
Overall, I really enjoyed this. More than I thought I would. For those who are not all that in to Shakespeare, this works as a fun, fast paced story full of magic, tension and twists. Sometimes it felt a little too fast paced. I enjoy a slower burn, but that’s purely a personal preference thing. For those who are in to Shakespeare, well it’s all of the above and full of little nods (and sometimes massive winks) to the stories you probably love. I look forward to book 2 of the trilogy.
February 24, 2018
Alda's grandmother leaves her something curious, a cauldron's bubble. This artefact gives Alda the chance to travel through time and takes her to different realms. On her travels Alda keeps meeting a boy named Dreng. She first stumbles upon him on a ship when he's still quite young and thinks she'll never see him again. She has no idea who he is, but somehow their fates keep being merged.
Alda has to deal with evil witches, spells and old and new conflicts. She never knows where she'll end up and how she'll survive when she's there. Will she be able to navigate the strange and dangerous world she's now a part of? Alda has a lot to learn and she will make mistakes. How can she rescue herself and others if she doesn't know what she's capable of yet. Will she be able to find out who she is and what she can do?
Amber Elby skillfully combines the characters from Shakespeare's plays with a story about time traveling. I absolutely loved that combination. Alda runs into several different Shakespearian characters and I loved the role they play in the story. There are pirates, evil hags, dryads, bespelled women and much more. Every character is interesting and has something fascinating to contribute to the story, which captivated me from beginning to end.
The Shakespeare element of Cauldron's Bubble is amazing. I love Amber Elby's knowledge of his world and his characters. She takes their personalities and transforms them into something different, but she's keeping them authentic in a beautiful skillful way. That makes her story incredibly special. I loved being taken on a journey to different times and places, while still having a familiar element to hold on to. That combination really works. I highly recommend Cauldron's Bubble, it's entertaining, spellbinding and very well written.
Alda has to deal with evil witches, spells and old and new conflicts. She never knows where she'll end up and how she'll survive when she's there. Will she be able to navigate the strange and dangerous world she's now a part of? Alda has a lot to learn and she will make mistakes. How can she rescue herself and others if she doesn't know what she's capable of yet. Will she be able to find out who she is and what she can do?
Amber Elby skillfully combines the characters from Shakespeare's plays with a story about time traveling. I absolutely loved that combination. Alda runs into several different Shakespearian characters and I loved the role they play in the story. There are pirates, evil hags, dryads, bespelled women and much more. Every character is interesting and has something fascinating to contribute to the story, which captivated me from beginning to end.
The Shakespeare element of Cauldron's Bubble is amazing. I love Amber Elby's knowledge of his world and his characters. She takes their personalities and transforms them into something different, but she's keeping them authentic in a beautiful skillful way. That makes her story incredibly special. I loved being taken on a journey to different times and places, while still having a familiar element to hold on to. That combination really works. I highly recommend Cauldron's Bubble, it's entertaining, spellbinding and very well written.
February 18, 2018
This is a great YA novel that incorporates Shakespeare’s characters into the story! I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this trilogy.
April 2, 2018
I'm really glad my classmate told me about this book because I had never heard of it! I love fantasy books but am a slow reader, so this book was great for me because it felt like a fast read. I kept thinking 'one more chapter' and then reading three more because it has cliffhangers. It was exciting and had a lot of mystery, not murder mystery or anything but more like anticipation kind of mystery. I've only read Romeo and Juliet but didn't mind because I didn't feel like I was missing out on the Shakespeare stuff. I'd definitely recommend this to other high school students.
February 5, 2018
Short Spoiler Free Review (longer review below)
"A magical bubble transports Alda through time and place to a realm of witches and curses, pirates and princes, and the lost worlds of Shakespeare. She, along with a cabin boy called Dreng, must navigate the conflicts and characters of Macbeth, Hamlet and The Tempest. But will they escape with their lives? Or will they become lost and forgotten?"
