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The Witch in the Lake: A Novel
"...when the sky is dark and the moon is full, the witch will come creeping." Leo has heard the stories since he was a baby. "Don't go near the lake, little ones -- she waits there, under the water," mothers say. Countless children and adults have mysteriously disappeared, and the legends of the witch's powers have grown. Only one person has ever seen the witch -- Leo's grandfather -- and he was forever changed. It is the sixteenth century, and Leo's small Italian village harbors many great secrets. Some people believe that Leo and his father are evil, blaming them for the strange happenings near the cold, dark lake. Although forbidden to see him, Leo's best friend, Merilee, finds herself accompanying him on a dangerous journey in search of truth and redemption. Only Merilee knows that Leo, like his great grandfather Illuminato, is a wizard. Frustrated by the sinister secrets that surround him, Leo yearns to discover if the witch is real or just a superstition. On a rebellious visit to the lake one day, Leo challenges the witch to show herself, taunting her and calling her names, despite Merilee's desperate pleas. As the water peels back, "like the lips of an ugly wound," Leo knows that he has found his answer. From that moment on, he is locked in a fateful duel with the witch. At the height of Leo's quest, when the witch calls to him at night with a moaning cry, Merilee is taken by her acrid aunt to a refuge of Wise Women far away. With his only friend gone, Leo must now face the witch alone and free the village of her century-old curse. Although he has been honing his magical skills since he was a child, Leo is still young and his powers are untested. In a dramatic final encounter, Leo focuses all his strength, concentrating on the core evil of the witch. As she withers and fades, generations of lost villagers are released from their prison within her. In this gripping novel, Anna Fienberg has created a magical story about challenging fear and finding courage to face the truth.
220 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
4 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Anna Fienberg
112 books64 followersAnna Fienberg grew up in a house filled with books. Her mother was a teacher librarian who relished stories as much as chocolates. 'On Sunday mornings we'd all lie in bed with our books, lost in magical wardrobes, witches’ spells, genies’ magic… What we were going to read next was just as important in our family as what was for lunch!' says Anna.
Anna started writing stories when she was eight, but never imagined being an author. She studied psychology, fascinated by the dark world of dreams. She gave up counseling after an unfortunate incident with an enraged man and a chair (he missed!), began writing and scored the best job in the world. 'Working for School Magazine was a treat,' Anna says. 'I couldn't believe you could get paid for sitting back comfortably in your chair, cappuccino in hand, reading over a thousand books a year. Heaven!' Of course, as an editor she also had to write reviews and articles, stories and plays. One of those stories for School Magazine later became her first book.
Anna started writing stories when she was eight, but never imagined being an author. She studied psychology, fascinated by the dark world of dreams. She gave up counseling after an unfortunate incident with an enraged man and a chair (he missed!), began writing and scored the best job in the world. 'Working for School Magazine was a treat,' Anna says. 'I couldn't believe you could get paid for sitting back comfortably in your chair, cappuccino in hand, reading over a thousand books a year. Heaven!' Of course, as an editor she also had to write reviews and articles, stories and plays. One of those stories for School Magazine later became her first book.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 19, 2019
Set in sixteenth-century Italy, Anna Fienberg's The Witch in the Lake chronicles the adventures of young Leo Pericolo, son of wizards, born with the twin signs of silver hair and golden eyes, and endowed with the power of moon and sun. Leo struggles to overcome the dark shadow cast by the evil actions of his powerful ancestor Iluminato, whose sin of rage threatens both his romance with Merilee, and the safety and peace of his entire village.
Leo's use of the power of Metamorphosis to right past wrongs and heal old wounds gives this richly descriptive fantasy a deep sense of real pathos. Recommended to intermediate readers fond of fantasy literature featuring magicians and sorcerers.
Leo's use of the power of Metamorphosis to right past wrongs and heal old wounds gives this richly descriptive fantasy a deep sense of real pathos. Recommended to intermediate readers fond of fantasy literature featuring magicians and sorcerers.
