Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment

In Whetherwhy, everyone has a little bit of magic inside them, linked to one of the seasons, but each year, a handful of enchanters are born; those who can wield magic connected with spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Juniper and Rafferty Quinn are twins, living with their family at their bookbindery in Honeyvale. On the Spring Ember Day of their 13th year they, like all other 13-year-olds, are tested, and on finding she is an enchanter, Juniper is invited to study at Thistledown Academy.  Reluctant both to leave her alone, and to be left behind, Rafferty soon follows, taking an apprenticeship at a bookbindery in the capital city of Stormgrove.  Whilst Juniper learns to control and use her magic, Rafferty finds himself drawn into a mysterious sect known as the Papercut Society whose beliefs lead him away from his sister.  However, as danger and dark magic threaten them, the twins must come together once more.

No synopsis of this book could seek to do justice to the wonderfully magical and imaginative world which Anna James has created!  As a great lover of the Pages and Co series, I had high hopes of this book - and those yet to come - and I found myself completely absorbed into the world of Whetherwhy. Once again, Anna James puts books and the power of word at the very heart of the story, but in 'The Age of Enchantment', the joys and power of nature are also celebrated. With each resident having an affinity to one of the seasons, the 'specialness' of each time of year is highlighted, enhancing their natural abilities.

As with any magical story, comparisons are sure to be made with the Harry Potter stories and, just as fans of those identify with one of the houses, so here readers are sure to wonder which season they 'belong' to! It's the little details which make any imagined world convincing and the descriptions of Whetherwhy are full of them as well as (if I am not much mistaken!) hints of things to come in future stories.

Fabulous illustrations by David Wyatt add much to the atmosphere of each chapter, capturing various scenes perfectly, with a map at the beginning to help readers orientate themselves in this new world. Juniper and Rafferty come from a loving and supportive family which clearly contrasts with that of Olivor, another student at Thistledown Academy, who becomes Juniper's friend and Jessy, the other apprentice at the Aufero Bindery in Stormgrove. Incredibly close, the twins grow apart as the story develops, each finding their own place, yet ultimately their bond is as strong as ever. They must work out who to trust and what to believe as they overcome dangers and unravel mysteries.

Each of the characters in the story is really well developed, including the adults, adding to the richness of the read - and the potential to discover more in subsequent books. Even minor characters like Nutmeg, the owner of 'Butter and Bean', feel like people you might know.

Exciting from the outset, The Age of Enchantment is a gripping read, thoroughly enjoyable and impossible to put down. Can't wait for the next one! 

384 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+