In order for people to find their calling in life, one must go on an unplanned adventure. No matter how unexpected or mysterious, adventure can lead to new beginnings and something far grander than could have ever been expected. As Joseph Campbell once said, “The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.” In author Anne Wall’s novel The Witch’s Blood, a young man must unravel a Christmas Day mystery to protect an ancient artifact.

In the book, Alfie Tucker continues his mission and endless adventures to protect the fabled Gilded Lexicon. However, when his Christmas morning is interrupted by a mysterious event, Alfie must leave his family behind to stop two warring factions in a race against time. This time around however, Alfie isn’t protecting the Gilded Lexicon exactly, but something contained within, the Witch’s Blood, a powerful jewel residing inside the artifact. Leading Alfie to discover new aspects about his various adventures, the Witch’s Blood becomes the object of desire for the two warring factions, with Alfie left in the middle.

This was a fascinating read to be sure. Filled with adventure and magic mixed with the complex relationship with Alfie and his family and his connection to the Gilded Lexicon, readers of Alfie’s previous adventures will absolutely love this tale. I would highly recommend reading the previous two entries if readers are hoping to have a better understanding of this world, but the novel itself works well on its own as well. The characters are instantly engaging to the reader, and the mythology created by the author is rich and draws the reader in slowly and surely into this world.

This is a novel for anyone who enjoys young adult books, in particular those books novels who have a rich mythology that is centered around a fantasy style setting and features a classic tale of heroes versus villains, and saving the “realm” from an unrelenting threat. As a fan of the genre, I found this book to be well written and intriguing, with the cast of characters drawing me as a reader further and further into the narrative.

A well written book with a vast history and mythology presented, author Anne Wall’s The Witch’s Blood strikes gold as the story of Alfie Tucker continues. A book filled with adventure, action and mystery that children will instantly be drawn into, the novel ends in a way that can be both a satisfying conclusion yet leaves the door open for future adventures, making this a story that readers will instantly connect with. Be sure to grab your copy today!

– Pacific Book Review

“Frustrated threats and deafening screams shattered the tranquility of the once peaceful Scriptorium.”

What if you woke up one morning to find that the written word, whether it be in books, on billboard signs, or cards, started to disappear? Unfortunately for Alfie, this is exactly what happens while celebrating Christmas with his family, and it turns his world upside down. As a third installment in the Librarius Quest series, the reader journeys once more with Alfie and his companions on an exciting adventure as he discovers that the cause of the disappearing words is another trick up the Bletherwytch’s sleeve. Will he stop her in time so that the written word doesn’t disappear for good?

Ironically, for a story revolving around the written word disappearing from the world, Wall does a remarkable job of bringing Alfie’s world and thoughts vividly to the page. The reader hangs on the edge as painful betrayals, constant frustrations, and, ultimately, love and friendship follow Alfie on his journey to save the Gilded Lexicon and stop the Bletherwytch once more. The reader will meet a new cast of characters this time around, as well as a couple that will make a grand re-entrance into Alfie’s life. It is evident through Wall’s expert crafting of the emotional ties between Alfie and his friends, and the literary themes that play throughout the story, that both Alfie and the written word are near and dear to her heart. This novel can be read as a stand-alone or in sequence, but either way it will captivate a young audience who wishes to seek out an adventure that will take hold of their imagination and hearts.

– RECOMMENDED by the US Review