I am woefully behind in my book-blogging, but I finished this book over the weekend with a cup of tea clutched in my hand and the best kind of character-worry in my heart…dying to find out how it would all end.
I was lucky enough to hear Erin Bow read from PLAIN KATE at the Scholastic Literary Brunch last summer, and I was immediately hooked. Full of eerie fogs, bloodthirsty villagers, pale-faced witches, and powerful ghosts, this YA title lives on the dark side of fairy tale style novels. The main character, talented wood carver Plain Kate, is orphaned early on in the story and must find her way in the world, despite a witch who has stolen her shadow and thrown her under suspicion for witchcraft herself. Add to that mix the most charming talking cat you’ve ever met, and you’ve got a harrowing tale with a magical mix of laughter, tears, intrigue, and suspense. Highly recommended, especially for readers who are fans of magical YA fare like Julie Berry’s AMARANTH ENCHANTMENT, Elizabeth Bunce’s A CURSE DARK AS GOLD, and RJ Anderson’s FAIRY REBELS: SPELL HUNTER.
Note for my students… Before you ask, yes. I’ll bring my copy in for the classroom library tomorrow. 🙂