Healer and Witch

January 15, 2022
In 16th-century France, 15-year-old Sylvie is more than just a healer. Sylvie might be a witch. She has more than just a talent for healing people like her midwife mother, Jeanne; Sylvie possesses mysterious powers like those of her Grand-m�re Sylvie. However, when her grandmother dies before she can train Sylvie to use her powers for good, Sylvie commits a grave error: Trying to relieve Jeanne of her grief, Sylvie accidentally removes all Jeanne's memories of both her mother and daughter. Now Sylvie is venturing beyond her small village of Bresnois to find a magical teacher to help her correct her mistake and heal Jeanne. When the farrier's son, Martin, insists on joining Sylvie on her quest, the two of them pose as siblings and set off, eventually reaching Lyon. Unfortunately for Sylvie, not everyone in the large towns and cities of Catholic early modern France appreciates a woman with unusual powers, and inquisitors pose a real threat. Sylvie and Martin need to work together to figure out whom they can trust and how they will eventually get home--if they return home at all. This historical fantasy is a delightful page-turner that will entice readers of historical fiction and fantasy alike. It's a refreshing stand-alone novel with a resilient protagonist who realizes the greatest magic of all is being true to oneself. Characters read as White. Thoroughly enjoyable and engaging, filled with magic, mystery, strength, and love. (Historical fantasy. 10-14)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 28, 2022
In Werlin’s (Zoe Rosenthal Is Not Lawful Good) middle grade debut, an introspective historical fantasy set in 1531 France, 15-year-old Sylvie can see and manipulate thoughts and memories, but she has received no official training for the power, which, like that of her Grand-mère, is stronger than her Catholic family’s usual gifts of healing. After inadvertently erasing some of her midwife mother’s memories in attempting to ease her grief around the death of Grand-mère, Sylvie leaves her small town to seek out a mentor. Unexpectedly accompanied by eight-year-old farrier’s son Martin, she sets forth across the richly described French countryside, keeping her power a secret from those who’d attack her for witchcraft as well as those who would exploit her. When she joins a caravan led by 24-year-old merchant Robert Chouinard, Sylvie develops a friendship with the mercurial, mysterious man, but even he may not be able to protect her from the dangers of her journey. Leisurely paced and told in an assured third-person voice, Werlin’s gentle reflection on trauma and healing, the ethics of power, and seemingly dual natures explores Sylvie’s place in the world and her relationship to those she cares for. Protagonists read as white. Ages 9–12.

Starred review from May 1, 2022
Werlin's new novel is cause for celebration -- for its sleek, sharp prose; intelligent ideas; and precise characterization, to name but a few of its attributes. Set in 1531 France, this is the tale of Sylvie, an untaught telepathic healer, who, after the death of her grand-mere, mistakenly removes much of her mother's memory while trying to ease her grief. In the company of clever, rambunctious young neighbor Martin, Sylvie leaves her tiny hamlet in quest of a mentor to teach her how to use her powers safely; the two travel to Lyon with the caravan of an enterprising trader to find the renowned magic-user Madame du Bois. But both Madame du Bois and the trader turn out to be something of a surprise -- and will Lyon's new inquisitor prove to be a help to Sylvie, or a danger? Every sentence here pushes character and plot forward, so there's plenty of momentum and suspense; but what is more unusual is the way Werlin prods characters (and readers) to think through ideas of faith and reason in making their own choices. The story has its articulate and challenging "lessons" (for instance, even after you discover who it is you're meant to be, "you must work hard every day to become that person"). Just as much, it invites questions and rigorous reasoning, refusing to bow to romantic sentiment ("But men owned their wives," Sylvie thinks, considering the legal realities of marriage). A refreshingly honest and elegantly written work of historical fantasy. Deirdre F. Baker

