Super fun book. I really like these characters and am looking forward to more of their stories. ( )

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-lost-child-of-lychford-by-paul-cornell/

I voted for the first of this series for the BSFA Awards, and bought the next three at Gallifrey One in 2020 just before the pandemic. I really enjoyed this as well – the village of Lychford becomes the focus of dark forces seeking to destroy the world through a small local child, and the Witches of the first story need to prevent it. Humanely told, as usual with Cornell. ( )

I'm impressed, and I definitely must find myself a copy of Witches of Lychford to read. I found the cover and blurb tempting and, despite having not read Witches of Lychford (how I have missed it is the question) did I find myself quickly engrossed in this book. It's a short story, but it manages to contain a lot of action, humor and some paranormal things like an unhappy little boy apparition. Personally, I just love the love portion part of the story. It gave the story a hilarious aspect.

This may be the first Paul Cornell book I have read, but it will certainly not be the last. I've been interested in reading his Shadow Police series, but now I seriously want to get the first book! The Lost Child of Lychford was a fantastic book, and I hope to read more books about Lizzie and the rest of the gals!

I want to thank Macmillan-Tor/Forge for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review! ( )

This is the second (third?) time I’ve read this novella in the run up to Christmas; and it’s a painfully perfect Christmas tale of romance, isolation, and sacrifice.

It’s the ending that makes it for me (which I won’t discuss, because spoilers), but I also appreciate the journey - a car crash in which the reader can see what’s going on long before the witches, who are being so carefully manipulated. This is all about whether they can possibly stop it, and what price they will have to pay. It makes me cry every time, just as its sly humour and knowing asides make me laugh.

Full review ( )

Series Info/Source: This is the second book in the Witches of Lychford series. There are five novella length books in this series. I borrowed this on audiobook from the library.

Audiobook Quality (4/5): This audiobook was well read and I enjoyed the narration.

Thoughts: I liked this book a bit better than the first book in the series. We get to know the characters better, especially Judith and Lizzie. This was a creepy but well done Christmas mystery. There is still some ambiguity about why the town of Lychford attracts these strange occurrences which I still find confusing.

The premise here is that a strange ghost boy starts showing up at Lizzie’s church. Then things start getting really weird for our witchy trio as reality starts to veer off course.

I still feel like the world and characters are incomplete; more sketches than filled out. However, this book was better than the first book and I am enjoying watching these women navigate this strange little magical town.

My Summary (4/5): Overall I plan on continuing with the series, this is a decent listen and there aren't a lot of novella length audiobooks available at my library. This is a quick and easy read with a nice little mystery, some strange reality twists, and some magic. I like the characters and the small town setting and want to see where things go for them. ( )