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The Westwood Witches #1
The Westwood Witches
Aero trembled as she held the box sealed inside black paper. The dilemma was a difficult one – her mum had told her the box contained secrets she might not be ready for. Once she opened it, there would be no going back…
Aero has always felt like a misfit and an outsider. Thankfully, having a best friend like Lilly, along with a grandma like Joanna, makes life worth living. But a terrible event tears her world apart, and Aero Westwood is about to discover that her family has more secrets than most.
Aero has always felt like a misfit and an outsider. Thankfully, having a best friend like Lilly, along with a grandma like Joanna, makes life worth living. But a terrible event tears her world apart, and Aero Westwood is about to discover that her family has more secrets than most.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2018
12 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Northwood
23 books375 followersSarah Northwood grew up in a small town in Cheshire. As a child, she had a love of animals and music. After a career in pharmaceutical research, and starting a family, she became inspired to realise her dream of becoming a writer.
Her love of music continues, often composing melodies to accompany poetry pieces that she also writes.
Her two children are a constant source of inspiration, motivation and perspiration.
In addition, she works part-time at a local school and has a trusty dog companion to accompany her on writing adventures.
Her love of music continues, often composing melodies to accompany poetry pieces that she also writes.
Her two children are a constant source of inspiration, motivation and perspiration.
In addition, she works part-time at a local school and has a trusty dog companion to accompany her on writing adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 3, 2018
I've read all of Sarah Northwood's books, so when I got the chance to read an ARC of this book, I obviously said yes!
I loved it! Aero, the protagonist, lacks self-confidence, finds it hard to make friends, and is fed up with being bullied at school. But underneath her timid exterior is a feisty young girl just waiting to come out. And when she inherits something special from her grandmother, her life completely changes.
The story is a mix of fun, sadness, hope, terror, new beginnings and sad endings. The reader goes through every emotion with Aero as events unfold and mysteries are revealed. The author has also created a whole new world called the Shadow Realm, filled with mystical creatures, which I look forward to learning more about in the next book.
This is a wonderful, unique YA story that I highly recommend!
I loved it! Aero, the protagonist, lacks self-confidence, finds it hard to make friends, and is fed up with being bullied at school. But underneath her timid exterior is a feisty young girl just waiting to come out. And when she inherits something special from her grandmother, her life completely changes.
The story is a mix of fun, sadness, hope, terror, new beginnings and sad endings. The reader goes through every emotion with Aero as events unfold and mysteries are revealed. The author has also created a whole new world called the Shadow Realm, filled with mystical creatures, which I look forward to learning more about in the next book.
This is a wonderful, unique YA story that I highly recommend!
October 31, 2019
The Westwood Witches: A Secret Discovered, by Sarah Northwood was a delightful read for young adults. Aero loved her grandmother and admired every detail about her. She loved the way she dressed and carried about herself despite her age. It was indeed a blow to Aero when her grandmother died while she was preparing to celebrate her 17th birthday. What was worse for Aero was to learn that her grandmother was murdered.
The gift her grandmother left Aero was the beginning of her discovery of a well-guarded family secret.
From then onward, her life completely changed and more mysteries revealed.
Readers can guess from the title of the book where the story all leads and what was the family secret.
The Westwood Witches: A Secret Discovered, by talented author Sarah Northwood, was the winner of the Gold Award in the category Paranormal fantasy in EConnections Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards.
I highly recommend this well-written book to all readers of Paranormal Fantasy.
The gift her grandmother left Aero was the beginning of her discovery of a well-guarded family secret.
From then onward, her life completely changed and more mysteries revealed.
Readers can guess from the title of the book where the story all leads and what was the family secret.
The Westwood Witches: A Secret Discovered, by talented author Sarah Northwood, was the winner of the Gold Award in the category Paranormal fantasy in EConnections Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards.
I highly recommend this well-written book to all readers of Paranormal Fantasy.
September 30, 2018
This is the first book I have read by Sarah Northwood but it certainly won't be my last.
From the Prologue I was hooked and found it very hard to actually put the book down.
After the death of her beloved Grandma, Aero who is a very self conscious and bullied teenager discovers a truth about herself that changes her life for ever, and she blossoms into a clever, feisty and beautiful young woman.
The story flows at a wonderful pace and literally everything that happens is believable - magic is real!
A wonderful read for all ages from young adult up. I hope we don't have to wait too long for a follow up (hint hint to the author there)!
From the Prologue I was hooked and found it very hard to actually put the book down.
