Emma and the Banderwigh

Tales of Widowswood #1

by Matthew S. Cox

Ten-year-old Emma doesn’t believe in faerie tales or monsters that secret children away in the night—until she meets one.

She lives in a quiet village at the edge of Widowswood with her parents, her Nan, and her little brother, Tam. Ready to abandon the whimsy of childhood, she finds the boredom of chores comforting and Nan’s fanciful bedtime stories silly.

One morning, a wan and weary older girl staggers out of the woods and sets the entire town aflutter with whispers of a child-stealing monster lurking in the forest. Nan tells her of the a dark soul who feeds on sorrow and drains the life from children’s tears.

Darkness comes calling on Emma’s happy home, threatening the reality to which she desperately clings. The impossible becomes more and more real, forcing Emma to reach inside herself for the ability to believe. Her family depends on it.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Middle Grade

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2015

About the author

Born in a little town known as South Amboy NJ in 1973, Matthew has been creating science fiction and fantasy worlds for most of his reasoning life. Somewhere between fifteen to eighteen of them spent developing the world in which Division Zero, Virtual Immortality, and The Awakened Series take place. He has several other projects in the works as well as a collaborative science fiction endeavor with author Tony Healey.

Hobbies and Interests:

Matthew is an avid gamer, a recovered WoW addict, Gamemaster for two custom systems (Chronicles of Eldrinaath [Fantasy] and Divergent Fates [Sci Fi], and a fan of anime, British humour (<- deliberate), and intellectual science fiction that questions the nature of reality, life, and what happens after it.

He is also fond of cats.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma and the Banderwigh (Tales of Widowswood #1) by Matthew S. Cox is another wonderful tale by one of the best fantasy writers out there. Not once, while reading this, did I think this was book was for children. This is a book that will cross all age levels. I was so wrapped up in the adventure, the family, the village, the monsters, that I felt I was part of the story! Cox can do that to a person! I felt I was an invisible part of this family and I loved it. Great fantasy, imaginative creatures, magic, and something in the writing that is not describable, it has to be felt by the reader. This is an excellent book for kids of all ages 10 to 100. Loved it, 10 stars!

[Fiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had requested this one on Netgalley, I thought it sounded so cute and fairytale like. And I was happy when I got notice that they accepted my request. since I’m from the Netherlands it seems I’m excluded from lots of books.



Any way, when I started reading this book I saw I was right. It really was like a fairy tale, a dark one at that. Which is right up my alley! I can’t say that it immediately drew me in, I had to get used to the writing style first. If you think about it, it’s only natural because it is a children’s book. But once I got into the rhythm of it I finished it in no time.

Emma, who sounds much older and wiser than her age, is so adorable and brave. Reading from her POV I kind of feel like a bum. I mean she does so much, she’s like a mini mom at times. I tip my hat to you, little lady.



Her view is very practical in the beginning, it’s kind of like “I can see, I can touch then it’s real”. But along the way that changes, as she encounters a being that terrifies many. A being that she believed was nothing but a scary story.

What happens next is a dark, magical ride in which Emma rediscovers herself. Discovers that not all can be trusted and others despite their nature can. Her beliefs are torn apart and then mended together even more strongly.

This book is a very mature children’s read, at least that’s what it feels like to me. That is why I’m convinced that not only children will enjoy it, heck I haven’t been a child for a long time and I liked it.

Afterwards I even went looking for mentions of a sequel. Why? Well, I think Emma still has a lot of work cut out for her….plus I want to know if certain promises are uphold…



I’m going to give it 4 stars….what can I say, I’m a sucker for a well written fairy tale…

*I’ve received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, thank you publisher & author

[✿ℎazℯℓ - thℯ ℛock Cℎick ℱairy✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
This book is a clash between a dark fairy tale world and an RPG world.
What do you do when the things you never believed in came to life?
Gosh! Prepare for the adventure!


Emma didn't believe. She was a logical girl. She always had an explanation for everything. If you ask me, her attitude is that of a late teenager than that of a kid. Her view of life is kind of advanced. She's a very observant girl. I love that about her. She's also a good daughter, a very dutiful sister and a concerned friend. She's always thinking of other people. She doesn't even want to change her dress because of the person who gave it to her. She's a good kid really.


