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Cinders & Sparrows
When a scarecrow climbs over the garden wall, delivering twelve-year-old orphan Zita Brydgeborn a letter saying she has inherited a distant castle, she jumps at the chance of adventure. But little does she know that she is about to be thrust into a centuries-old battle between good and evil. Blackbird Castle was once home to a powerful dynasty of witches, all of them now dead under mysterious circumstances. Zita is the last of her line. And Zita, unfortunately, doesn’t know the first thing about being a witch.
As she begins her lessons in charms and spells with her guardian, Mrs. Cantanker, Zita makes new allies—a crow, a talking marble head, two castle servants just her age named Bram and Minnifer, and the silent ghost of a green-eyed girl. But who is friend and who is foe? Zita must race to untangle her past and find the magic to save the home she’s always hoped for. Because whatever claimed the souls of her family is now after her.
As she begins her lessons in charms and spells with her guardian, Mrs. Cantanker, Zita makes new allies—a crow, a talking marble head, two castle servants just her age named Bram and Minnifer, and the silent ghost of a green-eyed girl. But who is friend and who is foe? Zita must race to untangle her past and find the magic to save the home she’s always hoped for. Because whatever claimed the souls of her family is now after her.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2020
About the author
Stefan Bachmann
10 books562 followersStefan Bachmann is a bestselling author of books and short stories. He was born in the United States and spent most of his childhood in Switzerland, where he graduated from the Zürich University of Arts with degrees in music composition and theory. His debut, The Peculiar, was published to international acclaim when he was nineteen years old. His work has gone on to be named a Publishers Weekly’s best book of the year, a VOYA Best Science Fiction & Fantasy of the Year, a New York Times Editor’s Choice, and a Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award finalist, among others. In 2017, he was chosen for the Aarhus 39, a selection of the best young writers in Europe, presented at the International Hay Festival in Denmark. He has written for radio, film, opera, magazines and newspapers, and his books have been published in over fifteen countries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
August 8, 2023
So eine wunderbar originelle, spannende und Mut machende Hexengeschichte! Nicht nur für junges Publikum ein Genuss! Ich habe Blackbird Castle so gern gemeinsam mit Zita entdeckt! Habe geheime Räume und verbotene Treppen betreten und über den Ideenreichtum von Stefan Bachmann gestaunt! Eine wunderbar schaurige Lektüre, die ich besonders zur Herbstzeit empfehle! Im Übrigen wunderbar vertont von Henriette Schreurs!
October 4, 2020
Cinders and Sparrows is kind of like if Matilda found out she was actually from a family of witches and when she returns home everything begins to go terribly, terribly wrong.
The book follows orphaned thirteen-year-old, Zita Brydgeborn, as she finds out she comes from a great line of witches who are currently under some awful spell and it’s up to her to find her power and fix it. Bachmann has created a beautiful witchy atmospheric middle grade with just enough spook to keep you wondering what in the world is really going down at Blackbird Castle. The characters are well thought out, especially with Zita having two young house servant friends who offer details to assist in world-building in a subtle and engaging way. As Cinders and Sparrows is written in first person we only get the information available to Zita which makes the plot twists even more fun.
I would love to see this onscreen. The visuals Bachmann has created, from the gothic castle and the fantastic set of characters, that this all jumps from the page and seems to be made for a Tim Burton-esque style treatment.
*ARC provided by Edelweiss for an honest review*
The book follows orphaned thirteen-year-old, Zita Brydgeborn, as she finds out she comes from a great line of witches who are currently under some awful spell and it’s up to her to find her power and fix it. Bachmann has created a beautiful witchy atmospheric middle grade with just enough spook to keep you wondering what in the world is really going down at Blackbird Castle. The characters are well thought out, especially with Zita having two young house servant friends who offer details to assist in world-building in a subtle and engaging way. As Cinders and Sparrows is written in first person we only get the information available to Zita which makes the plot twists even more fun.
I would love to see this onscreen. The visuals Bachmann has created, from the gothic castle and the fantastic set of characters, that this all jumps from the page and seems to be made for a Tim Burton-esque style treatment.
*ARC provided by Edelweiss for an honest review*
July 8, 2021
4 stars
A cross between a witchy coming-of-age, a haunted house mystery, and an undead adventure. I loved it!
