James Nicol has loved books and stories his whole life. When I was thinking about all this, one day I got a really clear image of a scene for the book – I wrote it all down as quickly as I could and then thought, now what happens next. But I wanted the magic in my book to be part of the world, not a secret, and I wanted to see what happened after a witch was trained and was sent out into the world to work. I always knew I wanted to write the kind of fantasy novel I had escaped into as a child, somewhere that felt safe and filled with characters that did brave things and had lots of fun at the same time. For a sinister darkness has begun to haunt her spells, and there may be much more at stake than just her pride. With every spirit banished, creature helped, and spell cast, Arianwyn starts to get the hang of being a witch - even if she's only an apprentice. Strange things are sighted in the woods, a dangerous infestation of hex creeps throughout the town, and a mysterious magical visitor arrives with his eye on her. Declared an apprentice and sent to the town of Lull in disgrace, she may never become a real witch - much to the glee of her archrival, Gimma.But remote Lull is not as boring as it seems. Arianwyn has flunked her witch's She's doomed. I recommend this novel to ANYONE who loves fantasy, fiction, and a sprinkle of magic.'Will at once open a new and imaginative world and feel like a book you have loved forever.' - Jennifer Nielsen, New York Times bestselling author of The False Prince A special middle grade debut of magic and courage in a world of witches, written with the charm and enchantment of Circus Mirandus and The Apothecary.

Come join Wyn and her friends in their battle against the dark. James Nicol has weaved a masterful story chock full with magic, friendship, and doing what’s right. I loved how this book, from the first word to the last, got you so engrossed in the story that you couldn’t put it down.

The Apprentice Witch is a very light hearted fantasy novel geared towards all ages. With her friend Salle, her arch rival Gimma, and Wyn’s trusty moon hare, will Wyn be able to find out what’s wrong in Lull? And will Wyn ever become a witch? Once there, Arianwyn finds that Lull is not so sleepy after all, something dark is amassing in the woods and attacking the residents. Called Wyn by her friends and Dribble by her enemies, Wyn fails the test to become a witch and is awarded the lowly rank of “Apprentice Witch,” and is sent by the Civil Witchcraft Authority to the small town of Lull. Arianwyn Gribble is an aspiring witch from a family of witches and lives in the kingdom of Hylund.

The apprentice witch by james nicol