(Young Adult / Magical / Mystery)
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two word review: truly mesmerising.
Ok, this book seriously had me gripped from the start. Elby has done an amazing job writing this book and I cannot praise her enough.
Now, in all honesty, this isn't something I would usually read but I just couldn't put it down after I'd started! Every part of this book is just magical and grabs at your curiosity. I think this is an amazing book that should be implemented in schools as a stepping stone to learn Shakespeare. It's a brilliant story that I truly enjoyed reading, I'd highly recommend it and I'm super excited for the sequel that is due out in a few months!
🚨 ALERT: SPOILERS BELOW: ALERT 🚨 -------------------------------------------------------
oh my god, this book! I just can't get over how mesmerising it was, I was totally hooked! The book focuses on two main characters, Alda & Dreng, who end up following this crazy magical adventure. Both stories are separate but they interlink through the whole book, honestly, Elby has done such an amazing job writing this book.
Alda made me feel like I was following the story with her, from start to finish, I was right there. Dreng Just kept me curious, and I still have un-answered questions about Dreng that I'm hoping will be answered in the next book.
The story is so fascinating and again, the way Elby has wrote it is amazing. I mean, years go by in the book, yet no time goes by at all? There's so much magic in the book and everything is so detailed that I felt like I shouldn't understand it all, but the way Elby has wrote it made sure I did understand it. It's really hard to explain but she just did an incredible job on the details in every aspect of the story.
There were so many twists and 'what's going to happen next', Elby kept you constantly curious. For example, when Alda keeps switching between worlds, why did she turn up on Drengs ship? What on earth did happen to Miranda?
I want to say a huge thank you to Amber Elby for sending me out this book to read and review. It was an absolutely amazing adventure and I would highly recommend it to anyone, of any age! As I mentioned above, this book should definitely be read in schools and I really think people will enjoy this book once they give it a chance.
"A magical bubble transports Alda through time and place to a realm of witches and curses, pirates and princes, and the lost worlds of Shakespeare. She, along with a cabin boy called Dreng, must navigate the conflicts and characters of Macbeth, Hamlet and The Tempest. But will they escape with their lives? Or will they become lost and forgotten?"
(Young Adult / Magical / Mystery)
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two word review: truly mesmerising.
Ok, this book seriously had me gripped from the start. Elby has done an amazing job writing this book and I cannot praise her enough.
Now, in all honesty, this isn't something I would usually read but I just couldn't put it down after I'd started! Every part of this book is just magical and grabs at your curiosity. I think this is an amazing book that should be implemented in schools as a stepping stone to learn Shakespeare. It's a brilliant story that I truly enjoyed reading, I'd highly recommend it and I'm super excited for the sequel that is due out in a few months!
🚨 ALERT: SPOILERS BELOW: ALERT 🚨 -------------------------------------------------------
oh my god, this book! I just can't get over how mesmerising it was, I was totally hooked! The book focuses on two main characters, Alda & Dreng, who end up following this crazy magical adventure. Both stories are separate but they interlink through the whole book, honestly, Elby has done such an amazing job writing this book.
Alda made me feel like I was following the story with her, from start to finish, I was right there. Dreng Just kept me curious, and I still have un-answered questions about Dreng that I'm hoping will be answered in the next book.
The story is so fascinating and again, the way Elby has wrote it is amazing. I mean, years go by in the book, yet no time goes by at all? There's so much magic in the book and everything is so detailed that I felt like I shouldn't understand it all, but the way Elby has wrote it made sure I did understand it. It's really hard to explain but she just did an incredible job on the details in every aspect of the story.
There were so many twists and 'what's going to happen next', Elby kept you constantly curious. For example, when Alda keeps switching between worlds, why did she turn up on Drengs ship? What on earth did happen to Miranda?