Characters: ★★★★
Setting: ★★★★★
Pacing: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★ 1/2
Orphan Zita Brydgeborn has grown up thinking she's alone in the world. Working as a 12-year-old maid to an old woman in a small village, her life's not great but it could be worse. So when a letter arrives—delivered via a lumbering, animated scarecrow—requesting Zita's presence at Blackbird Castle and claiming that she belongs with the family, Zita jumps at the chance.
What child wouldn't want a magically delivered letter promising all of their dreams?
When Zita arrives, she's quickly told that she's the last of the Blackbird witches... and there's something dangerous afoot. Zita needs to be trained in her witchy calling, and stat, because her entire witchy family has been killed off by some unknown force and she's next.
With a cantankerous guardian showing her the ropes, two household servants who can't seem to tell Zita anything deeper than random small talk, and a bunch of secrets housed within the castle itself... it's time for Zita embrace her destiny and save her family home. (And herself, of course.)
My thoughts:
This was so, SO fun. I loved it and read it all over the course of a morning. Zita's refreshing character shown through in this zany setting. This is the perfect read for middle graders—obviously, given they are the target audience—and for any fun-loving adult who enjoys witches, "happy" toned mysteries, and Halloween. The Halloween vibes were STRONG in this. I loved it.
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A cross between a witchy coming-of-age, a haunted house mystery, and an undead adventure. I loved it!
Characters: ★★★★
Setting: ★★★★★
Pacing: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★ 1/2
Orphan Zita Brydgeborn has grown up thinking she's alone in the world. Working as a 12-year-old maid to an old woman in a small village, her life's not great but it could be worse. So when a letter arrives—delivered via a lumbering, animated scarecrow—requesting Zita's presence at Blackbird Castle and claiming that she belongs with the family, Zita jumps at the chance.
What child wouldn't want a magically delivered letter promising all of their dreams?
When Zita arrives, she's quickly told that she's the last of the Blackbird witches... and there's something dangerous afoot. Zita needs to be trained in her witchy calling, and stat, because her entire witchy family has been killed off by some unknown force and she's next.
With a cantankerous guardian showing her the ropes, two household servants who can't seem to tell Zita anything deeper than random small talk, and a bunch of secrets housed within the castle itself... it's time for Zita embrace her destiny and save her family home. (And herself, of course.)
My thoughts:
This was so, SO fun. I loved it and read it all over the course of a morning. Zita's refreshing character shown through in this zany setting. This is the perfect read for middle graders—obviously, given they are the target audience—and for any fun-loving adult who enjoys witches, "happy" toned mysteries, and Halloween. The Halloween vibes were STRONG in this. I loved it.
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June 23, 2023
Eine tolle Hexengeschichte- perfekt für den Herbst🥰📖
August 8, 2020
For fans of Howl's Moving Castle by Diane Wynne Jones or The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, Cinders & Sparrows is about a resourceful young girl prepared to meet challenges head-on and battle the forces of darkness for her friends and family.
Zita, 12 years old, orphaned, believes she's fated to a life of drudgery as a housemaid when she receives a letter informing her that she's the heir of a powerful witch family and has inherited a castle. What sounds exciting and glamorous turns out to be horrifying. When she arrives, she's greeted to the sight of a crumbling, burnt-out castle. Instead of family to greet her, she's given into the care of the cold and scheming Mrs. Cantanker. Her only allies are the castle's two servants, Bram and Minnifer, and a crow.
Clever and spirited, Zita knows that things aren't right and prowls the castle and its grounds, looking for answers. But can she survive a castle full of deadly rooms and menacing ghosts and the nefarious Mrs. Cantanker? Fast-paced with creepy, atmospheric descriptions, this fantasy will appeal to tweens and adults.
Described as a standalone, I hope that Stefan Bachmann has the opportunity to put this descriptive worldbuilding to use in other books.
This dark fantasy with its resiliant main character gets a highly recommended from me.
Zita, 12 years old, orphaned, believes she's fated to a life of drudgery as a housemaid when she receives a letter informing her that she's the heir of a powerful witch family and has inherited a castle. What sounds exciting and glamorous turns out to be horrifying. When she arrives, she's greeted to the sight of a crumbling, burnt-out castle. Instead of family to greet her, she's given into the care of the cold and scheming Mrs. Cantanker. Her only allies are the castle's two servants, Bram and Minnifer, and a crow.