Her story revolves around a story that is feared by many. It's like the dark side of a fairy tale. She doesn't believe in it of course, but fate decides when to turn her into a believer. What happened to her... it's scary. It's traumatic. However, she stood strong. She did cry, but not as much as I expected her to. I imagined myself in her place and it wasn't pretty. She did better and she ended the nightmare all on her own.


However...

It isn't over yet.

That's what you have to look forward to. How does she end it?


Her family is awesome all throughout. I love Mom and Nan. They're truly amazing. I don't know what would happen to this story without them.


This story is a scary, mysterious story of magic. Just how dark can magic go?


I want to have sequel for this. Emma deserves it. :)

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging story. Maybe a bit scary for my ten year old but then again she seems to be sleeping.

[Jessica Cowgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

this is a real good book that I actually had to put away twice because I was reading it at night and it scared me..lol. I have told my friends to read this book. Really really good.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma and the Banderwigh will make you believe in fae again. I remember that age when I wanted to start being more logical and put aside the things I believed as a kid. I never fully lost my belief that maybe there were more things out there, but a lot of my beliefs did fall by the wayside. This book gives you chills without being terrifying (think Goosebumps levels). This book took me back to those nights awake eagerly reading books dealing with things that in the light of day seemed beyond belief. A great way to hook younger readers or indulge your inner kid!

[Darlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free electronic copy of Emma and the Banderwigh from the author Matthew Cox in exchange for an honest review. The story is a middle grade fantasy adventure story about 10 year old Emma who thinks she's too old for fairy tales and skeptical about the superstitions of her grandmother. However, Emma learns that her Nan's stories aren't stories at all, and she must save her family from a cursed being haunting the widowswood near her home. Because Emma is no ordinary girl, she is from a line of powerful driuds/woods witches and possesses the gift of nature magic. It’s a cute tale for those interested in adventure, fantasy, re-imagined fairy tales, and the middle grade genre. I hope to read more in this series.

[Andrew Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma is a delightful protagonist who's logical world is upended, first by superstition, and then by the realization that her superstitions are actually real. Cox weaves a world that will send chills up and down your spine. Beautifully written with an atmospheric tension that draws the reader in. If you're looking for a creepy fairytale-esque adventure, I'd heartily recommend it.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only complaint is that it's somewhat longer than it needs to be. A little too much repetition of the same kind of event or description. Other than that, an enjoyable adventure.

[Dave Higgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weaving fast-paced fairytale action with more mundane challenges, Cox creates a story that is as accessible as a great bedtime story underpinned with the depth of a fantasy novel.

Emma has lived on the edge of the Widowswood her entire life. A sensible child, she devotes herself to her chores and treats the stories that her grandmother tells at bedtime as fancy. And when a girl staggers from the forest years after she disappeared, her empty expression matching the tales of a monster that feeds on the fear and sorrow of children, Emma shares her father’s belief the girl escaped from bandits who’d been holding her prisoner. But then someone, or something, comes for Emma and her brother.

Utilising the grasp of pacing and language that marks his more adult work, but selecting a less convoluted plot and vocabulary, Cox creates an entirely plausible voyage into fairytale that is accessible to younger readers without losing the depth that more mature readers might expect of a fantasy novel.

Rather than leap straight into the fantastical, Cox opens with mundane issues: arguments over clothing, handling a boisterous younger brother, the complexity of bullying, and other challenges that will be immediately recognisable to anyone who is at least ten. Threaded alongside this, Emma’s parents and neighbours provide glimpses of mundane adult concerns such as banditry and alcoholism. This grounding in the real makes the magical – when it does start to seep in – seem more frightening by comparison.

And provides a plausible reason to explain why a ten-year-old might end up trying to fight an ancient evil rather than involve adults: if some adults don’t believe, and many give the appearance of not believing, in the supernatural then Emma’s failure to press repeatedly for their aid feels – if not sensible – reasonable.

As with Cox’s other works, the characters are as strong as the plot. Emma is a complex mix of sensible and responsible with still-actually-a-child. This gives her a can-do attitude and a certain level of competence without making her a clichéd plucky hero or having her suddenly fold when the plot needs it.

The supporting cast are equally complex. Adults have flaws but are not defined solely by them, and other children present contradictions equal to the protagonist of many adult novels.

While the protagonist is ten, Cox creates more than one genuinely scary threat so some discretion might be advised for younger readers.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I recommend it to readers seeking an enjoyable young adult fantasy, or fantasy readers seeking a lighter yet entertaining tale.

