Hammer of Witches

By Seth Mlawski
Hardcover: $20.95

In this YA historical fantasy, a teen from Spain finds himself aboard a ship sailing to the “New World” with Christopher Columbus.

Description

Baltasar Infante, a bookmaker’s apprentice living in 1492 Spain, can weasel out of any problem with a good story. But when he awakes one night to find a monster straight out of the stories peering at him through his window, he’s in trouble that even he can’t talk his way out of.

Soon Baltasar is captured by a mysterious arm of the Spanish Inquisition, the Malleus Maleficarum, that demands he reveal the whereabouts of Amir al-Katib, a legendary Moorish sorcerer who can bring myths and the creatures within them to life. Baltasar doesn’t know where the man is-or that he himself has the power to summon genies and golems.

Baltasar must escape, find al-Katib, and defeat a dreadful power that may destroy the world. As Baltasar’s journey takes him into uncharted lands on Columbus’s voyage westward, he learns that stories are more powerful than he once believed them to be-and much more dangerous.

About the Creators

Seth Mlawski

Seth Mlawski, formerly writing as Shana Mlawski, is a longtime writing teacher, story consultant, and script doctor. Seth's essays and comics have been featured in Vogue, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Wired, and many others. He is creative consultant and a writer for the sci-fi podcast Marsfall. Mlawski is nonbinary and uses he/him pronouns. You can find him at www.sethmlawski.com.

Reviews

  • "An engaging, magical adventure set against the historical backdrop of Columbus' westward voyage... Though set in the 1490s, this provocative blend of fantasy and history offers loads of contemporary appeal."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "Newcomer Mlawski delivers a fastpaced coming-of-age adventure, respectfully evoking the complexities and cultural landscape of the period. She draws from a variety of sources, including Jewish and Biblical myth, offering an accessible, attention-grabbing story that seamlessly inserts its magical elements into historical fact."

    - Publishers Weekly
  • "Fantasy lovers will relish the wide array of supernatural goings-on, and history buffs will enjoy reading the author's notes, which explain where Mlawski has stuck to the script and where she takes wing."

    - Booklist
  • "Mlawski is creative and daring in her YA debut, blending genres to craft an informative and literary historical fantasy. . . Baltasar is a combination of classic, bumbling coming-of-age protagonist and hero motif, making his character relatable and likable. The novel's storyteller concept is fresh and innovative, making this a lively read for fantasy buffs."

    - School Library Journal

Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781600609879
  • Price $20.95
  • Publication Date Apr 20, 2013
  • Trim Size 8.25 × 5.5 in
  • Weight 1.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 400
  • Word Count 88244
  • Interests

  • Imprint Tu Books
  • Audience Young Adult
  • BISAC Category 1 YAF / Fantasy / Historical
  • BISAC Category 2 YAF / Historical / Europe
  • BISAC Category 3 YAF / Historical / Exploration & Discovery
  • Themes Conflict resolution, Discrimination, Dreams & Aspirations, Education, Empathy / Compassion, Fantasy, Fiction, Friendship, Gratitude, Heroism, History & Civics, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Imagination, Indigenous / First Nations / Native American, Integrity / Honesty, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Leadership, Middle Grade, Muslim, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Religion / Spiritual, Responsibility, Self Control / Self Regulation, Slavery, War, YA interest
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 11 - 17
  • Grade Range Grades 6 - 12
  • Guided Reading Z+
  • ATOS Book Level 13
  • DRA 80
  • Interest Level Grades 6 - 12
  • Lexile Level 690
  • Reading Level Grades 6 - 12
  • SRC 4.3
  • Bebop Reading Advanced
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

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