Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Orphan housemaid Zita Brydgeborn quits her position and travels to Blackbird Castle after receiving a letter informing her she's the long-lost heir. But on arrival she discovers that she's also expected to assume the duties of the great witching Brydgeborn family, and her teacher, mean Mrs. Cantanker, doesn't even believe Zita is a witch. Young servants Bram and Minnifer offer a slightly warmer welcome, but they seem to be under a curse that prevents them from talking about certain things. As Zita puzzles through the twin mysteries of what happened to her family and how she was separated from them in the first place (and what if everything she's been told is a lie?), she faces dangers from beyond the grave. Bachmann incorporates magic and atmosphere in this appealing tale of persistence, from the shifting staircases and passageways of gothic Blackbird Castle to the irresistible feasts Zita devours with Bram and Minnifer. The author also engineers a particularly deft reversal mid-plot that will leave readers at first bewildered and then delighted. (c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Although a 12-year-old servant girl doesn’t recall the time before she was an orphan, she remembers her secret, powerful name: Zita Brydgeborn. When she’s summoned to Blackbird Castle, which is ruled over by the unpleasant Mrs. Cantanker, to take her rightful place as the last of a family of powerful witches, it seems almost like a dream come true. But there is much to learn and no one she can fully rely upon, not even Minnifer, the maid, and Bram, the cook, both of whom are friendly toward her. There’s also the scary matter of her family, bewitched and moldering in the dining room. Mrs. Cantanker gradually reveals herself to be a dark force to be reckoned with. When she trusts to her own resourcefulness—which is ample—Zita is able to begin gathering tools of power: a loyal crow, magical scissors, and, finally, her Anchor. She’ll need them all as the depth of Cantanker’s evil scheme is finally exposed and Zita must fight the battle of her life to save her family and protect the world from a dead witch of undeniable power. Bachmann’s worldbuilding is delightful. The castle is rich with enough ghosts and enchanted staircases to satisfy any fantasy lover, and the cast of characters, all seemingly White, is well developed and engaging, especially intrepid narrator Zita. A suspenseful romp through an entertainingly witchy world. (Fantasy. 9-14) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Although a 12-year-old servant girl doesnt recall the time before she was an orphan, she remembers her secret, powerful name: Zita Brydgeborn.When shes summoned to Blackbird Castle, which is ruled over by the unpleasant Mrs. Cantanker, to take her rightful place as the last of a family of powerful witches, it seems almost like a dream come true. But there is much to learn and no one she can fully rely upon, not even Minnifer, the maid, and Bram, the cook, both of whom are friendly toward her. Theres also the scary matter of her family, bewitched and moldering in the dining room. Mrs. Cantanker gradually reveals herself to be a dark force to be reckoned with. When she trusts to her own resourcefulnesswhich is ampleZita is able to begin gathering tools of power: a loyal crow, magical scissors, and, finally, her Anchor. Shell need them all as the depth of Cantankers evil scheme is finally exposed and Zita must fight the battle of her life to save her family and protect the world from a dead witch of undeniable power. Bachmanns worldbuilding is delightful. The castle is rich with enough ghosts and enchanted staircases to satisfy any fantasy lover, and the cast of characters, all seemingly White, is well developed and engaging, especially intrepid narrator Zita. A suspenseful romp through an entertainingly witchy world. (Fantasy. 9-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Orphan housemaid Zita Brydgeborn quits her position and travels to Blackbird Castle after receiving a letter informing her she's the long-lost heir. But on arrival she discovers that she's also expected to assume the duties of the great witching Brydgeborn family, and her teacher, mean Mrs. Cantanker, doesn't even believe Zita is a witch. Young servants Bram and Minnifer offer a slightly warmer welcome, but they seem to be under a curse that prevents them from talking about certain things. As Zita puzzles through the twin mysteries of what happened to her family and how she was separated from them in the first place (and what if everything she's been told is a lie?), she faces dangers from beyond the grave. Bachmann incorporates magic and atmosphere in this appealing tale of persistence, from the shifting staircases and passageways of gothic Blackbird Castle to the irresistible feasts Zita devours with Bram and Minnifer. The author also engineers a particularly deft reversal mid-plot that will leave readers at first bewildered and then delighted. (c) Copyright 2023. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.