I received a free copy from the author with no obligation to review.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when you are only ten and don't believe in fairy tales that is what is happening to Emma . She lives with her family outside the small village. and one day a young girl comes out of the woods talking of a child stealing monster lurking monster . When the darkness comes calling what is Emma to do . She needs to reach deep inside herself to save her family , I really like the characters in this story, Emma is a sweet character trying to grow up . But you see her grow up and become more . She is strong and sweet and really wants to help others . She is a great problem solver for others and really likes to help . Nan is a fun character too she tries to keep Emma from growing up too fast and her stories The author takes us on epic fantasy journey that anyone from middle grade to adults . The story is well written and the characters are complex. This is a story of growing up and becoming more then just a child . The story starts a little slow but with all the twists and turns the author takes us on an epic adventure . I truly love this authors way of writing and the stories he tells . This would be a great series for a snowy night by the fire . Both adults and kids would love it . Check it out

[C.J. Milbrandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma, age ten, is far too sensible to believe in the tales of fairies, dragons, and monsters spun by her old Nan, but that doesn't prevent them from being true. A tense and vivid fantasy. Cox's story resonates with a deep love and fierce protectiveness for home and family. Nature magic and druids. Shapeshifters and spirit animals. Potions and spells.

Descriptions of violence may be too graphic for more sensitive readers. Hardier souls will enjoy the blend of familiar and fantastic story elements. I'm quite looking forward to this story's sequel!

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a three book series telling the story of 10 year Emma who is just learning that her Nan, mother and herself have magical powers. She can talk to animals and perform a few tricks. The Banderwigh has his sights set on Emma and in this story you'll see how that turns out. I am way past the age of YA but quite enjoyed this story. I recommend this book to anyone who loves the fantasy/YA genre.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the author, Matthew S. Cox, for an honest review.

Emma doesn't believe in Princesses, Fairies, magic and she certainly does not believe the Banderwigh is real. That is until her entire reality is turned on it's head and she has no choice but to believe.

Emma lives with her parents, her brother Tam and her Nan in a small two bedroom house. Her dad is captain of the guard and her mom helps people in the village. She never realized the help her mom was giving used magic. She learns her mom and Nan are druids and that she too, has magical capabilities.

Emma and the Banderwigh is a fantastic YA read. I found this face paced, action packed book to be exciting and surprising and very entertaining. This book is one that can be enjoyed by all ages and I highly recommend picking it up

[Jan farnworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing start to a series that is sure to delight people of all ages as it has moments of such an intensity that you forgot it was meant for a younger age group. I love that our main character is the perfect kind of character that is growing up and chooses not to believe the folky fairy tales her grandma has told her for years. When she faced with the truth the story really ramps up and she comes into her own as a believer and defender of her family and things that go bump in the night. It was a delightful story and i highly recommend it.

[Staci Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't believe it took me so long to read this.

Found in backlist pile of books last night. Wonderful story of growth and development. Exciting and somewhat scary adventure. Definitely would be scared if I was Emma. Love seeing her overcome and prevail despite her fear.

[Janis Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Curiosity Quills Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review.

This is a very entertaining YA fantasy novel. At first I thought it was set in our past and so found some of the historical inaccuracies grating, but as I read more I learnt it wasn’t set in our world, simply set in a world similar to our own. I could cope with it after that.

It was a good read, definitely better suited to a YA/NA audience. Not that that is a bad thing, I love the YA/NA genre despite the age of forty nearly being upon me.

As much as I enjoyed the story, I sometimes found the characters a little disjointed and parts of it hard to follow. Though I’m pretty sure this was more my fault than the book. Sometimes a story grabs you and won’t let you go; sometimes it just sits there companionably chatting to you when you have a moment. For me, ‘Emma and the Banderwigh’ was more a chatter than a grabber. ;-) Saying that, at times this book did get my “one more chapter” mantra going until after midnight. Which shows it was an entertaining read.

My only minor gripe with the story is I felt it ended too abruptly. Almost mid-sentence. I don’t expect every tale to have a long winded wrap up where it sets out precisely how they will all live happily ever after… but I do like a little more than a one liner, as if it’s about to lead into just that little bit more. If this is the first in a series (I don’t know), then the ending is not so bad. As a stand-alone, it didn’t work for me. **See Update below!**

Would I recommend this book to others? Yes I would. Lovers of YA/ NA Fantasy would really enjoy this work. The pace is steady, the characters well thought out and believable. Ticks all the boxes for a good YA Fantasy read.

