The Witch's Kiss by Katharine Corr and Elizabeth Corr
Merry is an average teenager. She's also a witch. She's trying not to be, but she is. Then Jack comes into her life and she can't help falling under his spell. One problem – he's part of an evil, centuries-old curse that Merry now has to break. If Merry has lost her heart, will she lose her life too? Or can true love's kiss save the day? Being a witch is dangerous – but being in love is even worse…
| The Witch's Kiss by Katharine Corr and Elizabeth Corr | |
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| Category: Teens | |
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Reviewer: Alex Mitchell
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| Summary: A captivating and well-written story of how love can become hate and coming to terms with your own weaknesses. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 320 | Date: June 2016 |
| Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 9780008182984 | |
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The characters in the story are very believeable, not all of them perfect. Our protagonist is Merry (Meredith) Cooper, a sixteen-year old schoolgirl struggling to balance her magical life and her personal life. She's assisted by her brother Leo, a closet homosexual and non-witch, who acts as her closest friend and protector. Merry is also helped by her grandmother and the local coven of witches (ranging from posh old Mrs, to a regular sixth-former called Flo). She is meant to stop Jack, a boy from the Saxon era who regularly switches into the King of Hearts, a demonic entity who tries to cut out the hearts of those in love for his master Gwydion, an embittered wizard who wishes to see love conquered by fear.
The story is split between the modern day, the setting for most of the novel, and the 5th/6th century. The latter part is told either through the narrative itself, or through the memories of Saxon-era Meredith. The narratives are interweaved well, as the past helps to give context to events in the present, and the transitions don't seem jarring or forced.
The book is very well written and engaging, and I certainly felt intrigued by the story. However, my one problem is that it isn't as emotional as it could have been. Even though it is a tale of romance and scorned love, the writing sometimes doesn't quite capture that sense of raw emotion. However, that did not detract from the story's overall feeling.
Overall, this is a captivating and well-written story of spurned love and recognising your own failings.
Further reading:
The Power of Dark by Robin Jarvis – a very similar teen witchcraft story, albeit with more science fiction elements.
Wicked: Witch and Curse by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie – another tale of teenage witchcraft and coming to terms with it. You might also enjoy The Witch of Salt and Storm by Kendall Kulper.
The Killing Way by Anthony Hays
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You can read more book reviews or buy The Witch's Kiss by Katharine Corr and Elizabeth Corr at Amazon.com.
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