The Thickety: A Path Begins by J. A. White, Andrea Offermann (Illustrated by)

This story begins with Kara and her mother being accused of witchery.  Kara survives the test by manipulating the animal involved; her mother does not.  Kara is left with a broken father, a sickly younger brother, and the knowledge she must hide all her powers or she will die next.

Katherine Tegen and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published May 6th and is the beginning of a new series.

Kara has few friends.  Everyone shuns her so they won't be accused of being a witch themselves.  Her life is lonely and hard.  When a bird shows her where a book is buried, she finds it holds immense power.  She can bind animals to her will with its use.  She also learns that you can never use the last page in the book or you will suffer the consequences.

This is not a pleasant book to read; it's on the dark side.  Everyone is afraid, some of the "good" people are evil, and there's a very ironic turn in the book as the true witch reveals herself.  The story has the feel of Salem, the hysteria that went with witch tests in that era, and the living conditions that were awful all on their own.  It also has the Dark Forest and the being within.  Her mother warned her about him.  The evil is palpable.

Kara is the central character.  I found the battle between her and another girl her age interesting.  They're in their teens but they are fighting with adult weapons.  The plot is intertwined and there was more magic afoot than anyone knew.

The ending is full blown and astonishing.  I found nothing to be bored about in this read.  I'm not sure where the next book in the series will go, but this first book kept me glued to my chair.  Don't give this book to a child that scares easily.  They won't sleep at night for a while if you do.