I want to say a huge thank you to Amber Elby for sending me out this book to read and review. It was an absolutely amazing adventure and I would highly recommend it to anyone, of any age! As I mentioned above, this book should definitely be read in schools and I really think people will enjoy this book once they give it a chance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2017
“Rosemary, that’s for remembrance.”
Cauldron’s Bubble is a magical time-travel tale which uses stories and characters from Shakespeare to tell a new, fast-paced, coming-of-age story.
“Alda could flee, perhaps, and save herself. Or she could fight . . .”
Newly orphaned Alda is struggling to accept the death of her grandmother when she is called to a magical quest in a world inspired by Shakespeare. A magical cauldron’s bubble transports her on a journey through time and space to an enchanted island, where she discovers her strength and courage. Along the way, Alda meets a colorful cast of characters, including witches, sorcerers, pirates, and a harpy.
Cauldron’s Bubble is an enchanting new tale that crosses genres to mix fantasy and Shakespeare. It breathes new life into the world of Shakespeare, and is an engaging way to introduce The Bard to readers.
Cauldron’s Bubble is a magical time-travel tale which uses stories and characters from Shakespeare to tell a new, fast-paced, coming-of-age story.
“Alda could flee, perhaps, and save herself. Or she could fight . . .”
Newly orphaned Alda is struggling to accept the death of her grandmother when she is called to a magical quest in a world inspired by Shakespeare. A magical cauldron’s bubble transports her on a journey through time and space to an enchanted island, where she discovers her strength and courage. Along the way, Alda meets a colorful cast of characters, including witches, sorcerers, pirates, and a harpy.
Cauldron’s Bubble is an enchanting new tale that crosses genres to mix fantasy and Shakespeare. It breathes new life into the world of Shakespeare, and is an engaging way to introduce The Bard to readers.
January 15, 2018
Thank you to #kidlitexchange for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Cauldron's Bubble by Amber Elby. Newly orphaned Alda brings Shakespeare to life in a whole new way. I only wish it had been this fun when I was in school. Time travel and magic leads to a new fear that brings new adventures and courage to Alda and her friends. This middle grade fantasy ties pirates, witches, and sorcerers to a Shakespearean world that is interesting and builds character and strength to readers. Review also posted on Instagram @jasonnstacie, Library Thing, Go Read, Amazon, and my blog at readsbystacie.com
April 3, 2018
LOVED this and cannot wait for the next one! Whether you remember your Shakespeare or not, this is a great read. It makes me want to read the Shakespeare books and then re-read Cauldron's Bubble as I am sure it gets even better if you are well versed in Shakespeare. But fear not, even if you are not it is fantastic on its own merits.
April 2, 2018
Fast paced, exciting, and easy to relate to the characters!
February 3, 2018
WOW what an absolutely amazing book! I adore Shakespeare, and this takes all of the best parts of the Bard's work, and brings it to life. I genuinely loved it so much!
FULL REVIEW UP SOON!
FULL REVIEW UP SOON!
February 17, 2022
This is such a treat for any Shakespeare fan!
June 17, 2018
Being someone that enjoys sci fi/fantasy books, "Cauldron's Bubble" peaked my interest when I was told about it by a coworker. I read the book and very much enjoyed it except for one thing: I hate the to wait for the next book in a series to be published. :)
The flow and style of this book reminded me of some Orson Scott Card books such as the Alvin Maker series which I definitely enjoyed. Though most of the characters are not adults, it was still a good read to me as an adult, mostly because I enjoy fantasy stories in general.
The references to Shakespeare characters got a bit lost on me (it's been a long time since I read or studied Shakespeare) but didn't affect the overall flow of the story. It was more important that I got to know the characters in the story and how they related to each other. I enjoy stories like this where I invest my emotions of wanting certain things to happen or not happen to the characters.
When I got to the end of this book, I immediately logged on to look for book 2 in the series. Dang, it hadn't been published yet. I am definitely interested in seeing how things turn out for the characters that I have been following throughout the story. Good, bad, or ugly, I still want to see where the story leads for each of them.
