Toby and the Silver Blood Witches is a heartfelt story that perfectly blends together a magical fantasy adventure with difficult and poignant real-life issues. A truly mesmerising, empathetic story that captured me completely.
When going to close his attic window, 12-year-old Toby finds a rather unusual woman, wearing a patchwork dress, and asking for his help to save her niece whose life may be in danger. Of course, her claim that she is a witch couldn’t possibly be true, but then Toby discovers a wand …
And so begins a captivating, exciting adventure as Toby finds himself caught up in a race against time to save a young witch from the clutches of a sinister organisation intent on unearthing the source of witch magic. There is a real sense of peril as Toby and his new friends edge closer and closer to the terrible truth. I really enjoyed the unexpected twists and revelations and, as this is the start of a series, I liked that there are nuggets introduced here that make me eager to read the next book to find out more.
I loved learning about the witches and their home, Little Witchery, which is wonderfully whimsical with its living houses, magical flying creatures and magical items. Little Witchery is a sanctuary for the witches against the persecution they suffered at the hands of the witchfinders. Will Toby be able to help them fight against tyranny from a modern-day foe? Little Witchery is also subject to its own politics which would open up lots of discussion around making a decision to fight or hide as a means of defence and protection.
Toby is an incredibly sympathetic young boy. He cares for his chronically ill mum who has M.E, missing out on activities with his friends in order to ensure that he is there to care for her. There are many reasons that young carers remain hidden, and I found it incredibly sad that Toby is one of these. He didn’t have any adults he felt he could confide in, expecting that he should cope on his own and fearing that he could be separated from his mum if his role as her carer became known. It is this vulnerability that the bullies who target him use against him in the most heart-breaking way. This theme in the story opens up much-needed opportunity for discussion about young carers in a sensitive manner, and will encourage empathy in others.
The wyline witches are just wonderful, and I really liked that they show Toby that it is alright to admit when things are tough and to ask for help, and that they help him just as he aids them.
This is an enchanting, heart-warming adventure that is just perfect for readers of 9+.
Author Bio
Sally Doherty lives in leafy Surrey with her husband and three-legged (but speedy) rescue dog. After studying French and German at university, she worked for a year in London before unexpectedly falling ill with M.E. Being stuck at home and often in bed for sixteen years, however, has lit a cauldron of stories bubbling inside her imagination.
Sally’s debut book and the first in a trilogy, TOBY AND THE SILVER BLOOD WITCHES, was a finalist for The Wishing Shelf Awards 2021 and shortlisted for both The Selfies and The Rubery Book Awards 2022.
Website and newsletter: https://sallydohertywrites.com/
Twitter: @Sally_writes
Instagram: @sallydohertywrites
Thank you to Dave for inviting me to take part in the Blog Tour. I had already purchased a copy of this fantastic book when it was first published, and am so glad that it won the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award, 2022.
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