THE CROWFIELD CURSE is a young adult book, written by Pat
Walsh, intended for ages 8-12. As an adult reader, I
loved it and would recommend it to anyone who likes:
mystery, the middle ages, suspense, and a cross between
history and fantasy. It deals with the grim realities
of the 1300's but still delivers a message of hope in the
end. This is the first book featuring our young orphan
William Paynel, though Miss Walsh plans to continue his story.
THE CROWFIELD CURSE is set in England in the winter of
1347. We meet fourteen-year-old Will who was
orphaned after his family perished in a fire. He was the
only survivor. He was taken in by the Brothers of Crowfield
Abbey. He provides free labor in exchange for room and food.
His minuscule meals are served by a slightly crazed
individual who believes he is still a soldier; not one of
Will's favorite people to say the least (nor mine). Most of
the brothers keep to themselves and are not very likable.
The abbey is shrouded in a 100-year-old secret. One day,
after being sent out to fetch firewood, Will's life is
forever changed. He is told he has the sight,
and meets all manner of magical beings he never realized
existed. After gathering the wood to carry back to the
abbey, Will hears strange whimpers of pain and discovers a
creature caught in a trap. His kindheartedness shows
through as he proceeds to save this strange creature. Not
animal or human, but rather a hob, a creature of the fay.
These fay are mean, vicious, and complicated
creatures who you do not want to cross. Will brings the hob
back to the abbey and his only real friend, Brother Snail, a
healer of sorts who agrees to keep
Will's hob a secret; allowing him to stay in his hut
until he heals. Both Will and Brother Snail become quite
attached to the hob. Since the hob will not give his true
name, they decide to call him Brother Walter.
Will meets many interesting and mysterious characters who
have motives of their own that you do not fully understand
at first. Will sees miracles and an angel, and has a life
time friend he did not expect. The adventures, visitors,
magic, and mystery Will encounters centers around the abbey,
the forest surrounding it and a complicated web of secrets.
Will learns many things very quickly and deals with it all
well.
Miss Walsh writes beautifully about life in the 1300's,
Christianity, pre-christian beliefs, and the fay. From
the first to the last page, this is a story that
will grip you and not let go. I can not wait for the next
book and more of Will's adventures. Hopefully Brother Snail
and Brother Walter will be there with him.
This book was first published in England and is now
available here in the US. The new book in this series, for
which I could not find a title, is due to be released in 2011.
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