This book has a bit of everything from Shakespeare references, to witches, to time travel, to magic. Grab a blanket and curl up on the couch while you enjoy this delightful book.
The flow and style of this book reminded me of some Orson Scott Card books such as the Alvin Maker series which I definitely enjoyed. Though most of the characters are not adults, it was still a good read to me as an adult, mostly because I enjoy fantasy stories in general.
The references to Shakespeare characters got a bit lost on me (it's been a long time since I read or studied Shakespeare) but didn't affect the overall flow of the story. It was more important that I got to know the characters in the story and how they related to each other. I enjoy stories like this where I invest my emotions of wanting certain things to happen or not happen to the characters.
When I got to the end of this book, I immediately logged on to look for book 2 in the series. Dang, it hadn't been published yet. I am definitely interested in seeing how things turn out for the characters that I have been following throughout the story. Good, bad, or ugly, I still want to see where the story leads for each of them.
This book has a bit of everything from Shakespeare references, to witches, to time travel, to magic. Grab a blanket and curl up on the couch while you enjoy this delightful book.
April 9, 2018
I received a copy of Cauldron's Bubble via Amber Elby in exchange for an honest review.
I was hesitant going into it because there really wasn't a large synopsis. You can find a longer version on Goodreads of course, but the books version is minimal. I was worried it was going to be geared more for a younger crowd (Sorry Amber), but that was my initial judgement based on the information that was available to me. Obviously, I was very wrong.
Talk about a unique story. I was extremely impressed by Amber's use of extensive vocabulary and wonderful descriptive nouns. Cauldron's Bubble is captivating, to say the least. It is extremely hard to put down because you just want to keep reading. You want to know what is going to happen and to see how the story is going to come together in the end. You want to see how Amber is going to bring Dreng and Alda together in the end.
I will admit, I had not read the Shakespeare stories that are the influence behind Cauldron's Bubble. The three main influences are Hamlet, Macbeth, and The Temptest. Although I had not read them, I felt that that affected my understanding minimally. There were times when I felt that that background knowledge would have benefited me, but it was not necessary.
Ms. Elby left us with a bit of a cliffhanger ending there. I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a mixture of mystery, action, and adventure. It definitely combines all of these aspects as we journey with Dreng and Alda. Who, by the way, were my OTP (one true pairing). You'll have to read to see if I was onto something, or not.
I am so looking forward to the next installment in the series, Double Double Toil.
I was hesitant going into it because there really wasn't a large synopsis. You can find a longer version on Goodreads of course, but the books version is minimal. I was worried it was going to be geared more for a younger crowd (Sorry Amber), but that was my initial judgement based on the information that was available to me. Obviously, I was very wrong.
Talk about a unique story. I was extremely impressed by Amber's use of extensive vocabulary and wonderful descriptive nouns. Cauldron's Bubble is captivating, to say the least. It is extremely hard to put down because you just want to keep reading. You want to know what is going to happen and to see how the story is going to come together in the end. You want to see how Amber is going to bring Dreng and Alda together in the end.
I will admit, I had not read the Shakespeare stories that are the influence behind Cauldron's Bubble. The three main influences are Hamlet, Macbeth, and The Temptest. Although I had not read them, I felt that that affected my understanding minimally. There were times when I felt that that background knowledge would have benefited me, but it was not necessary.
Ms. Elby left us with a bit of a cliffhanger ending there. I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a mixture of mystery, action, and adventure. It definitely combines all of these aspects as we journey with Dreng and Alda. Who, by the way, were my OTP (one true pairing). You'll have to read to see if I was onto something, or not.
I am so looking forward to the next installment in the series, Double Double Toil.
