Anna is a young girl born into a family with magic, but her aunt warns her away from using it while simultaneously teaching her magical stitchery. There were things I liked about this story and the writing itself is good, but it went into teenage high school problems and dealing with snotty girls in a way I usually avoid in YA stories.

Anna would love to learn real magic, like her cousin who is not nice to her but subsequently clashes with the stuck-up school prefect. At this point the plot was at odds with my reading preferences, but as I said the writing is good so I carried on.

I could sympathise with Anna, who wanted different things for herself than her aunt has mapped out for her and is constantly reminded that magic was at fault for her mother's death. Exactly how isn't told in the early part of the story, but an incident in the news shows that the witch families have enemies and great need to keep quiet about their magic.

It all gets explained by the end, but I found the plot rather convoluted and drawn out. I did find the explanation for Attis an interesting concept. Mostly I thought the characters were well done, if perhaps a little over characterised to get the different types in there. The only exception was Manda, who I just didn't believe. I've known too many of 'her kind' in real life to believe that she would go along with Effie's machinations, even with magical influence.

Apart from the need to tighten up plotting, I thought the book was well written, especially in the use of language.

Magic is a sin. It must be bound. Anna Everdell knows this. She knows her place. Her life has been one long lesson in restraint and control. Aunt has made sure of it.
Magic killed her mother, magic is dangerous. Anna’s knotting ceremony looms and she can do nothing to stop it.

But what if magic isn’t dangerous? What if there is more to her mother’s death than her aunt’s acid words?



Anna does her chores, she goes to school and yet she does not live. She is shrunken. Suppressed, turned inside herself. Soon, her power, the tiny crumb of it deep inside her, will be gone.


When Effie and Attis transfer to her school, she is drawn into their circle of magic. Soon she realises that there is another London, another world she did not know existed: of libraries made entirely of books, corridors of pages, leather volumes that listen and whisper; of half-hidden emporiums that sell fantasies and and dreams and the memories of strangers; of keys that can open any doors: of clubs that pulse with spells, ancient and strange: of magic that can draw in the stars and slow time.


Across London whisperings of witches, sacrifice and ritual hang in the air, heralding strange and dark times to come. And Anna must decide to fight for her magic or lose it forever.


The characters are diverse and richly-drawn! Despite them being witches, they have human complexities - and this makes them very relatable. Each of them are bound up in a knot of love and fear and with each page, this knot tightens.


Aunt is a frightful character, as cruel as she is powerful but she is also an enigma, one that will have you trying to puzzle out her secrets and motivations. In Effie, there is a fire that can warm those around her but could just as easily burn their fingertips. And Attis, for all his charm, battles with his own shocking demons. (I have to quickly mention Rowena. In all the turmoil and darkness bubbling up, she is the lifting presence. She is bright and loud and hilarious! And I loved each and every scene she was in!)


One of THE most imaginative books I’ve read! Threadneedle is feast for the heart and for the senses. With a strong, compelling protagonist and rich, seductive prose, I don’t think I could pick a favourite scene if I tried. It is truly incredible! It’s an ode to the magic of books. I loved the characters, the plot, the twists laid seamlessly along the way. It is transportive, enchanting. This book casts its own special spell upon the reader! One that will have you eagerly awaiting the next book in the series! I CAN’T WAIT!

A modern fantasy, with dark and dangerous magic set in modern London.
Filled with witches, none of whom are quite what they seem, this is cleverly crafted and imaginative tale which I struggled to put down.
An unexpected ending with secrets revealed, this was a highly satisfying read, which still left me wanting more.
Well worth adding to the book shelves

Threadneedle, Cari Thomas

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction ( Adult),

I struggled with this. Its classed as Adult yet it feels very YA. I've read YA books I've loved, some transcend age, but this feels so YA that I struggled with it. The story dragged, and sadly by 40% in I started skim reading to see what happened. There was a lot going on but it seemed very confusing, very muddled and some events seemed to have no real purpose. It could well be my skimming though, that missed the events they led to. I wanted to know what would happen, wanted to see how it would play out but just couldn't get through the whole story to get to the end.
Would I read next part? I don't know. Maybe as the characters are aging it'll feel less YA, Towards the last quarter it began to lose that feeling for me, with the characters facing some very hard situations and decisions.
Of course first books in a series or trilogy also have a hard time delivering a good story while creating a new world, and this one has a different kind of magic, and different magical groups too, so there was a lot to introduce to the reader.

Its a shame I didn't get along with it better, I was so looking forward to it. It could be that book two lures me in and I love it and read this with different eyes. Who knows, I've had that happen before, in the same way as I've loved the first couple of books in a series but then it lost interest for me.

Stars: Three, its a good story, just didn't quite click for me. Like I said, maybe when there's more to tell, more to understand I'll feel differently about this one. It has left me wondering “what next” so in that sense it delivers.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

Although I read a fair number of Young Adult books, this one really struck me as geared towards teenagers. Perhaps because many of the scenes took place in a contemporary school, and the magic terms used were those prevalent in modern witchcraft. The use of knots for performing magic was the only area that struck me as particularly original, and that is explored and given more depth than most of the other forms.

That opening paragraph sounds a little disparaging, but I think going into the book with those expectations will allow people to appreciate it more. The book opens with a startling scene, and it becomes more significant as the book progresses, and acts as the catalyst for magic becoming more recognised by the mainstream. The way this is represented in snippets of media is very well done and reflects current concerns with ″fake news″ and how ″experts″ can arise with little history.

Anna is the main character and therefore has the most growth throughout the book, and the mystery of her life is the plot driver. She discovers snippets of information in different settings – I particularly liked the magic library - but the final act is still surprising. There is a lot of cruelty in this book (not just amongst the teenagers) most of it directed towards Anna which can be hard to read since you′re in her viewpoint all the time. Moments of wonder and happiness stand out all the more aganist this background.
This is the first book in a series, but does work as a standalone.

I had a copy of this book early through Netgalley.

This book, whilst not for me, seemed an engaging read for a younger person. All the elements - witches, high school, love triangles, secrets are all there. I didnt finish but I think that was because I should have checked the genre first.

Anna has lived with her aunt in London since her parent’s horrific deaths when she was a baby. She is a witch but has been brought up with stories of the dangers of magic and has been in constant training to control her magic, repress it and tie it up with unbreakable knots. But when the daughter of a family friend enrolls at Anna’s school, Anna begins to question what she’s always been told about magic. Effie is an effervescent character who brings chaos, liberation and a mysterious boy called Attis into Anna’s life, but Anna can’t escape the suspicion that she is cursed and must bind her magic away for everyone’s safety.

Anna’s cruel, repressive aunt is a horrible character, with just enough maternal concern to make her truly sinister. Effie and Attis are a delightfully charismatic duo who tempt Anna away from the security of what she’s always known. The different forms of magic are beautifully wrought—Anna’s compulsive knot tying is particularly compelling and draws you into the story before you understand anything about the world.

I loved this book and I couldn’t put it down—an enchanting, thoroughly gripping tale of magic, family curses and surviving secondary school. Brilliantly done. Can’t wait for book 2.

This is unlike any book that I have read. Cari Thomas’s imagination is incredible. I was totally caught up in the story and spent most of today reading. I got completely lost in this magical wonderful story. I love different stories like this and I would definitely recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot (there are plenty of reviews like that out there already).

This book is probably aimed at young adults/teenagers, but as a lover of magical tales I couldn't resist.

I'm glad the publishers granted my wish, as the book was spellbinding (if you'll pardon the pun!). I wasn't sure what to expect to begin with - poor Anna had a gloomy existence and seemingly an even gloomier future! However the tale (and Anna's life) picked up with the arrival of Selene, Effie and Attis, and I could't put the book down.

I loved the fact that there's a magical world running alongside the "ordinary" world, intersecting in ways I didn't always expect (planning a trip to the British Library!), and that there are many different types of magic being practiced by different "groves" - each with their own language. The relationships between the main characters are believable, as unfortunately is the horridness of some of the other characters towards them!

As well as the magical elements, the author has captured the uncertainties and anxieties of being a teenager. There are some great characters - a splendid main baddie (Aunt), a mixed cast of fellow pupils, the uber-chilling Binders, the warm and welcoming Wort-Cunnings ... and the mysterious Seven...

This novel is the first in the series, and I cannot wait for the sequel. It's definitely not all sweetness and light, and it's clear that there are dark forces at work, but the wider plot is yet to be revealed.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

I got hooked byt this book almost instantely. It lands somewhere in the spectrum between The Craft and Charmed, and 15 years old me got quite excited about it !

There is a lot of twisted and unhealthy relationship in that book (TW for physical and mental abuse, as well as bullying), but it make sense within the story and the characters and I still loved it to bits. It's a YA novel, so your love triangle is here and for a change I was not really annoyed by it, and I'm actually quite interrested by how it will work out. I have noticed myself being more interested in the understadning of the magic and the coven of witches called the 7 rather than some of the highschools drama (but that's adult me speaking).

I thank the publisher for the copy but it was impossible to read the file.

I will pick it up when the book is published and will update this review.

Meanwhile I give it a middle score.

I was expecting a Harry Potter like story, or maybe a Megesterium but this was so much more.

Anna has always been told that magic is bad, her aunt may sometimes be a little unkind but its all in her best interest. Then when Anna makes new friends things change. She has more questions, questions what shes been told. I loved how Anna grew and learned about herself as this stroy progressed.

What a book. Right from the outset there is an air of mystery and intrigue as it is initially difficult to pick up on what era this is set in. It features magic, fantasy, a truly terrifying villain, cults and a world that is familiar but unlike our own. The first of four books, I am excited to see where the author takes Anna, Effie and Attis (best side characters ever?). I am excited to read more!

At first this seemed a little intimidatingly long and gloomy, with the talk of magic as a sin and Aunt as a puritanical bound witch. It soon picked up though with Anna discovering more to life than binding, and that being a nobody at school could burst out into friendships and magic. I loved her discovering her friends and getting deeper into the mysteries of magical London, as well as the increasing pace towards the revealing of secrets. Yes, the book was long but it flew by and I'm really looking forward to the next in the series.

The book is great on friendships and the difficult aspects of being a teenage girl, albeit one with magical powers, as well as conveying the abusive relationship between Aunt and Anna. Many of the scenes in the house felt really oppressive, and Anna's powerlessness really comes across, as well as her conviction that she can't admit what is happening to her - it's an excellent portrayal of a damaging family relationship, even if it is very much overlaid with the fantasy magical elements. There's a lot to this book and I really hope it gets the reception it deserves.

I enjoyed this story of witches and witchcraft very much. It was set mostly in a school, was dark and sinister at times and yet at others, it made me smile and reminded me of what it felt like to suffer the angst of teenage love!
I was intrigued by what was in the room on the third floor at Anna’s aunts house. The revelation was not what I’d been expecting and came as a bit of a shock when the reveal finally comes.
How would it all end? My imagination created so many possibilities but none matched the reality and when the story ended, I was left wondering ‘what next?’ Maybe we’ll get a sequel and find out? That would be excellent. Great book.

This was slightly more YA than I expected but none the less enjoyable for that. A great big gorgeous novel packed with magic, curses, teenage angst, betrayal, passion, love, secret London, magical libraries. murderous Aunts and enough darkness to make you shiver, and if this isn't enough for you it's only the first in the series! Comparisons to the movie 'The Craft' are obvious but it has a larger more involved story that I suspect will unfurl in later books. Darker elements abound and some of the scenes are downright creepy (embroidery that stitches into your flesh anyone?), and 'The Binders', well I would not want to sit down for a cup of tea with them! The story moves along at a cracking pace and the world building is bewitching, I can't wait to explore the underground magical world later in the series. Anna is a compelling main protagonist, and it's great to watch her character develop as the book goes along. Aunt is, quite frankly, scary. Effie. you love and hate in equal measures and Attis, well he's just dreamy. All in all a tip top YA novel that will appeal to anyone who like a large dose of witchy magic in their reading.

A really atmospheric book about teen witches, secrets and love. The perfect book to snuggle down with as winter arrives. This wasn't what I expected, but I loved every page nonetheless.

If you like a book about magic and an easy read then this would be a good choice. It's a coming of age story, mixed with magic, dead parents and a mysterious past, eccentric relatives and friendship, love and revenge. There must be a sequel in the offing as we are left with unresolved plotlines at the end and I will probably buy it.

This took a while for me to become engaged with this book but when I did I could not put it down.

Anna is conflicted - wanting to be loyal to her Aunt who has brought her up since the deaths of her parents. She is a Binder - she believes that magic needs to be chained to be safe and has brought Anna up to expect this to happen to her magic. However the arrival of Effie and Attis into her life changes her world view and leads her to challenge her Aunt’s views. She finds her magic and also learns about her background and her curse.

This book leaves you with lots of questions - I look forward to part 2.

This was a spellbinding fantasy debut that had me reading it as fast as I could! Sometimes fantasy can feel a little overwrought and difficult to get into in my opinion but this was as engaging as it gets and gets a full 5 star recommendation from me!