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.