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

May 1, 2022
Werlin's new novel is cause for celebration -- for its sleek, sharp prose; intelligent ideas; and precise characterization, to name but a few of its attributes. Set in 1531 France, this is the tale of Sylvie, an untaught telepathic healer, who, after the death of her grand-mere, mistakenly removes much of her mother's memory while trying to ease her grief. In the company of clever, rambunctious young neighbor Martin, Sylvie leaves her tiny hamlet in quest of a mentor to teach her how to use her powers safely; the two travel to Lyon with the caravan of an enterprising trader to find the renowned magic-user Madame du Bois. But both Madame du Bois and the trader turn out to be something of a surprise -- and will Lyon's new inquisitor prove to be a help to Sylvie, or a danger? Every sentence here pushes character and plot forward, so there's plenty of momentum and suspense; but what is more unusual is the way Werlin prods characters (and readers) to think through ideas of faith and reason in making their own choices. The story has its articulate and challenging "lessons" (for instance, even after you discover who it is you're meant to be, "you must work hard every day to become that person"). Just as much, it invites questions and rigorous reasoning, refusing to bow to romantic sentiment ("But men owned their wives," Sylvie thinks, considering the legal realities of marriage). A refreshingly honest and elegantly written work of historical fantasy. Deirdre F. Baker

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

February 17, 2023

Gr 5-8-In 16th-century France, 15-year-old Sylvie, her mother, and Grand-mere are healers; Grand-mere and Sylvie's abilities are rooted in magic, however. When her grandmother dies, and Sylvie's mother no longer remembers her because of Sylvie's mistake, the teen has to leave her small, Catholic village to find anyone who can teach her how to control her great power. She is accompanied by Martin, a younger childhood friend, who was asked by Grand-mere to follow Sylvie if the girl ever left the village. She meets the wise woman Ceciline, one of Grand-mere's former friends. Ceciline may be like Sylvie's Grand-mere, but her feelings about people without magic are completely different. The young woman uses her power, which is much greater than anyone else's, to find her own path forward. Werlin's middle grade debut features adventure, magic, and a strong female protagonist. This suspenseful historical fantasy explores how society perceives and attempts to control women, especially those who are seen as strong, wise, or powerful. VERDICT Recommended for middle school collections, this is a solid standalone choice for libraries where historical, magic-based fiction is popular.-Marissa Lieberman

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 1, 2022
Grades 5-8 *Starred Review* Fifteen-year-old Sylvie has just come into her powers, and she's already made a grave error. It wasn't supposed to be this way; she was learning to be a village healer, like her grandmother and mother before her. But while her mother is a traditional healer, via herbs and timeworn remedies, Sylvie has a truly magical gift, similar to her grandmother's. Through touch, Sylvie can read people's thoughts and memories, but more dangerously, she can also influence emotions and remove recollections. When a well-intentioned use of her power goes horribly awry, Sylvie determines to leave her medieval French village and find a teacher who can help reverse the mistake and give counsel on her newfound abilities. Sylvie means to travel alone but finds some truly unexpected company, though she knows that that her powers could lead to whispers of witchcraft and church inquisitors. Can she trust others to keep her secret and help her find her way? Werlin's first foray into middle grade is a thrilling and suspenseful experience; there are twisting reveals and adventure aplenty, though the story isn't afraid to stop for lovely moments of quiet contemplation and recollection along the way. A budding, respectful romance and hints of deeper powers will have readers hoping for a sequel. It's well worth joining kind and clever Sylvie on her harrowing journey of discovery.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2022
Werlin's new novel is cause for celebration -- for its sleek, sharp prose; intelligent ideas; and precise characterization, to name but a few of its attributes. Set in 1531 France, this is the tale of Sylvie, an untaught telepathic healer, who, after the death of her grand-mere, mistakenly removes much of her mother's memory while trying to ease her grief. In the company of clever, rambunctious young neighbor Martin, Sylvie leaves her tiny hamlet in quest of a mentor to teach her how to use her powers safely; the two travel to Lyon with the caravan of an enterprising trader to find the renowned magic-user Madame du Bois. But both Madame du Bois and the trader turn out to be something of a surprise -- and will Lyon's new inquisitor prove to be a help to Sylvie, or a danger? Every sentence here pushes character and plot forward, so there's plenty of momentum and suspense; but what is more unusual is the way Werlin prods characters (and readers) to think through ideas of faith and reason in making their own choices. The story has its articulate and challenging "lessons" (for instance, even after you discover who it is you're meant to be, "you must work hard every day to become that person"). Just as much, it invites questions and rigorous reasoning, refusing to bow to romantic sentiment ("But men owned their wives," Sylvie thinks, considering the legal realities of marriage). A refreshingly honest and elegantly written work of historical fantasy.

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)