The Last Witch on Skye by Carolyn J. Nicholson is a captivating middle-grade fantasy that effortlessly blends adventure, magic, and the rich folklore of the Isle of Skye. Set against the backdrop of this enchanting Scottish island, the story introduces us to Magaidh (pronounced Maggie), the last witch in Skye, who cleverly disguises herself as a cat while biding her time in a castle.
Nicholson's storytelling is both gentle and dynamic, filled with the kind of lively adventures that make this book a delight from start to finish. As Magaidh teams up with her fairy friends, Sean and Iain, readers are taken on a journey that includes rescuing a baby Welsh dragon, outwitting a ghost known as Big Blue Donald, and befriending a baby water horse named Calum. Each adventure is a testament to the imagination and creativity infused in the novel, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages.
What truly sets The Last Witch on Skye apart is its emphasis on themes of tolerance, acceptance, and the complexity of family dynamics. Through Magaidh’s discovery of her mixed heritage—being half-supernatural and half-human—and her quest to connect with her estranged father, a leader of the very party that has banished magical beings from Skye, the book offers young readers a thoughtful exploration of identity and belonging. Nicholson handles these themes with a light touch, making them accessible and relatable to her audience.
The inclusion of Gaelic names and phrases, along with a helpful glossary titled "Entering the Magical World of Skye," enriches the reading experience and introduces children to elements of Scottish culture in a fun and educational way. This cultural immersion is a beautiful touch that adds authenticity and depth to the fantasy setting. I loved learning Gaelic words and how to pronounce them. The beautiful illustrations were a lovely touch too--something not often seen in middle grade books.
The Last Witch on Skye is a delightful read that combines a heartwarming story with a magical adventure. It’s a book that encourages young readers to embrace differences, understand the importance of family, and reflect on the choices between peace and revenge. Carolyn J. Nicholson has crafted a memorable tale that will surely enchant both children and adults alike. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a magical escape into the folklore and culture of the Isle of Skye.
More About The Last Witch on Skye
A delightful middle-grade fantasy, set on the Isle of Skye and featuring eight full-page illustrations (including a map).
The Ban the Witches and Fairies (BW&F) Party has chased all the supernatural beings out of the Isle of Skye. Only Magaidh, a young witch, remains, hiding in a castle disguised as a cat. But she and the Queen of the Fairies have a plan to rescue the Fairy Flag, allowing the fairies and Magaidh to return to Skye. As Magaidh resumes her business, Spells, Inc., she thinks about getting revenge on the BW&F Party, but the Fairy Queen suggests that peace would be a better plan. While Magaidh considers which it will be, peace or revenge, her business allows her to help the people of Skye with love potions and spells to reverse the troublesome effects of fairy arrows. She and her two fairy friends, Sean and Iain, go on many adventures together, including rescuing a baby Welsh dragon; dealing with Big Blue Donald, a ghost; and befriending a baby water horse they name Calum. In the process, Magaidh finds out why she is different from her siblings, who force her to choose revenge!
This gentle, rollicking tale is steeped in the folklore and culture of the Isle of Skye and incorporates Gaelic names and phrases. A glossary at the beginning of the book (titled "Entering the Magical World of Skye") provides a pronunciation guide for the non-English words. In addition to the fantasy elements, the novel is also about family. Magaidh discovers that she is only half-supernatural; she is surprised to learn that her birth father is not only a human, but a leader of the BW&F Party. Nonetheless, she seeks him out and hopes to establish a relationship with him; he is open to connecting with her, but they meet with resistance from his other children. The story is a lesson in tolerance and acceptance.
The Last Witch on Skye is available at the following retailers:
Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Barnes & Noble, Rakuten Kobo
About Author Carolyn J. Nicholson
Carolyn was born in Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, worked in the health information management field, taught in post-secondary education, and was in ministry in The United Church of Canada. After her retirement, she began researching her ancestors; after many years she discovered her Nicholson ancestors were from the Isle of Skye in the Scottish Highlands, and she began to visit Skye with her sisters. Skye, she learned, was always full of fairies, witches, water monsters, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures. As a project for her small writers’ group, she wrote a 1,200-word story about fairies, witches, etc., then decided to play some more with what she had written. In time, this became a larger and larger story. Carolyn decided to take a course offered by the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia on how to write a children’s story. Then, daring to believe the story might be worth publishing, she contacted OC Publishing and the rest, as they say, is history.
Wishes sometimes do come true, and Carolyn's wish would be that this little story might bring happiness and pleasure to children and that they might come to love little Magaidh and her friends and family as much as she does.
Find Carolyn at OC Publishing.
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