April 4, 2018
My granddaughter read this book before giving it to me, and she loved it. She connected with the characters and liked that there were unreliable aspects to the story, or, as she said, "You can't always believe the characters when they talk." I think this was a good lesson for her to learn as she prepares to begin middle school. I also think the book offered good role models for her in the reluctant but capable heroine and the brave but emotionally vulnerable hero. In terms of content, the book is appropriate for young readers and is most likely a PG rating without any sexual situations and minimal violence.
As an older adult, I know that I understood aspects of this book that my granddaughter did not. There are many inside jokes about Hamlet, for example, and some words with dual meanings that reminded me of Shakespeare (re: "nothing"). I also related to the characters, even though they were much younger than myself, and I never felt like I was reading a children's book.
I do recommend reading this quickly. I finished it in just over a day, and I noticed that the author does not repeat information, so there seems to be an expectation that you will remember details as you read. If you are a slow reader, spend a month reading this and/or read it while reading other books, I expect it could get confusing. I enjoyed not being overburdened by exposition and repetitive information. My granddaughter explained that this book felt more like television than other books, and I suspect that this has to do with the pacing as well.
I think this will also be a good tool for my granddaughter as she begins to study Shakespeare in school. I expect that she will read it again before she reads his plays.
As an older adult, I know that I understood aspects of this book that my granddaughter did not. There are many inside jokes about Hamlet, for example, and some words with dual meanings that reminded me of Shakespeare (re: "nothing"). I also related to the characters, even though they were much younger than myself, and I never felt like I was reading a children's book.
I do recommend reading this quickly. I finished it in just over a day, and I noticed that the author does not repeat information, so there seems to be an expectation that you will remember details as you read. If you are a slow reader, spend a month reading this and/or read it while reading other books, I expect it could get confusing. I enjoyed not being overburdened by exposition and repetitive information. My granddaughter explained that this book felt more like television than other books, and I suspect that this has to do with the pacing as well.
I think this will also be a good tool for my granddaughter as she begins to study Shakespeare in school. I expect that she will read it again before she reads his plays.
March 13, 2018
The caveat with which I'll open this review is I am an adult, and a parent, and a writer, reviewing a YA novel. So what I love about the book comes from that perspective.
This is the story of a girl named Alda who, thanks to the magic talisman--a "cauldron's bubble"--that her grandmother bequeaths to her, is transported in and out of several Shakespearian worlds. The portal among these worlds is a place called Netherfeld. Alda interacts with characters from The Tempest, Hamlet, and Macbeth who have been set loose from Shakespeare's fixed plots and are free to exist in the world Elby has created for them.
I love this concept; readers of Shakespeare will be fascinated. There's almost infinite scope for imagination, and I am looking forward to seeing what Elby does with subsequent novels in the series.
I also like her creation of a strong female hero who gradually discovers that her grandmother's legacy is the gift of magic, learning to harness both her supernatural abilities and her mortal character traits as the novel progresses. Alda is a great role model for the young girls who are Elby's readers.
This is the story of a girl named Alda who, thanks to the magic talisman--a "cauldron's bubble"--that her grandmother bequeaths to her, is transported in and out of several Shakespearian worlds. The portal among these worlds is a place called Netherfeld. Alda interacts with characters from The Tempest, Hamlet, and Macbeth who have been set loose from Shakespeare's fixed plots and are free to exist in the world Elby has created for them.
I love this concept; readers of Shakespeare will be fascinated. There's almost infinite scope for imagination, and I am looking forward to seeing what Elby does with subsequent novels in the series.
I also like her creation of a strong female hero who gradually discovers that her grandmother's legacy is the gift of magic, learning to harness both her supernatural abilities and her mortal character traits as the novel progresses. Alda is a great role model for the young girls who are Elby's readers.
April 22, 2018
A cauldron’s bubble transports Alda between world-times to an enchanted realm of pirates, witches, spirits, and curses. Through her travels Alda meets a cabin boy named Dreng and they are brought together time and again. As Alda tries to discover the truth about who she is, will she and Dreng be able to find their way back home?
