Once upon a time, a somewhat wicked witch named Gretsella lived in a cozy little cottage in the Dark Forest of Brigandale. She dispensed herbs and tinctures at reasonable prices, met with her slightly oddball coven on a regular basis, and had absolutely no need of any further company whatsoever, thank you very much. But then one afternoon, Gretsella came home to find a screaming infant on her doorstep.
Against all her better judgement, she took the baby in. She named him Bradley.
Eighteen years later, Bradley has grown into a bafflingly likable young man under Gretsella’s extremely tolerant—one might even say doting—eye. But the witch’s hopes for an unremarkable yet fulfilling life for her son are shattered when small woodland animals start prophesying that he is the lost prince and should ascend to the throne. Bradley ignores Gretsella’s advice that prophecies and talking chipmunks are to be avoided at all costs, and sets off for the capital. But soon confusion and chaos are reigning, and scheming courtiers are using Bradley for their own ends. Sometimes a witch has to roll up her sleeves and take matters into her own cauldron. So Gretsella resolves to bring about the downfall of her darling son…
The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigendale by C. M. Waggoner is both hilarious and cozy, full of complexities written in a deceptively simple style that allows the characters of Gretsella to shine and the scenarios to make readers laugh.
The story pokes fun at divine right, prophecies and fated princes as well as the idea that someone can just be born to a role and know exactly what to do. It also skewers politics and democracy with equal abandon as it skewers the monarchy. Along the way you fall in love with Gretsella, Bradley and the quirky individuals surrounding them. It is a wonderfully funny novel full of fun characters.
If you like hilarious and cozy stories that include love, (both found and family), witches, magic and politics, this novel is for you. Gretsella is funny and Bradley charming as is the rest of the court. The novel is a fun read, fast paced and the ending is lovely. It was light hearted and fun while still being complex and layered. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 5 out of 5 toads
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