What do you think?
Rate this book
Hammer of Witches
Baltasar Infante, a bookmaker’s apprentice living in 1492 Spain, can weasel out of any problem with a good story. But when he awakes one night to find a monster straight out of the stories peering at him through his window, he’s in trouble that even he can’t talk his way out of.
Soon Baltasar is captured by a mysterious arm of the Spanish Inquisition, the Malleus Maleficarum, that demands he reveal the whereabouts of Amir al-Katib, a legendary Moorish sorcerer who can bring myths and the creatures within them to life. Baltasar doesn’t know where the man is—or that he himself has the power to summon genies and golems.
Baltasar must escape, find al-Katib, and defeat a dreadful power that may destroy the world. As Baltasar’s journey takes him into uncharted lands on Columbus’s voyage westward, he learns that stories are more powerful than he once believed them to be—and much more dangerous.
Soon Baltasar is captured by a mysterious arm of the Spanish Inquisition, the Malleus Maleficarum, that demands he reveal the whereabouts of Amir al-Katib, a legendary Moorish sorcerer who can bring myths and the creatures within them to life. Baltasar doesn’t know where the man is—or that he himself has the power to summon genies and golems.
Baltasar must escape, find al-Katib, and defeat a dreadful power that may destroy the world. As Baltasar’s journey takes him into uncharted lands on Columbus’s voyage westward, he learns that stories are more powerful than he once believed them to be—and much more dangerous.
394 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
754 people want to read
About the author
Shana Mlawski
1 book14 followersShana Mlawski lives in New York and has previously lived in Connecticut and Puerto Rico. You may have read one of her many articles or seen one of her popular infographics on the pop culture website OverthinkingIt.com. In her other life she writes educational materials and teaches teenagers to read and write. HAMMER OF WITCHES is her first novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 29, 2013
To be honest with you, this book was the slightest bit confusing. From what I figured out, Baltasar Infante is an apprentice bookbinder who can always tell good stories. But the monsters from the stories aren't always made up in Baltasar's world. When a monster from one of Baltasar's stories is seen one night, Baltasar is in for trouble he can't smooth talk out of for the very first time. A witch hunting army called the Malleus Malificarum has captured him, and put him to question about Amir al-Katib, the infamous Moorish sorcerer who can take monsters from stories and make them appear in real life. Baltasar takes a dangerous journey to uncharted lands with Columbus, and learns some stories aren't just stories.
I couldn't connect to any characters, but I'm sure somebody can connect with them. I thought of this book as a historical-fantasy book that was more fantastical than historical. The book wasn't annoying, but I didn't adore reading it. It was an ok read. It was interesting in the beginning, but as I went on I got slightly bored. Maybe it's just me, because I get bored of historical fiction easily.
It ended with a story, and it was a good way to wrap up a book about Storytellers. I liked the ending. I might read other books from this author, maybe as an over the summer read. Hammer of Witches is written in first person, which I like, but the way it's written can be confusing at some points in the book. The flow was ok, but slightly confusing at some points in time. I might reread this when I'm a bit older, so I recommend this book to 7-9 graders.
I couldn't connect to any characters, but I'm sure somebody can connect with them. I thought of this book as a historical-fantasy book that was more fantastical than historical. The book wasn't annoying, but I didn't adore reading it. It was an ok read. It was interesting in the beginning, but as I went on I got slightly bored. Maybe it's just me, because I get bored of historical fiction easily.
It ended with a story, and it was a good way to wrap up a book about Storytellers. I liked the ending. I might read other books from this author, maybe as an over the summer read. Hammer of Witches is written in first person, which I like, but the way it's written can be confusing at some points in the book. The flow was ok, but slightly confusing at some points in time. I might reread this when I'm a bit older, so I recommend this book to 7-9 graders.
May 4, 2013
“My uncle Diego always said there was magic in a story. Of course, I never really believed him when he said it.” So begins this tale filled to the brim with stories. They are most often magical and overflowing with mystical creatures, adventure, and hidden, but simple truths.
Baltasar has grown up with amazing stories swirling around him. Fortunately, the stories continue throughout his adventures. They are the jewels that bring sparkle and life to this book. The plot line runs in a relatively straight line, but is peppered with all kinds of tales. The stories feature murder, revenge, demons, golems, a unicorn, and quite a few ferocious creatures that are the stuff of nightmares. Stories are powerful here regardless of their truthfulness. As Baltasar learns to his surprise– perception is often more important than fact.
Characters were also a bright spot in this tale. Baltasar, our storyteller extraordinaire, meets many friends along his journey. A few of them are female characters who definitely add depth to the story. One in particular refuses to be locked into the roles other people choose for her and she schools Baltasar quite thoroughly.
From the title and cover, I was expecting a fantasy and possibly some history, but had no idea how MUCH history. I appreciated learning about this time period and came to the realization that I have not read much about the Spanish Inquisition in the past.
The title had me puzzled initially, but that is because I had never heard of the document before. The Malleus Malificarum, or Hammer of Witches, was written in the 1400s and led to the persecution of witches or people thought to be witches. Without that base of historical knowledge, I had to read and re-read some things, but most readers will likely be able to follow the events regardless. In addition, Shanna provides a great author’s note at the conclusion which points out the relative historical accuracy of the book and where she took artistic license. She also offers many links to primary and secondary sources on her website. I find that I am always craving a bit of non-fiction with historical fiction, so this fit the bill perfectly.
Recommendation: Get it soon particularly if historical fiction is one of your favorites. This is a unique book blending fantasy and history with a diverse cast of characters.
Original review with extras: http://richincolor.com/2013/04/review...
Baltasar has grown up with amazing stories swirling around him. Fortunately, the stories continue throughout his adventures. They are the jewels that bring sparkle and life to this book. The plot line runs in a relatively straight line, but is peppered with all kinds of tales. The stories feature murder, revenge, demons, golems, a unicorn, and quite a few ferocious creatures that are the stuff of nightmares. Stories are powerful here regardless of their truthfulness. As Baltasar learns to his surprise– perception is often more important than fact.
Characters were also a bright spot in this tale. Baltasar, our storyteller extraordinaire, meets many friends along his journey. A few of them are female characters who definitely add depth to the story. One in particular refuses to be locked into the roles other people choose for her and she schools Baltasar quite thoroughly.
From the title and cover, I was expecting a fantasy and possibly some history, but had no idea how MUCH history. I appreciated learning about this time period and came to the realization that I have not read much about the Spanish Inquisition in the past.
The title had me puzzled initially, but that is because I had never heard of the document before. The Malleus Malificarum, or Hammer of Witches, was written in the 1400s and led to the persecution of witches or people thought to be witches. Without that base of historical knowledge, I had to read and re-read some things, but most readers will likely be able to follow the events regardless. In addition, Shanna provides a great author’s note at the conclusion which points out the relative historical accuracy of the book and where she took artistic license. She also offers many links to primary and secondary sources on her website. I find that I am always craving a bit of non-fiction with historical fiction, so this fit the bill perfectly.
