BLOG TOUR: Hedge Witch (Cloven Land Trilogy #1) by Simon Kewin - Ashley's Review + GIVEAWAY

Today, we're happy to be a part of the blog tour for Simon Kewin's new book, Hedge Witch! We have Ashley's review for you, as well as a giveaway! You can find even more reviews from other blogs by visiting the tour schedule. Before we get to Ashley's review and the giveaway, take a couple minutes and learn more about Hedge Witch and Simon!

About the Book

Title: Hedge Witch (The Cloven Land Trilogy #1)Author: Simon Kewin

Publication Date: April 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis: Fifteen year-old Cait Weerd has no idea she’s being sought by the undain: sorcerous creatures of necromancy that feed off the spirit of the living. She doesn’t know the undain need her blood to survive. She doesn’t even know she’s a witch, descended from a long line of witches. Cait Weerd doesn’t know a lot, really, but all that’s about to change.

At Manchester Central Library she’s caught up in sudden, horrific violence. In the chaos she’s handed an old book that’s been hidden there and told to run, hide the book or destroy it. It contains all the secrets of the undains’ existence. They and their human servants want to find that as much as they want Cait.

What’s more, she learns that the fate of two worlds is at stake here. Just what she needs. Along with definitely-not-a-boyfriend Danny, she has to decide what the hell to do. Run, fight or just hope it all goes away.

It’s only then she learns who she really is, along with the terrible truth of what the undain have been doing in our world all this time …


About the Author

Simon was born on the misty Isle of Man but now lives deep in the English countryside with his wife and two daughters.

He writes science fiction and fantasy as well as some stories that can’t make their minds up.

Find out more on his website at simonkewin.co.uk.

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Ashley's Review

I am always looking for a good witch story - I'm not really sure why, just something about the fantasy and the magic and the world building gets me really excited - and Hedge Witch did not disappoint! I was captivated from the first page, and thoroughly enjoyed going on this crazy adventure with Cait, Fer, and all their friends.

Cait Weerd is a very interesting character. We don't really know much about her from the beginning, as we're kind of just thrown into the middle of her life. She goes to the library, and from there things just never stop moving. I really enjoyed getting to know Cait as she's on the run with the old book her grandmother told her to hide or destroy, and discovering new things about her as Cait discovers them herself. I definitely think she has quite a bit more growing to do, and I'm really excited about continuing her story in the next couple of books. Especially after that ending! What's she going to do next?!

I do wish we had gotten to see more of Fer though. I think her character had a lot of potential, but once she gets to our world she kind of just falls to the wayside and she's just written off as another member of Cait's group. I want to know about her background, about her family, and why she's so special. I'm hoping that's covered in the next book, because I have so many questions about her! 

One thing that was really interesting in the story telling was the jumping around in time. We start in the present and then a couple of chapters later jump back to the past to get quite a bit of world-building and then end up back in the present. I thought it was a little off-putting at first, but the more I read the more I began to appreciate it. I'm not sure it was entirely necessary, but I think it ended up working out. 

Overall, I would totally recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantasy book about witches! It's interesting and different and gripping and fast-paced, and I definitely found myself wanting more. You know that feeling when there's SO MUCH LEFT to resolve and only SO LITTLE BOOK left and you know it just can't be over yet because how could the characters be left in such a crazy predicament?! Yeah, I had that during this book, and I'm desperate to continue this trilogy! I'd give it a 4/5!

And now, the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and check out Hedge Witch and Ashley's review! 

--Ashley & Paul

Hedge Witch (The Cloven Land Trilogy #1) by Simon Kewin - Ashley's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as part of the Hedge Witch blog tour in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Goodreads

Title: Hedge Witch (The Cloven Land Trilogy #1)
Author: Simon Kewin
Publication Date: 

Synopsis: Fifteen year-old Cait Weerd has no idea she's being sought by the undain: sorcerous creatures that feed off the spirit of the living. She doesn't know they need her blood to survive. She doesn't even know she's a witch, descended from a long line of witches. Cait Weerd doesn't know a lot, really, but all that's about to change.

At Manchester Central Library she's caught up in sudden violence. In the chaos she's given an old book that's been hidden there. Given it and told to run. Hide the book or destroy it. The book contains all the secrets of the undains' existence. They and their human servants want to find it as much as they want to find her.

Cait learns the fates of two worlds are at stake. Just what she needs. Along with definitely-not-a-boyfriend Danny, she has to decide what the hell to do. Run, fight or hope it all goes away.

It's only then she learns who she really is, along with the terrible truth of what the undain have been doing in our world all this time...

Why?: For whatever reason, I really like books with witches. I love how different magic is between all the different books, and how they go about solving their problems. I'm especially looking forward to reading this one because Cait has to destroy a book - not that I love when books are destroyed, but because a book hold so much power and information that it cannot reach the wrong hands. Powerful books are awesome! 

Expectations: I'm not entirely sure what to expect from this book. Definitely witches and magic and fleeing for their lives, but I don't know beyond that. Also, I think there will be quite a bit a humor (based on how the synopsis is written). Bonus points for making me laugh out loud! 

Judging a book by its cover: I'm kind of undecided on this cover. The girl on the front is just so overdone in YA, but I kind of love her blue hair and eyebrow. The birds in the back are also intriguing, and I wonder how they're relevant to the book. I think I might pick this up based solely on the cover if I saw it in a bookstore or a library, but I'm not entirely convinced that I would.


Don't forget to check back in a couple weeks to see my review and visit all of the other stops on the Hedge Witch Blog Tour! 


--Ashley