Book Review: The Ninth Sorceress by Bonnie Wynne

The Ninth Sorceress
Written by Bonnie Wynne
Young Adult, Fantasy
486 Pages
Published TODAY 13th February 2020
Review copy courtesy of  Talem Press
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★★★★★

In the blackest dungeon of the Clockwork City, a prisoner lies bound in silver shackles. Who is she? And why are the wizards so afraid of her?

Seventeen-year-old Gwyn has no family and no past. Apprenticed to a half-mad herbalist, she travels the snow-blasted High Country, hawking potions in a peddler’s wagon. Her guardian hides her from the world like a dark secret, and she knows better than to push for answers.

But when she discovers she is hunted by the goddess Beheret, Gwyn is drawn into a deep and ancient tale: of chained gods and lost magic, of truths long buried and the rising of a war she never could have imagined.

Wizards and their magic-sniffing hounds pursue her – as does a stranger in a smiling mask, who calls her by an unfamiliar name…

But what really terrify her are the dangerous gifts she’s spent her life suppressing. Now, Gwyn must step out of the shadows and take charge of her destiny – even if the price is her own soul.

The Ninth Sorceress is the breathtaking first instalment of The Price of Magic, a sweeping fantasy saga full of rich storytelling and tangible magic.

Tash's Thoughts:

It begins with a girl in a jail.

A girl who is just skin and bones.

Who is this mysterious girl that is threatening to change the world as everyone knows it?

Bonnie Wynne’s The Ninth Sorceress signals her arrival on the YA scene in Australia. Appealing to the market with a spell binding tale that will appeal to all ages.  The Ninth Sorceress is a debut not to be missed.

Right from the beginning there is a sense that you are in the of midst of something great. What that something is, is the question is though, as The Ninth Sorceress starts with a present tense scene that seems bleak and weary.

Wynne is quick of the mark to rectify the situation and builds her story quickly, creating a world full of intrigue and danger. From past to present, there is the element of the unknown hovering around us as the reader as we follow the journey of Gwyn.

Gwyn is a unknown quality at first. Sheltered by her master, she is govern by his ways. Her choices are taken away from her until she is forced to adapt. Through her own experiences on this journey, readers learn about this world that Wynne has created.  It’s rich and offers a lot, yet there sense that we are only scratching the surface. The possibilities are endless it seems and leaves the door wide open for future.

With the doors being wide open and world building at play. Wynne has ticked off  some of the key elements for a good fantasy book. This is key for this book given the market being bigger than ever. Readers are seeking something exciting, something that will be rich and thrilling.  .

Wynne’s writing shows that she has crafted her story well.  In a world that is governed by magic and has no time for those who don’t obey. She does well to portray Gwyn as an interloper who very existence is cause for alarm.   She isn’t prepared for the situation at hand and her innocence shows a lot during the early part of this book.  It’s her growth and determination to seek out the truth that changes her own path though it is clouded by destiny.

With a rich world and formidable character in the making with Gwyn, The Ninth Sorceress is the type of fantasy book that readers want to read. With the movement being strong as it is Australia. Wynne’s book will quickly find a place amongst the YA crowd who crave this type of book. Well written and with the typical elements of fantasy, this unique story needs to be followed to the end.   

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Sarah did an interview with Bonnie last month, you can check that out HERE

About the author:

Bonnie Wynne studied Writing and Cultural Studies at UTS, and completed her law degree at the University of Sydney. After a brief stint in legal publishing, she now works for the Australian government, deciphering ancient law tomes.

She lives in Sydney with her cocker spaniel, Percival Hector (Canine Inspector). When she's not reading or writing, she can be found playing video games, booking her next holiday, or elbow-deep in flour.

THE NINTH SORCERESS is her debut novel and the first book in her series, THE PRICE OF MAGIC.

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