Thank you to the author, Amber Elby, for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Cauldron’s Bubble is an interesting Young Adult fantasy novel which combines an original story with characters from Shakespeare’s plays. It’s a great introduction to Shakespeare, especially for younger readers. Fans of the Bard will also appreciate the references to Macbeth, Hamlet, and The Tempest. I studied these three plays in secondary school and the magic of Shakespeare certainly comes alive in this book.
The main characters are Alda and Dreng, and I totally shipped these two! The narrative is told in the third person and it alternates between their perspectives. I also enjoyed the fantasy elements of the story such as the magical cauldron’s bubble.
This novel is intriguing in that it explores the offstage scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, for instance the pirates in Hamlet. The three witches from Macbeth also play a prominent role. Most of the action takes place on the island from The Tempest and we learn much more about Sycorax. Elby has drawn inspiration from these tales and added her own twists to the storyline.
I think that this novel succeeds in making the works of Shakespeare more accessible for modern readers. It’s the first book in a trilogy and I’m curious to find out what happens next. Overall, Cauldron’s Bubble is a witty, unpredictable, and promising debut novel.
This review also appears on my blog, Shaz Reads.
Thank you to the author, Amber Elby, for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Cauldron’s Bubble is an interesting Young Adult fantasy novel which combines an original story with characters from Shakespeare’s plays. It’s a great introduction to Shakespeare, especially for younger readers. Fans of the Bard will also appreciate the references to Macbeth, Hamlet, and The Tempest. I studied these three plays in secondary school and the magic of Shakespeare certainly comes alive in this book.
The main characters are Alda and Dreng, and I totally shipped these two! The narrative is told in the third person and it alternates between their perspectives. I also enjoyed the fantasy elements of the story such as the magical cauldron’s bubble.
This novel is intriguing in that it explores the offstage scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, for instance the pirates in Hamlet. The three witches from Macbeth also play a prominent role. Most of the action takes place on the island from The Tempest and we learn much more about Sycorax. Elby has drawn inspiration from these tales and added her own twists to the storyline.
I think that this novel succeeds in making the works of Shakespeare more accessible for modern readers. It’s the first book in a trilogy and I’m curious to find out what happens next. Overall, Cauldron’s Bubble is a witty, unpredictable, and promising debut novel.
This review also appears on my blog, Shaz Reads.
April 18, 2018
Saw this in a contest on Twitter. Didn't win, but decided to give it a go on my own. Glad I did. I kept reading because I cared about the characters and just plain wanted to see what happened. I'm not a PhD in English Lit or anything but I understood what was going on and got enough Shakespeare references to illicit a snicker or two. Seems to be a book for pretty much anyone who likes a good, fast, fun story. Just gave it to my stepdaughter, so we'll she what she has to say about it. Definitely worth my time.
February 26, 2018
Fabulous book! Really excited to read the second one in October! I want to know what happens next! This book has a little bit of everything. You are pulled into Shakespeare’s world and live amongst his characters with Alda. The mysteries are all around as Alda tries to find herself, her past, her future, and everything in between. I won’t say more, but read the book!
This book was provided to me for free for an honest review.
This book was provided to me for free for an honest review.
January 26, 2018
Between 3.75 and 4 stars.
**I WAS SENT THIS BOOK BY THE AUTHOR IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.**
This book was a lot of fun, but for the longest time, I was unsure what was going on. We were kind of thrust into the story and watched it from an outsider's perspective. The third person storytelling really helped us feel like we were viewing what was happening, though it did make it a bit difficult to connect to the characters.
Ultimately, the story ends with not revealing as much information as I would have liked, but it's clear that it's setting up the reveal for future sequels. I kind of wish more was revealed in this book, though I will be happily picking up the sequels to see if the way they are revealed there or if the weight of the reveal helps make this cliffhanger worth it.
Full review will be available on my blog, www.coffeecocktailsandbooks.com/review by the end of the week!
