About the Book
In this thrilling blend of Native American folklore, magic and fierce heroine empowerment, Raven and the Witch sets the stage for a battle that will determine the fate of a people-and the strength of Raven's heart.Book 1 in the Bloodlines of Destiny
In the wilds of 18th-century Canada, Raven Shikoba, a fierce young Mohawk girl, discovers a destiny far more perilous than she ever imagined. Born with the ability to shapeshift, Raven struggles to master her fledgling powers.But darkness looms. A menacing blood witch, one who has tormented Raven's ancestors for generations, rises from the shadows with a plan to destroy her people and the delicate balance of their world.As Raven's magic grows, so too does the threat of this ancient bloodline enemy. Torn between her duty to her people and the rising tension within herself, Raven must confront her lineage-and her dangerous destiny.With the help of her mentor Silent Wolf, Raven embarks on a fateful journey of self-discovery, learning that her growing powers may be the key to saving her people-or to her demise.But as she faces the witch's growing threat, she must also navigate the complexities of becoming a young woman, the shifting ties of friendship and her emerging feelings for her best friend, Otter.Wendy Pym weaves a captivating tale of destiny, courage and the unbreakable bond between a young woman and her people.
A thrill-chill read for young adults (13 to 18) and New Adults (18 to 25), but adults love the storyline too. Not for the faint of heart...the blood witch character will chill you to the bone!
PRAISE FOR WENDY PYM
'Raven and the Witch is a captivating dark fantasy read that executes elements of folklore and magic. An engaging tale for anyone wanting to lose themselves where magic and reality meet. Raven Shikoba weaves the tale of a fierce shape-shifting Raven with an extraordinary ability to perceive the unseen. She and her friends must confront a formidable blood witch that has a thirst for blood, power and immortality. With the Blood Witch watching their every move, Raven and her friends hunt to find the witch that threatens their entire existence.' Renee Mckay
'This is a novel that will appeal to young adults and adults alike. The author has created an epic high-fantasy story set in a beautifully imaginative, detailed world with magnificent scenery where the likable and believable characters are caught up in the battle of good and evil. Weaving in Native American culture and folklore with a rich connection to nature, the young shapeshifting heroine 'Raven' battles the world between light and dark accompanied by her closest friends.' Petra Lovey
'Not only my very first foray into the fantasy genre, but it also turned out to be an unexpectedly heartfelt introduction. I dove into this enchanting world with little knowing what to expect, and I quickly found myself hooked by Raven's deeply personal journey. What struck me the most was how relatable Raven's struggle was, even when magic was in full display. She battles with self- doubt and identity....It mirrors her inner evolution, every transformation felt like a powerful symbol of her growth, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. For a first-time fantasy read, this book has set a high bar, and I'm excited to see where this genre takes me next.' Raven Stjohn
'I am an avid fantasy reader, but this story is like nothing I have ever read, and I need to know what happens next!' Erin Kenny
About the Author :
Wendy Pym is a talented artist and storyteller with a passion for creating vivid worlds inspired by Native American history mixed with mythology and magic. Honouring a promise to her late brother Brent to share her stories with the world, she has poured her creative vision into her debut YA series, Bloodlines of Destiny. The first book, Raven and the Witch, blends themes of identity, magic and the eternal clash between light and darkness, with a touch of YA horror.With a painter's eye for detail, Wendy crafts fascinating tales while pursuing her dream of becoming a full-time artist and writer. When she's not writing or painting, she finds inspiration in outdoor adventures and her lifelong love of sport, which fuel her creativity and determination. She earned three belts in Kung Fu before taking up Muay Thai kickboxing, with Martial Arts teaching her confidence, respect, honour, and dedication - all qualities reflected in her main protagonist, Raven Shikoba - a heroine not to be messed with.Wendy has always been fascinated by Native American culture - their deep connection to nature, respect for the animals they hunted and their spiritual beliefs. As a child, she would collect bones and feathers to craft ornaments, long before she understood their cultural significance. Her passion led her to travel solo to America many years ago, where she visited reservations and brought home treasured jewellery and carvings that continue to inspire her work today. Dr Juliette Lachemeier is the managing editor of The Erudite Pen, a professional editing and independent publishing business. She helps fiction and nonfiction authors turn their writing dreams into a published reality and has published a number of #1 bestselling titles.
Review :
'Raven and the Witch is a captivating dark fantasy read that executes elements of folklore and magic. An engaging tale for anyone wanting to lose themselves where magic and reality meet. Raven Shikoba weaves the tale of a fierce shape-shifting Raven with an extraordinary ability to perceive the unseen. She and her friends must confront a formidable blood witch that has a thirst for blood, power and immortality. With the Blood Witch watching their every move, Raven and her friends hunt to find the witch that threatens their entire existence.' Renee Mckay
'This is a novel that will appeal to young adults and adults alike. The author has created an epic high-fantasy story set in a beautifully imaginative, detailed world with magnificent scenery where the likable and believable characters are caught up in the battle of good and evil. Weaving in Native American culture and folklore with a rich connection to nature, the young shapeshifting heroine 'Raven' battles the world between light and dark accompanied by her closest friends. I particularly loved the battle scene with it's incredible intricate descriptions between the author's carefully crafted characters. The evil witch, dragon and serpent really came alive whilst Raven, Otter and Wolf shone in their roles as heroes and heroines.' Petra Lovey
'Not only my very first foray into the fantasy genre, but it also turned out to be an unexpectedly heartfelt introduction. I dove into this enchanting world with little knowing what to expect, and I quickly found myself hooked by Raven's deeply personal journey. What struck me the most was how relatable Raven's struggle was, even when magic was in full display. She battles with self- doubt and identity, and her ability to shapeshift becomes more than just a cool magic trick. It mirrors her inner evolution, every transformation felt like a powerful symbol of her growth, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. For a first-time fantasy read, this book has set a high bar, and I'm excited to see where this genre takes me next.' Raven Stjohn
Raven and the Witch is a true coming of age novel that draws you in. With heartfelt challenges, Raven must learn to believe in herself and face her greatest fears while trying to ensure she does not lose the ones she loves. I was hooked from the prologue where the writing drew me in and I could not help but picture every scene as if I was seeing it through each characters' eyes. I will say the feast scene made me so hungry as it sounded amazing and I was sure I could smell everything described, which made my dinner seem boring in comparison. Raven was relatable and sweet, which made my heart break at the challenges she faced and I wondered how she could remain brave in the face of pure evil. Her story reminds me that we always have those who support us through the worst, and this story made me want to reach out to those I care about. The way Raven's found family supports her is something we all long for, and it made for many sweet moments that reminded me there is always good despite the evil. I felt every emotion reading this story, which made it that much harder to put down. I did not want the novel to end. I just want a happy ending for Raven as I could relate to every emotion, from that first crush to her self-doubt.
I am an avid fantasy reader, but this story is like nothing I have ever read, and I need to know what happens next! Erin Kenny
