Book Review: ‘A Witch Come True’ by James Nicol

A Witch Come True is the final book in James Nicol’s teen fantasy trilogy featuring young witch Arianwyn.

As it is the final book A Witch Come True has the task of resolving Arianwyn’s position and predicament from the previous instalment, A Witch Alone, as well as wrapping up any loose plot threads. Personally I think Nicol’s has succeeded in these goals.

Set during the winter festival, A Witch Come True begins with Arianwyn’s father returning home from the war. The reunited family decided to spend the festivities in Lull, the remote town where Arianwyn is the resident witch. Fans of the series know by now that nothing is ever straightforward in Arianwyn’s life. In addition to her duties as a witch she must also deal with the return of a mentally vulnerable Gimma, her Grandmother’s kidnapping, and expose a traitor amongst the Elder Witches. And Arianwyn must do all this whilst trying to convince her father she is no longer the helpless little girl he left behind several years prior.

Nicol ensure that his series ends on a high. A Witch Come True is action packed but also manages to hit all of the right emotional notes at the same time. Plot-wise there is a good balance between character moments with Arianwyn and her friends and the fantasy elements where she encounters the magical spirit creatures found in the Great Wood and beyond. I also thought there was the right mix of the two main storylines – one where Arianwyn is performing her duties as Lull’s witch and one where she is trying to thwart the Elder Witch’s plan.

Just like in A Witch Alone Nicol brings back all of his characters from the previous instalments; regardless of whether they have a big or small part to play. As a reader I love this decision. Rather than one-off characters we never see again, by including a world full of recurring characters (such as Salle, Colin and Mayor Belcher) the stories seem more real and grounded – as though Lull could be a real place full of the characters and townspeople we’ve come to know.

This book shows how much Arianwyn has grown across the series. In The Apprentice Witch Arianwyn often doubted herself and her abilities. Now when there is an issue, Arianwyn is more confident in herself. In a moment later in the book when her father tries to stop her from heading into what he perceives as a dangerous situation, Arianwyn reminds him that she is the town’s witch and can resolve matters herself. The Arianwyn of the first novel would not have had that confidence.

A Witch Come True is about friendship, family, belief in yourself, and a reminder not to give up to achieve your goals (no matter what they might be). The story features everything I’ve come to expect and love from this series – especially the glyphs and the creatures. The book, and ultimately the series, ends strongly and the reader is left with the happy impression that life will continue in a positive direction for Arianwyn and the residents of Lull.

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