Plain Kate lives in a time afraid of magic. She has a gift for carving 'lucky' wooden-charms. Known as Witch-Blade, her unusual gift attracts dangerous attention in a place where witches are burned. When her village falls on bad times, suspicion falls on Kate. Scared for her life, she seeks the help of a mysterious stranger. In exchange for her shadow, the stranger will assist her, but Kate becomes part of a terrifying plan, darker than she ever dreamed.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There was only ever two books that made me cry - Before I Die by Jenny Downham and the Harry Potter book where Dumbledore dies. Now, there's a third. I'm not sure how to write a review that's fitting for a such an amazing book but heck, I'll try.
Wood Angel is told like a fairy tale and I quickly fell in love with the writing. It's the sort of writing that I lose myself comepletely in and can imagine everthing so easily, it's almost as if I'm there. The story is either set in the past, or in a different world, or both (I'm guessing both), in a world that fears Witchcraft as well as accepting it. Witch burnings are a common thing for Kate, who is accused of being a Witch often, due to her beautiful carvings. Knowing she has to get away from the town where she grows up, she strikes a bargain with a man who will change her life forever.
The Roamers were an interesting bunch and I wish Plain Kate could have stayed with them longer. I particularly liked Drina and Daj, who both warmed to Kate quickly and made her feel at home. Of course, my favourite character was Taggle, who's everything you expect a talking cat to be and more! He's the perfect companion for Kate, getting her out of quite a few scrapes - and getting her in them - all the while with his mind on food. That cat eats a lot.
It was nice to escape for a while into this fantasy world, with no love triangles or messy relationships to worry about. Just a beautiful fairy tale about a girl, a talking cat and many adventures. And carving.
Note: As much as I love you Chicken House, whoever chose the title and cover of this book needs a slap on the wrist. I don't find the cover appealing as it's not very original and I have no idea why the title is called Wood Angel. I actually thought I would end up reading about fairies when I started this. I will be buying Plain Kate, the US edition (with a beautiful cover) when I can!
Wood Angel is told like a fairy tale and I quickly fell in love with the writing. It's the sort of writing that I lose myself comepletely in and can imagine everthing so easily, it's almost as if I'm there. The story is either set in the past, or in a different world, or both (I'm guessing both), in a world that fears Witchcraft as well as accepting it. Witch burnings are a common thing for Kate, who is accused of being a Witch often, due to her beautiful carvings. Knowing she has to get away from the town where she grows up, she strikes a bargain with a man who will change her life forever.
The Roamers were an interesting bunch and I wish Plain Kate could have stayed with them longer. I particularly liked Drina and Daj, who both warmed to Kate quickly and made her feel at home. Of course, my favourite character was Taggle, who's everything you expect a talking cat to be and more! He's the perfect companion for Kate, getting her out of quite a few scrapes - and getting her in them - all the while with his mind on food. That cat eats a lot.
It was nice to escape for a while into this fantasy world, with no love triangles or messy relationships to worry about. Just a beautiful fairy tale about a girl, a talking cat and many adventures. And carving.
Note: As much as I love you Chicken House, whoever chose the title and cover of this book needs a slap on the wrist. I don't find the cover appealing as it's not very original and I have no idea why the title is called Wood Angel. I actually thought I would end up reading about fairies when I started this. I will be buying Plain Kate, the US edition (with a beautiful cover) when I can!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is such a beautiful book and would appeal to readers who have enjoyed Deerskin or[[ASIN:1904233074 Winter Rose.
Plain Kate (so called because of her undesireable appearance) is the daughter of a carver, and herself skilled in the craft. When an illness sweeps through the town, her father passes away and she is left destitute, living alone and unloved with her cat Taggle for company. One day an enigmatic albino stranger comes to town and from hence forward Kate's life changes forever.
The story has elements of folk-tales with Linay a pied piper type character, magic, mystery and of course a wonderful talking cat! Kate's tale is one of loss and sorrow, but also of hope and of friendships found in unlikely places. There is a sense of transformation as she grows in confidence and gains control of her own life.
I loved this book from the first page to the last (which made me cry by the way) and instantly wanted to re-read it once i'd finished. The characters are so well drawn - Kate is a plucky girl who is determined to survive, but nurses the deep sorrow of lonliness and rejection. Linay could be rather sinister and yet I wanted him to be healed of his own pain and loss.And, as for the cat Taggle - I have my own big silver tabby cat who is very much like Taggle - so I loved him.
Plain Kate (so called because of her undesireable appearance) is the daughter of a carver, and herself skilled in the craft. When an illness sweeps through the town, her father passes away and she is left destitute, living alone and unloved with her cat Taggle for company. One day an enigmatic albino stranger comes to town and from hence forward Kate's life changes forever.
The story has elements of folk-tales with Linay a pied piper type character, magic, mystery and of course a wonderful talking cat! Kate's tale is one of loss and sorrow, but also of hope and of friendships found in unlikely places. There is a sense of transformation as she grows in confidence and gains control of her own life.
I loved this book from the first page to the last (which made me cry by the way) and instantly wanted to re-read it once i'd finished. The characters are so well drawn - Kate is a plucky girl who is determined to survive, but nurses the deep sorrow of lonliness and rejection. Linay could be rather sinister and yet I wanted him to be healed of his own pain and loss.And, as for the cat Taggle - I have my own big silver tabby cat who is very much like Taggle - so I loved him.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By M. Coleman
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
bought this book for my 11 year old who loved it so much i thought i would also give it a go.... i wasnt dissapointed.... excellent read although the cover has nothing to do with the story.... recommend to 10+ age range but need to be confident readers....
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Did your child love Harry Potter? Try this wonderful book next.
I read this book when it was Plain Kate (US edition) and loved it so much I quoted for the cover. Erin Bow's beautifully written and imagined medieval fantasy has one of... Read more
Published 4 months ago by M Rosoff
3.0 out of 5 stars
A carver, a witch, a ghost, magic and exchanges
This is compelling, lyrical writing in the voice of a professional that belies that this is a debut effort. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Millions
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Storytelling
I got this book from the local library because I thought after reading the back page that it might be a nice little read. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mipsey's Mum
5.0 out of 5 stars
A truly beautiful book
Wood Angel by Erin Bow is such a beautiful book. The cover alone would have tempted me to pick up this book, but the writing and the setting and the characters really came along... Read more
Published on 7 April 2011 by Michelle Cardozo
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wood Angel by Erin Bow
*Wood Angel is also called Plain Kate in the US*
The story starts off by introducing the reader to Kate, and her village that seems to run into a lot of bad luck. Read more
The story starts off by introducing the reader to Kate, and her village that seems to run into a lot of bad luck. Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2011 by Amber
4.0 out of 5 stars
Modern Dark Fairytale
The narrative has a fairytale feel right from the beginning. I don't mean the Disney fairy-tales either, I mean the dark, dangerous fairy-tales akin to the Brothers Grimm. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2011 by Book Angel Emma
4.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of A Trillian Books
Plain Kate is an odd child. She has different colour eyes and her skill with a carving knife are unusual for a girl of her age. Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2011 by Tasha
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