Cover illustrations: Daniela Terrazzini
Late to the party
I somehow missed these books as they came out, but they were discovered for me when my young granddaughter (and her mother) met the author, James Nicol, in their local library. And what a fortunate discovery it was, for the books are truly treasurable.
Young characters who are apprentice witches, wizards, and the like provide enormously fecund ground for children’s literature. The fantasy of developing magical ability resonates with many children and is, I think, part of their natural desire to feel special, to discover their own power and importance in a world where almost all of it seems to reside with adults. Yet children realise well enough that they are not there yet, and learner magicians provide points of identity at many levels. Young readers warm to these fictional role models when they make a mess of things just as much, perhaps even more so, as when they save the world.
A classic example is Wart in T. H.White’s The Sword in the Stone. More recently, the whole concept has been made delightfully accessible to young children in Jill Murphy’s deservedly popular series about Mildred Hubble, The Worst Witch. Of course there is always the adored Harry Potter too, but my own favourite by far is Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching, in The Wee Free Men and its sequels - just brilliant, in every way. Whilst adding his very own special magic, James Nicol’s books carry echoes of each of these illustrious predecessors. More than anything, though, they feel to me like a most welcome, younger readers’ take on Joseph Delaney’s YA Spook’s Apprentice series. Young Arianwyn, the apprentice in question here, like the older Thomas Ward, has to learn to defend the people of her allotted domain against everything from annoying house sprites to horrendous monsters of dark magic.
First rate entertainment
James Bicol really does press all the right buttons for effective junior fantasy of his chosen type. Whilst revelling in many of the tropes and conventions of this genre, so beloved of this audience, there is much in these books that is both original and imaginative too. The world-building is colourful and engaging, a small-town setting that is almost contemporary, but with a sufficient smattering of old technology to give it a period charm. Into this setting the acceptance of magic and the coexistence of a whole host of spooks and spirits fit easily,even if not, in the latter case, comfortably.
His characters are beautifully drawn and tremendously likeable (apart, of course, from those that are truly hateful); his young protagonists are sensitively conjured and the adults, although more cartoon-like, are convincing in context, and frequently highly entertaining. Although we first meet Arianwyn when passing out of the school stage of her training, the author manages to incorporate some of the friendship and rivalry elements found in many school stories, and this makes his narrative all the more accessible. There is much in this, and in his protagonist’s lack of self-confidence, as she struggles to grow into both her new position and her own abilities, with which it will be easy for his young readers to identify.
His easy flow of storytelling is compulsive. It is by turns intriguing, touching and amusing, and builds towards its thrilling climax compellingly. It leads too, of course, to a heart-warming resolution that is just right for its audience. There is absolutely every reason to think that Arianwyn Gribble will become a much-loved treasure, just as Mildred Hubble has already become for so many.
Read before you watch
I don’t often do if-you-loved-this-you’ll-love-that recommendations. Reading taste is harder to predict that some think, and sometimes the comparisons you see made are ludicrous anyway. However this one really should hold. The apprenticeship of Arianwyn Gribble could well be be just about perfect for readers who enjoyed Michelle Harrison’s equally delightful Widdershins sisters (A Pinch of Magic, A Sprinkle of Sorcery), or, of course, vice versa.
For any coming new to The Apprentice Witch, there is the bonus of two splendid sequels already in waiting. A Witch Alone and A Witch Comes True extend and develop Arianwyn’s story in a completely magical way. And for those who have already started to follow her gripping adventures . . . well . . . what are you waiting for? That the stories are soon to be made into a TV series comes as little surprise, but get in there first and snuggle into the books themselves. They will comfort like a warm blanket, and bring just as much happiness.
Finally a word of praise for Daniella Terrazzini’s cover illustrations for the UK paperbacks. I love the way they provide strong images of Arianwyn, without defining her ethnicity.