Recommendation: Get it soon particularly if historical fiction is one of your favorites. This is a unique book blending fantasy and history with a diverse cast of characters.
Original review with extras: http://richincolor.com/2013/04/review...
July 12, 2017
The first book I ever got to read that was written by a friend! And (Shana if you're reading this I can totally gush more in person), I'm happy to say that I loved it. It is a great piece of YA historically based fantasy fiction, very much in the vein of Harry Potter... but with actual history so you can learn something too. I don't read much kid lit these days, but everything here seemed on point - the characters and the way they spoke to each other, the pacing, the exciting climax and additional events post-climax, etc. There was plenty of action, and lovely character moments too.
I think it would be appropriate for any young reader with an interest in: very early Latin American/conquest history, Columbus' famous voyage, Spain & the Inquisition under los Reyes Catolicos (and relations between Christians, Jews, and Muslims), magic & fantasy, etc. Definitely nothing objectionable, and while there were very real emotions, it didn't take any of the dark turns that unnerved me about the later Harry Potter books.
It was especially fun reading on my first cruise vacation in the Caribbean, as much of the action takes place on a big boat or in the Caribbean! And Shana was very well researched and faithful to history, I can confirm as a former Latin American studies student. The factual notes included at the end of the book were particularly useful on this front, and could help clear up any confusion about fact/fiction for young readers.
I am so proud of my friend Shana for the hard work she put into this first novel, and the great result. I hope many young people will enjoy reading it!
I think it would be appropriate for any young reader with an interest in: very early Latin American/conquest history, Columbus' famous voyage, Spain & the Inquisition under los Reyes Catolicos (and relations between Christians, Jews, and Muslims), magic & fantasy, etc. Definitely nothing objectionable, and while there were very real emotions, it didn't take any of the dark turns that unnerved me about the later Harry Potter books.
It was especially fun reading on my first cruise vacation in the Caribbean, as much of the action takes place on a big boat or in the Caribbean! And Shana was very well researched and faithful to history, I can confirm as a former Latin American studies student. The factual notes included at the end of the book were particularly useful on this front, and could help clear up any confusion about fact/fiction for young readers.
I am so proud of my friend Shana for the hard work she put into this first novel, and the great result. I hope many young people will enjoy reading it!
May 10, 2013
My review is biased because the author is a friend of mine. However, I finished this book in two sittings, both of which stretched into the wee hours of the morning because I just had to know what happened next!
Shana's invented world is an engaging mix of fantasy (wizards and witches with a literary bent) and history (I learned so much about 15th century Spain!), all wrapped up in a suspenseful adventure story. There's a hero's quest, bloodshed and warfare, magical beasts and mythical creatures, teenage angst, hints of puppy love, and, of course, Christopher Columbus. It definitely warrants a second read-through, as I certainly missed some tidbits that Shana snuck in.
My one complaint is that the ending seemed a bit abrupt and at once both tidy and unresolved. Perhaps this is because I didn't want the story to end, and it seemed like there was much more story to tell with these characters. Maybe a sequel is on the horizon?
Shana's invented world is an engaging mix of fantasy (wizards and witches with a literary bent) and history (I learned so much about 15th century Spain!), all wrapped up in a suspenseful adventure story. There's a hero's quest, bloodshed and warfare, magical beasts and mythical creatures, teenage angst, hints of puppy love, and, of course, Christopher Columbus. It definitely warrants a second read-through, as I certainly missed some tidbits that Shana snuck in.
My one complaint is that the ending seemed a bit abrupt and at once both tidy and unresolved. Perhaps this is because I didn't want the story to end, and it seemed like there was much more story to tell with these characters. Maybe a sequel is on the horizon?
June 27, 2017
Baltasar Infante is unaware he has the gift of storytelling: the ability to physically conjure up the characters and creatures from tales. Living in 1490s Spain with this talent is dangerous because a branch of the Inquisition, the Malleus Maleficarum, are hunting storytellers down. The Malleus kidnap and torture Baltasar for information about the sorcerer Amir al-Katib. Baltasar has never met al-Katib but the Malleus slip that Baltasar is al-Katib’s son. Escaping the Malleus, Baltasar goes on a quest to find his father and stop a disastrous prophecy from being fulfilled. His journey takes him on an exploratory mission with Cristόbal Colόn to find the West Indies. The voyage is filled with danger as Baltasar tests his storytelling skills and follows the deadly trail of his father.
Hammer of Witches is an inventive story, mixing Christopher Columbus’s voyage to the New World with magic. But Mlawkshi’s creativity feels clumsily pasted together because she does not flesh out a strong foundation for the magic in her story. Readers might think they have a solid grasp of Mlawski’s world only to have it crumble with inconsistent or random details. This plot weakness unfortunately spreads into Mlawski’s character development. Baltasar’s actions and thinking do not always make sense. And Baltasar’s companion, half-genie Jinniyah, seems flat and irrelevant to the story. These problems may have been avoided if Mlawski spent less time being historically accurate with Columbus’s voyage and more time stabilizing her world building and fleshing out her character’s motives.
(See other reviews at Children's Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)
Hammer of Witches is an inventive story, mixing Christopher Columbus’s voyage to the New World with magic. But Mlawkshi’s creativity feels clumsily pasted together because she does not flesh out a strong foundation for the magic in her story. Readers might think they have a solid grasp of Mlawski’s world only to have it crumble with inconsistent or random details. This plot weakness unfortunately spreads into Mlawski’s character development. Baltasar’s actions and thinking do not always make sense. And Baltasar’s companion, half-genie Jinniyah, seems flat and irrelevant to the story. These problems may have been avoided if Mlawski spent less time being historically accurate with Columbus’s voyage and more time stabilizing her world building and fleshing out her character’s motives.
(See other reviews at Children's Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)
December 22, 2019
Shana Mlawski does not have the range.
I figured that out in the first few chapters, when the protagonist spews an anti-Semitic tale in order to keep his bullies happy, and then it's barely ever addressed again. I don't blame Mlawski for grappling with the prejudice against her own heritage omnipresent in the time period, but I do blame her for not treating the issue with responsibility or delicacy. That same carelessness is present throughout the entire novel, where you find that Mlawski has some generally wokeish basic knowledge about the problems of the time period, gestures at them and then skates sheepishly away without giving them more than a cursory mention.
There probably is a way out there to write a kid-friendly vaguely pacifist romp set during the Spaniards' first colonial mission. However, both-sidesing it to imply that "oh, wow, maybe if the Native Americans didn't attack the Spaniards everything could have been okay!" is not it.
