Review: The Elixir written by Lindsay Galvin and illustrated by Kristina Kister

The Elixir is an absolutely compelling historical fantasy novella, set in seventeenth century England, that completely captured me, holding me utterly entranced from start to finish.

Ann Storer lives in an apothecary shop with her parents, older brother and sister, Edward and Katherine. Whilst the rest of her family follow recipes to make tinctures, Ann’s creations follow no such structure, yet have a more powerful healing effect on those she makes them for. Ann believes that her medicines are more successful for two reasons, both of which she keeps secret from her family: her ability to see a person’s colours to understand what she needs to give them to heal, and the secret spiral mark she scratches into the bottom of the tincture bottle. Someone did know her first secret and taught her the second: her Grandmother, a herbalist and healer, who was accused of witchcraft but who died in the local jail before officially convicted.

Whilst her parents have been called out of town on apothecary business, they leave their children to welcome their new boarder: Isaac Newton. He has an interest in apothecary and carries out his own experiments in his attic bedroom whilst attending the local grammar school to study. Having Newton boarding in their home does not deter Ann from making her tinctures and collecting herbs under the moonlight so that she can continue to heal those in need.

But, when witchfinder, Abel Geach, arrives in town, Ann knows exactly where he will look first. Can she keep him from discovering her secrets, secrets that would certainly see her accused of the devil’s work – just like her Grandmother?

When Ann is in danger of having one of her special bottles found by Geach, Newton helps her and she finds herself telling him about her synaesthesia which leads to them creating the Elixir of Life, a potion with the power to heal all ailments and even prevent death. Newton warns her that they should keep their discovery hidden, and untested, until the witchfinder leaves.

But then the plague strikes and danger comes for her family … what is Ann prepared to risk to save the lives of the people of her town?

This is a truly gripping story where the tension is palpable as danger builds and impossible choices are made. There are plenty of unexpected twists and turns with an ending that took me completely by surprise. A masterful blending of history, science and fantasy that left me utterly captivated – and astounded!

The illustrations are absolutely stunning and capture the time period and the emotion of the story perfectly.

An enthralling page-turner that captures the indomitable spirit of a young girl who uses her innate abilities to help others and stand against hatred and prejudice.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.