Clever and spirited, Zita knows that things aren't right and prowls the castle and its grounds, looking for answers. But can she survive a castle full of deadly rooms and menacing ghosts and the nefarious Mrs. Cantanker? Fast-paced with creepy, atmospheric descriptions, this fantasy will appeal to tweens and adults.
Described as a standalone, I hope that Stefan Bachmann has the opportunity to put this descriptive worldbuilding to use in other books.
This dark fantasy with its resiliant main character gets a highly recommended from me.
November 3, 2021
My 250th read of ‘21! And man, was it INCREDIBLE! OMG! Such a dark witchy story, & I loved every minute. Every part of this was so phenomenal, & I need more MG from this author immediately lol. Zita is an amazing character. Her humor & whit were on point. She was so brave, & had already been through so much in her short life. All she ever wanted was a home & a family. And when she gets it-it’s not exactly what she imagined. Lol She is forever grateful for everything though, no matter what Mrs. Cantanker throws at her, & she remains humble. She is fast friends with the 2 servants(Minnifer & Bram)who are also orphans. Zita just steals your heart, & you root for her so hard the whole way. Minnifer & Bram are also such great side characters. I loved them, especially Minnifer. She cracked me up. The villain is terrifying & infuriating. Brilliantly written. I wanted to hit her myself lol. She is the epitome of what jealousy, envy, & bitterness can do to you. Vikers has my heart. Love that bird. Such superb writing as well. It just wraps around you, & pulls you in from the start. So atmospheric-with the castle, the woods, the ghosts, the characters, the magic, the curse, & the vivid writing that brings it all to life. So many creative details too! From the blue stairs, dragon stairs, the tree, the secret room, the talking diary, & the triggles to name a FEW amazing things. Great messages/themes on belonging, family, friendship, kindness, & doing what’s right. Such a spooky, hauntingly beautiful story. Creepy & heartwarming at the same time-brilliant! Highly recommend! Stunning cover by the Balbusso Twins too!💜
July 30, 2020
What a marvelous book! If you are looking for a spooky, charming middle-grade novel with a ton of atmosphere, terrific writing, and a heart of gold, CINDERS AND SPARROWS should be at the top of your list.
First, Zita is one of the most endearing, delightful heroines I’ve ever come across—she reminded me a bit of Jane Eyre in her humility, kindness, and cleverness (not to mention her determination to find out what's lurking up the mysterious staircases in her new home). I just loved her, and I found myself caring deeply about her plight from the very first pages of the book. The supporting characters are masterfully spun as well (and the bad ones are VERY BAD—but multidimensional and complex, never flat. Bachmann keeps readers on their toes!)
I'm convinced Bachmann is one of the most talented writers and prose stylists out there right now. The writing in the book is just superb at a line level, wonderfully evocative and beautiful. And funny. If only this book had been around when I was 12! It would absolutely have become one of my favorites.
First, Zita is one of the most endearing, delightful heroines I’ve ever come across—she reminded me a bit of Jane Eyre in her humility, kindness, and cleverness (not to mention her determination to find out what's lurking up the mysterious staircases in her new home). I just loved her, and I found myself caring deeply about her plight from the very first pages of the book. The supporting characters are masterfully spun as well (and the bad ones are VERY BAD—but multidimensional and complex, never flat. Bachmann keeps readers on their toes!)
I'm convinced Bachmann is one of the most talented writers and prose stylists out there right now. The writing in the book is just superb at a line level, wonderfully evocative and beautiful. And funny. If only this book had been around when I was 12! It would absolutely have become one of my favorites.
November 7, 2023
Eine Mischung aus Coraline, das wandelnde Schloss und Alice im Wunderland
September 18, 2020
The digital arc of this book was kindly provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ website in exchange for an honest review.
This is a story about a young orphan who turned out to be the sole heir to a famous clan of witches. And the book actually was as cool as this premise sounds. It was quite dark and mysterious, the characters had distinct personalities, and even though the villains kind of felt like they stepped out a fairy tale, it added to the overall atmosphere and witchiness of the novel. It's definitely an interesting book with some strong autumn vibes, so check it out if that sounds like your thing.
This is a story about a young orphan who turned out to be the sole heir to a famous clan of witches. And the book actually was as cool as this premise sounds. It was quite dark and mysterious, the characters had distinct personalities, and even though the villains kind of felt like they stepped out a fairy tale, it added to the overall atmosphere and witchiness of the novel. It's definitely an interesting book with some strong autumn vibes, so check it out if that sounds like your thing.
