WITCH CATCHER

Twelve-year-old Jen’s father inherits Mostyn Castle, a mansion in rural West Virginia, from his eccentric great-uncle Thaddeus, and the two move there from Maryland. Unbeknownst to Jen, while on several trips to get the house ready, her father has literally fallen under the spell of Moura Winters, a local antiques dealer. Jen dislikes her immediately and learns that Moura is actually a witch from the Fairy realm who came to this world decades ago in pursuit of the rightful heirs to the throne of Fairy. After freeing the heirs from their glass prisons, Jen works with them to trap Moura and reopen the door to their home world. Putting aside the stock idea of having Dad be under the spell of an evil woman bent on marrying him, this is an original fantasy/horror adventure. Jen is a strong, believable, likable heroine. The war between the witches and the fairies and the magical mechanisms are fresh and well-presented. Hahn’s fans and devotees of Emily Rodda’s many series will be heartily pleased. (Fiction. 9-14)