After the death of her beloved Grandma, Aero who is a very self conscious and bullied teenager discovers a truth about herself that changes her life for ever, and she blossoms into a clever, feisty and beautiful young woman.
The story flows at a wonderful pace and literally everything that happens is believable - magic is real!
A wonderful read for all ages from young adult up. I hope we don't have to wait too long for a follow up (hint hint to the author there)!
September 14, 2018
Fantastic Read
Aero does not come from an ordinary family. Far from it. Her mum and her grandmother spend many years at odds because they cannot agree on what the child should or shouldn't know. The maternal side of the family hold powers that cannot be explained. Regardless of their own points of view matters are taken out of their hands. Joanna and Perri will be divided by the veil of death before they ever agree on the best way forward.
Lillith is the only person in the world that understands timid Aero but as events unfold the friends may not be able to move forward. Life will never be the same again for Aero. She is evolving from childhood to the emotional roller-coaster that envelopes her during her transition to a young adult. She has more knowledge and understanding than the adults have given her credit for.
What happened to her grandmother? When Aero is bequeathed a package left in her grandmothers will the truth finally begins to unfold. The frightening realisation of who she is and what her family are, slowly dawns on this young woman. The danger is all around them and the reality of their situation holds no easy answers.
Join Aero as she finally discovers the secrets held in the generations of the Westwood family. Find out which fascinating creatures dwell in the Shadow Realm and how they are all intertwined. The attention to detail draws you in and this is a fine example of story-telling by the author Sarah Northwood.
This cannot end here! Far too much is at stake and Aero Westwood has already lost more than she will ever know. The Realworlders are on a mission to kill every member of the Westwood family. Umbria stands at the Sacred Lake of Arcadia and reveals his plans in the Shadow Realm. Aero, her mother and her aunt have much to do; they must evolve together as they all know that the tragedy befallen to them so far is just the beginning ...
Aero does not come from an ordinary family. Far from it. Her mum and her grandmother spend many years at odds because they cannot agree on what the child should or shouldn't know. The maternal side of the family hold powers that cannot be explained. Regardless of their own points of view matters are taken out of their hands. Joanna and Perri will be divided by the veil of death before they ever agree on the best way forward.
Lillith is the only person in the world that understands timid Aero but as events unfold the friends may not be able to move forward. Life will never be the same again for Aero. She is evolving from childhood to the emotional roller-coaster that envelopes her during her transition to a young adult. She has more knowledge and understanding than the adults have given her credit for.
What happened to her grandmother? When Aero is bequeathed a package left in her grandmothers will the truth finally begins to unfold. The frightening realisation of who she is and what her family are, slowly dawns on this young woman. The danger is all around them and the reality of their situation holds no easy answers.
Join Aero as she finally discovers the secrets held in the generations of the Westwood family. Find out which fascinating creatures dwell in the Shadow Realm and how they are all intertwined. The attention to detail draws you in and this is a fine example of story-telling by the author Sarah Northwood.
This cannot end here! Far too much is at stake and Aero Westwood has already lost more than she will ever know. The Realworlders are on a mission to kill every member of the Westwood family. Umbria stands at the Sacred Lake of Arcadia and reveals his plans in the Shadow Realm. Aero, her mother and her aunt have much to do; they must evolve together as they all know that the tragedy befallen to them so far is just the beginning ...
November 10, 2018
Sarah Northwood writes a compelling story in her brilliant fantasy tale about a teenager, Aero Westwood, who awakens to a whole new world of magic and wonder upon her 17th-birthday. However, all is not as it seems when something that should be of great welcome is befouled by dire circumstances that threaten the very existence of the Westwood family and their supernatural world.
Northwood’s shy and introverted main character has many challenges to overcome before she can assume her proper role as a witch, and some of them are simply too overwhelming for young Aero to handle. But, it is her destiny to fulfill her grandmother’s legacy and protect both our world and the Shadow Realm from succumbing to the forces of evil.
Northwood puts her main characters through some difficult situations; the death of a loved one, bullying, a lost friendship, and family issues... just to name a few. And as Aero slowly grows into her powers, a fantasy hero is born. Aero pulls off some tremendous feats as she faces her demons, even without her magic. Despite her own self-doubt, she transforms from an unassuming bystander into an inspiring role model for teens dealing with the typical—as well as the unusual—adolescent problems.
“The Westwood Witches: A Secret Discovered” is a well-written, well-conceived fantasy novel that would be ideal as a fantasy series. One complaint that I do have about the production of the book itself is that the cover model appears to be much younger than the main character she is supposed to represent in this story. Although the story does have its scary moments, they are no more than the average PG movie experience, and I highly recommend this read for anyone ages 12 and up.
