Rating: Marginal
Marshall Cavendish, 2008, $16.99
ISBN: 978-0761455158
Age/Grade Level: Ages 9-12
Vivian Vande Velde used pictures of unknown people for an exercise when she led writing workshops. She was fascinated by a girl's photo one day and that's how the heroine of this book was born.
The story starts when an old witch, who had just stolen another baby from the village, was hunted down by the blood-thirsty villagers, crying for revenge. Scurrying to spare her life, the witch cast her spells…
A girl was running through the woods, panic stricken, being chased by vicious dogs. She lost consciousness to pure terror, only to wake to face an even bigger one. She does not know who she is or where she came from. When Mady and Frayne show up to claim her as their long lost daughter, Isabelle, she is skeptical.
Isabelle, it turns out, was six when she was taken by the witch six years ago. The little baby, the newly stolen child, was Isabelle's sister. Honey, Isabelle’s elder sister, does not seem too keen on warming up to her. The story goes on slowly as Isabelle tries to find out her true identity; a surprise ending is revealed.
Vivian Vande Velde’s book Heir Apparent made a great impression on me. However, this book, although full of suspense leading to a shocking revelation, is slow-paced and never has enough excitement for young readers who enjoy substantial adventure and horror stories.
Reviewer: Zhen Li, Orange County Public Library/Laguna Niguel Branch