**I WAS SENT THIS BOOK BY THE AUTHOR IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.**
This book was a lot of fun, but for the longest time, I was unsure what was going on. We were kind of thrust into the story and watched it from an outsider's perspective. The third person storytelling really helped us feel like we were viewing what was happening, though it did make it a bit difficult to connect to the characters.
Ultimately, the story ends with not revealing as much information as I would have liked, but it's clear that it's setting up the reveal for future sequels. I kind of wish more was revealed in this book, though I will be happily picking up the sequels to see if the way they are revealed there or if the weight of the reveal helps make this cliffhanger worth it.
Full review will be available on my blog, www.coffeecocktailsandbooks.com/review by the end of the week!
January 27, 2018
When the author approached me to read this, I was immediately intrigued. Reading the synopsis, I was curious to see how magic could weave in to Shakespeare and honestly, guys, she nailed it.
I felt like I was reading a fairytale! It was wonderful. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down. What really impressed me was the fact that it was a time-travel novel and I actually liked it. I usually can't stand time-travel.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the books so I can learn more about the characters and magic. If you want a book that has Shakespeare, pirates, magic and every other magical thing you can think of, check this out on Kindle Unlimited.
I felt like I was reading a fairytale! It was wonderful. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down. What really impressed me was the fact that it was a time-travel novel and I actually liked it. I usually can't stand time-travel.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the books so I can learn more about the characters and magic. If you want a book that has Shakespeare, pirates, magic and every other magical thing you can think of, check this out on Kindle Unlimited.
September 7, 2017
Colors and questions
A tangle of memories, colors, fears and mystery compel Alda to continue on her path. Gramma left a curious gift for Alda that opens new worlds of danger and wonder. Cauldron's Bubble is full of questions and magic that compel the reader to accompany Alda on her journey. I can't wait for her next adventure.
A tangle of memories, colors, fears and mystery compel Alda to continue on her path. Gramma left a curious gift for Alda that opens new worlds of danger and wonder. Cauldron's Bubble is full of questions and magic that compel the reader to accompany Alda on her journey. I can't wait for her next adventure.
September 15, 2017
Cauldron's Bubble is a brilliant work of art that weaves through time and place and manages to bring Shakespeare to life in a unique way. I wish Shakespeare would have been this fun in school and easy to understand! Most importantly it brings a piece of home with the nostalgia it invokes from my childhood. Amber Elby created a masterful and suspenseful story for all ages.
June 19, 2018
Cauldron's Bubble was an amazing read! I was taken into the world of the book as soon as I finished the first page. I love YA novels, but this one is one of my favorites because it takes a girl from our time back to the late 19th century to a world of Shakespeare. I am actually reading it a second time on my vacation.
June 7, 2018
Fun read from a #bardfly. Interesting world building around the world of Shakespeare. Need not KNOW Shakespeare to enjoy, but it’s a definite bonus.
April 3, 2018
*I received this book from the Author through The Lit Coven bookclub in exchange for an honest review. *
I have been sitting here for a few days now trying to figure out what to do and what to write. We can all agree that what we want from readers and reviews is honesty. So, I'm going to do just that and be honest.
When I first received this book I was so excited. It is so unique and it sounded like something that I could get into. I was instantly drawn to the book because of the magic and the fact that it's a retelling of Shakespeare. I enjoy Shakespeare as much as the next person but I haven't read that much. Maybe that's why this didn't work for me, my lack of understanding at some of the plays.
I read about 60% of the book because I just didn't want to give up on it. I thought maybe if I go a little farther everything will click for me. It didn't. I was so confused basically the entire book. The book is split into two different perspectives Alda and Dreng. For me, the two parts didn't go together. It was as if they were separate books. I preferred Alda's sections over Drengs. The two points of view not only are different characters but they also happen through different moments in time or on different astral planes. At least that's what I understood of it and that I think is a good part of why I got so confused. There didn't seem to be an actual distinction between when the events were happening.