April 29, 2021
While I thought it was interesting this book took place in Italy, that's all I found interesting about it. The plot was so dull and this is such a short book, it felt like nothing actually happened and the "witch" was such a small part of the book. I really didn't like it.
October 18, 2021
Actually I found this book in our nearby library.
This book was soo good, I didn't expected this much from this. It is a fantasy book which includes a beautiful love story. It happens around 1600 or something in Italy 🇮🇹.
It also shows father and son bond, the hero Leo has the rare twin wizard sign of blonde hair and golden eyes, he and his close friend merilee are main characters.
Overall in my opinion leaving some wage parts, this is a one good book to read 📚. You'll definitely find it great
This book was soo good, I didn't expected this much from this. It is a fantasy book which includes a beautiful love story. It happens around 1600 or something in Italy 🇮🇹.
It also shows father and son bond, the hero Leo has the rare twin wizard sign of blonde hair and golden eyes, he and his close friend merilee are main characters.
Overall in my opinion leaving some wage parts, this is a one good book to read 📚. You'll definitely find it great
September 18, 2020
Picked up from a street library.
I liked several of the ideas of this book, and the somewhat clumsy linking of them, but it just never delivered on any of them and then it ended abruptly on Leo and Merilee getting married and they’re 15. They’re 15 don’t you know? This is mentioned many times.
I liked several of the ideas of this book, and the somewhat clumsy linking of them, but it just never delivered on any of them and then it ended abruptly on Leo and Merilee getting married and they’re 15. They’re 15 don’t you know? This is mentioned many times.
October 14, 2013
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Not only because I had difficulties starting it, but because it seemed to come out of nowhere. I found it on our local library catalogue while looking for Diane Purkiss' The Witch in History (they didn't have it), and added it to a list I have going on there so I didn't forget about it. I had never heard of the author or of this book before, and I really want to know why. Granted, I'm not as active in the YA community as I could be but surely someone I follow would've read it? It is a bit older than the 'YA revival' so perhaps that's why.
What kept me reading at the beginning was Leo and Merrilee's friendship. That is probably the strength of the book, as while it's set during the Renaissance it doesn't feel like a historical novel (as IMO all the best historical novels don't mire themselves in the research) - and even though in this reality magic exists, it is really less of a focus of the plot than the emotions of the characters. Leo's fear of failure and love of his wizard father, Merilee's desire for freedom and dislike of her overbearing and selfish Aunt, and the powerful bond that the two of them have is well executed and perked up what would otherwise be a rather forgettable novel.
That's not to say that the magic in the novel isn't well described, because it is, but it's the tool that Leo uses and part of the bond with his father, and as such is only outlined in the text. For all that I am not a huge fan of the Harry Potter series, I recognise its appeal, and I really respect the world-building. It's there down to a minute level. That may go some way to explain why this is significantly less feted. What I found interesting though is the percieved clash between the masculine-presented, cerebral wizardry of the Pericolo family and the feminine-presented, practical and herbal Wise Women healing. This is made more of a point by the existance of Aunt Beatrice as a character, who acts as the real antagonist for most of the book. Intriegingly, the reasons given for her behaviour is actually very similar to that of the titular 'witch'. There's probably an essay there somewhere.
What kept me reading at the beginning was Leo and Merrilee's friendship. That is probably the strength of the book, as while it's set during the Renaissance it doesn't feel like a historical novel (as IMO all the best historical novels don't mire themselves in the research) - and even though in this reality magic exists, it is really less of a focus of the plot than the emotions of the characters. Leo's fear of failure and love of his wizard father, Merilee's desire for freedom and dislike of her overbearing and selfish Aunt, and the powerful bond that the two of them have is well executed and perked up what would otherwise be a rather forgettable novel.
That's not to say that the magic in the novel isn't well described, because it is, but it's the tool that Leo uses and part of the bond with his father, and as such is only outlined in the text. For all that I am not a huge fan of the Harry Potter series, I recognise its appeal, and I really respect the world-building. It's there down to a minute level. That may go some way to explain why this is significantly less feted. What I found interesting though is the percieved clash between the masculine-presented, cerebral wizardry of the Pericolo family and the feminine-presented, practical and herbal Wise Women healing. This is made more of a point by the existance of Aunt Beatrice as a character, who acts as the real antagonist for most of the book. Intriegingly, the reasons given for her behaviour is actually very similar to that of the titular 'witch'. There's probably an essay there somewhere.