I figured that out in the first few chapters, when the protagonist spews an anti-Semitic tale in order to keep his bullies happy, and then it's barely ever addressed again. I don't blame Mlawski for grappling with the prejudice against her own heritage omnipresent in the time period, but I do blame her for not treating the issue with responsibility or delicacy. That same carelessness is present throughout the entire novel, where you find that Mlawski has some generally wokeish basic knowledge about the problems of the time period, gestures at them and then skates sheepishly away without giving them more than a cursory mention.
There probably is a way out there to write a kid-friendly vaguely pacifist romp set during the Spaniards' first colonial mission. However, both-sidesing it to imply that "oh, wow, maybe if the Native Americans didn't attack the Spaniards everything could have been okay!" is not it.
March 18, 2018
This was an enjoyable read. I was really in love with the concept--the world and the story were quite intriguing to me. I was also interested in the characters, but found them a little underdeveloped. The writing also seemed stilted at times, and I found it difficult to engage with the characters' emotions. I can't say I loved it for those reasons, but I did enjoy myself.
August 22, 2017
Moorish heroes? Spanish inquisition? THE MALLEUS MALEFICARUM??? DJINNI??? AMERICAN INDIANS???? KIDS WHO GET IN TROUBLE?????the whole kit and caboodle, right here.
November 11, 2018
So when I picked up this book, I hadn't read the summary or knew anything at all about it, I just really liked the cover.
The story follows a boy named Baltasar who finds out that he's a Storyteller and that he's being hunted by a secret organization. He hears of a prophecy that speaks about this dangerous force that's moving West from Spain and so Baltasar thinks that it's Amir al-Katib, his father. He sets off with his friend Jinniyah, who's half genie half human, on the voyage that the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria are set on in order to track down his father and to get away from the secret organization. Meanwhile, Amir thinks that Baltasar is the great and powerful force that's going to destroy the world so he's trying to kill Baltasar (except he doesn't know that it's Baltasar that he's trying to hurt).
And it's just a huge mess.
Now when the story started out, I thought that Baltasar was a kid because of the fact that he had his uncle tell him stories every single night before he went to sleep and the general way that he was written and acted. You can imagine how very shocked I was to find out that he was in fact a teenager. I think a lot of that had to do with the writing style.
The writing was very simple and straight-forward, which is great, but it was also choppy at times, especially at the beginning, and it didn't always flow very well. Because of the choppiness of the writing, it was always nagging at me in the back of my mind so I was always aware of the short sentences which pushed me out of the story instead of pulling me in. At times I felt like I wasn't as connected to the characters and the story as much as I would have liked so I didn't enjoy some parts of the story nearly as much as other parts.
By the middle of the novel, I felt like the author had really settled into the voice of Baltasar and it flowed a lot better. At the beginning of the story it felt like she was thinking too much about what to say and how her character should act and the descriptions. At some point it just switched and it didn't feel like she had to think about how to write the story because the author had really connected with Baltasar and she knew exactly how he worked and thought and such.
I loved the idea of Storytellers and how you could use the stories that you'd been told of or read about to create these fantastic creatures and settings. I loved how we got to explore that as the story went on and watch Baltasar gain more experience and learn more stories and tricks, even if they did backfire on him sometimes.
I loved the characters and everything that they went through and without even realising it, I'd gotten attached to these characters and their problems, I worried about them and what they went through and it felt real to me. I haven't connected to a story like this a long time so props to the author for that.
My favourite had to be Catalina because she didn't take any shit from anyone and made sure that all of the men aboard the ship knew not to mess with her and to treat her with respect. I loved the relationship that she had with Baltasar as well. She put down boundaries with Baltasar and told him what she was comfortable with and what she wasn't and he had to either take it or leave it. I loved the amount of respect that Baltasar had for Cataline, he respected her boundaries and her opinions, most of the time he didn't push her or make her feel uncomfortable, and when he was in the wrong, he acknowledged the fact that he had overstepped a line and apologised to Catalina for it.
I was satisfied with the ending, but at the same time I wasn't. The entire point of the story was that Baltasar tracked his father down and explained to him that he wasn't trying to destroy the world and to stop Amir from destroying the world himself because they thought that the prophecy was about them. And they do straighten out all of the misunderstandings and stuff but . . . what about the prophecy?
It's all nice that father and son finally get to meet and straighten things out but there's still this dark force that's going to destroy the world out there. The characters talk about how the evil force could be Admiral Colon because he and his ships did sail west from Spain, and they did take natives with them as slaves, and then it's just kind of left there. It's great that everything else is fixed and right but there's still this prophecy and it's never really solved and it doesn't come to pass and now it's just bothering me.
I need the prophecy bit to be solved in order for me to get closure from this story and now it's just eating away at me.
But, I enjoyed reading the story and I would definitely spend money on buying a copy of it from the book store.
The story follows a boy named Baltasar who finds out that he's a Storyteller and that he's being hunted by a secret organization. He hears of a prophecy that speaks about this dangerous force that's moving West from Spain and so Baltasar thinks that it's Amir al-Katib, his father. He sets off with his friend Jinniyah, who's half genie half human, on the voyage that the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria are set on in order to track down his father and to get away from the secret organization. Meanwhile, Amir thinks that Baltasar is the great and powerful force that's going to destroy the world so he's trying to kill Baltasar (except he doesn't know that it's Baltasar that he's trying to hurt).
And it's just a huge mess.
Now when the story started out, I thought that Baltasar was a kid because of the fact that he had his uncle tell him stories every single night before he went to sleep and the general way that he was written and acted. You can imagine how very shocked I was to find out that he was in fact a teenager. I think a lot of that had to do with the writing style.
The writing was very simple and straight-forward, which is great, but it was also choppy at times, especially at the beginning, and it didn't always flow very well. Because of the choppiness of the writing, it was always nagging at me in the back of my mind so I was always aware of the short sentences which pushed me out of the story instead of pulling me in. At times I felt like I wasn't as connected to the characters and the story as much as I would have liked so I didn't enjoy some parts of the story nearly as much as other parts.
By the middle of the novel, I felt like the author had really settled into the voice of Baltasar and it flowed a lot better. At the beginning of the story it felt like she was thinking too much about what to say and how her character should act and the descriptions. At some point it just switched and it didn't feel like she had to think about how to write the story because the author had really connected with Baltasar and she knew exactly how he worked and thought and such.
I loved the idea of Storytellers and how you could use the stories that you'd been told of or read about to create these fantastic creatures and settings. I loved how we got to explore that as the story went on and watch Baltasar gain more experience and learn more stories and tricks, even if they did backfire on him sometimes.
I loved the characters and everything that they went through and without even realising it, I'd gotten attached to these characters and their problems, I worried about them and what they went through and it felt real to me. I haven't connected to a story like this a long time so props to the author for that.