Would I buy this book for myself? Possibly. It was a good YA Fantasy story, but I’m not finding myself thinking over it and rehashing the plot and wondering “what ifs” about it. So it just hasn’t grabbed me as much as I’d hoped. If it is the first in a series, I WOULD be keen to read the next book to see how it goes. So, not all that bad. ;-)

In summary: A fun and entertaining read, a well written YA Fantasy and a gorgeous cover setting the scene for a good yarn. Something lovers of the YA Fantasy genre should take a look at as I’m pretty sure they’re going to enjoy it too.

**UPDATE** Matthew Cox – the author - contacted me with a new last chapter added to ‘Emma and the Banderwigh’. I’ve read it and felt I need to update this review and give it another star – bringing it up to 4 out of 5 stars.

The chapter lifts the whole ending of the book, rounds it off nicely and doesn’t just leaving it hanging and having you wonder if there is a page missing. The new ending works well if the book is a stand-alone, but also makes the idea of a series even more enticing.

My opinion of recommending or buying the book hasn’t changed – as I still would recommend it and would still read it as a series. But I do have to say it needed this extra chapter and I’m so pleased it has happened. Really does smooth things out and keep the ending up to the same quality as the rest of the novel.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has the feeling of a traditional fairy tale, reminding me a little of Hansel and Gretel but with so much more love and mystery.

The story takes place at an earlier time--dark forests, no running water, rustic shacks and guards keeping the towns folk safe. It's a simple world long before any modern conveniences and the perfect setting for magic and things which haunt the shadows at night. I loved the descriptions in this book. They pull right into the scenes, bringing them to life in a very detailed way without crossing the danger of being overly descriptive. It's a world kids will easily get lost in and understand, although it's so different from ours today.

Emma is a girl who enjoys life. She's not willing to believe her grandmother's tales of fairies and magic, and is very smart for her age. At times, she seems a bit too mature for a ten-year-old (I'd personally place her more at twelve), but then she does have to face monsters that most of us would be scared to even dream about. Her sense of doing what is right and her bravery make her very easy to cheer for, and I don't think readers will have any trouble relating to her.

Even with monsters and dangers waiting to attack Emma and her family, there's a wonderful, wholesome feeling to the story. The family supports each other (even when they don't always agree with one another) and shows a lot of respect. The caring atmosphere radiates from the pages, making the entire family easy to like. And it's this sympathy which makes the reader fever for their safety when things start taking a turn for the worse.

Like in traditional fairy tales, the monsters in this story are not subtle. They are after blood and try to get it in violent ways. Although some parents might find it a bit much, I thought the author did a great job of not sugar-coating the situations but still managed to keep them appropriate for the intended age group. The topic of child abuse is also hit upon, and while Emma does a great job dealing with it, some parents might not approve of the total outcome.

Summed up, this is a lovely fairy tale told in the same manner our grandparents heard them. The monsters are harsh, the fantasy is rich and the heroes are as true-hearted as heroes can be. I wouldn't recommend this to more squeamish children (or parents who found the German style of fairy tales inappropriate), but I do think that kids 9+ will get lost in the magical land and wonder if they could brave such monsters themselves.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sabrina Kaye Fox]

DISCLAIMER: I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions herein are of my own.

Title:
Author: Matthew S. Cox
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Pages: 218

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Ten-year-old Emma doesn't believe in faerie tales or monsters that secret children away in the night--until she meets one.
She lives in a quiet village at the edge of Widowswood with her parents, her Nan, and her little brother, Tam. Ready to abandon the whimsy of childhood, she finds the boredom of chores comforting and Nan's fanciful bedtime stories silly.
One morning, a wan and weary older girl staggers out of the woods and sets the entire town aflutter with whispers of a child-stealing monster lurking in the forest. Nan tells her of the Banderwigh: a dark soul who feeds on sorrow and drains the life from children's tears.
Darkness comes calling on Emma's happy home, threatening the reality to which she desperately clings. The impossible becomes more and more real, forcing Emma to reach inside herself for the ability to believe. Her family depends on it.

