Well Witched - Book Review

Well Witched
By Frances Hardinge
HarperCollinsPublishers
2007
Originally published as Verdigris Deep in the U.K. by Macmillan Publishers Limited

Dedication: To my wonderful mother, Anthea, who introduced me to the world of words

Target Age Group: Boys or Girls, 9 - 12 years old

Must Read
Good Read
Should Read

Synopsis

11 year old Ryan Doyle has moved ahead one year at school and finds himself oddly out of place. He makes friends with 12 year old Josh Lattimer-Stone, terminally cool with dark sunglasses, and Chelle Cooper, who is very talkative and asthmatic (not at the same time, of course).

During summer vacation, the three friends travel for frequent picnics to the out-of-bounds town of Magwhite.

But the real adventure starts when they miss their last bus home and need to buy 3 new tickets on another bus. The problem is, they are out of money. Josh, however, has a plan. He always has a plan, which is one of the reasons Ryan admires him so much. His plan is to jump into an old wishing well and take enough money to buy the tickets home. Simple enough, right?

What none of them counts on is the Well Spirit. When someone takes coins from the well, the Well Spirit makes them responsible for granting the wishes of the people who tossed those coins.

But what starts as good intentions from the three kids to make wishes come true soon turns sinister and deadly. Will they ever make amends for stealing from the well? Or will they be enslaved to the Well Spirit forever?

Book Review

This is Frances Hardinge’s second book, and having loved her first book, Fly By Night, I was very excited to read this book. While Fly By Night had a real sense of whimsy to it, this story borders more on the horror genre than fantasy. So, if you like horror, then this book may be for you.

Characters

Ryan Doyle – An 11 year old who was smart enough to move up one grade in school, and yet emotionally, he’s still an 11 year old in a group of 12 year olds. He feels awkward – is awkward. He’s small and skinny. But he’s smart. And sometimes, that makes all the difference.

Chelle Cooper – 12 years old, Chelle is insecure and an easy target of school bullies. She and Ryan become allies more than friends, since they are both subject to taunts and teasing. Chelle is asthmatic. She’s also very, very talkative, to the point that Ryan really doesn’t spend much time listening to her. But he really should.

Josh Lattimer-Stone – 12 years old and adopted, Josh is pretty cool with his tinted sunglasses. For some reason, he takes Ryan and Chelle under his protection at school, and they spend the summer together. Maybe this is why Ryan worships him. Or maybe it’s because he’s too cool NOT to adore!

Anne and Jonathan Doyle – Ryan’s parents. Anne writes unauthorized biographies, which are not always kindly received by her biographical subjects. Jonathan is a drama critic. They’re typical parents…aren’t they?

Miss Gossamer – A daft old woman who was a friend of Chelle’s grandmother. When Chelle’s grandmother died, Miss Gossamer stepped in to take her place, and being a daft old woman, Chelle's parents let her. But she has a secret, a deep, dark secret.

Will Wruthers – A thin young man whose greatest wish is to have a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He knows everything about them. Can Ryan, Chelle and Josh really make his wish come true?

Donna Leas – A young woman who, several years earlier, had terrorized the kids at Ryan’s primary school when she volunteered in the library. She now works for Jeremiah Punzell, the owner of a holistic soul repair store, and he figures strongly into her wish.

Carrie – A young woman who’s shut herself off from the world, which was her wish. Since her wish has been granted, she doesn't need Ryan, Josh or Chelle...or does she? What happens when her wish changes and she decides to re-join the world? Will the Well Spirit let her?