My favourite had to be Catalina because she didn't take any shit from anyone and made sure that all of the men aboard the ship knew not to mess with her and to treat her with respect. I loved the relationship that she had with Baltasar as well. She put down boundaries with Baltasar and told him what she was comfortable with and what she wasn't and he had to either take it or leave it. I loved the amount of respect that Baltasar had for Cataline, he respected her boundaries and her opinions, most of the time he didn't push her or make her feel uncomfortable, and when he was in the wrong, he acknowledged the fact that he had overstepped a line and apologised to Catalina for it.
I was satisfied with the ending, but at the same time I wasn't. The entire point of the story was that Baltasar tracked his father down and explained to him that he wasn't trying to destroy the world and to stop Amir from destroying the world himself because they thought that the prophecy was about them. And they do straighten out all of the misunderstandings and stuff but . . . what about the prophecy?
It's all nice that father and son finally get to meet and straighten things out but there's still this dark force that's going to destroy the world out there. The characters talk about how the evil force could be Admiral Colon because he and his ships did sail west from Spain, and they did take natives with them as slaves, and then it's just kind of left there. It's great that everything else is fixed and right but there's still this prophecy and it's never really solved and it doesn't come to pass and now it's just bothering me.
I need the prophecy bit to be solved in order for me to get closure from this story and now it's just eating away at me.
But, I enjoyed reading the story and I would definitely spend money on buying a copy of it from the book store.
May 24, 2013
Baltasar Infante is a story teller in Spain at a time when Spain has finally united and actively seeking to purge it's borders of anyone who has not converted to Christianity. Being a Jew puts him and his family in a precarious position but when his father, the legendary Moor sorcerer pays him a visit one night, it brings Baltasar and his aunt and uncle to the attention of the Malleus Maleficarum. Baltasar is forced to flee the only home he has ever known and when he gets a prophecy from the Baba Yaga that a great force is traveling west to end the world as we know it, Baltasar knows what he must do - kill the great Amir al-Katib.
As much as this story is about folklore, magic and religious persecution, it's also very much about colonialisation. Much of this story takes place on Columbus's famous voyage west in 1492. When the Baba Yaga speaks of a force moving west to destroy the world, what she is talking about is how colonialisation will destroy indigenous cultures and wipe language and history completely off the map. Even if a single battle had never been waged, the diseases the Europeans brought with them alone would have been enough to start the genocide which did eventually occur. Being Spanish, Baltasar could not conceive of the fact that it was the Spanish who were the threat. This is framed as is part of his optimistic nature rather than his Eurocentric view of the world.
Mlawski drew on a lot of folklore to write this book and it is evident. There were golems, unicorns, and many other fantastical creatures from a host of mythologies. It helped to make the world Mlawski created not only diverse but absolutely engaging. To use his magic, Balthasar had to rely on his ability to synthesize folklore and take elements from it. The magic was also different according to race and gender. The Ayiti having a different belief system than Balthasar showed that even though their culture was different and perhaps not at technologically advanced that they were powerful in their own right. Then there is Catilina who uses the Joan D'arc spell to present as male because there are thousands of stories in which women must become men or appear to be men to gain a modicum of respect.
Though Balthasar is the protagonist of this story, there are two very strong women - one being Catalina a fellow sorcerer and the other Jinniyah a half human half genie being. Catalina boards the Nina to escape a marriage to man that she does not know in order to make her own way in life. She is highly capable and challenges the sexism in the fairytale sleeping beauty. What Balthasar sees as a nice romantic tale with a happy ending, Catalina sees one revolving trap for the princess in question. Catalina constantly sets limits on Balthasar and keeps her best interest in mind at all times. She even acts when the sailors decide to kidnapp and rape some indigenous women. Catalina knows how hard it is for women in this world to escape being abused and to lead independent lives and she uses magic to change that as much as possible. Though her magic is based in the same concepts as Balthasar's, her experience and her gender allow her to interpret the stories differently and create different creatures.
Jinniyah is similarly an outcast but not because of gender but because she is half ifrit and half human. She doesn't really belong anywhere but she is smart and extremely knowledgeable. In some ways, it would be fair to say that she acts as a sort of conscience to Balthasar. She is desperate for Balthasar to reunite with his father Amir al-Katib and it's this desperation that leads to a reunion with the destruction/death of either father or son. In some ways, Jinniyah is very innocent.
Read More
As much as this story is about folklore, magic and religious persecution, it's also very much about colonialisation. Much of this story takes place on Columbus's famous voyage west in 1492. When the Baba Yaga speaks of a force moving west to destroy the world, what she is talking about is how colonialisation will destroy indigenous cultures and wipe language and history completely off the map. Even if a single battle had never been waged, the diseases the Europeans brought with them alone would have been enough to start the genocide which did eventually occur. Being Spanish, Baltasar could not conceive of the fact that it was the Spanish who were the threat. This is framed as is part of his optimistic nature rather than his Eurocentric view of the world.
Mlawski drew on a lot of folklore to write this book and it is evident. There were golems, unicorns, and many other fantastical creatures from a host of mythologies. It helped to make the world Mlawski created not only diverse but absolutely engaging. To use his magic, Balthasar had to rely on his ability to synthesize folklore and take elements from it. The magic was also different according to race and gender. The Ayiti having a different belief system than Balthasar showed that even though their culture was different and perhaps not at technologically advanced that they were powerful in their own right. Then there is Catilina who uses the Joan D'arc spell to present as male because there are thousands of stories in which women must become men or appear to be men to gain a modicum of respect.
Though Balthasar is the protagonist of this story, there are two very strong women - one being Catalina a fellow sorcerer and the other Jinniyah a half human half genie being. Catalina boards the Nina to escape a marriage to man that she does not know in order to make her own way in life. She is highly capable and challenges the sexism in the fairytale sleeping beauty. What Balthasar sees as a nice romantic tale with a happy ending, Catalina sees one revolving trap for the princess in question. Catalina constantly sets limits on Balthasar and keeps her best interest in mind at all times. She even acts when the sailors decide to kidnapp and rape some indigenous women. Catalina knows how hard it is for women in this world to escape being abused and to lead independent lives and she uses magic to change that as much as possible. Though her magic is based in the same concepts as Balthasar's, her experience and her gender allow her to interpret the stories differently and create different creatures.
Jinniyah is similarly an outcast but not because of gender but because she is half ifrit and half human. She doesn't really belong anywhere but she is smart and extremely knowledgeable. In some ways, it would be fair to say that she acts as a sort of conscience to Balthasar. She is desperate for Balthasar to reunite with his father Amir al-Katib and it's this desperation that leads to a reunion with the destruction/death of either father or son. In some ways, Jinniyah is very innocent.