Review:
Growing up, I absolutely loved fairy tales. This book took me back into the traditional style of story-telling. It also transports you back into a place with no running water, when people still made clothing by hand and it was the norm, and when guards patrolled the town with their swords to keep the townspeople safe. Cox uses amazing description to pull children into his world easily.
The main character, Emma, is wise beyond her years, and she is an extremely brave little soul. She is a perfect role model for younger readers, teaching compassion throughout the whole story. The rest of the characters are very well thought out and all have their own quirks which made me like all of them instantly.
This book can deal with some issues that aren't suitable for children who haven't been exposed to things like child abuse. A little girl named Kimber in the book is abused by her father, and it's sometimes hard for children to read about if they can't grasp the concept. It would be a good idea to sit your child down before they read this and explain that these things happen to children and tell them that it's nothing to worry about when it comes to them. The monsters within the story are also a cause for concern for children who are frightened easily, but I think it's suitable for children 9 and up. Sometimes stories that don't sugar-coat everything are the best stories.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall rating: 5

My very first thought after I finished reading this was, “ I wonder if there is a hard copy that I can send to my granddaughter?” All I found was a paperback which will have to do. A perfect read for the pre teen reader, one thing I feel that stood out the most was that this author truly captured the personna and emotions of Emma and her siblings. Sincere yet ever so innocent, Emma grabs a readers attention and holds fast as she faces, many times reluctantly, each new trial and lesson that life sets forth. NaN, of course, went about influencing Emma’s beliefs in the most perfect way. I totally finished this book wondering if there is more to come with these characters. All my reviews are voluntarily written.

[A whole new girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark. Not for young kids. Well written. And for me...kind of scary. Or maybe a lot scary. I don't read scary books and now you know why. It might seem more terrifying for me because this is listed (on Amazon) as a children's book with a somewhat child-friendly illustration. The content mid-book is much darker than I expect for a children's book.

I skimmed much of the book at first until I realized that this is not the average flash in the pan Kindle quick read. Mr. Cox's writing compels me to slow down and savor the layered details. I re-started the book from the beginning and am developing an admiration for his writing style and story craft. Here are a few thoughts.

I requested this as an arc because it looked charming. I can't say it is charming because that sounds much fluffier than I am finding this book!

It is very interesting and a heavier read than I guessed from the description and illustrated cover. It was hard for me to get into at first however that is to this book's credit. It builds its world slowly and methodically, using a respectably sophisticated vocabulary.

After attempting to skim through the whole book I realized I had missed just about everything... So I started it again from the beginning. Now I am enjoying, in slow, languorous sessions, Matthew Cox's well crafted sentences. I have slowed down my reading pace and am savoring his descriptions as I let the passages sink in and watch this world come to life. The beauty of this story lies in the carefully laid layers of subtle detail.

And maybe my pace has halted mid-way through the book because . . . I am scared! This is much darker than I expected and it is pretty creepy. I'm sort of terrified. Perhaps this is because I am a parent of a child who is the same age as the protagonist and the thought of my child being in similar circumstances is horrifying.

I will try to update this when I finish the book. From what I have read I would not recommend this for my elementary school aged daughter. I think she would find it scary. Which is surprising because she and I have both read The School for Good and Evil series (for middle grades) and this feels creepier.

I received a free copy in exchanged for an honest review.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a rather odd tale. The world the author creates is very different from our modern one. Several little things highlight this, from descriptions of their surroundings and living arrangements (including a family bed!), to tales of fantastic beasts and magic creatures. Some of the dialogue seems forced and false, probably a result of trying to create a dialect similar enough to ours to be understood and different enough to be distinctive. Most of the characters are very believable and quite affable. The main character, Emma, is an amazing child, mature beyond her years, and incredibly brave. In fact, it is she who defeats the Banderwigh, not just once but twice, and even actually saves the man he was, although it does little good in the end. The hardest part for me to believe was that Emma was so oblivious, prior to the events of the book, to the fact that her mother and grandmother were apparently some type of Druid priestesses, dispensing justice and assistance as they saw fit to humans and non-humans alike. Even for someone who admittedly was a non-believer prior to this, missing the fact that your mother returns home from a walk in the woods with green blood on her staff from mythical creatures that she’s been clubbing and that your grandmother often has feathers flying around her from her shape-shifting forays as a raven is rather hard to believe. Some large sections of the story just seemed to go back and forth between nothing, with scenes written just for the sake of writing them and adding to the word count, rather than actually advancing the plot. Those portions I found boring and more than a tad annoying. Overall, however, the story was good, definitely unique, and I appreciated the relatively happy and yet realistic ending for the main characters. A book that I would recommend for a fanciful read, if you can make it through the slow parts. I received a copy of this book free from Curiosity Quills Press in exchange for my honest review.

