A tale of witchcraft by Chris Colfer
Hodder & Stoughton 2020. ISBN: 9781510202191.
(Age: Young Adult). Highly recommended. Brystal Evergreen and her
band of magical friends are back to entertain in A tale of
witchcraft, sequel to 2019's A
tale of magic. The Fairy Council have defeated the evil
Snow Queen and negotiated for the emancipation of women and the
lawful use of magic throughout the four kingdoms. Brystal is now in
charge of the magical academy founded by her mentor, Madame
Weatherberry, and has welcomed magical beings from across the land
to the school. However, from the novel's opening page we know that
something is once again amiss. Legal tolerance of magic does not
automatically equal social acceptance and the ascendance of magic
users has given rise to a movement of magic-haters called the
Righteous Brotherhood, who are determined to stamp out fairies and
their ilk once and for all. If this isn't concerning enough, a
mysterious witch with dark intentions arrives at the academy to
recruit students for her rival school. Brystal knows it is only a
matter of time before the mankind vs magic conflict begins again . .
.
While Chris Colfer's books may be set in fantastical lands with
little similarities to our own, there are always parallels to be
drawn between his plots and our own society. As once marginalised
and oppressed minority groups become more accepted and vocal in the
community, so to do reactionary movements intent on returning things
to the status quo. A tale of witchcraft is in part an
allegory for our times. It is also an entertaining and fitting
sequel for A tale of magic and readers will be thrilled to
follow Brystal and her friends as they once again battle to save
themselves, their community and all of humanity.
Themes: Magic, Magical creatures, Witches, Friendship, Cults,
Adventure, Schools.
Rose Tabeni