Witchlanders - Softcover

Coakley, Lena

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1442420057 ISBN 13: 9781442420052

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012

Synopsis

Some prophecies thwart danger. Others create it. "Fans of contemplative, psychologically rich (but no less action-packed) fantasies à la Ursula Le Guin will welcome this warm, inventive debut" (BCCB, starred review).

High in their mountain covens, red witches pray to the Goddess, protecting the Witchlands by throwing the bones and foretelling the future.

But it's all fake.

At least, that's what Ryder thinks. He doubts the witches really deserve their tithes--one quarter of all the crops his village can produce. And even if they can predict the future, what danger is there to foretell, now that his people's old enemy, the Baen, has been defeated? But when a terrifying new magic threatens both his village and the coven, Ryder must confront the beautiful and silent witch who holds all the secrets. Everything he's ever believed about witches, the Baen, magic, and about himself will change when he discovers that the prophecies he's always scorned...are about him.

Laced with rich, imagined histories; miles of catacombs; and prophecies true and false, Witchlanders takes place in an evocative, tantalizingly vibrant world and raises equally evocative questions: Who gets to defines history? When does a legend become a crutch? And why does the enemy in war look a lot like the hero? Lena Coakley's first novel is a lush, chilling story that is sure to send shivers through your finger bones.

About this title

Review:

Fans of contemplative, psychologically rich (but no less action-packed) fantasies a la Ursula Le Guin will welcome this warm, inventive debut.

--"Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books", September 2011

"Coakley's world comes to life with exquisite detail and imagery; readers will feel the chill of the frost and smell the crackling bonfires. High fantasy lovers will gobble up Witchlanders."

--SLJ, December 2011

WITCHLANDERS

Lena Coakley, Atheneum, $16.99 (416p) ISBN 9781442420045

"Ryder wants to harvest his family's hicca before the chilling arrives in Witchland, but now his mother, a rebel witch addicted to a mind-altering flower, has thrown the bones and seen a vision of an assassin in the mountains. Meanwhile, along the border of the Bitterlands, Falpian hopes to find his own magic as he mourns the loss of his brother and awaits an assignment bestowed by his father. As these two distrustful strangers begin to share each other's dreams and find a magical connection through music, enemies from their rival, warring lands--with radically different religious systems--have been stirring up trouble. In Witchland, this trouble takes the form of gormy men, pretend creatures normally used to frighten young children, which have come to life. When Ryder's and Falpian's destinies collide, they use their burgeoning knowledge of magic to destroy the gormy men and expose evil Witchlander forces. But their mission is not as straightforward as it may seem. Both young men grapple with loyalty and their faiths and experience how fear and secrets have shaped religion and culture. A sequel to this thought-provoking fantasy is certain, as is a broad fan base. The rich language will enthrall female and male readers alike--if the latter can look past the extremely feminine cover."

-- Kirkus, July 15, 2011 *STAR

* "Takes on faith, doubt, and dualities, exposing their flaws and strengths alike. Plot twists unfold at a riveting pace, the boys' characters are compellingly sketched, and Coakley explores her subject matter masterfully without falling prey to safe plot choices."

-- Publisher's Weekly July 11, 2011 *STAR

* "The rich language will enthrall female and male readers alike."

-- Kirkus, July 15, 2011 *STAR

* "Coakley's world comes to life with exquisite detail and imagery; readers will feel the chill of the frost and smell the crackling bonfires. High fantasy lovers will gobble up Witchlanders."

--"SLJ", December 2011, *STAR

"Fans of contemplative, psychologically rich (but no less action-packed) fantasies a la Ursula Le Guin will welcome this warm, inventive debut."

--"Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"

"A welcome fantasy debut."

--"Booklist", October 2011

About the Author:

Lena Coakley was born in Milford, Connecticut, and grew up on Long Island. In high school, creative writing was the only course she ever failed (nothing was ever good enough to hand in!), but, undeterred, she went on to study writing at Sarah Lawrence College. She lives in Toronto, Canada.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1442420057
• ISBN 13: 9781442420052
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 416