I am really thankful that the author sent me a copy to read but it just wasn't for me.
I have been sitting here for a few days now trying to figure out what to do and what to write. We can all agree that what we want from readers and reviews is honesty. So, I'm going to do just that and be honest.
When I first received this book I was so excited. It is so unique and it sounded like something that I could get into. I was instantly drawn to the book because of the magic and the fact that it's a retelling of Shakespeare. I enjoy Shakespeare as much as the next person but I haven't read that much. Maybe that's why this didn't work for me, my lack of understanding at some of the plays.
I read about 60% of the book because I just didn't want to give up on it. I thought maybe if I go a little farther everything will click for me. It didn't. I was so confused basically the entire book. The book is split into two different perspectives Alda and Dreng. For me, the two parts didn't go together. It was as if they were separate books. I preferred Alda's sections over Drengs. The two points of view not only are different characters but they also happen through different moments in time or on different astral planes. At least that's what I understood of it and that I think is a good part of why I got so confused. There didn't seem to be an actual distinction between when the events were happening.
I am really thankful that the author sent me a copy to read but it just wasn't for me.
January 28, 2018
Amber Elby sent me a copy of Cauldron's Bubble to read and review, and although I don't usually review fantasy, the idea of a story based on Shakespeare's plays appealed to me.
I loved her introduction to the novel where she talks about studying Shakespeare in school. I never enjoyed it in both school and college, however, I find Shakespeare's style interesting and some of his plays are entertaining, which is why I really wanted to read this.
The novel is based on a girl who has lost her grandmother and finds a glass sphere (a cauldron's bubble) in her pocket, and a young boy named Dreng who is on The Tempest. The glass sphere allows Alda to travel to different places where she meets the witches from Macbeth and ends up doing tasks for them.
It was entertaining and there was action straight from the first page, however, some of the action was slightly confusing with Alda's constant jumps between different places.
It was an interesting novel overall and it was thrilling throughout. The ending is a bit sudden but it leaves it open for the next book in the trilogy.
I loved her introduction to the novel where she talks about studying Shakespeare in school. I never enjoyed it in both school and college, however, I find Shakespeare's style interesting and some of his plays are entertaining, which is why I really wanted to read this.
The novel is based on a girl who has lost her grandmother and finds a glass sphere (a cauldron's bubble) in her pocket, and a young boy named Dreng who is on The Tempest. The glass sphere allows Alda to travel to different places where she meets the witches from Macbeth and ends up doing tasks for them.
It was entertaining and there was action straight from the first page, however, some of the action was slightly confusing with Alda's constant jumps between different places.
It was an interesting novel overall and it was thrilling throughout. The ending is a bit sudden but it leaves it open for the next book in the trilogy.
April 1, 2018
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Thank you to the author for sending a copy of her book to me!
After the death of her grandmother, Alda finds a strange stone in her cloak. She discovers it is something called a Cauldron's Bubble, which has the ability to transport her through time. On her travels, Alda meets a boy named Dreng, but they are separated. After receiving a quest from the three witches of Macbeth, Alda sets off to a far off land to complete it.
This book definitely was not for me... I found it to be too slow and I couldn't connect to any of the characters. I can definitely see why big fans of Shakespeare would enjoy this, but personally it wasn't my cup of tea.
Thank you to the author for sending a copy of her book to me!
After the death of her grandmother, Alda finds a strange stone in her cloak. She discovers it is something called a Cauldron's Bubble, which has the ability to transport her through time. On her travels, Alda meets a boy named Dreng, but they are separated. After receiving a quest from the three witches of Macbeth, Alda sets off to a far off land to complete it.
This book definitely was not for me... I found it to be too slow and I couldn't connect to any of the characters. I can definitely see why big fans of Shakespeare would enjoy this, but personally it wasn't my cup of tea.
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