Cover Image: Threadneedle

Threadneedle

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I’m not sure I will read this anymore sadly. My tastes have changed since I requested it. That being said, I’ve heard incredible things about this.

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Step into the enchanting world of "Threadneedle" by Cari Thomas, where darkness and light dance in an intricate tapestry of magic and mystery.

From the very first page, I found myself entranced by the richly woven narrative that unfolds within the streets of London, revealing a hidden city pulsing with magic and secrets.

Thomas's storytelling is nothing short of spellbinding, drawing readers into a world where the mundane and the magical collide with breathtaking beauty. Through the eyes of Effie and Attis, we embark on a journey of awakening and transformation, navigating the delicate balance between light and darkness.

What struck me most were the nuanced relationships and evolving friendships that emerge throughout the story. As Effie navigates the complexities of her newfound abilities and the bonds of the coven, I couldn't help but be drawn into the intricate web of alliances and betrayals that shape her world.

The magical practices depicted in the novel feel authentic and immersive, adding a layer of depth and realism to the story. From the elemental powers to the rituals of the coven, each detail is brought to life with vivid clarity, casting a spell that lingers long after the final page.

But what truly sets "Threadneedle" apart is its exploration of the duality of human nature and the eternal struggle between good and evil. As Effie delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding her past, she is forced to confront her own inner demons and wrestle with the darkness that lurks within.

Reading this alongside Bea Holland's masterful narration only heightened the enchantment, bringing each character to life in vivid detail and infusing the story with an extra layer of depth and emotion.

Cari Thomas has crafted a mesmerizing debut that seamlessly blends fantasy and reality, darkness and light. With its captivating characters, richly imagined world, and gripping storyline, this novel is a must-read for anyone who craves an escape into the realms of magic and mystery.

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Wow. Threadneedle was not what I was expecting.

I knew it was going to be a book that included magic but I had some misconceptions. I was not expecting it to be set in modern times and I did not expect it to be a campus novel. I thought I would like it but I didn't know I would love it.

It focuses on the story of Anna who is having her magic restricted by her paranoid aunty. However, before she loses her magic forever Anna's circle of friends try to save her.

At its heart, Threadneedle is the story of finding yourself, embracing that person and not letting anyone control you. I really loved it and now I am off to buy the sequel.

Threadneedle by Cari Thomas is available now.

For more information regarding Cari Thomas (@CariThomas_Auth) please visit www.carithomas.com.

For more information regarding Harper Collins (@HarperCollins) please visit www.harpercollins.com.

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This was such an enjoyable read that I have spotted I am very late to give feedback for. It featured a detailed fantastical world that absorbs you as you read. It’s a slow burn with quite a few sub plots to keep up with but it’s a treat all the same. I see the second instalment is on the horizon and I’ll be looking forward to picking that up.

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"Threadneedle" by Cari Thomas is a bewitching debut novel that seamlessly weaves together elements of magic, mystery, and coming-of-age in a contemporary urban setting. With a vivid imagination and an intricate plot, Thomas invites readers into a world where hidden powers and ancient secrets collide.

The story centers around Anna, a young girl living in a London housing estate, who discovers she possesses magical abilities tied to an ancient society of witches. As she navigates the complexities of her newfound powers, she becomes entangled in a web of family secrets, friendships, and a dangerous magical legacy. Thomas skillfully crafts a tale where the mundane world intertwines with the enchanting realm of magic, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its characters. Anna is a relatable and authentic protagonist, grappling with the challenges of adolescence and the discovery of her magical heritage. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, each with their unique quirks and motivations, adding depth to the narrative. The exploration of friendship and loyalty is a central theme, and Thomas handles these relationships with sensitivity and nuance.

The magical system in "Threadneedle" is intricately designed, incorporating folklore and tradition into a contemporary setting. Thomas's prose is lush and immersive, painting a vivid picture of both the magical and ordinary aspects of Anna's world. The pacing of the story is well-crafted, balancing moments of tension and discovery, which keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

Additionally, the novel addresses important themes such as identity, self-acceptance, and the consequences of choices. Through the characters' journeys, readers are encouraged to embrace their uniqueness and confront their fears, making the story not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.

While the book is rich in world-building and character development, some readers might find certain plot elements predictable, especially if they are familiar with common tropes of the fantasy genre. Additionally, a few threads within the story could have been explored in more depth, enhancing the overall complexity of the narrative.

In conclusion, "Threadneedle" is a captivating and magical debut that will appeal to fans of contemporary fantasy and coming-of-age stories. Cari Thomas has crafted a world brimming with enchantment and mystery, exploring themes of friendship, identity, and the power of embracing one's true self. With its engaging characters and imaginative storytelling, this novel marks the promising beginning of a new series, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment.

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It took me a while to get into the book and story but when I did, I was taken aback - beautiful writing style and an engaging set of characters

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I loved every minute of this book! It's a wonderfully magical coming of age story with a dark twist!

