The Story Behind This Book
I've always been a fan of fairy tales and classic mythology. Sadly, a new generation of children are being raised without being exposed to the old legends and tales I loved as a kid. This is terrible loss, because I feel the old fairy tales are as relevant to our technological age as they were to our ancestors. The Legend of Witch Bane introduces readers of all ages to the kind of fairy tales that were once a right of passage for young people. But like any good fairy tale, there are important life-lessons to be gained. If you love a good old-fashioned tale that is full of magic and adventure, then The Legend of Witch Bane is for you!
Praise and Reviews
"Chivalry thrives in Kevis Hendrickson’s
The Legend
of Witch Bane. Three young siblings, born of royalty,
become the only hope of saving an entire kingdom when evil pervades the
landscape. A sorceress has placed a spell upon the people of Kaldan in
retaliation for disobedience, forcing them into a deep slumber from
which they
cannot be awakened. Only Laris, Kòdobos, and Anyr, children of
King Falinn, are
immune to the charm and have the ability to seek aid.
So it is with these events that the destiny of the
people of
Kaldan falls into the hands of the three children. Each weapon-wielding
child
possesses his or her own unique talents to contribute to the battle
against the
sorceress Rhiannon. The youngest, Anyr, has the patience and agility of
an
adult when using her bow and arrow. Kodobos is more impulsive, but as
heir to
the throne, he strives to become a great knight who will instill honor
in his
kingdom. As the oldest, Laris holds more knowledge about the dangers
they will
face, and uses her twin serpent swords with the adeptness of a master.
Though this is a children’s book ripe with magic
and
fantasy, there are some very serious threads running through the story.
Much of
the controversy centers on Laris, who is but half-sister to
Kòdobos and Anyr,
born of fairy blood. After her mother’s death, Laris was sent to live
with her
father, King Falinn, who didn’t even know of her existence. She is
still in
mourning and doubtful of her father’s love for her. Her many secrets
will
become evident as the story progresses, but her childhood is a tale of
bigotry,
ignorance, and deception. With this basis, Laris is also easily
manipulated,
which results in terrible consequences for the children.
The grandeur and pace at which the children flit
from
incident to incident is very reminiscent of Peter
Pan. In one chapter, they might be outwitting a giant, while in the
next,
they’re battling werewolves or befriending dragons. In fact,
Hendrickson has
included nearly every mythical being ever found in literature and lore:
dragons, fairies, giants, ogres, vampires, and many more. Popular fairy
tales
are woven into the story under a new guise. For example, The
Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe becomes Hazel, abusive
housemother to hundreds of Kinderlings.
The events that transpire indicate there will be a
sequel to
The Legend of Witch Bane, which is
good news. There are so many routes a sequel could take, and
Hendrickson has
already introduced some elusive antagonists. This will be an excellent
series
for young readers. The book is truly a tale of high adventure, and
reminds
children that being pure of heart is a virtue.
The Legend
of Witch Bane is classic literature for a modern
audience."
—Sabrina Williams, Front Street Reviews