September 21, 2023
Hat mir gut gefallen, auch wenn ich manchen Erzählstrang nicht zu 100% ausgereift und gelungen fand
Trotzdem eine schöne, unterhaltsame Lektüre
Trotzdem eine schöne, unterhaltsame Lektüre
Read
January 2, 2021A cute middle grade novel with pretty writing and a thoroughly fanciful cinematic world. Not a perfect fit for me as an adult reader, especially since knowledge of certain diction makes the villain obvious, but I see no reason the target audience would not be thoroughly charmed by this fantasy tale.
I received this book for free from Greenwillow via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I received this book for free from Greenwillow via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
August 15, 2024
4 ⭐️ Eine wirklich mitreißende, schöne Hexengeschichte mit einigen Plot-Twists. Außerdem toll eingesprochen von Henriette Schreurs.
January 11, 2021
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
May 4, 2021
Whimsical and kind of spooky middle-grade book for all ages. Perfect for fans of Howl's Moving Castle. :) I especially recommend listening to the audio book. Justine Eyre does a great job and there is atmospheric music between many chapters.
October 17, 2021
*2.5 out of 5 stars*
So.... I have some thoughts. This was very cute and autumnal. I was disappointed though because I just had so many high hopes for this. I wasn't really in the mood for this so I think that effected my enjoyment with this book. There were some things I enjoyed and other things that annoyed me.
So we are thrust into this magical, witchy world where this young girl named Zita is an orphan and Zita doesn't know where she belongs. She is a housemaid for a woman named Mrs. Boliver. One day a scarecrow delivers a letter addressed to Zita that she inherited the Blackbird Castle. When she arrives, there is a women Mrs. Cantanker who is sure Zita is not who she says she is. Once Zita takes a test and proves she is a witch Mrs. Cantanker teaches her witchy things. This is a coming of age middle grade about witches with those very nice autumnul vibes. Even though the synopsis sounds so amazing, the book follows it but it takes a turn and kind of gets off track. The good thing though, I was flying through it and it was such a quick read.
One thing I really disliked though, was the fact that no one was who they said they were in the end. So it ended up getting really repetative and annoying. I also never really connected with any of the characters. The only thing that kept me going through this book was the fact that I was reading about 2 and 1/2 pages per minute and that I could fufill two Magical hop-a-thon prompts with this book. I still liked some elements of the story but most of the time I was not invested in the story.
I definately stiil want to read more of Stefan Bachmann's books because he can really write well but this one just wasn't it for me. I think for some people, this would be a 5 star read but for others and myself it just didn't hit home. It definatly depends on your mood at the time. Overall, I thought it was cute and I somewhat enjoyed it.
So.... I have some thoughts. This was very cute and autumnal. I was disappointed though because I just had so many high hopes for this. I wasn't really in the mood for this so I think that effected my enjoyment with this book. There were some things I enjoyed and other things that annoyed me.
So we are thrust into this magical, witchy world where this young girl named Zita is an orphan and Zita doesn't know where she belongs. She is a housemaid for a woman named Mrs. Boliver. One day a scarecrow delivers a letter addressed to Zita that she inherited the Blackbird Castle. When she arrives, there is a women Mrs. Cantanker who is sure Zita is not who she says she is. Once Zita takes a test and proves she is a witch Mrs. Cantanker teaches her witchy things. This is a coming of age middle grade about witches with those very nice autumnul vibes. Even though the synopsis sounds so amazing, the book follows it but it takes a turn and kind of gets off track. The good thing though, I was flying through it and it was such a quick read.
One thing I really disliked though, was the fact that no one was who they said they were in the end. So it ended up getting really repetative and annoying. I also never really connected with any of the characters. The only thing that kept me going through this book was the fact that I was reading about 2 and 1/2 pages per minute and that I could fufill two Magical hop-a-thon prompts with this book. I still liked some elements of the story but most of the time I was not invested in the story.
I definately stiil want to read more of Stefan Bachmann's books because he can really write well but this one just wasn't it for me. I think for some people, this would be a 5 star read but for others and myself it just didn't hit home. It definatly depends on your mood at the time. Overall, I thought it was cute and I somewhat enjoyed it.
September 7, 2021
Actual rating: 4.5!