Read More
July 12, 2016
***Originally posted here on my blog. Actual rating 3.8 stars. Review may contain spoilers******
Shana Mlawski's Hammer Of Witches will definitely leave its readers in aw of the her impressive ability to creatively craft and intertwine mythical and biblical creatures, fairy tales and lessons on life and how no two people will interpret the same story the same way. Coupled with several relative themes of morality, truth, war and power.
I was also impressed with the author's method of layering the connections between the different cultures and religions in the narrative; both the reader and Baltasar face—Christianity, Judaism, and Islam—as the story carries us from the small town of Palos in Spain all the way across the Atlantic.
Bal's character is intimately connected to all of them, having being born of a Christian mother and Muslim father, while being raised by two converted Jewish surrogate aunt and uncle. Ironically enough, I noticed that although the book is called Hammer of Witches, the story focuses more on Baltasar's internal and external quest for answers and connection, rather than on the secret society out to kill him and his father, Amir Al-Katib.
Overall, the story ended up surprising me in a lot ways: there was a lot of great dialogue, a fun play on a number of well-known fairy tales and openly flawed and self-aware characters. Even though Baltasar's character is the main protagonist in this book, the reader never once self-proclaims himself a hero or anything close to it. His character development throughout the book even seemed to move in the opposite direction.
There was no wisdom here in this graveyard. In the old stories, the hero would go from a child who knew nothing about the world to a warrior full of strength and insight. It wasn't supposed to happen the other way around. But now I felt more childish and useless than I had ever felt before.—Hammer of Witches, pg. 368-369
And while I liked the story and the characters in this book and the consistent edge teetering pacing of the narrative, it was the loose ending of the book that I felt indifferent to. Although it successfully tired up a few narrative questions and gives the reader (and Baltasar) some long over due answers, it was not the conclusion I was expecting.
Whats more, by the end of the story, I was left with a feeling of perplexity regarding what the intended moral of the story:
Any one tale can have multiple interpretations.
Or
No matter how hard you try to avoid a prophecy of war, (change) there will always be elements out of your control.
But as this story is a book about storytelling, magic, myths and individual interpretation, I guess there really isn't any real way of knowing. And in the words of Baltasar himself:
"And here I thought I was the main character," I thought. "Maybe I wasn't even part of the story."
Which begs the question, by the end of the book is the reader reading the story to see what lessons Baltasar learns or to learn a few lessons of his or her own?
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Shana Mlawski's Hammer Of Witches will definitely leave its readers in aw of the her impressive ability to creatively craft and intertwine mythical and biblical creatures, fairy tales and lessons on life and how no two people will interpret the same story the same way. Coupled with several relative themes of morality, truth, war and power.
I was also impressed with the author's method of layering the connections between the different cultures and religions in the narrative; both the reader and Baltasar face—Christianity, Judaism, and Islam—as the story carries us from the small town of Palos in Spain all the way across the Atlantic.
Bal's character is intimately connected to all of them, having being born of a Christian mother and Muslim father, while being raised by two converted Jewish surrogate aunt and uncle. Ironically enough, I noticed that although the book is called Hammer of Witches, the story focuses more on Baltasar's internal and external quest for answers and connection, rather than on the secret society out to kill him and his father, Amir Al-Katib.
Overall, the story ended up surprising me in a lot ways: there was a lot of great dialogue, a fun play on a number of well-known fairy tales and openly flawed and self-aware characters. Even though Baltasar's character is the main protagonist in this book, the reader never once self-proclaims himself a hero or anything close to it. His character development throughout the book even seemed to move in the opposite direction.
There was no wisdom here in this graveyard. In the old stories, the hero would go from a child who knew nothing about the world to a warrior full of strength and insight. It wasn't supposed to happen the other way around. But now I felt more childish and useless than I had ever felt before.—Hammer of Witches, pg. 368-369
And while I liked the story and the characters in this book and the consistent edge teetering pacing of the narrative, it was the loose ending of the book that I felt indifferent to. Although it successfully tired up a few narrative questions and gives the reader (and Baltasar) some long over due answers, it was not the conclusion I was expecting.
Whats more, by the end of the story, I was left with a feeling of perplexity regarding what the intended moral of the story:
Any one tale can have multiple interpretations.
Or
No matter how hard you try to avoid a prophecy of war, (change) there will always be elements out of your control.
But as this story is a book about storytelling, magic, myths and individual interpretation, I guess there really isn't any real way of knowing. And in the words of Baltasar himself:
"And here I thought I was the main character," I thought. "Maybe I wasn't even part of the story."
Which begs the question, by the end of the book is the reader reading the story to see what lessons Baltasar learns or to learn a few lessons of his or her own?
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2013
Magic, Monsters, and Christopher Columbus
“My uncle Diego always said there was magic in a story.”
In Shana Mlawski’s debut novel, “Hammer of Witches” (Tu Books, an imprint of Lee & Low Books, 2013), stories are magic—quite literally. Fourteen year-old Baltasar Infante has grown up listening to his bookmaker uncle’s stories—tales about imps who ruin the work of scribes, giant clay creatures that can be summoned with a word, and most of all, Amir al-Katib, the legendary Moorish sorcerer who turned traitor to Spain. But Baltasar always thought they were just that—stories—until he gets into a tight spot and accidentally summons a golem.
The creature saves his life, but he soon finds himself on the run from the Malleus Maleficarum, the sinister witch-hunting arm of the Spanish Inquisition. Along the way, he picks up a genie (although she doesn’t grant wishes; “[o]nly attention-starved genies do that, and I am not attention-starved!”) and pays a visit to Baba Yaga, the witch of Russian folklore, who tells him that his true mission is to find al-Katib and prevent the destruction of the world as they know it.
He finds himself on a ship named the Santa Maria, captained by one Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus), heading into unchartered waters. Along the way, Baltasar masters his powers as a Storyteller, even summoning the Biblical Leviathan, with near-disastrous results.
Mlawski spins a terrifically entertaining tale, but her writing can sometimes be awkward and clunky (“In the middle of the room sat a large table carved from a single piece of wood, and in the corner lounged a fur-covered bed.” One can lounge on a bed, but I have never seen a bed lounge.). Baltasar can sometimes be annoyingly clueless. “So you’re saying there are spells that can make girls look like boys?” he asks one character, who responds, “Yes! In fact there are about a thousand stories that can do that. Because there are about a thousand stories about women dressing up as men to get the respect they deserve!” Well, knock me over with a feather duster.
These quibbles are distractions, but they shouldn’t be deal-breakers for most readers twelve years and older, especially if they like fast-paced historical fiction with a generous helping of fantasy. There is also a terrific author’s note at the end in which she explains which events and characters are historically accurate and which are products of her imagination (she acknowledges that while the people upon which the characters Baltasar and Pedro are based are real, they were most likely not wizards).
Sara Latta is a science writer and author of 17 books for children and young adults. You can learn more about her work and link to past reviews at http://www.saralatta.com. This review originally appeared in the May 19, 2013 edition of The News-Gazette.
