Publishers Weekly
03/28/2022
In Werlin’s (Zoe Rosenthal Is Not Lawful Good) middle grade debut, an introspective historical fantasy set in 1531 France, 15-year-old Sylvie can see and manipulate thoughts and memories, but she has received no official training for the power, which, like that of her Grand-mère, is stronger than her Catholic family’s usual gifts of healing. After inadvertently erasing some of her midwife mother’s memories in attempting to ease her grief around the death of Grand-mère, Sylvie leaves her small town to seek out a mentor. Unexpectedly accompanied by eight-year-old farrier’s son Martin, she sets forth across the richly described French countryside, keeping her power a secret from those who’d attack her for witchcraft as well as those who would exploit her. When she joins a caravan led by 24-year-old merchant Robert Chouinard, Sylvie develops a friendship with the mercurial, mysterious man, but even he may not be able to protect her from the dangers of her journey. Leisurely paced and told in an assured third-person voice, Werlin’s gentle reflection on trauma and healing, the ethics of power, and seemingly dual natures explores Sylvie’s place in the world and her relationship to those she cares for. Protagonists read as white. Ages 9–12. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
Werlin’s first foray into middle grade is a thrilling and suspenseful experience; there are twisting reveals and adventure aplenty, though the story isn’t afraid to stop for lovely moments of quiet contemplation and recollection along the way. A budding, respectful romance and hints of deeper powers will have readers hoping for a sequel. It’s well worth joining kind and clever Sylvie on her harrowing journey of discovery.
—Booklist (starred review)
A refreshingly honest and elegantly written work of historical fantasy.
—The Horn Book (starred review)
A delightful page-turner that will entice readers of historical fiction and fantasy alike. It’s a refreshing stand-alone novel with a resilient protagonist who realizes the greatest magic of all is being true to oneself. . . . Thoroughly enjoyable and engaging, filled with magic, mystery, strength, and love.
—Kirkus Reviews
An introspective historical fantasy . . Werlin’s gentle reflection on trauma and healing, the ethics of power, and seemingly dual natures explores Sylvie’s place in the world and her relationship to those she cares for.
—Publishers Weekly
Gracefully explores themes of identity, family and belonging. . . Werlin (Zoe Rosenthal Is Not Lawful Good) brings compassion and complexity to her depictions of the relationships between characters, challenging standard notions of good and evil. . . . Although Werlin skillfully evokes Healer and Witch's period setting, Sylvie's journey of self-discovery and its accompanying themes of female empowerment are timeless.
—Shelf Awareness (starred review)
Against the backdrop of a turbulent era Nancy Werlin spins a sophisticated coming-of-age story in 'Healer & Witch,' a novel for readers ages 9-12 that is set in France. . . . a properly inventive, historically respectful story with a touch of magic (and romance) in its realism.
—The Wall Street Journal
School Library Journal
02/17/2023
Gr 5–8—In 16th-century France, 15-year-old Sylvie, her mother, and Grand-mere are healers; Grand-mere and Sylvie's abilities are rooted in magic, however. When her grandmother dies, and Sylvie's mother no longer remembers her because of Sylvie's mistake, the teen has to leave her small, Catholic village to find anyone who can teach her how to control her great power. She is accompanied by Martin, a younger childhood friend, who was asked by Grand-mere to follow Sylvie if the girl ever left the village. She meets the wise woman Ceciline, one of Grand-mere's former friends. Ceciline may be like Sylvie's Grand-mere, but her feelings about people without magic are completely different. The young woman uses her power, which is much greater than anyone else's, to find her own path forward. Werlin's middle grade debut features adventure, magic, and a strong female protagonist. This suspenseful historical fantasy explores how society perceives and attempts to control women, especially those who are seen as strong, wise, or powerful. VERDICT Recommended for middle school collections, this is a solid standalone choice for libraries where historical, magic-based fiction is popular.—Marissa Lieberman
Kirkus Reviews
2021-12-24
In 16th-century France, 15-year-old Sylvie is more than just a healer.
Sylvie might be a witch. She has more than just a talent for healing people like her midwife mother, Jeanne; Sylvie possesses mysterious powers like those of her Grand-mère Sylvie. However, when her grandmother dies before she can train Sylvie to use her powers for good, Sylvie commits a grave error: Trying to relieve Jeanne of her grief, Sylvie accidentally removes all Jeanne’s memories of both her mother and daughter. Now Sylvie is venturing beyond her small village of Bresnois to find a magical teacher to help her correct her mistake and heal Jeanne. When the farrier’s son, Martin, insists on joining Sylvie on her quest, the two of them pose as siblings and set off, eventually reaching Lyon. Unfortunately for Sylvie, not everyone in the large towns and cities of Catholic early modern France appreciates a woman with unusual powers, and inquisitors pose a real threat. Sylvie and Martin need to work together to figure out whom they can trust and how they will eventually get home—if they return home at all. This historical fantasy is a delightful page-turner that will entice readers of historical fiction and fantasy alike. It’s a refreshing stand-alone novel with a resilient protagonist who realizes the greatest magic of all is being true to oneself. Characters read as White.
Thoroughly enjoyable and engaging, filled with magic, mystery, strength, and love. (Historical fantasy. 10-14)