I might have only read a couple of Middle-Grade books this year so far, but it was quite obvious from the first few chapters that Cinders & Sparrows would come out as my most favorite. Following the story of the chosen one in a dark big castle full of mysterious corridors and magic, I was certainly obsessed with the mood this book got me into.
All the main characters were very easy to like (except for Mrs. Cantanker, of course), and going through the story from Zita's lens was definitely an exciting experience. I'm always all for fictional midnight adventures in restricted areas, thus having her wandering around Blackbird Castle in the dark made the adventure all the more compelling for me. With a secret to unravel, parts of the castle to roam about, and a mysterious past to solve, the mystery and the gloomy mood rendered this book even more mystical.
Mentions of November and snow elicited a more exciting experience also, because the adventure got all wintery and we all know that it was a perfect combination for anything magical. How I hope I read Cinders & Sparrows at the end of the year instead. While it was not so light, this book was written beautifully with perfect holiday weather I adored. Obviously a good choice for either a winter read or a reread material.
In conclusion, I loved Cinders & Sparrow, especially the twist in the ending, and how the pace was quite fast but everything was still so enjoyable—it's definitely a book I want to go back to in the future. If you love Middle-Grade and various magic systems, this book would be a good choice for you.
I might have only read a couple of Middle-Grade books this year so far, but it was quite obvious from the first few chapters that Cinders & Sparrows would come out as my most favorite. Following the story of the chosen one in a dark big castle full of mysterious corridors and magic, I was certainly obsessed with the mood this book got me into.
All the main characters were very easy to like (except for Mrs. Cantanker, of course), and going through the story from Zita's lens was definitely an exciting experience. I'm always all for fictional midnight adventures in restricted areas, thus having her wandering around Blackbird Castle in the dark made the adventure all the more compelling for me. With a secret to unravel, parts of the castle to roam about, and a mysterious past to solve, the mystery and the gloomy mood rendered this book even more mystical.
Mentions of November and snow elicited a more exciting experience also, because the adventure got all wintery and we all know that it was a perfect combination for anything magical. How I hope I read Cinders & Sparrows at the end of the year instead. While it was not so light, this book was written beautifully with perfect holiday weather I adored. Obviously a good choice for either a winter read or a reread material.
In conclusion, I loved Cinders & Sparrow, especially the twist in the ending, and how the pace was quite fast but everything was still so enjoyable—it's definitely a book I want to go back to in the future. If you love Middle-Grade and various magic systems, this book would be a good choice for you.
October 29, 2023
Ein passendes Buch für den Herbst. Hat mir sehr gut gefallen.
June 23, 2024
4,5
Kurzmeinung/ Leseerlebnis
An einem Sonntag von Anfang bis Ende durchgelesen. Das sagt doch alles.
Kurzmeinung/ Leseerlebnis
An einem Sonntag von Anfang bis Ende durchgelesen. Das sagt doch alles.
February 3, 2021
I’m not 100% sure what I expected from Cinders & Sparrows, but what I got was a tale that was completely whimsical and actually really quite creepy. This is the kind of middle grade novel that I would have loved as a child. Thoroughly enjoying the read and then probably needing to sleep with the light on for a few nights! The writing is magical, and truly paints the castle and the characters right in front of you.
Zita Brydgeborn sounds a lot like a bookish cliché, she’s an orphan that discovers she’s a powerful witch with an inherited fortune and a secret family. Thankfully she really rises above any threat of unoriginality, and was such a fun protagonist to read. With a fiercely stoic disposition, she was brave, intelligent and kindhearted. I so admired the way she handled everything, even as an adult if I was faced with a castle full of less than friendly ghosts and a guardian that clearly didn’t have any regard for me, I’d crumble to pieces! I loved her ability to see the positives and how she always tried to be kind to everyone she met.
As much as I loved Zita, the largest character in the story, is the house itself. Filled with magic and mystery and creepy things that go bump in the night. Honestly, as a grown adult some of the quirks of the house freaked me out, there are some seriously spooky elements! I just loved the pesky triggles and the idea of tricksy little mushrooms sneaking around the house. There are so many intricate little details woven into the house, and Stefan Bachmann writes so beautifully that you can really visualise it all, despite there being so very many layers to it. Each twist and turn, new corridor and new staircase had me completely hooked, although I’m not sure I would like to explore it in person…
Going hand in hand with the spooky nature of the book, there were plenty of villainous characters to help the story along. Perhaps my only criticism is that the ultimate bad guy is pretty clear from the beginning, and I had hoped for a little twist along the way. Having said that, there are a few surprises in store and those that may first appear to be friendly, aren’t always as they seem. I was suspicious of pretty much everyone, including the mysterious Bram and Minnifer, expecting everyone to have nefarious plans for poor Zita.