“My uncle Diego always said there was magic in a story.”
In Shana Mlawski’s debut novel, “Hammer of Witches” (Tu Books, an imprint of Lee & Low Books, 2013), stories are magic—quite literally. Fourteen year-old Baltasar Infante has grown up listening to his bookmaker uncle’s stories—tales about imps who ruin the work of scribes, giant clay creatures that can be summoned with a word, and most of all, Amir al-Katib, the legendary Moorish sorcerer who turned traitor to Spain. But Baltasar always thought they were just that—stories—until he gets into a tight spot and accidentally summons a golem.
The creature saves his life, but he soon finds himself on the run from the Malleus Maleficarum, the sinister witch-hunting arm of the Spanish Inquisition. Along the way, he picks up a genie (although she doesn’t grant wishes; “[o]nly attention-starved genies do that, and I am not attention-starved!”) and pays a visit to Baba Yaga, the witch of Russian folklore, who tells him that his true mission is to find al-Katib and prevent the destruction of the world as they know it.
He finds himself on a ship named the Santa Maria, captained by one Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus), heading into unchartered waters. Along the way, Baltasar masters his powers as a Storyteller, even summoning the Biblical Leviathan, with near-disastrous results.
Mlawski spins a terrifically entertaining tale, but her writing can sometimes be awkward and clunky (“In the middle of the room sat a large table carved from a single piece of wood, and in the corner lounged a fur-covered bed.” One can lounge on a bed, but I have never seen a bed lounge.). Baltasar can sometimes be annoyingly clueless. “So you’re saying there are spells that can make girls look like boys?” he asks one character, who responds, “Yes! In fact there are about a thousand stories that can do that. Because there are about a thousand stories about women dressing up as men to get the respect they deserve!” Well, knock me over with a feather duster.
These quibbles are distractions, but they shouldn’t be deal-breakers for most readers twelve years and older, especially if they like fast-paced historical fiction with a generous helping of fantasy. There is also a terrific author’s note at the end in which she explains which events and characters are historically accurate and which are products of her imagination (she acknowledges that while the people upon which the characters Baltasar and Pedro are based are real, they were most likely not wizards).
Sara Latta is a science writer and author of 17 books for children and young adults. You can learn more about her work and link to past reviews at http://www.saralatta.com. This review originally appeared in the May 19, 2013 edition of The News-Gazette.
August 20, 2013
Baltasar Infante worked with his uncle, a bookmaker, in his shop and at night listened to his many stories of mystical and magical creatures. Often times, he would dream of yellow eyes watching him through his window. He would put those stories aside, unable to determine if they were real and continued to worship his favorite hero, Amir al-Katib, the moorish hero of Spain, that is until he learned that he was a traitor.
One rainy night Baltasar was captured and taken by the Malleus Maleficanum, a renegade off shoot of the Spanish Inquisition founded in Germany, a priest questioned him about Amire al-Katib. In an attempt to find Amire, the priest would try to torture Baltasar, that is until he conjured a Golem, a clay creature, to save him. Once home, Baltasar's uncle told him who he really was, the family history and that he was the son of Amir al-Katib. Most importantly, Baltasar was a witch or sorcerer. His father had been fighting to save Europe but now all of Europe was looking for him and they mean to kill him. When the King's men showed up at Baltasar's home, his uncle pleaded with him to escape. In flight, Baltasar watched his family die and his home destroyed. His sole purpose was to find his father, but first he must save himself.
With no where else to go, Baltasar remembered the tavern where a sailor was talking about setting sail. That was his chance to escape, in the mean time he paid for a room and would wait for his chance to board. Tucked away in an attic room, Baltasar recounted the night and remembered his uncle had given him a necklace that belonged to his father. It was supposed to protect him. He opened the locket and released an Ifritah, or fire genie, and friend of Amir. Together they would set out on a journey to find Amire. Along the way Baltasar would learn the power within himself as he is conquered by independence and manhood.
Young readers will enjoy the mysticism of this tale. Mlawski offers male and female heroes readers can sink their teeth into. Although the story references Christopher Columbus and the Spanish Inquisition the author makes it clear in the back of the book that her story is completely fictional and also states the history around the 1400's when the story takes place. The back of the book also is host to a glossary which helps readers understand the mystical creatures and the correct pronunciation for these characters.
One rainy night Baltasar was captured and taken by the Malleus Maleficanum, a renegade off shoot of the Spanish Inquisition founded in Germany, a priest questioned him about Amire al-Katib. In an attempt to find Amire, the priest would try to torture Baltasar, that is until he conjured a Golem, a clay creature, to save him. Once home, Baltasar's uncle told him who he really was, the family history and that he was the son of Amir al-Katib. Most importantly, Baltasar was a witch or sorcerer. His father had been fighting to save Europe but now all of Europe was looking for him and they mean to kill him. When the King's men showed up at Baltasar's home, his uncle pleaded with him to escape. In flight, Baltasar watched his family die and his home destroyed. His sole purpose was to find his father, but first he must save himself.
With no where else to go, Baltasar remembered the tavern where a sailor was talking about setting sail. That was his chance to escape, in the mean time he paid for a room and would wait for his chance to board. Tucked away in an attic room, Baltasar recounted the night and remembered his uncle had given him a necklace that belonged to his father. It was supposed to protect him. He opened the locket and released an Ifritah, or fire genie, and friend of Amir. Together they would set out on a journey to find Amire. Along the way Baltasar would learn the power within himself as he is conquered by independence and manhood.
Young readers will enjoy the mysticism of this tale. Mlawski offers male and female heroes readers can sink their teeth into. Although the story references Christopher Columbus and the Spanish Inquisition the author makes it clear in the back of the book that her story is completely fictional and also states the history around the 1400's when the story takes place. The back of the book also is host to a glossary which helps readers understand the mystical creatures and the correct pronunciation for these characters.
December 29, 2014
I should preface this review by saying that I know the author and was very excited for this book to come out. :)
I thought this book was great! The rules of magic in the book's world are simple, but interesting. The backdrop - early Renaissance Europe and the New World - will be familiar to anyone who's had geography or world history in a U.S. classroom, but quickly moves into uncharted territory (no pun intended!). It's heavily plot-driven and fast-paced (even at sea), and I was pleasantly surprised that, even as an adult, I was still in the dark about some characters' motives and plot points until very late in the book.
