M. L. Welsh

I really enjoyed this book. The story draws you in and pulls you along until the breathtaking conclusion. I found myself thinking about this book when I wasn't reading it, and anticipating what would happen to Verity next.

I loved the incorporation of magic into Verity's world. The author made it seem entirely natural and not at all shoe-horned in for the sake of plot conveniences.

At the heart of this story is a girl who is looking for a place where she belongs, which makes this fantastical story easy to relate to.

Lastly, I would love to travel to the town of Wellow. I also recommend that people who are hesitant about this book to give it a try. Happy reading!… (altro)

In this, her second tale, Verity Gallant lives up to her name again. She is truly brave and good, but she is not perfect, she makes mistakes, and this is what makes her a strong and admirable character. With her friends, Henry Twogood and Martha Platt, she enjoys their beautiful, quiet harbor town of Wellow (I love that name; it sounds like a wonderful place), walking on the downs, sailing Henry's dinghy, "Poor Honesty," and cozying up in the library. All is well until an insiduous white sand begins worming its way into Wellow, and into the library in particular. All the villagers start having horrible dreams. Verity realizes the sand has something to do with the "Original Stories" known by her Gentry Grandfather and the kind, but mysterious librarian, Miss Cameron. She discovers that the sand is scouring away the happy original stories, trying to make the world a sad place. The sand is the Earth Witch, who is trying to return to seek revenge on her sister, the Mistress of the Storm (from the first book in the tales), who stole her true love. Miss Cameron and the children start re-inking the damaged stories in an effort to stop the destruction. It is exhausting, endless work. Verity learns that the odd, rather pitiable new chemistry teacher is not what he seems, but the servant of the Earth Witch. She puts herself in grave danger to thwart him. Verity and her friends struggle with exhaustion, but press on, knowing that to stop will bring chaos. I pictured looming, grey skies during these dark parts of the story. The myths, though a bit confusing at times, bring depth and mystery to the plot, but it is the well-drawn characters and the setting that drive the story. I look forward to more Verity Gallant Tales!

After I finished the novel, I searched the web for the author and found www.veritygallant.co.uk. Melanie Welsh grew up on the Isle of Wight, south of England, in a small fishing village. She was an avid reader like Verity. Wellow is a combination of the town of Ventnor on Wight and elements of Southwold, where she lives now. One reader said that Wellow was a character in itself. I agree! When a setting seems like a place I’d like to visit, even live, it has come alive for me. The library in the story is based on the Southwold Sailors’ Reading Room, which was established in 1864 as a rest and recreation site for sailors. Today it is a recreation room and museum. All of these facts contribute to my love of the stories.… (altro)

Verity is the inept eldest child who doesn’t feel that she fits within her family or her village of Wellow. One day she discovers a strange man reading an ancient red book in the local library. She gives chase when he runs away with it, finally catching up with him as he is hopping into a rowboat; she demands the book’s return. He hands it over along with an unusual round object. These two items are to have a major impact upon her life as she struggles to uncover the truth behind her family history of smugglers, ship-wreckers and inventors. Only with an understanding of this history can she piece together events that are unfolding now. The sudden appearance of her grandmother, a powerful witch whose evil disposition only Verity perceives, does not help the situation along with the appearance of the old smuggling ship ‘The Storm.’

Unfortunately this book tends to jump from one scene to another in a jumbled mash which could have been corrected to establish a flow to the action. The time period seems peculiar but as it is set in a magical and mysterious world perhaps this is to keep the reader guessing. Superfluous characters could also have been edited out as they added little to the story but the Librarian, Miss Cameron, proves strong and supportive character.… (altro)