REVIEW – THE HAWKWEED PROPHECY by Irena Brignull

Posted June 7, 2017 by Emma in 2017 Books, Book Review, Fantasy, Favourites, Hatchette Children's Group, Irena Brignull, Magic, Romance, Series, YA / 5 Comments

The Hawkweed Prophecy (Hawkweed Prophecy #1)
by Irena Brignull
Publisher – Hatchette Children’s Group
Release Date – June 16th 2016 (this edition)
Buy – Amazon | Book Depository

The babies were born as the clock struck twelve. A bat fell from the air mid-flight. A silver salmon floated dead to the surface of the river. Snails withered in their shells, moths turned to dust on the night breeze and an owl ate its young. The spell had been cast.

Poppy Hooper has managed to deceive her father into believing that there is nothing mysterious or unnatural about her. He ignores the cats that find her wherever she goes, the spiders that weave beautiful lacy patterns for her, even her eyes – one blue, one green with an extra black dot orbiting the pupil.

Ember Hawkweed is a pitiful excuse for a witch. When the other girls in her coven brew vile potions, Ember makes soap and perfume. Fair and pretty, Ember is more like a chaff than a witch. One of the Hawkweeds will be queen of the witches – but everyone knows it won’t be Ember.

When the two girls meet, Poppy discovers her powers, and finds out the truth. Bound by their unlikely friendship and the boy they both love, the girls try and find their place in the world. But the time of the prophecy draws nearer – and the witches won’t give up the throne without a fight.

My Review 
Raven and Charlock Hawkweed both grew up with the story of one of the Hawkweed sisters creating the most powerful witch and heir to the Northern clan. Raven was obsessed with being the best that she can be, but it cost her dearly. So when Raven was pregnant, she hoped and prayed that her daughter would be make the Prophecy come true. But, Sorrel was far from any high power or heir, her magic was neither up to standard of what a queen should have. But Raven masked that, she made out her daughter would be the queen, this illusion that was spread across her coven. When Charlock became pregnant, Raven knew that she would produce the heir, so she switched them magically at birth. Poppy and Ember, born at the same time, yet have lived two very different paths, in two different families. Now living just a stones throw away from each other, there lives have never been so connected.

The funny thing is Ember and Poppy are a lot like each other, secluded, alone, the odd one out so to speak, whilst also different from living in such different environments. It’s like they are soul sisters, magical twins, they fall for the same boy as well, Leo. It’s like I’m torn sometimes during this book do I want Poppy to fall in love, or give Ember her love story that she’s only ever read. For Ember life is a journey to be discovered like she’s opening her eyes for the first time, and Poppy feels that magic is her only hope to finding the truth as to why her mother is crazy and will never accept her. Their childhood, their upbringing has made them who they are now but not who they were prophesied to be. Poppy is more outgoing, bold, knowledgeable of life and society, whilst Ember is resourceful, a simpleton, old-fashioned, knowledgeable of recipes, remedies and magic. But they both need each other in order to survive, to fit in to where they belong. 

The Hawkweed Prophecy is as beautiful inside as it is out. I loved Irena Brignull’s writing is seamless how we go from one character from another. it doesn’t not focus on one sole character like Ember or Poppy. Raven, Charlock, Leo, Sorrel all have their own part in their story which makes this story a lot bigger than it is, it gives it its so much more of a bigger picture. The Hawkweed Prophecy has elements that every fantasy writer or reader will love, the atmosphere is dark, haunting, chilling with a dash of sunshine and fairy tale magic. If you loved The Witch’s Tears series by Kate and Liz Corr then you will love this. I’m so glad that The Hawkweed Legacy has just come out I can’t wait to see what happens next. 
Rating – 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you to Hatchette for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
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5 responses to “REVIEW – THE HAWKWEED PROPHECY by Irena Brignull”

  1. Keertana

    I haven't heard of this author or series before but thanks for putting it on my radar! It definitely seems like something I'd enjoy, so I'll have to check it out this summer.

  3. Rachel

    Nice to "see" you around again, Emma! I have finished all the episodes that are out for Doc Martin, so I'm anxiously awaiting the next season!

    This sounds magical and the cover is beautiful! Glad to hear it was a hit and hope the next is amazing, too! Wonderful review! πŸ™‚