I loved the way magic was portrayed in this book . Reading about all the different kinds and elements of witchcraft created an amazing world with the perfect balance on mundane and magical.

The characters were well written and the plot kept my focus from the first page . I can't wait to see what comes next !

Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for sending me a copy to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are in no way influenced by the nature in which I received this book

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Threadneedle is a great entry into YA fantasy, I very much got Practical Magic and The Craft vibes from it which is definitely not a bad thing. I thought the magic use was very unique in this and really enjoyed the elemental side of it. Some parts were a bit dark and I can see how it might be triggering so definitely check warnings before reading.
Overall I enjoyed the story and the writing and would definitely read more by the author in the future.

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All her life, Anna’s aunt has warned her about and protected her from the dangers of both magic and love. Her parents were madly in love, until one day her father brutally murdered her mother. In a year’s time, Anna’s magic will be bound and she will be free from the danger. But magic is fun, and new friends encourage her to embrace her magic and discover the possibilities of a different life.

My main take away from Threadneedle is that it’s basically the same as The Craft: A group of teenage witches form a coven and experiment with magic carelessly until something inevitably goes wrong. It’s entertaining, but not at all original and much too long. There are a lot of parts where nothing really happens, and certain mysteries are never resolved at all. The pacing is inconsistent throughout, with only the final few chapters containing much of consequence.

I also didn’t find it particularly believable. The mean girl aspect and school-ground bullying was too extreme, and the girls were too flippant with their magic. The only aspect I particularly liked was Rowan’s home and family, which felt very Weasley-esk. Likeable, but again, totally unoriginal.

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A slow to start story but once I got into it I was hooked. Great story line and enjoyable characters.

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I'm a huge fan of witchy YA and this one did not disappoint. (Although I'm not sure if this is YA fantasy, or just fantasy, but given the teen protagonists, I'm going with YA that is accessible to readers of any age.)

"Magic is a sin, and it must be bound." What a premise! This book had a little bit of everything - great character building, wonderful world building, magic, mystery - and atmosphere in droves. There was something very unsettling - Anna's character is cautious and caught between her cousin's audacity and recklessness, and her aunt's strick dislike of magic and her controlling behavior.

This coming of age story, however, is LONG and while it mostly zips along, there are some scenes with a lot of chatter and girl talk that doesn't really move the story along. That said, the backstory is well set if more books are to follow (and I hope they do.)

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Huge thanks go to the publisher for letting me review this title, and for Netgalley

I loved the idea of the concept of this novel and was thrilled to be accepted to read and review this enjoyable book

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Anna has led a very sheltered life. After her father murdered her mother and then killed himself she has been brought up by her aunt. Her aunt is part of a witches grove called the binders who hope to protect witches from the Hunters who would torture and kill them, by binding their magical powers (which is just as nasty as it sounds). Anna's aunt wants her to be bound and has been training her to repress her emotions in various rather cruel ways.

Anna goes to a girls school in Dulwich and has spent her entire life trying to hide away, which has earned her the title of Nobody from the clique of mean girls who rule the school, led by the Head Girl Darcey. But all that changes when Anna cousin Effie and her boyfriend Attis announce that Effie will also be attending Anna's school and Attis will be attending the boy's school. As sixth formers they have classes together so it's as if they are at the same school.

Soon Effie and Attis are attracting all the wrong attention, especially from Darcey, and openly using magic in front of the non-magicals (cowans). Against her will Anna is drawn into their group and soon they form a coven - but are Effie and Attis all that they seem? And how will Anna avoid having her magic bound?

This is a dark twisting magical plot which really kept me guessing the entire time. Having failed to read more than a few pages when I first received the ARC (cough, 21 months ago), when I picked this up again I raced through it. There is clearly meant to be further books in this series and I would be intrigued to see where this goes.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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This was a fun and enjoyable read that wasn't quite what I was expecting. The story focuses on 4 young girls creating a coven while dealing with the rumours and bullying of high school and the pressures of family strife. It had a YA feel to it that I wasn't anticipating and it took me a minute to re-adjust my expectations. However, I thought that the relationships between the girls were well drawn and that the plot was interesting. The world is definitely one I would re-visit and the writing was easily accessible. All in all, I enjoyed this one and will pick up the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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Threadneedle… This copy was kindle gifted to me from the publisher in exchange for an honest review (submitted on Instagram)

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This was a different and difficult read for me. I struggled to get into the story and could not finish.

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Unbelievably mesmerizing, I couldn't read this fast enough - stunningly beautiful in every way from the cover to the words within. Perfect!! I will certainly be reading more from Cari Thomas, what an amazingly talented author!

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This was a unique, unusual and magical story that me gripped to the very end. Although this isn't my typical genre choice, I thoroughly enjoyed.

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Unfortunately I didn't connect with this book at all and it took a few attempts to finish. I think it just isn't my usual genre.

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This is pushed as adult fantasy and it's just not. The world building and character dev of Anna is brilliant and I did very much enjoy, excited to see where the series goes.

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