The Hawkweed Prophecy: Book 1

Product Description

Poppy Hooper and Ember Hawkweed couldn't lead more different lives. Poppy is a troubled teen: moving from school to school, causing chaos wherever she goes, never making friends or lasting connections. Ember is a young witch, struggling to find a place within her coven and prove her worth. Both are outsiders: feeling like they don't belong and seeking escape.

Poppy and Ember soon become friends, and secretly share knowledge of their two worlds. Little do they know that destiny has brought them together: an ancient prophecy, and a life-changing betrayal. Growing closer, they begin to understand why they've never belonged and the reason they are now forever connected to each other.

Switched at birth by the scheming witch Raven Hawkweed, Poppy and Ember must come to terms with their true identities and fight for their own place in the world. Enter Leo, a homeless boy with a painful past who – befriending them both – tests their love and loyalty. Can Poppy and Ember's friendship survive? And can it withstand the dark forces that are gathering?

From School Library Journal
Gr 8 Up—It happened in one remarkable, grim instance—two babies, switched at birth. Ember grew up as a witch with no apparent abilities, and Poppy is a troubled teen with chaos following her every step. Both girls feel as if they don't quite fit in. When they meet one day in the woods, they are immediately drawn to each other. As they begin to spend more and more time together, each girl realizes that she belongs in the other's world. Ember sneaks Poppy books on witchcraft, while Poppy brings Ember nail polish and an iPod full of music. However, the simplicity of their friendship is ended when Leo, a young homeless boy, enters their lives and an ancient prophecy surfaces. Not only are Ember and Poppy connected by the prophecy but there are also dark family secrets buried within the two girls' existence. Brignull melds a story of sisterhood and friendship with one of sacrifice and loss. Deep themes such as mental illness, homelessness, abuse, and neglect are explored here, but the author also highlights the true power of friendship, sacrifice, and love. The one drawback to the novel is the love triangle in play among Leo, Poppy, and Emma. The continuous back-and-forth of emotions may be enjoyed by some teen readers; however, many will be annoyed with the time the love story takes away from the true plot. VERDICT The romance is a bit superfluous, but for fans of mysticism and witches, this is a must-buy.—Brittney Kosev, Honey/Rush Elementary, Lubbock, TX
Review

"Brignull's
The Hawkweed Prophecy is a deft exploration of friendship, sacrifice and betrayal. I can't decide who I love more, the sweet and trusting Ember or the spunky, dark Poppy. You can't help but cheer for both girls, and ache when they are pitted against one another. I was completely absorbed in the sinister, complicated world of magic and witches. The coven is described so confidently and beautifully, it's hard to emerge from the novel without wondering if these women are operating somewhere just below the surface of our world. Full of romance, heart and suspense, readers will find themselves staying up all night just to spend a little more time with Ember and Poppy."
— Madeleine Roux, author of the
New York Times bestseller
Asylum

"Wise, weird, a touch evil and totally charming, Irena Brignull's tale of magic in our time is as rich and complicated as sisterhood. From the first page, I felt drawn into a modern classic."
— Anna Godbersen, author of
The Luxe and
Bright Young Things series

“Irena Brignull's
The Hawkweed Prophecy is a book of wicked, beautiful magic. Compulsively readable and delightfully gritty, one does not mess with these Hawkweed witches.
— Kendare Blake, author of
Anna Dressed in Blood and
Three Dark Crowns


"I loved this book! Irena has created such beautifully complete world--our world, and nestled within it, a simmering w