Chantress

Greenfield (Virginia Bound) sets her first YA novel in the London of Guy Fawkes and Samuel Pepys, but with a twist. The English Civil War never happened, and “Lord Protector” refers to vengeful Lord Scargrave, mentor of the young King Henry, one of the few royal survivors of a successful version of the Gunpowder Plot. It sounds like alternate history, and it is—with magic. The plot that wiped out the royal family touched off a witch hunt, and most of the kingdom’s magical practitioners have been tortured and executed. On an island off the coast, however, one Chantress, a singer of spells, has survived. Fifteen-year-old Lucy can barely remember the turmoil that sent her into exile seven years before, and she doesn’t understand why her guardian, Norrie, has prohibited her from singing. When the music overwhelms Lucy, she is whirled back to London and into the battle against Scargrave. Richly and thoughtfully written, the story situates its fantastic embellishments firmly in the lived reality of the 17th century and brings to life a diverse cast of deeply human characters. Ages 14–up. Agent: Julie Just, Janklow & Nesbit. (May)