From the Publisher
A delicate weaving of fantasy and history, THE HEDGEWITCH OF FOXHALL casts a spell of magic, romance, and adventure from the first page.” — Hannah Whitten, bestselling author of The Foxglove King
“[A]n atmospheric jewel box…. Sparkling and lush; a gem.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Wild and lovely, this book is made of magic. Enchanting, bewitching, classic fantasy at its very best.” — Amie Kaufman, NYT bestselling author of The Isles of the Gods
"Bright mixes just the right amount of earthy magic and swoony romance to deliver a story that feels like a warm hug." — Lauren Blackwood, New York Times bestselling author of Within These Wicked Walls
“A fiercely lovely, wild-hearted enchantment of a story, with characters and a landscape worth falling for. Sheer magic from beginning to end.” — Laura Weymouth
This fierce and smart historical fantasy is rich with Welsh language and culture, and brims with a wild magic of its own. A beautiful folk song of a novel. I loved every line. — Joanna Ruth Meyer, author of Echo North and Into the Heartless Wood
“[Bright’s] words… create a lovely, lilting poetry.” — Booklist
“An epic play of past and present that comes together in a haunting melody about healing hurt and finding home. Absolutely beautiful.” — Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf
“A story of yearning and healing, with prose that leaps off the page even as we leap between timelines. Trust me, you've never known magic like this.” — Hafsah Faizal, New York Times bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame
“A gorgeous adventure that spans space and time, with Bright’s vivid prose lighting the way. The Song that Moves the Sun is a breathtaking story of healing, self-discovery, and the magic that both surrounds us and lives inside us. I savored every word.” — Rachel Griffin, New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches
“Mesmerizing. A wildly inventive fantasy adventure.” — Publishers Weekly
Praise for The Boundless: "This duology will delight any fan of fairy tales or high adventure. Readers may have their favorites of Selah's suitors, but they will cheer as she learns to follow her heart and her feet in this darker, but still glittering, second half.” — Booklist
Praise for The Beholder: “Sparkles with beauty, intrigue, and romance. The Beholder will leave you clutching your poor heart and aching for the sequel.” — Kiera Cass, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Selection series
“Full of romance and political intrigue that had me captivated from the very first page. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.” — Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of The Crown’s Game series
“High adventure, political intrigue, and swoon-worthy romance. A glittering paean to storytelling.” — Booklist
“It’s impossible not to root for Selah. A fully captivating story.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
School Library Journal
04/01/2024
Gr 9 Up—Ffion lives her life as a Hedgewitch, fueling her magic by gathering from nature, unlike the Foxhall coven who destroy for their gains. All magic is fading within Wales, and neighboring kingdoms are on the brink of war. King Cadell tasks his two sons with destroying the enemy King Offa's wall, believing that this could bring back magic and aid their cause. Whichever son completes this mission first will become his heir to the throne. Prince Taliesin, who would prefer magic not return, finds himself teaming up with Ffion to bring down the wall. Prince Dafydd, the favored son, half-heartedly makes an attempt as he wants to live simply and not as King. Bright's writing weaves together multiple aspects of Welsh folklore, which provides a distinctive setting. Readers may struggle however with some of the character, creature, and location names, even with the provided pronunciation guide. The magic system is well thought out and described; however, the same cannot be said for the overall arc of the plot. The characters' relationships with one another fuel the story, but there is little depth given to each individual. The multiple points of view make it challenging to really get to know them beyond the surface level. VERDICT Fans of Diana Wynne Jones's Howl's Moving Castle or Catherine Bakewell's Flowerheart may enjoy this one, but it's not recommended for general fantasy readers. —Aliza Mangefrida
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2023-12-16
A witch and two princes are brought together in an adventure to save 8th-century Wales.
When Ffion, a hedgewitch estranged from her powerful magical family, members of the Foxhall coven, suffers a terrible loss, she finds herself in the position to team up on a quest with Taliesin, the “bastard prince” of her kingdom of Powys. Ffion sets out to walk the length of Offa’s Dyke, determined to use her own magic to destroy it in order to return the disappearing magic to Wales. Meanwhile, Tal and his brother, Dafydd, have been pitted against one another in a challenge from their father, King Cadell, to destroy the dyke: Whoever succeeds will inherit the throne. While clever, opportunistic Tal hates magic, he’s desperate to become king. Dafydd would rather spend his days working at his forge as a blacksmith, but he’s coerced by Cadell into competing. Throughout the journey to destroy the dyke and thwart their enemies, the brothers are thrown together with Ffion in ways they couldn’t have predicted. This comforting and cozy fantastical romance bursting with Welsh mythology is told from Ffion’s, Tal’s, and Dafydd’s compelling points of view. It’s an atmospheric jewel box with sympathetic characters readers will root for from the first page; they’ll only be disappointed to learn it’s a stand-alone novel and not a series opener. Ffion in particular shines as a thoughtful, brave hero with a compelling backstory.
Sparkling and lush; a gem. (pronunciation guide, author’s note) (Fantasy. 14-18)