I truly thought the book was wonderful and well worth a read. I’d perhaps recommend it for those a little on the older side of the middle grade spectrum, due to some of the elements. It’s also a massive bonus that this one looks stunning on the shelf, it has a almost sparkly quality to it that really compliments the lovely purple colour. Whoever designed this one should definitely get a pat on the back. I’ll definitely be checking out Stefan’s other published books, and can’t wait to see what he writes next! If you’re looking for some witchy, ghosty chills, this is the book for you!
Zita Brydgeborn sounds a lot like a bookish cliché, she’s an orphan that discovers she’s a powerful witch with an inherited fortune and a secret family. Thankfully she really rises above any threat of unoriginality, and was such a fun protagonist to read. With a fiercely stoic disposition, she was brave, intelligent and kindhearted. I so admired the way she handled everything, even as an adult if I was faced with a castle full of less than friendly ghosts and a guardian that clearly didn’t have any regard for me, I’d crumble to pieces! I loved her ability to see the positives and how she always tried to be kind to everyone she met.
As much as I loved Zita, the largest character in the story, is the house itself. Filled with magic and mystery and creepy things that go bump in the night. Honestly, as a grown adult some of the quirks of the house freaked me out, there are some seriously spooky elements! I just loved the pesky triggles and the idea of tricksy little mushrooms sneaking around the house. There are so many intricate little details woven into the house, and Stefan Bachmann writes so beautifully that you can really visualise it all, despite there being so very many layers to it. Each twist and turn, new corridor and new staircase had me completely hooked, although I’m not sure I would like to explore it in person…
Going hand in hand with the spooky nature of the book, there were plenty of villainous characters to help the story along. Perhaps my only criticism is that the ultimate bad guy is pretty clear from the beginning, and I had hoped for a little twist along the way. Having said that, there are a few surprises in store and those that may first appear to be friendly, aren’t always as they seem. I was suspicious of pretty much everyone, including the mysterious Bram and Minnifer, expecting everyone to have nefarious plans for poor Zita.
I truly thought the book was wonderful and well worth a read. I’d perhaps recommend it for those a little on the older side of the middle grade spectrum, due to some of the elements. It’s also a massive bonus that this one looks stunning on the shelf, it has a almost sparkly quality to it that really compliments the lovely purple colour. Whoever designed this one should definitely get a pat on the back. I’ll definitely be checking out Stefan’s other published books, and can’t wait to see what he writes next! If you’re looking for some witchy, ghosty chills, this is the book for you!
October 29, 2020
Welch wundervolles Buch! Perfekt zu lesen im Oktober.
Eine sympathische Heldin, eine verzauberte Welt und Familiengeheimnisse - was will man mehr? Bachmann erzählt seine Geschichte ruhig, aber dadurch eben auch sehr stimmungsvoll. Das Hörbuch nimmt diese Atmosphäre auf und bringt sie umso mehr zur Geltung, wenn man dabei durch bunte Blätterhaufen geht und den Nebelschwaden zuschaut.
"Cinders and Sparrows" ist mein Lieblingsbuch von Bachmann geworden und nun bin ich gespannt, womit der Autor als nächstes aufwartet. Seit dem letzten Buch hat er sich stark weiterenwickelt und ich hoffe, dass dem so bleiben wird.
Dieser Titel ist eindeutig ein Monatshighlight und hat das Zeug dazu, auch einen Platz in meinen Jahreshighlights zu ergattern.
Eine sympathische Heldin, eine verzauberte Welt und Familiengeheimnisse - was will man mehr? Bachmann erzählt seine Geschichte ruhig, aber dadurch eben auch sehr stimmungsvoll. Das Hörbuch nimmt diese Atmosphäre auf und bringt sie umso mehr zur Geltung, wenn man dabei durch bunte Blätterhaufen geht und den Nebelschwaden zuschaut.
"Cinders and Sparrows" ist mein Lieblingsbuch von Bachmann geworden und nun bin ich gespannt, womit der Autor als nächstes aufwartet. Seit dem letzten Buch hat er sich stark weiterenwickelt und ich hoffe, dass dem so bleiben wird.
