Melvin Burgess, The Lost Witch. (Spoilers welcome.)

[Gruach]

Has anyone else read this? Published on August 2nd, I think. The publicity hooked me in - had never read anything by him before.

I enjoyed it - though sometimes longed for the slower evolution of a properly adult book. Lovely fallen angel trope - LOTR, Harry Potter, etc. He perhaps made it too easy to guess the treachery - but I’m old and not easily fooled. Maybe if you’re 13 it’s more surprising.

I heard him talking on the radio and the novel sounded intriguing. I read Junk a while ago and thought it was very good.

I know he said he borrowed from everywhere; (he may have put it more elegantly). His writing style reminded me of Susan Cooper (who I’d say is a better writer but sometimes frustratingly abstract, in The Dark Is Rising, at least). Melvin Burgess delivered the story more concretely - but it was a little ... relentless.

I’m not sure I need Junk in my reading life. It was mainly the supernatural element that kept me interested in The Lost Witch. I may not have the patience for his version of gritty reality.