Northwood’s shy and introverted main character has many challenges to overcome before she can assume her proper role as a witch, and some of them are simply too overwhelming for young Aero to handle. But, it is her destiny to fulfill her grandmother’s legacy and protect both our world and the Shadow Realm from succumbing to the forces of evil.
Northwood puts her main characters through some difficult situations; the death of a loved one, bullying, a lost friendship, and family issues... just to name a few. And as Aero slowly grows into her powers, a fantasy hero is born. Aero pulls off some tremendous feats as she faces her demons, even without her magic. Despite her own self-doubt, she transforms from an unassuming bystander into an inspiring role model for teens dealing with the typical—as well as the unusual—adolescent problems.
“The Westwood Witches: A Secret Discovered” is a well-written, well-conceived fantasy novel that would be ideal as a fantasy series. One complaint that I do have about the production of the book itself is that the cover model appears to be much younger than the main character she is supposed to represent in this story. Although the story does have its scary moments, they are no more than the average PG movie experience, and I highly recommend this read for anyone ages 12 and up.
February 6, 2020
So beautifully written!
Aero is a young girl of 16 who feels different than others, doesn’t feel to fit in anywhere. She feels insecure, has a lack of confidence and is bullied at school. Only with her best friend Johanna and her grandmother Johanna, she feels she can be who she is.
When her grandma dies, Aero’s life comes to find herself a real roller coaster. Her grandma, mom, aunt and she herself are witches, and danger is around the corner.
The author is a real master in storytelling. It reads like a thriller, it hooks you up on every page. The characters are multi layered, worked out so well and I loved her writing style. And what a wonderful, magical imagination, Sarah Northwood has. If you didn’t believe in magic before you start reading this book, be sure you will afterwards. This is book shows Sarah Northwood at her very best. You may be sure, I look forward to reading the next book in this series!
Aero is a young girl of 16 who feels different than others, doesn’t feel to fit in anywhere. She feels insecure, has a lack of confidence and is bullied at school. Only with her best friend Johanna and her grandmother Johanna, she feels she can be who she is.
When her grandma dies, Aero’s life comes to find herself a real roller coaster. Her grandma, mom, aunt and she herself are witches, and danger is around the corner.
The author is a real master in storytelling. It reads like a thriller, it hooks you up on every page. The characters are multi layered, worked out so well and I loved her writing style. And what a wonderful, magical imagination, Sarah Northwood has. If you didn’t believe in magic before you start reading this book, be sure you will afterwards. This is book shows Sarah Northwood at her very best. You may be sure, I look forward to reading the next book in this series!
October 25, 2018
A sweet story about discovery and growing up. Aero is the awkward child -- a little too round in the face for her liking, clumsy, picked on, and chronically late. This is the first town she's stayed in for any length of time, and honestly wants to make it her home. Everything is against her however, or at least... that's how it feels in her mind.
Her grandma. Her second friend in the world, her rock, and stability in a topsy turvy world is suddenly taken from her, and she must deal with not only that, but the world her grandmother was a part of.
As I said, a very sweet story. Aimed at an audience younger than myself, but definitely a feel good book. Highly recommend, especially for the young ones in your life.
Her grandma. Her second friend in the world, her rock, and stability in a topsy turvy world is suddenly taken from her, and she must deal with not only that, but the world her grandmother was a part of.
As I said, a very sweet story. Aimed at an audience younger than myself, but definitely a feel good book. Highly recommend, especially for the young ones in your life.
October 24, 2018
I was hooked on this book from the very first page. Although the world seems awash with books about young witches lately, Sarah Northwood presents a unique spin on the usual tale. The Westwood Witches is a story of witchcraft for the modern era complete with technology, conspiracy theorists and mysterious strangers. I loved the fact that in terms of navigating the tricky path through school, socially awkward Aero's problems weren't instantly solved as soon as she discovered her powers. The descriptions of the magical Shadow Realm are just wonderful, and I can't wait to find out more about it in book two!
October 7, 2018
A little secret, a families history so hidden and yet right there. Aero is our main character and she is a witch, not that she knows this until she loses her grandmother. Her mother is then left to fill aero in with the history of their family and how she really lost her grandmother.
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author and more of this series.
Easy to read and easy to get into the characters. I could have done with the book being longer as I needed more.
Good things are to come 😊
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author and more of this series.
