Spindlewood

Clever and highly engaging . . . Think Percy Jackson meets Wednesday, with a huge dollop of originality on top

Thomas Taylor, author of Malamander

A spectacularly spooky tale, I devoured Spindlewood and adored determined and clever main character Lilac Black from the first chapter. Full of warmth and humour but threaded with delicious darkness, it's a compulsive read and had me dying for a sequel as soon as I reached the last page

Philippa Leathley, author of Inkbound

Spooky, mysterious and utterly charming. Lilac Black will more than fill the Wednesday-shaped hole in your life

Clare Harlow, author of Tidemagic

Freddie Kölsch takes the magical boarding-school story and gives it a fresh twist: what if you were accepted into a school of magic, but were the only person there with no powers? With warm, unforgettable characters – especially Uncles Bell and Beau – assured world-building and a truly monstrous villain, Spindlewood blends traditional and contemporary magic in a story of outsiderdom, first love and staying true to yourself

Iqbal Hussain, author of The Night I Borrowed Time

It's hard to put your finger on the difference between a very good and a great book, but you know it when you see it. Spindlewood is a great book

Russell Franklin, author of The House of Dusk

A compelling story with realistic characters and atmospheric spooky touches

Kirkus

Clever, funny, and spooky, Spindlewood is a sparkling delight

Stephanie Burgis

It's a fantastically fresh take on a magic-school story, and Lilac’s clever (and sometimes slightly desperate) deceptions to keep up the ruse are great fun. The vividly rendered island setting is delightfully cosy and creepy all at once, and a mysterious, all-knowing narrator adds intrigue. Casual queer representation, including Lilac’s potential crush on an enigmatic classmate, and a diverse student body are welcome inclusions. An ideal autumnal read for anyone seeking an eerie atmosphere, mounting mysteries, and heaps of humour

Booklist

A seamless mix of mystery and suspense . . . Readers will impatiently wait for the next in the series. A perfect choice for fans of ­Jonathan Stroud’s Lockwood & Co series, Wednesday, and works by Lemony Snicket

School Library Journal