Dieser Titel ist eindeutig ein Monatshighlight und hat das Zeug dazu, auch einen Platz in meinen Jahreshighlights zu ergattern.
January 26, 2022
En fantasyfull bok med spänning. Påminner mig om Coraline när Zita får bemöta hennes familj, men som kanske är hennes familj och att det finns flera dimensioner.
Zita är rätt orädd, nyfiken men lite seg i sin eftertänksamt. Det finns lite skräck på Coraline nivån.
Hade nog hellre velat läsa boken än lyssnat på den, då det var ett antal karaktärer man tappade bort efter några timmar.
Zita är rätt orädd, nyfiken men lite seg i sin eftertänksamt. Det finns lite skräck på Coraline nivån.
Hade nog hellre velat läsa boken än lyssnat på den, då det var ett antal karaktärer man tappade bort efter några timmar.
June 22, 2020
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Zita is an ordinary girl of 13, raised in an orphanage and employed as a maid. Seemingly out of the blue, she receives a letter summoning her to Blackbird Castle to claim her inheritance. Intrigued by the idea, Zita drops everything and travels to meet a peculiar cast of characters in an old mansion!
Cinders & Sparrows is a brilliant new novel from Stefan Bachmann. Though the premise sounds overused, 'orphan finds out they are the heir to a long lost kingdom/fortune/mansion/etc', Bachmann updates this premise and brings a new approach to this story. Zita is so relatable, frustrated with her initial treatment, but she eventually understands the situation and comes to appreciate what she has. Of course, characters from humble beginnings usually stay humble!
This is a standalone novel that delivers a beautiful take on magic and blends a number of magical literary elements into a fascinating puzzle, fitting together with every chapter. I would tag this as a magic, gothic adventure to read under the stars! Arriving just in time for Halloween, I will be purchasing a copy and recommending it to my public library. I absolutely enjoyed it that much!
The promotional material for this title describes it as a perfect read for fans of Kate Milford, Victoria Schwab, and Diana Wynne Jones. Three fantastic authors that I admire deeply! This is a standalone title filled with magic, mystery, mayhem, and providing readers with lessons about love, loss, family, friendship, and ultimately, belonging! Fans of the Magisterium Series or the Ember in the Ashes Series would also love this book!
Cinders & Sparrows hits shelves October 13, 2020! Get your pre-order in now from your favorite retailer!
Thank to Edelweiss and Greenwillow Books for a galley copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Zita is an ordinary girl of 13, raised in an orphanage and employed as a maid. Seemingly out of the blue, she receives a letter summoning her to Blackbird Castle to claim her inheritance. Intrigued by the idea, Zita drops everything and travels to meet a peculiar cast of characters in an old mansion!
Cinders & Sparrows is a brilliant new novel from Stefan Bachmann. Though the premise sounds overused, 'orphan finds out they are the heir to a long lost kingdom/fortune/mansion/etc', Bachmann updates this premise and brings a new approach to this story. Zita is so relatable, frustrated with her initial treatment, but she eventually understands the situation and comes to appreciate what she has. Of course, characters from humble beginnings usually stay humble!
This is a standalone novel that delivers a beautiful take on magic and blends a number of magical literary elements into a fascinating puzzle, fitting together with every chapter. I would tag this as a magic, gothic adventure to read under the stars! Arriving just in time for Halloween, I will be purchasing a copy and recommending it to my public library. I absolutely enjoyed it that much!
The promotional material for this title describes it as a perfect read for fans of Kate Milford, Victoria Schwab, and Diana Wynne Jones. Three fantastic authors that I admire deeply! This is a standalone title filled with magic, mystery, mayhem, and providing readers with lessons about love, loss, family, friendship, and ultimately, belonging! Fans of the Magisterium Series or the Ember in the Ashes Series would also love this book!
Cinders & Sparrows hits shelves October 13, 2020! Get your pre-order in now from your favorite retailer!
Thank to Edelweiss and Greenwillow Books for a galley copy of this book in return for an honest review.
July 16, 2020
Engaging and highly readable YA novel about 12 year old housemaid Zita Brydgeborn who goes from orphan maid to sole heir of a famous witch dynasty (with castle and responsibilities to boot) overnight. But when Zita arrives at Castle Blackbird hoping to be reunited with her long lost family she is instead confronted with a partially destroyed castle that harbors spirits of the dead (both friendly and threatening), rooms that are both deadly and strange, a caretaker who hates her, and a rapidly increasing number of life-and-death mysteries.