Easy to read and easy to get into the characters. I could have done with the book being longer as I needed more.
Good things are to come 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2018
Wow just wow. Sarah Northwood really knows how to write fabulous magical and enchanting stories. I loved every single thing in this story if you don't believe in magic then this story will change that. The pace was perfect it gripped me and I can't wait for more( I hope there is more) The Westwood Witches is full of sparkle intrigue magic and love.
October 13, 2018
An absolutely wonderful story to make your day brighter. Aero has no confidence, and is bothered in school. She receives a box from her beloved grandmother and life changes. Love the story.
January 9, 2019
Absolutely love this book I think it works for both young adults and adults. the characters were interesting and easy to get caught up in and I look forward to reading more Sarah Northwood novels.
October 9, 2018
"The year of Aero's seventeenth birthday had certainly been a memorable one."
The first sentence in the Epilogue says it all. During this year, Aero discovered some secrets...about other members of her family, and about herself. Magic had entered her life and she will never be the same again. Author Northwood cleverly hints that a prequel may be on the horizon and I will look forward to continuing the story of Aero and her new-found talent.
The first sentence in the Epilogue says it all. During this year, Aero discovered some secrets...about other members of her family, and about herself. Magic had entered her life and she will never be the same again. Author Northwood cleverly hints that a prequel may be on the horizon and I will look forward to continuing the story of Aero and her new-found talent.
October 14, 2018
From start to finish I loved this book, a witchcraft story filled with magic, love and forces that want to squash magic out entirely. Aero the heroine of the story - a young 17 year old - just discovering the truth of her family history and also her own place in the world. I look forward to the next story! Highly recommended.
October 24, 2018
A wonderful book perfect for the run up to Halloween. It has a unique voice and even as an adult I can't wait to read more.
January 18, 2020
Delightful dive into the world of witches
In The Westwood witches we learn of Aero’s problems of fitting in, and her love for her Grandmother Joanna. Aero is shocked to discover she comes from a long line of witches, and that a dark organisation are threatening her family’s existence.
The story moves at a great pace, thanks to the author’s rhythmic skill (Sarah Northwood is also a talented poet), beautiful descriptions and her understanding of teenage angst. Really looking forward to reading the second instalment!
In The Westwood witches we learn of Aero’s problems of fitting in, and her love for her Grandmother Joanna. Aero is shocked to discover she comes from a long line of witches, and that a dark organisation are threatening her family’s existence.
The story moves at a great pace, thanks to the author’s rhythmic skill (Sarah Northwood is also a talented poet), beautiful descriptions and her understanding of teenage angst. Really looking forward to reading the second instalment!
March 4, 2020
Although the main character is a teenager, there was still plenty for me to relate to and the book took me back to my years of trying to fit in at school and struggling with being different. I loved that there was very feisty much older character, and the kind and thoughtful relationships between the characters was something we can all learn from.
Set against a background of magic with an intriguing other dimension, this modern world fantasy story has plenty to keep you interested.
Set against a background of magic with an intriguing other dimension, this modern world fantasy story has plenty to keep you interested.
October 2, 2018
I am amazed that the story had such big surprise within it. I loved the story and was so easy to follow along in. Magic and mystery in each page. I recommend you getting this story as it has many surprises and lovely world builds and characters.
October 24, 2018
I found this book difficult to get into, however, later the pages started to turn quicker and I became more eager to know the ending. I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading the second book.
October 30, 2019
A Secret Discovered is a YA fantasy focused on Aero, a teenager who is uncomfortable with herself and uncomfortable with the people around her. Tragedy strikes and Aero ends up inheriting the truth about who her family is and why they continually moved. But no more. Now they would make a stand.
The story includes a lot of world-building, including a whole other realm called Shadow Realm, as expected in the first book of a series. Aero is put to the test to find her courage and defend those she cares about. This book clearly sets up for a series and shows the teenage angst and strife Aero lives through. It is a great read for a teenager and for those younger at heart.
The story includes a lot of world-building, including a whole other realm called Shadow Realm, as expected in the first book of a series. Aero is put to the test to find her courage and defend those she cares about. This book clearly sets up for a series and shows the teenage angst and strife Aero lives through. It is a great read for a teenager and for those younger at heart.
October 25, 2019
Just finished this book and really enjoyed it. Totally different to anything I have read recently- we meet Aero who is on a journey of discovery finding out about her family history and the powers she doesn't know she has. It really feels like this book is building up to future books in the series and I am going to get stuck in to book 2 now!!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews