With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital arc of this book, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Threadneedle by Cari Thomas is the first in The Language of Magic series and the author’s debut novel. I for one was enthralled by this book and cannot wait for the sequel.

Anna is a witch with no magic. An orphan who lives with her aunt and will be bound to the Binders for life.

Effie is a witch who loves magic. She lives with her mother and draws others into a Coven at school.

Attis is ..... ??

While this is YA due to the age it will appeal to the masses. Artfully written with engaging characters and an enthralling storyline, this book is a highly recommended four star read.

[8.69/10]

I was first interested in reading Threadneedle when I saw it referred to as 'Gossip Girl meets The Craft' on twitter and... this book is exactly that. If that is something that piques your interest then you'll be going into this book with the most satisfying expectations. Just like both Gossip Girl and The Craft, the high school drama was catty and messy and, for me, was absolutely delicious to read. I loved seeing the lives of these girls get more and more entangled in each other. Add to that an intricate magic system, easy but interesting writing, a murder mystery plot, angsty twisty romance and deeply buried family secrets, and this book had all of the ingredients I absolutely adore.

I think perhaps the only downsides were that the main character, Anna, felt a little distant at times - so much so that there were some big portions of the book where she felt like a vehicle for the plot rather than a character that you could really get to know well. (However, this is something that I think is quite common with the main POV character in a lot of Dark Academia books.) And, it was a little on the long side, with some sections of the book seeming a bit superfluous to the overall plot and not doing much to drive forward character. That being said, these things didn't annoy me enough to overshadow my love for this book.

In addition to Gossip Girl and The Craft, this book also reminded me a lot of The Furies and A Deadly Education, so if any of that appeals to you, definitely check out Threadneedle!

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for approving me for and ARC of this book.

I have to applaud Cari Thomas for the magical world she created. It has been a very long time since I read anything that was remotely witchy and this was filled with magic, spells and covens galore. Cari’s world was well thought out, meticulously planned and stitched together perfectly. Yes there was a lot of information and initially I felt that I needed a guide to refer to but I soon found myself captivated.

I loved the coven that Anna found herself in. All four girls were completely different but when they worked together I thought they complimented each other nicely. Whilst Effie was the least likeable of them all part of me felt her attitude and ideas were a way of lashing out at Selene. I loved Rowan and her constant need to fill the silences. She was the sweetest member who didn’t deserve the bullying she faced at the hands of the Juicers, her family were fantastic too. Attis was another character entirely. He was cheeky, obnoxious and very vain but you couldn’t help but like him. He had a way of charming everyone and when he showed his softer side I honestly felt that was the real him.

Anna’s backstory and treatment by her Aunt were deeply sad and very disturbing. I enjoyed Anna’s journey as she started to rebel against her chosen destiny of becoming a binder. This was one way that Effie had a good effect on her. Effie brought Anna out of her shell and helped her to become more fearless and be seen. I connected mostly with Anna through her love of playing the piano, as a pianist myself I could fully appreciate the joy she felt when playing. I could also understand the nerves she had about performing!

Once the witchy world and all its history has been set a full on adventure of discovery takes place. We learn what happened to Anna’s parents, why Anna’s magic is acting strangely and what it truly means to join the binders! With a climatic ending that leaves no cliff hangers but readers wanting more this is one not to be missed!

When Anna’s parents died in the most tragic and violent circumstances, she was just a child, so her aunt came to look after her and bring her up. Anna’s life hadn’t been a happy one. Anna’s mother was a witch and her father just an ordinary man. The witch side of Anna had been strictly kept under control all these years with her aunt dishing out punishments to stop her ever going down the path of witchcraft. Anna had led a sheltered life and took the punishments handed out to her like it was her duty to accept them.

Very soon Anna’s magic would be bound in a ceremony, so she would never to able to use it. But she found out she wasn’t the only one with witchcraft powers, and her new friends wanted to show her the world she was missing.

What a fabulous story. I was amazed by the witchy side of this story. I adored the library and was fascinated by the librarian there. Anna also has a cousin at her school, who is allowed to practice magic, but not in front of mortals. Things heat a little when a little bullying in school takes on a deeper and darker path. A path that has a most uneasy feel to it.

There is far more to the initial story than I first thought or even saw coming. A brilliant wind up, although this is only the first book in the series. There have been solid foundations laid for what is to follow.

I wish to thank the publisher and Net Galley for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

Threadneedle is the first instalment of a new fantasy series set in contemporary London. The modern day setting is wonderful and it worked well as a fantasy backdrop adding an extra element of interest to the storyline. After the death of her mother and father Anna is being raised by her aunt who is training her to become a Binder and her dilemma is whether or not to continue with her training. Binders believe that magic is a sin and should be kept hidden. This unusual group of women in their twin-sets and pearls, bobbed hair cuts and strange demeanour are really quite terrifying and an uneasy atmosphere follows them whenever they are around.

Due to the length of the book I was anticipating a much more complex tale erring more towards an adult fantasy. I am slightly surprised, therefore, that it comes across predominantly as an older children’s/young adult novel peppered with some adult themes. Although it’s very easy to read the plot felt far too drawn out, I struggled with the pacing and the storyline didn’t grab me until the last few chapters. Probably because I’m an adult the high school drama, childish pranks and usual teenage angst, was a huge eye-roll for me and became a little tedious. Ordinarily I enjoy reading young adult novels, however I spent most of the time fighting the urge to skip some of the pages.

The character portrayal is good and aside from immaturity of the characters I did enjoy following their stories and development. Anna is a shy and naïve character who is clearly being manipulated by her extremely controlling aunt, who is seemingly sheltering her from harm. I liked Anna’s character but I hope she grows and strengthens as a lead character and gains much more in confidence. Attis was by far the most interesting character, he’s a bit of a joker and I enjoyed his sarcasm. He has a mysterious and secretive side and we are kept guessing as to ‘what exactly is he’? I enjoyed reading and learning about the magic, an interesting system involving the knotting of cord creating a dark and deadly magic. It is unique and cleverly thought out as are the witchcraft elements and the rituals.

A good introduction to the series with an unexpected twist at the end. I do hope in the rest of the series the characters mature and the plot definitely needs tightening up. On the whole an enjoyable and entertaining read which will appeal to young adult readers who particularly enjoy academy/high school based fantasies.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC via Netgalley.

Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollinsUK & Cari for the ARC of Threadneedles in exchange for honest review.

Anna is a witch with no-magic. She has been living with her aunt as her parents were killed in a tragic event. However her aunt is an oppressor where she pressured Anna for avoiding use magic as magic is a sin under teaching of The Binders. However, everything is change when Anna meets with Selene along with her children, Effie & Attis.

At first, I thought I will dislike this story since it is a contemporary urban fantasy not a medieval one. It introduced high school drama where bullying and body shaming were widely occurs in schools. There were also some other triggered warnings in this story such as pedophile relationship (teacher&student's relationship) & family abuse (Anna & her aunt, reminds me of Carrie (movie) & her mother's relationship). Anna also had a shady past background and unsolved mysteries on her murdered parents.

For the magic worldbuilding & concept, readers will be quite familiar as witches will be relying on witchcraft books and rituals to perform their magic. This also reminds me of Charmed (TV series) where they need to investigate a magic case and cast a ritual based on their witchcraft book. In their world, they also had a magical creepy library where they can find any answers related to magical inquiries in there.

Overall, this story is quite captivating minus the high school drama but at the beginning the pace was quite slow then the ending & plot twist wrapped perfectly.

Well, this book was nothing short of magic! "Threadneedle" is an absolutely wonderful book, and it wasn't until writing this review that I discovered it's the first part of a series (6 stars for that news!). I loved Cari Thomas's writing, the story is absorbing and enthralling, and the characters are bound to give you a love/hate reaction! The setting is modern-day London, but in some parts you can easily pretend it's the late 1800s! Can't wait for the next book!

This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion. My thanks to RandomTTours and NetGalley.

Threadneedle has been on my radar since last year, so I can’t tell you how excited I was to be given the opportunity to review and be part of the blog tour. Threadneedle is the story of Anna, who not only faces the usual pit falls of being sixteen, but she is different in a way none of her contemporaries could know. Anna is a witch, but her aunt teaches her that magic is a sin so she can’t do spells. She just wants to blend in and study, but her life is thrown into turmoil when Effie and Attis arrive like a bomb in her life. They show her a different side to magic, a different life if Anna is willing to take a chance.

I was really looking forward to reading Threadneedle and it didn’t disappoint. This is, pardon the pun, a magical read, full of drama, spells and amazing characters. Whilst the book is told from Anna’s point of view, this is also Effie’s story. Anna and Effie are total opposites, Anna is quiet, has no friends, doesn’t go out and is very much under the control of her aunt. Her parents died when she was a baby, leaving her in the care of her mother’s sister. Her aunt teaches her magic is sinful, she must fight it, not let her emotions take over. Anna’s life is hard, with plenty of chores before school and no life outside the house or school. Effie is everything Anna is not. She is attractive, popular, is able to perform magic, is rebellious and has Attis. Attis and Effie transform Anna’s life, she has friends for the first time and really starts to blossom as a young women and witch. I loved watching her learning to trust others, become part of a group and starting to question her aunts choices and begin to stand up for herself.

If you get the hardback copy of Threadneedle you will find a wonderful map at the front of the London with the usual sights we all know, but also with some of the magical sites in London, including a mailbox that will send a letter to anyone, a magical nightclub and a shop of memories where if you touch an object you can see the memory of the last person to own it. I loved the world Cari Thomas created, a feather that slows time, make up that hides all imperfections and a dew face wash that gives you a glow and perfect beauty. There are many laugh out loud moments but there are also consequences to learn from some of Anna and Effie’s actions. The writing is brilliant, capturing the emotions of the teenage years, the psyche and feelings of trying to find their way in the world. The words painted a picture in my mind of the familiar and magical settings and the very different houses of Effie and Anna.

I adored reading Threadneedle, it was as magical as I hoped for and had me spellbound. With characters I really cared about, and an amazing magical world. Cari Thomas perfectly balanced humour and drama that draw you in and make this such a pleasure to read. I’d love to think that there maybe a sequel as I’d love to spend more time with Anna, Effie and the gorgeous Attis. Simply sublime!!

Beautifully written, entwining magic and mystery. Anna is 16 but has never felt any of the joy that most youths have. She lives an austere life with her aunt, who takes pleasure in causing pain, and above all repressing and creating distrust for magic - although she actively uses her own. Anna has withdrawn and specialises in being a nobody until Effie arrives at the school and Anna begins to realise there is more to life...and magic.

The author paints vivid characters and I loved the descriptions of nature. In fact all the images felt very graphic and the high school scenes made me feel like I was watching a tv series. There are multiple story threads (no pun intended) - including the mystery behind Anna's past, but then all the very present angst and bullying of high school, and then the mysterious hanging of the 7. I kept wondering how it all tied together and would have liked more answers, but my guess is that we can expect a sequel. Overall, I enjoyed all the creative manifestations of magic and the more realistic toils of being a teenager.

It has been such a long time since I read a really good witchy book and I have to be honest guys, this one blew my mind!

Threadneedle is book one in a new young adult fantasy series and I can say without a doubt that I am already eagerly anticipating the next instalment.

Cari manages to breathe new life into the genre with a unique take on witchcraft that is inspired by both the traditional as well as something entirely new.

The writing style is excellent and easy to follow and the pacing is average-fast. At nearly 600 pages long I was surprised to find that I flew through this one in only a few days.

So what’s Threadneedle all about?

Our main character Anna is a witch who lives with her Aunt since her mother tragically died. Aunt is cruel, abusive and strict but she does care about Anna in her own twisted way and thinks that she is doing the best she can by raising her the way that she is.

Aunt is terrified of magic and the reasons for this are only fully explained toward the latter end of the book so I’ll not spoil the story by talking about the why of it all.

Aunt is a binder, this is a witch who believes magic is dangerous and that it is a sin to even want to use it and has had her magic bound away.

The binders are a sort of cult in my opinion but the way different covens are referred to in the story are as “groves” with each grove practicing their own distinct “language” of magic of which there are literally infinite numbers of (for example potions, plants etc) The type of magic practiced by Aunt is knot magic and this is what she teaches Anna, using these knots to tie up emotion and keep them under control.

I found the magic system in this story to be completely fascinating and I loved the idea that there are so many different ways to practice and that a witch has to try various types of casting to find the language that calls to them.

Once you are introduced to Anna and her aunt the polar opposite is then thrown into the mix with the arrival of Effie and Attis.

Aunt is very unhappy to find out that these two will be starting at Anna’s school and warns Anna about letting them influence her and constantly reminds her to stay true to their beliefs and on the path of the binders.

Effie wants to show Anna everything she’s been missing out on and Anna becomes more and more tempted.

As a character I found Effie to be quite annoying actually. I don’t think she was likable but I did enjoy how she managed to bring Anna out of herself and form a group of close friends out of girls who were otherwise bullied, lonely outsiders basically.

A big part of the setting is actually in a high school and I found a lot of what went on there to be so true to life that it was hard to read sometimes.

There is a lot of bullying, body shaming and just basically nasty girls out to cause as much trouble as they can. The journey these girls take as they learn more and more about their powers and go from being nobodies to somebodies is brilliant but there are a lot of bad and wrong decisions made to get there!

Using magic to get back at the bullies causes a lot more problems than it solves!

Effie shows Anna a whole magical world she never knew existed including shops full of magical items and a library buried deep underground that has a mind of its own!

As Anna learns the truth about her mother’s death and what that means for her a whole lot of drama unfolds which leads to an incredibly exciting final few chapters!

Everything is wrapped up with the story with no cliff-hanger ending but with a promise of more drama to come in book two and I cannot wait to see how it all unfolds!

3.5 stars

This was a tough one to rate. The synopsis for this made me think it would be a five star read. It started off great, then we got to the teenage angst and I started to lose interest. Since it's a review copy, I continued on. I'm glad I did. I love all the witchcraft, and the characters. And I was quite surprised by the plot twists. I had no idea it would end the way it did. For that reason, I will definitely pick up the next one.

Anna is a witch with limited powers, brought up by her strict and powerful aunt who taught her the dangers of magic since childhood. Magic orphaned Anna, and under the guidance of her aunt, she awaits the day of her binding when her powers will be locked away forever. She is resigned to her future as a Binder, and has accepted a quiet life of restraint, her dreams of practicing magic suppressed. That is, until Effie and Attis turn up with their reckless use of spells. To Anna’s horror, they are enrolled in sixth form with her, and she vows to keep her head down and wait for her seventeenth birthday, when her magic will be safely bound.

Threadneedle is a witchy urban fantasy, set in a world of magic hidden in plain view from unsuspecting Londoners. I especially loved the moving aisles of the magical library (underneath the British Library, of course) and magic nightclubs lit by glowing vines. There are secret meetings, dramas, romance, and plenty of mistakes made by the characters, all hidden from Anna’s strict aunt.

The sense of magic, both its wonder and its threat, wove into modern London and felt almost believable. The feeling of being an awkward teenager trying to survive school while being bullied by the popular girls, was captured well. The coercion and power of the Binders, the fear drummed into Anna from a young age and the effect this has on her character was powerfully written and seeps into her decisions. Some of the actions of the cult were shocking, and watching Anna struggle with the hold her upbringing has on her vs. a life she longs for was an engrossing read.

This is a coming of age tale. Anna has to come to terms with her cruel upbringing and her magical abilities. She must choose between safety in control or danger of practicing magic, alongside the usual trials of being a teenager. It is the first part of a planned trilogy. While the major points of this book were tied up, there is enough hanging suspense to make me want to read the next book. The ending left things in a satisfying way, but I did find the last chapters felt a little rushed, and one of the older characters ended up explaining a few things to Anna, which fell a bit flat for me personally. Other than this, I loved this book, and definitely want to read book two of the series.

Overall, this was a great read, and one that kept me glued to my kindle long past bedtime. The teenage dramas and awkwardness of growing up while struggling through high school felt true, and so did the magic, which is based enough on folklore to feel familiar.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the chance to read and review this book.

Threadneedle is the first book in The Language of Magic series by Cari Thomas. The story follows Anna as she prepares to have to her magic bound in order to join her aunt and the other Binders.


I really liked watching Anna evolve from a naïve and sheltered girl into someone incredibly fierce. My heart absolutely broke for Anna and everything that she went through growing up.

I honestly have to say that my favourite part of this book was the friendship that was created between Anna and several of the other characters. In my opinion the way that they supported each other was the true magic.

There were so many secrets and twists that I never saw coming whatsoever. I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens.

I recieved an advanced copy for free, and this is my honest opinion.

I can see that a lot of other readers loved this book, but it didn’t connect for me sadly. I found the writing style a little hard to get into and although the author has done some impressive world building, I found it a bit confusing at times trying to understand what was going on.

DNF at halfway through. This was one of my most anticipated books of this year but somehow ended up being not as I expected. It can’t seem to make up its mind whether it wants to be a YA or an adult fantasy for one. It’s pretty tropey and it’s actually very focused on the high school life of the main character which tbh had I known that I wouldn’t have picked it up.

Thank you to Harper Collins, Netgalley and the author for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a slow starter for me and a little cryptic but I am so glad I kept on reading! The final quarter is fabulous with so many unexpected plot twists that it was difficult to know who to trust or how this book would end!

This is the story of Anna: an orphan with dark secrets. The book is set in contemporary London with a backstory of witchcraft and magic returning to threaten humanities existence.

Anna is being raised by her aunt under a strict regime of austerity and rules. Anna has a mysterious aunt, Selene, who breezes in and out of her life, seemingly only to annoy aunt, along with her daughter, Effie, and the enigmatic Attis. Anna's father killed her mother, which is something that her aunty reminds her on a regular basis. Nothing about Anna's life seems good or easy. At school she is a nobody and her aunt has her working from dusk until dawn in one mundane household task or another when school is out. Anna's aunt is terrified of magic and has had her own 'bound' in order to control it. She is raising Anna with the apparent sole purpose of drawing Anna into the Binder's clan.

Things start to change for Anna when Effie and Attis join her school. Gradually Anna is persuaded to explore her own magic, along with two other girls from her year, and to set up as their own coven. Attis discovers that Anna is being poisoned by her aunt and helps her liberate her magic through the administration of an antidote. As Anna's magic grows stronger, life begins to open up for her and she enjoys friendships, flirting, partying...all the normal activities that a teenager would want to explore. Yet, against this frivolous existence she is punished by her aunt when her magic is discovered and locked away. The coven's spells again school bullies begin to take some unpleasant turns and Anna starts to question the value of magic and she suspects that her magic is cursed.

I have read that this is the first in a series of books and it leaves as many questions to answer as it resolves by the end.. It is a thrilling read with a complicated plot and lots of small details early on come back to haunt you as a reader. Complex and exquisitely plotted - really worth the read!

I was just a few chapters into my reading of Threadneedle that I was already a big fan of the author and I was completely addicted to the series (duology, trilogy?) and its characters.

The story is set in modern London where witches hide their magic. The protagonist is Anna, a sixteen-year-old orphan who lives with her aunt. All her life, Anna has been told that she needs to keep her magic hidden or the Hunters will find her and kill her, and she is preparing, under her aunt’s alert eye, to become a Binder. As the name implies, Binders bind their magic forever and can’t never use it.

Anna accepted her fate a long time ago until Effie and Attis enter her life. New in her school, where she’s always kept her head down and been a nobody, they convince her to join her coven and explore her magic. Suddenly, Anna’s life become more exciting as she keeps secrets from her aunt, she becomes popular, she goes to parties, and she explores magic libraries searching for the truth about her parent’s deaths and her magic.

I really liked the character of Anna. Having lost her parents when she was just a few months old, she’s been raised from an aunt that at the beginning I thought was simply overprotective and stern and then find out that was like the evil stepmother of fairytales. Anna dreams of freedom, of using her magic without fear, of travelling the world and falling in love, but she remains under her aunt’s control until she meets Effie and Attis. Effie is lively, exuberant, and a troublemaker who is not afraid to use her magic. Attis is charming and witty and probably he was my favourite character as I always looked forward to his appearance and his conversations with Anna.

The story is incredible, well-structured and intriguing. It is full of surprises and twists that I didn’t see coming and I was completely engrossed in the magic, but also Anna’s typical teenage problems, the family mystery, and, of course, the magic libraries. I am really looking forward to reading book 2, because I need to know what happens next and I highly recommend Threadneedle to all fantasy lovers and not!

Threadneedle is the first instalment in The Language of Magic series and undoubtedly one of the most highly anticipated fantasy novels of the year. Ever since Anna can remember, her aunt has warned her of the dangers of magic, so even though she's a witch at heart she is not allowed to cast spells. Aunt has taught her to fear how it twists and knots and turns into something dark and deadly. It was, after all, magic that killed her parents and she was forced to live in modern-day London with her controlling aunt in order to be under the care of her family. It’s why she has been protected from the magical world and, in one year’s time, what little magic she has will be bound. She will join her aunt alongside the other Binders who believe magic is a sin not to be used, but denied. Only one more year and she will be free of the curse of magic, her aunt’s teachings and the disappointment of the little she is capable of. Nothing - and no one - could change her mind before then. That is, until Effie and Attis join her school. Luring Anna into a coven they unleash magical chaos throughout the corridors and plunge her into London’s fantastical underbelly. But when Anna’s magic begins to reveal the symbol of a curse, she is forced to unravel the secrets of her past and the truth about her parents’ violent death.

Torn between her aunt and magic, Effie and Attis, lies and the truth, Anna soon finds herself and her heart utterly tangled, yet time is running out. This is a spellbinding and utterly captivating fantasy and the first of a proposed four-part series, which is entertaining and addictive, sinister and compelling. With breathtaking world-building and remarkably assured plotting, Thomas’s bewitching debut sees a girl burdened by her magical abilities descend into a London filled with the supernatural and enchanted. It's richly imagined, sumptuous and I mean, how could you not be dazzled by contemporary London where magic exists on the fringes. There are vintage shops that sell memories, underground libraries where librarians feed off words, and most of all, clubs where revellers get high on spells. I fell head over heels with Anna’s world, and from her aunt’s knot magic, to the hidden magical library hidden beneath our own British Library, Cari’s book weaved its spell over me. I’ve always loved books that hide magic within the modern-day and not only are Cari’s characters brilliantly formed and fully developed, but her world within Threadneedle is one you’re aching to explore. This is simply exquisite fantasy, and I cannot wait for the sequel to see what Ms Thomas has in store for us next. Highly recommended.