This novel dances the line between fantasy and horror, so more sensitive readers may want to exercise caution. Currently the novel is slated to be a standalone work, but I very much hope it becomes a series and can easily see ways in which this could be achieved.
This novel dances the line between fantasy and horror, so more sensitive readers may want to exercise caution. Currently the novel is slated to be a standalone work, but I very much hope it becomes a series and can easily see ways in which this could be achieved.
November 22, 2021
I decided to round my 2.5 rating up because there is not seriously wrong with this book, I would still recommend it to younger children, but it's not a great book.
The main character is so apathetic that she wasn't even needed in this story. She has zero agency, she doesn't decide anything, everything just happens to her or is given to her.
The villain is so predictable that I was hoping all the time that the book was trying to misguide me.
I finished it because it's a standalone, and in the end it was fine, but I will definitely forget everything about it in a few days.
The main character is so apathetic that she wasn't even needed in this story. She has zero agency, she doesn't decide anything, everything just happens to her or is given to her.
The villain is so predictable that I was hoping all the time that the book was trying to misguide me.
I finished it because it's a standalone, and in the end it was fine, but I will definitely forget everything about it in a few days.
December 14, 2022
"They'll call anyone a witch who doesn't do as she's told and has a fondness for graveyards and talking to cats." (...quite possibly my favorite quote ever)
Cinders and sparrows was such an atmospheric, well written middle grade. I really enjoyed the characters and the witchy elements. Plus this had a really great twist at the end I was not expecting at all!
And omg the triggles!!!!! They reminded me of moomins. The imagery of these cute, maniacal little guys had me absolutely screaming.
Overall, this was really enjoyable and wholesome and just super sweet!
Cinders and sparrows was such an atmospheric, well written middle grade. I really enjoyed the characters and the witchy elements. Plus this had a really great twist at the end I was not expecting at all!
And omg the triggles!!!!! They reminded me of moomins. The imagery of these cute, maniacal little guys had me absolutely screaming.
Overall, this was really enjoyable and wholesome and just super sweet!
July 3, 2024
OMG! I couldn't have wanted anything more! Though the rising action was very long I really enjoyed the whole book! It was exciting, adventurous, and beautiful all together! I hope I can find another like this.
May 31, 2022
This witchy coming of age story was a ton of fun with awesome characters and a surprisingly dark plot. I'll definitely have to check out other books from Stefan Bachman
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
May 31, 2024I just cannot deal with this book rn. Tbh I wasn’t even that excited to start it.
January 26, 2021
I really enjoyed this one! It was like The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina for middle grade books.
September 28, 2020
*Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. *
Ingebeth, an orphan and a housemaid, never really had any past or future, until the day a scarecrow delivered a letter to her. Did she know that her real name was Zita Brydgeborn, she was a witch, and her mother had been looking for her since she was kidnapped ten years before? Dreaming of a family she never got to know, and nagged by vague memories of being taken as a toddler, Zita made the long trek to her new home - a huge, haunted place inhabited by one grouchy older woman, two servant children, and many, many ghosts. Her family had been killed by a spell, and if anything was going to be done, it was up to her as the last witch of her name. Of course, in a witch’s house, not everything is as it seems.
I love this book so much! I couldn’t put it down and read the whole thing in a day, cheering on Zita and trying to keep one step ahead of the secrets (impossible). I hope Zita has more adventures in the future.
Ingebeth, an orphan and a housemaid, never really had any past or future, until the day a scarecrow delivered a letter to her. Did she know that her real name was Zita Brydgeborn, she was a witch, and her mother had been looking for her since she was kidnapped ten years before? Dreaming of a family she never got to know, and nagged by vague memories of being taken as a toddler, Zita made the long trek to her new home - a huge, haunted place inhabited by one grouchy older woman, two servant children, and many, many ghosts. Her family had been killed by a spell, and if anything was going to be done, it was up to her as the last witch of her name. Of course, in a witch’s house, not everything is as it seems.
I love this book so much! I couldn’t put it down and read the whole thing in a day, cheering on Zita and trying to keep one step ahead of the secrets (impossible). I hope Zita has more adventures in the future.
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