[Casia Pickering · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the author, Matthew S. Cox, for an honest review. There was no compensation given (aside from the enjoyment of reading another book).

Emma and the Banderwigh is a book geared towards a younger audience than the other books I've read from Cox. From reading the acknowledgements (something I like to do), I learned that this story had started off as a short story and grew to what it is.

If you love fairy tales (like I do), Emma and the Banderwigh is a great addition to your fairy tale collection. Never mind that it is written by a modern-day writer, the story feels like a fairy tale and has similar workings to the fairy tales that we know and love.

Emma is a young girl (ten) who doesn't believe in magic. She used to listen to her Nana's stories all of the time and used to believe them, but the real life got in the way. Fairies aren't real. That said, when a girl appears from the woods everything changes.

As a character, Emma makes for a believable girl (I love that Matthew Cox can do this). She helps her family whenever she can; she has a sense of loyalty and responsibility. She has a quiet strength to her. She's not the strong-willed character who is brash. She thinks of what needs to be done and does it. She also fights for what she believes to be right, no matter if her opponent is a man or goblin. She is the kind of girl you want your neices or daughters to be.

I really liked this story. It was well written and the text had a magic to it that went beyond the actual story. I like Emma as a character and see her as a strong young girl who will be just as strong as she ages. That said, I only have one issue with it... there isn't more.

Now, that doesn't mean Cox won't write more of Emma, but it left me wanting to see her have more adventures and grow. I want to know more about the world. I think this book would be a great beginning to a wonderful younger audience book series. One that I would love to follow. Granted, I'm not trying to persuade the author to do that, but I would like that... if at all possible.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma doesn’t believe in monsters or faeries but when a young girl stumbles out before her, Emma views of the forest quickly begin to change. For it was said that the Banderwigh had taken Hannah a decade ago and now standing before Emma, weak and alone, Hannah has suddenly reappeared. Why was Hannah returned and where has she been? Only one person has ever seen the Banderwigh, but their grisly stories have kept individuals from traveling into the dark forest that lines the community. They belong in the gloomy woods, these faerie monsters, as their existence depends on these grave conditions. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery of these monsters of the forest and the tales of their existence, their uniqueness was entertaining and they provided great opportunities for the characters to show their abilities. Emma’s innocence provides an excellent starting point for this novel. Emma wasn’t going to fall for the childish stories of faeries and monster, until Hannah walked into her life. Nan’s bedtime stories of potions and princesses were childish stories for Emma’s brother but she quickly was taken by them and loved them. As Emma cares for her brother in the privy late one night, their lantern goes out. An immense shadow came over them and Emma screams. When they awaken, they are not at home. They are not alone. It is true, the stories Emma has heard about the monsters of the forest but now what does she do? As Emma begins to see the world differently, she struggles to accept the changes that are occurring. She has to reach inside herself to find her own strength and to decipher reality from illusion. Her Nan has instructed her and now, Emma must utilize her talents. Her adventures were fantastic; such wonderful writing took me on a wonderful journey to places only my imagination would take me. 4.5 stars
Thank you Curiosity Quills Press and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma and the Banderwigh

A fun and spooky fairy tale. I enjoyed how the story played out and despite it being geared towards a younger audience I still enjoyed it. It reminded me of like a Chronicles of Narnia adventure. If you enjoy spooky fairy tales with brave little girls then be sure to give this a read!

[Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Believe Or Not To Believe... In Magic

This series must be read in order. This is the first book. I can't wait to read the next one!


Emma is too old to believe in faerie stories. She spends her days helping her mum and taking care of her younger brother Tam. She loves her Nan and would do anything for her... Except believe in her silly made up stories! She worries that her Nan is not long for this world and refuses to wear anything but the old ratty dress her Nan made for her. She just knows there is something special about it... It makes her feel safe and loved and protected. Finding a forlorn girl started and out of her mind on the edge of the woods by her house plants the seeds of doubt in Emma's mind. Might monsters be real? What really happened to the girl to drain her of all emotion and sense? Could it really be the Banderwigh? Then the unthinkable and unbelievable happens... Tam makes her take him out to the privy and they wake up in an impossible room suspended from the ceiling in cages. Is it a nightmare? Did they just become the Banderwigh's newest victims? How will she save them? Can she ever escape a cage with no door in a room with no exit? Or will the Banderwigh feed on their sadness until they are just like the girl he cast aside? Is there hope or will they meet a grisly end?


***This series is suitable for middlegrade through adult readers who enjoy faerietales with a dash or two of horror and plenty of action, adventure, mystery and suspense with engaging characters and plenty of humor :)

[Magda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Emma is trying so hard to be a responsible, clear-thinking girl. She wants to behave like an adult, doesn't want to believe in monsters. But why would she? She's still a child, why not let herself behave like one? Maybe she's just scared, or maybe she wants to help her mom. Little does she know her mother more than believes in the strange creatures and magic, she knows it all exists.

For a story that's rather short, this one starts slowly and picks up the pace as it goes along, showing us Emma's adventures. Most of the time you don't "see" the evil lurking around, you feel it there. You know something is watching, creeping about to catch you. Even if the author gives you few calm moments, when you think all the bad things are gone, there they are again! There will be no rest for Emma till the very end of the book, till the last piece of a puzzle falls into place when everyone finds out what they needed to know. But what was it? What's the big mystery here? What is the Banderwigh? To find that out, you will have to read the book and I encourage you to do so.


I received this copy from the publisher via Curiosity Quills in exchange for an honest review.

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[Sissy Lu {The Bookish Raven} · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy, quick read and decidedly dark in content without being over the top for a youthful mind. While many may consider this a Young Adult, I would say that it is aimed more toward the Children’s section. That being said I’m thankful that it wasn’t as dark as it could have been.

We begin our story with Emma, a little girl who is stubborn in her mindset that fairytales aren’t real, that goblins and faeries do not exist, magick doesn’t exist either. Understandable, because practicality says otherwise! However, as the story progresses it seems that perhaps she was wrong after all.

As the book takes twists and turns we learn more about Emma, as well as her family, there is a strong eerie quality to it all and yes more darkness in it as well.

Some of the characters, for instance, Emma’s father, prove to be a little more than stubborn and a touch annoying when it comes to their disbelief even when the proof is staring them in the face. However, it was overall a quick, easy read and moved along quickly.

The eerie quality was intriguing to my adult mind and something I enjoyed. I just wish there was more depth to it, more background in general and more. Just MORE!

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[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I love Emma! When I was a little girl, I loved to read. I was at the library all summer long....well, all year long actually, but my fondest memories are of summer reading club. This book would have been on my list of favorites had it been available then! I love reading many different genres, and well-written middle grade books are among my favorites to read. This one fits the bill.

Emma and the Banderwigh is a very well written middle grade book with wonderful characters and a magical plot. Though Emma has outgrown the belief in faeries, monsters and magic, she soon becomes to find that indeed they are real. And she finds out that magic is closer than she thought! Emma is a kind girl who is always looking out for her little brother. She also is kind to the beggar girl who sells rotten apples. She helps her mother, loves her Nan and is loyal to her father. She even proves to have kindness for the ones who don't deserve it.

This book has so many elements that make a great story. Your middle grade reader will love it! If you love magical stories, you will love it too.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are honest, my own, and may differ from yours.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one of the many books by this author I have read. Each new book brings a whole new meaning to mind altering perceptions and adventure.

This is a story about a young girl named Emma who live with her Mom, Dad(a village guard captain), her little brother, and her Grandma. There life is nothing out of the ordinary except for one minor thing, Mom and Nan are known among the villagers as healers. They live near a woodland marsh with a few unsavory creatures and some crazy myths. Nan tells stories to Emma and her brother that almost seem to real about the woods and something called the Banderwigh: an evil of evilness.

The story starts a little slow but once the author adds his mind altering twists, it really rocks. A young girl is found who had been lost years ago in the woodlands. Stories flow through the village about monsters, child stealers, and weird animals/creatures. And our girl Emma gets in way over her head and not listening to her parents and Nan.

There is so much that happens and so many spoilers that I will stop but add that if you like/love paranormal, psychological thrillers, and adrenalin rushes, this is the book for you.