January 15, 2010
I absolutely loved this book. It started off as a great mystery, Leo and his friend Merilee warned not to go near hte lake and to stay away from each other, The two don't listen and get caught up in the lake. Leo can't see Merilee becuase of what happened to her sister, yet that dosen't stop them. We then find out Leo is a wizard had the twin marks which even Leo's father dosen't have. Finally Leo and Merilee get caught and Merilee is sent to a school far away from Leo. Leo's father falls sick and Merilee's mother come to help. We watch these two bring their relationship back together. This isn't even half of the story, Leo hears the call of the lake and is determined to unravel the mysery of the witch in the lake. Why does Leo hear the call? Leo then finds the cave that his father took Merilee's sister that night and he finds the locket. Of course in the end Leo beats the witch who was his ancestor when his ancestor accidently her and get Laura (Merilee's sister) back and Marilee is safe. Leo is counted as a hero and everyone is happy. This turned out to be a beautiful story. Some parts were sad but in the end all is happy when Leo marries his bride. I love happy endings and this shows just it!
You definitely have to read this.
You definitely have to read this.
June 27, 2011
When I saw this book resting on my teachers class bookshelf I was instantly drawn towards it. The cover held promise. A beautiful picture and a title that was mysterious. It practically whispered croonings and caressing words into my ear. I picked it up and looked at the blurb.
When my eyes finished the last word of the blurb I sat down on the sofa flipped the book over and instantly began to read.
After the first few or so chapters I began to realise it was set in the 'Renaissance' period of time in Italy. I was disapointed. In my vision I was seeing a kind of forest village in the medieval ages, possibly England, America or Canada.
As disapointed with that as I was i continued to read in the vain hope that the book would redeem itself from that misconception.
I shall not say too much more for spoilers but I will say this.
I liked the relationship between Leo and Merilee but I thought Merilee shouldn't have changed so drastically and carelessly when she escaped from Aunt Beatrice and returned to leo. I was exasperated with leo being so foolish and Merilee's mum for being so weak.
I don't think laura should have come back.
When my eyes finished the last word of the blurb I sat down on the sofa flipped the book over and instantly began to read.
After the first few or so chapters I began to realise it was set in the 'Renaissance' period of time in Italy. I was disapointed. In my vision I was seeing a kind of forest village in the medieval ages, possibly England, America or Canada.
As disapointed with that as I was i continued to read in the vain hope that the book would redeem itself from that misconception.
I shall not say too much more for spoilers but I will say this.
I liked the relationship between Leo and Merilee but I thought Merilee shouldn't have changed so drastically and carelessly when she escaped from Aunt Beatrice and returned to leo. I was exasperated with leo being so foolish and Merilee's mum for being so weak.
I don't think laura should have come back.
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September 2, 2010Another 'find' in the discards.
I'm not sure about this one - is it suitable for kids? Our ten year old granddaughter reads everything she can get her hands on.
Would it be ok for her, I wonder.
I'm not sure about this one - is it suitable for kids? Our ten year old granddaughter reads everything she can get her hands on.
Would it be ok for her, I wonder.
May 5, 2011
This book had the potential to be really good, but just didn't meet the mark in my opinion. However I would suggest it to younger readers, I think I was just a little too old to really appreciate it.
December 23, 2008
Really good read! Loved it!
September 29, 2009
the witch in the lake was a awesome books once i opened the book i could not put it down i loved it
March 2, 2016
I first read this book when I was about 15. I'm now 23, and still rate it as one of my favourites. Such an amazing story, find yourself completely immersed. Highly recommended.
March 24, 2011
Good book not really my thing but i still enjoyed reading it.
August 5, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It was bewitching, carrying, haunting, with just the right element of suspense for a book of this age group.
May 11, 2009
Had the potential to be awesome, but was pretty average in the end.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews