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With a witchfinder skulking about town, gifted healer Ann and a young Isaac Newton must be careful not to draw too much attention in this high-stakes story from Lindsay Galvin.
Will the discovery of the Elixir of Life lead to a death sentence for a talented young healer?
Ann Storer has inherited her grandmother's mysterious gift of healing, which she shares through the special tinctures she dispenses in her family's apothecary shop. When she combines her talents with the genius of a young Isaac Newton, recently arrived to board above the shop, the two create an incredible elixir with seemingly unlimited powers.
But seventeenth-century England is a dangerous place to display any special abilities, and Ann must hide all evidence when witchfinder Abel Geach arrives in town.
So when the plague starts to run rife and those she loves are in danger, will Ann risk everything to help them?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
About the author
Former teacher Lindsay Galvin is the acclaimed author of numerous books for children, including her middle-grade titles
Darwin's Dragons,
My Friend the Octopus,
Call of the Titanic- an Indie book of the month - and
The Great Phoenix of London, all of which brilliantly blend historical fact and fiction, combining meticulous research with page-turning storylines.
Report
"History and magic collide in this bewitching tale!" - Lucy Strange
"Lindsay Galvin is an exceptional writer ... Her ability to convey so much description, action, emotion, characterisation and plot in such inclusive language and structure is masterful ... With a drive, passion and a touch of magic, Ann is a marvellous protagonist." - From Pen And Page, blog
"The gorgeous front cover was the first thing that drew me in, and thankfully, the magic continued all the way through ... It's packed with interesting, unusual language that will spark curiosity and imagination ... The plot itself is super intriguing, mixing real historical elements like England's witch-hunting past with the scientific genius of Isaac Newton. It's a clever combination that makes the story feel exciting and different." NetGalley review
"An absolutely compelling historical fantasy novella that completely captured me, holding me utterly entranced from start to finish ... An enthralling page-turner that captures the indomitable spirit of a young girl who uses her innate abilities to help others and stand against hatred and prejudice."