In terms of the writing, I enjoyed Mlawski's obvious talent for cartoony visuals - mad dashes, bumbling klutzes, genie bottles careening around rooms. I'm not typically a reader who "sees" the story in my mind's eye, but her visual descriptions were very evocative and quite entertaining. Of course, I also loved the lessons the book delivered in terms of understanding different/multiple perspectives, along lines of culture, class, belief, and gender, as well as the moral ambiguity allowed in the story's explorations of what makes someone a good person and what makes a choice the right choice. In particular, I think one of the female characters would have really spoken to me if I had read this at eleven or twelve, when I felt vaguely upset about my lot in life as a girl on the edge of puberty but didn't really have the tools yet to articulate or even think critically about why. One weakness on this front, however, was that some of Baltasar's revelations felt a little too didactic - a little bit, "And suddenly, I understood that girls have it really hard!" I didn't think this detracted from the story much, and could be helpful to readers at the younger end of the book's target audience.
All in all, a stellar first effort! I'm so pleased that this got published, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to any middle-grade reader interested in adventure, magic or historical fiction.
I thought this book was great! The rules of magic in the book's world are simple, but interesting. The backdrop - early Renaissance Europe and the New World - will be familiar to anyone who's had geography or world history in a U.S. classroom, but quickly moves into uncharted territory (no pun intended!). It's heavily plot-driven and fast-paced (even at sea), and I was pleasantly surprised that, even as an adult, I was still in the dark about some characters' motives and plot points until very late in the book.
In terms of the writing, I enjoyed Mlawski's obvious talent for cartoony visuals - mad dashes, bumbling klutzes, genie bottles careening around rooms. I'm not typically a reader who "sees" the story in my mind's eye, but her visual descriptions were very evocative and quite entertaining. Of course, I also loved the lessons the book delivered in terms of understanding different/multiple perspectives, along lines of culture, class, belief, and gender, as well as the moral ambiguity allowed in the story's explorations of what makes someone a good person and what makes a choice the right choice. In particular, I think one of the female characters would have really spoken to me if I had read this at eleven or twelve, when I felt vaguely upset about my lot in life as a girl on the edge of puberty but didn't really have the tools yet to articulate or even think critically about why. One weakness on this front, however, was that some of Baltasar's revelations felt a little too didactic - a little bit, "And suddenly, I understood that girls have it really hard!" I didn't think this detracted from the story much, and could be helpful to readers at the younger end of the book's target audience.
All in all, a stellar first effort! I'm so pleased that this got published, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to any middle-grade reader interested in adventure, magic or historical fiction.
June 23, 2013
Even without the disclaimer that the author's a friend (Hi Shana!), this was a wonderful, engrossing read. It takes a very familiar narrative - the time of Columbus' voyage and the Spanish Renaissance - and not only adds a unique element to it (magic!), but cleverly ties it's usage into the historical context of the era. In regards to the overall tone of the book, I enjoyed Mlawski's non-child-gloves handling of the time period. As a result, I appreciated the author's assumption that you knew all these things that I obviously wasn't taught in fourth grade when we learned about Columbus. I think that a young adult me reading this would've thought it strange that Columbus was kind of a dick and wait, what's this about military alliances and kidnapping natives as slaves, and would have subsequently looked up books (pre-internet!) to learn more about the era.
In regards to the narrative itself, I basically read it in three sittings. It's fast-paced and captures your attention with the plot and character development. I did think the protagonist's internal monologues of self-realization and explanation of things right at the split second before everything is doomed was a bit "young adult-y," if that makes any sense, but it didn't really take away from the suspense. So many plot twists that I didn't see coming! My one real gripe would be that the end kind of wrapped it up in too neat of a bow (albeit knowing that the eventual conquest and colonization of the New World isn't exactly a happy ending), cramming what could've been a third of the book into the last couple chapters. But then again: three sittings, so yeah.
In regards to the narrative itself, I basically read it in three sittings. It's fast-paced and captures your attention with the plot and character development. I did think the protagonist's internal monologues of self-realization and explanation of things right at the split second before everything is doomed was a bit "young adult-y," if that makes any sense, but it didn't really take away from the suspense. So many plot twists that I didn't see coming! My one real gripe would be that the end kind of wrapped it up in too neat of a bow (albeit knowing that the eventual conquest and colonization of the New World isn't exactly a happy ending), cramming what could've been a third of the book into the last couple chapters. But then again: three sittings, so yeah.
May 17, 2013
4.5 stars
With Hammer of Witches, Shana Mlawski has spun a gorgeous historical fantasy that will be sure to captivate readers. By the end of the first chapter, I was completely hooked and continued on to read straight through the book.
Hammer of Witches takes my two favorite genres - historical fiction and fantasy - and blends them together, which is even more awesome in my book. It was the perfect vehicle for the story Shana Mlawski had to tell!
The idea of magic in Shana Mlawski's book is so neat - magic is not just magic, and she has given such power to what is generally just a regular old storyteller. I love the idea of there being magic in stories, since as a child, I was always so fascinated by them. The very real personification of that in Hammer of Witches was excellent. Witches or sorcerers are called Storytellers in Shana Mlawski's world.
The setting is refreshing and new - Spain during the Inquisition, followed by taking Christopher Columbus's path West is not a well traveled path in the world of fantasy, so it was exciting to see a new place through the eyes of a talented story teller.
Balthazar is a delightful main character - he was so inquisitive and worked together well with Jinnijah, the story's other main character. And together they encounter such a wide cast of characters and a slew of different creatures.
Hammer of Witches is a coming of age journey and a stunning debut. Books like this one just confirm why I love middle grade so much - it was delightful, fun, and tells a really great story!
With Hammer of Witches, Shana Mlawski has spun a gorgeous historical fantasy that will be sure to captivate readers. By the end of the first chapter, I was completely hooked and continued on to read straight through the book.
Hammer of Witches takes my two favorite genres - historical fiction and fantasy - and blends them together, which is even more awesome in my book. It was the perfect vehicle for the story Shana Mlawski had to tell!
The idea of magic in Shana Mlawski's book is so neat - magic is not just magic, and she has given such power to what is generally just a regular old storyteller. I love the idea of there being magic in stories, since as a child, I was always so fascinated by them. The very real personification of that in Hammer of Witches was excellent. Witches or sorcerers are called Storytellers in Shana Mlawski's world.
The setting is refreshing and new - Spain during the Inquisition, followed by taking Christopher Columbus's path West is not a well traveled path in the world of fantasy, so it was exciting to see a new place through the eyes of a talented story teller.
Balthazar is a delightful main character - he was so inquisitive and worked together well with Jinnijah, the story's other main character. And together they encounter such a wide cast of characters and a slew of different creatures.
Hammer of Witches is a coming of age journey and a stunning debut. Books like this one just confirm why I love middle grade so much - it was delightful, fun, and tells a really great story!
August 26, 2014
Fourteen-year-old Baltasar Infante is a simple bookmaker's apprentice in fifteenth century Spain. Or so he once believed. Now he's discovered that his parents aren't who he thought they were, and that his skills as a Storyteller allow him to bring characters and settings from his stories to life, to materialize in the here and now. As exciting as this skill sounds, it unfortunately puts him on the radar of the Malleus Maleficarum, the radical witch-hunting arm of the Spanish Inquisition.