I had the pleasure of being an early reader for it and simply adored the story!  Thank you Netgalley & Harper Voyager/ Harper Collins
 
꧁ Review ꧂ 
 
'Magic is the first sin, we must bear it silently' - Rule Number One, The Book of the Binders.  
 
Threadneedle is a beautiful, riveting and dark tale of magic. This book is a contemporary urban fantasy with witchcraft and elements of fairytale & folklore. It’s a tense, slow build to start with, that unravels into a entrancing read. 
 
The story is mostly set in a high school, following a young witch, Anna, as she discovers her magic, navigated friendships, secrets, an abusive parental figure, falling in love for the first time – and all the other usual YA dilemmas. It gets to the heart of the complexities of friendships, feeling authentic and raw when it deals with love, lust and romance. 
 
However, there’s so much more to this story. The book deals with heavier topics, most notably the abuse Anna experiences from her aunt, the traumatic death of her parents, murder/ suicide. The topics are handled sensitively and with care. 
 
I enjoyed that it was set in a modern London; loved the way the magical world was built into the city. And did I mention the magical library! The magic system felt enchanting and threatening in the same breath - a beautiful juxtaposition.  
 
Cari’s writing is effortless & captivating. The first of 4 books in the series, Threadneedle is addictively fun and yet compellingly dark.  
5 dazzling stars all the way ✨✨✨✨

“Goddess of Silence and Secrets: Seal our mouths, so we can’t speak. Pierce our eyes, so we can’t seek. Knot our hearts, so we can’t feel. Bind our spells; to you we kneel. What is forgotten, can’t be known. What isn’t planted, can’t be sown. Lock the door and turn the key. We bear our magic silently. - The Binders’ Blessing”

My thanks to HarperVoyager for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Threadneedle’ by Cari Thomas in exchange for an honest review.

This is Cari Thomas’ debut novel and is the first in her four book ‘Language of Magic’ series, set in contemporary London. This was a smashing novel, brimming with magic.

Anna is a fifteen-year old orphan, gifted (or cursed) with magic. She has been raised by her Aunt Vivienne, who has always warned her of the dangers of magic. In a year’s time Anna will undergo the Knotting, a ceremony that will bind her magic and she will become a Binder like her Aunt. Then Selene, an old family friend of Anna’s mother and aunt, moves to London with her daughter, Effie, and Attis, a young family friend, who has been living with them in New York.

Effie is enrolled in Anna’s school and while Anna has been lectured her whole life about not exposing her magic, Effie delights in being provocative with her magical talent. Anna reflects that “sending Effie into the ordinary, humdrum corridors of St Olave’s was surely like throwing a live firework at a haystack?”

Effie identifies two other misfit girls at the school as having latent magical talent and before long she’s encouraged them to form a coven and then we enter ‘The Craft’ territory. Teen witch shenanigans follow and all the while Anna has to evade her Aunt’s surveillance. No further details to avoid spoilers.

I enjoyed this novel very much. Cari Thomas clearly knows her subject and I was delighted to discover that the magic in ‘Threadneedle’ was grounded in traditional witchcraft and Wiccan practices rather than the more fantasy based magic found in much fiction of this type. I was especially impressed by the structure of the rituals. Such authenticity carries a lot of weight with me.

This was undoubtedly a long novel though I felt that this gave the author the space to develop her characters and world building including the hidden London populated by magical folk and esoteric locations. There’s a great deal of potential within and I can hardly wait to see where Thomas takes her readers in the future books.

Just to note that while ‘Threadneedle’ is a coming-of-age story with young protagonists it has not been classified by the publisher as a Young Adult novel but as Occult Horror/Fantasy Horror/Urban Fantasy. So, no need for more mature readers to feel guilty.

On a side note, its cover design is simply gorgeous and I am happy to add the hardback to my bookshelf.

This was exactly the kind of magical-themed novel that I love and I am planning to recommend it widely and also look forward to further books in the ‘Language of Magic’ series.

Highly recommended.