Bee reviewed A Tangle of Spells by Michelle Harrison
Review of 'A Tangle of Spells' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster publishing for my advanced copy of A Tangle of Spells by Michelle Harrison which is the third book in the fantastic Widdershins series (which we all know, I love) so you can imagine I was delighted to get an advance copy.
A Tangle of Spells is the first book where the Widdershins are able to truly leave Crowstone and the Sorrow islands behind as events from the previous novel have allowed them to finally escape all that they have known and kept the family almost hostage for decades.
Like the previous two books it seems as though the Widdershins sisters are unable to escape trouble, but for once they are not alone - the entire family have trouble knocking on their door as they begin their new lives. The way Michelle Harrison is able to build such an incredible world and the atmospherics of trouble in this series is as always incredible but I truly believe A Tangle of Spells is by far the greatest of the three in drawing the reader right into the magical world (excuse the semi-pun there) and you know that the family are going to really be facing trouble like they haven't before. I know... for those who have read the previous two that seems preposterous but promise you will agree when you begin to read this tale.
I have loved reading this books and like others who have read them, there is an urge to want to be able to protect them and to tell Granny especially to just listen to the three girls at times but in A Tangle of Spells? The three sisters are growing apart as their ages set them apart, Fliss is working and her priorities aren't so much focused on sisterhood but her future and boys, Betty is still very much our fierce protector and warrior though she still doubts herself and Charlie is eager to experience a new sense of freedom away from Crowstone. It is this distance that leaves them vulnerable and doubt to creep in when things begin to go awry as they are oft to do when trouble comes calling.
With ghosts, magic and the fear of it leading their new friends (and foes) to weave a tale that leaves Betty fighting for survival and the Widdershins family coming adrift, Michelle Harrison has once again achieved a fantastic tale of family, sisterhood and adventure to leave the reader feeling adrift too when it comes to an end...