Soon, Baltasar finds himself heading west on-board the Santa María, serving as translator to the ship's captain, in order to escape the corrupt arm of the law, track down his true father, and attempt to fulfill the prophecy of the Baba Yaga.
This was an amazing read!! A fantastic debut novel from author Shana Mlawski, lush with historical references--and a bit of fiction thrown in--made for a spellbinding story. With such rich and vivid imagery, I found myself pulled into the world of 15th century Spain, and Columbus' voyage to the new world, all while keeping the story fresh, fast-paced, and exciting. The author does an impressive job using of historical facts and figures, and weaving a wonderfully magical tale around them. I'd definitely love to read more from her in the future.
Soon, Baltasar finds himself heading west on-board the Santa María, serving as translator to the ship's captain, in order to escape the corrupt arm of the law, track down his true father, and attempt to fulfill the prophecy of the Baba Yaga.
This was an amazing read!! A fantastic debut novel from author Shana Mlawski, lush with historical references--and a bit of fiction thrown in--made for a spellbinding story. With such rich and vivid imagery, I found myself pulled into the world of 15th century Spain, and Columbus' voyage to the new world, all while keeping the story fresh, fast-paced, and exciting. The author does an impressive job using of historical facts and figures, and weaving a wonderfully magical tale around them. I'd definitely love to read more from her in the future.
September 9, 2013
Fourteen-year-old Baltasar Infante has always treasured the stories told to him by his uncle, but when he comes under suspicion from the Malleus Maleficarum, he realizes that many of the stories are based in truth and that he has magical powers. With help from Jinniyah, a half-genie, he boards a ship that belongs to a fleet commanded by Christopher Columbus. Although the ship doesn't land where its passengers expect it to, the islands it reaches are filled with riches of all sort and surprises about Baltasar's father. While I enjoyed revisiting this part of history from a different perspective, I particularly enjoyed the elements of magic that are sprinkled throughout the book. Baltasar grows in awareness and in courage, and even finds a way to forgive others. The author makes sure to describe the misbehavior and evil acts of the Spanish who have accompanied Columbus and taken advantage of the people who provided hospitality to them on the islands.
May 4, 2014
Hmmm. . . I have mixed reactions to this book. I really like historical fiction, and this is the first book I can remember reading about the Spanish Inquisition and the voyage of Christopher Columbus (I also had never connected the time periods for those two before). I did like the historical elements, and I really appreciated Mlawski's afterward in the book in which she discussed the decisions she made as a writer. I thought they would really provide some insight to readers of historical fiction. I just didn't buy in to the premise of the book--especially the magical/fantasy elements. I have always believed in the magic of storytelling; maybe my problem with this book is that magic I have felt from stories is too different my perception.
Having said that, I still think this is a book that will appeal to many middle grade readers. It is full of adventure and danger, and who doesn't like an exciting book. It just wasn't one of my favorites.
(1,0)
Having said that, I still think this is a book that will appeal to many middle grade readers. It is full of adventure and danger, and who doesn't like an exciting book. It just wasn't one of my favorites.
(1,0)
November 10, 2013
This is a terrific blend of historical fiction and fantasy. The adventure of Balthasar Infante, bookmaker's apprentice and target of the Spanish Inquisition, on Columbus' first voyage to the New World is woven together with the legends and folklore of many ancient narrative traditions, in a manner similar to the weaving of Northern European folklore into Harry Potter and of Greco-Roman mythology into Percy Jackson. The novel contains rich meditations on the power and function of storytelling, and the melding of storytelling traditions into a propulsive narrative about the forging of the New World on the foundations of the Old makes this a uniquely American multicultural story.
July 3, 2013
Eh, just wasn't my style. I like the unusual setting (Spain circa 1492), and found the whole "magic through stories" thing interesting, but the writing left me kind of cold. Plus, I could tell they were headed for a boat. If I'd loved the writing and characters already, I'd have stuck around for the boat, but if I wasn't even in love with the story when it had the Baba Yaga in it, chances that I'd like it once it boarded a boat were slim.
April 25, 2015
3 1/2 stars. First- it did not actually take me 3 months to finish this book. I set it aside for a while so I could memorize my lines for Made of Stars and just recently picked it up again to finish it. Historical fantasy isn't usually a genre I go for, but I liked this story. Mlawski clearly did a lot of research into the time period and wrote an interesting take on Columbus's "discovery" of the Americas. And I like the mythology in the book that stories are magic.
March 26, 2014
An alternate history of Columbus' voyage to the New World involving magic, witches, demons, and the Spanish Inquisition. Mlawski's world where storytelling is a form of magic was captivating, though it didn't always hold together for me. This may appeal to fans of Diana Wynne Jones or possibly Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus Trilogy--although not as dry as the former nor as snarky as the latter. Plenty of action and adventure, and the characters are interesting and mostly well developed.
July 26, 2013
Highly complex novel about the life of an apprentice storyteller at the dawn's of Christopher Columbus's epic voyage to the New World. Readers with patience and an appreciation of historical fiction - woven with a good deal of fantasy - will be rewarded with a story rich in discoveries and adventure.
October 10, 2013
Bland. Uninspiring.
I was interested during the first 20-25%. I got confused as Bal started learning more about his past and using sorcery. I got frustrated while he was on the boat. And I just got bored when they reached land. I had no need to find out anymore about his purpose in life, his father, the prophecy, or any of the rest of it.
Historical/fantasy fiction set in 1492.
Meh.
I was interested during the first 20-25%. I got confused as Bal started learning more about his past and using sorcery. I got frustrated while he was on the boat. And I just got bored when they reached land. I had no need to find out anymore about his purpose in life, his father, the prophecy, or any of the rest of it.
Historical/fantasy fiction set in 1492.
Meh.
May 6, 2013
A unique and very entertaining story by my fellow Tu Books author, Shana Mlawski. A very cool world in which "Storytellers" can create the fantastical by telling a convincing and engrossing story. A tantalizing mix of actual history (Columbus's journey to the Americas) and fantasy what-ifs.
September 2, 2013
Beautifully written, rich in folklore and fantasy interwoven with history. Teens who are into historical fiction will enjoy it, unfortunately, there aren't many of them, so while I think the author had written an intriguing story, I'm afraid it will be a hard-sell to teens.
July 21, 2014
An engaging historical fantasy book. Shana Mlawski crafts strong metaphors about identity and power through the main character's (literal) magical storytelling. An excellent read for middle school students.
May 13, 2015
An excellent debut novel from new author Shana Mlawski. I finished this entertaining book in one evening, and loved it. Magic, adventure, and intriguing characters in one of the most interesting periods in history, I would recommend this book to anyone.
June 16, 2013
I read a book! A real book! It was a pretty good one, too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews