The Blackthorn Branch by Elen Caldecott

Stories of people getting caught up with the faerie world have always called to me so when I saw The Blackthorn Branch, I knew I had to read it.

In a Welsh village where everyone knows everyone else, Cassie and her cousin Sian are trying to cope with the sadness, silence and anger that envelopes their family. Everything changed when their grandfather, Taid, died. Cassie’s father and older brother, Byron, are finding it particularly hard. Taid was their anchor – the one who made life make sense.

When Byron goes missing, the girls are the only ones who know where to look. They must face the tylwyth teg (welsh faeries) to bring him back from Annwn – the underworld. They meet a strange boy called Tym who is one of the Helynt – the “trouble” – and Gwenhidw, the leader and fierce protector of everything evil in the underworld.

The magic of this story is rooted in the power of the trees and the strength of relationships. Their grandmother’s love is ferocious. Not only will she listen to the girls, but will also help them delve into the history of the village and mysteries of the past. Cassie and Sian use this love and support to find their own power to save their family.

“She zipped herself up in courage…”

This is a story of battling monsters. Even though it’s Byron who’s in trouble, Dad is fighting many monsters of his own. There is so much depth to his pain and Cassie’s growing understanding of why he finds life so difficult. Her insights bring them all closer and help Dad to heal.

The charm of this story lies in Elen Caldecott’s engaging style. The realistic descriptions of family life and modern references will make both child and adult readers smile – Coach to 5K, Percy Jackson and Wikipedia are just some of the everyday concepts that contrast so sharply with the Welsh folklore.

“What was the use of fractions when your big brother was being sucked into the underworld by an ancient monster?”

The Blackthorn Branch is perfect for fans on The Clockwork Crow series by Catherine Fisher, The Chime Seekers by Ross Montgomery and The Haunting of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes. It is a wonderful combination of mysterious folklore and feisty characters who will do anything to protect their family.

Thank you so much to Andersen Press for this outstanding book!

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