The Witch's Boy

Written by Kelly Barnhill

A boy deemed wrong must protect magic and trust an enemy's daughter to prevent war.

4.0 Goodreads · 7,758 ratings

400 pages· 85,604 words· Est. 9.5 hour read· HL630L

$9.95Save 4%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Ned, surviving a tragic accident, is seen as the wrong boy by his village. Áine, daughter of the Bandit King, is bound by her mother's prophecy: the wrong boy will save her life. As the Bandit King seeks to steal magic, Ned and Áine's paths cross. Can they overcome distrust and navigate an enchanted forest to stop an impending war between their kingdoms? Their unlikely alliance holds the key to peace, but trust is fragile and time is running out. Will they succeed before it's too late?

From the publisher

“This spellbinding fantasy begs for a cozy chair and several hours of uninterrupted reading time.” –The Washington Post When Ned and his identical twin brother tumble from their raft into a raging river, only Ned survives. Villagers are convinced the wrong boy lived. Across the forest that borders Ned’s village, Áine, the daughter of the Bandit King, is haunted by her mother’s last words: “The wrong boy will save your life, and you will save his.” When the Bandit King comes to steal the magic Ned’s mother, a witch, is meant to protect, Áine and Ned meet. Can they trust each other long enough to cross a dangerous enchanted forest and stop the war about to boil over between their two kingdoms? “Barnhill is a fantasist on the order of Neil Gaiman.” –Minneapolis Star Tribune “[The Witch’s Boy] should open young readers’ eyes to something that is all around them in the very world we live in: the magic of words.” –The New York Times “This is a book to treasure.” –Nerdy Book Club A Washington Post Best Book of 2014 A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2014 A Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book of 2014 A Chicago Public Library “Best of the Best” 2014

At a glance