Threadneedle by Cari Thomas

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When @fluerrr at @harpervoyager_uk tells you that a book is “Charmed meets Mean Girls” you know I’m reading it immediately. Let’s be honest for a moment folks, in my heart give me some magic and an unruly, feirce female protagonist and I am yours. I love the imaginative scope of fantasy and this one did not let me down.

Hidden in contemporary London, nestled among its streets, hides another city, filled with magic.

Magic is the first sin. It must be bound.

Ever since the teenage Anna can remember, her aunt has warned her of the dangers of magic, instilling within her a puritanical fear of it’s dark and deadly twists and knots. However when her mysterious cousin comes from New York, Anna finds herself fighting against the indoctrination she has faced her whole life. 

This definitely has a YA element as it’s predominantly set in the school. The treatment she faces at the hands of her aunt and the surrounding plot of her magic being bound and witches being hunted gives the story a depth I was not expecting. There were some laugh out loud moments, the voices of the individual characters were identifiable and strong, the magic was sizzling. 

For fans of this genre (think a more sophisticated Harry Potter) I think this is an absolute contender – the goodreads reviews are gushing and it was highly anticipated by readers. It’s a large book that didn’t feel like a chore to read, in fact I raced through it and I was sad to finish! Happily this is the first of a four part series and I will be absolutely waiting for the next instalment. 

Thank you so much @fluerrr for sending me such a gorgeous proof.

~ Chaya