Plain Kate's odd appearance and expertise as a woodcarver cause some to think her a witch, but friendship with a talking cat and, later, with humans help her to survive and even thrive in a world of magic, charms, and fear.
Raised by her loving father, who taught her to carve wood into marvelous "objarkas" to ward off the evil eye, Kate is regarded suspiciously and thought to be a witch by the townsfolk. When her father dies of a fever that is racing through the town, she's left alone and vulnerable without a protector. Fearing for her life after a woman is burned for witchcraft, Kate accepts the offer of a man named Linay, who wants to buy her shadow in exchange for granting a wish. Setting off with her cat, Taggle, the girl finds her way to a band of Roamers who take her in. But soon, her missing shadow is discovered, and Kate must find a way to get it back. Beautifully told, this bittersweet historical young adult fantasy is a treat.
- Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Fiction + Literature Genres
- Subgenre: Science Fiction + Fantasy + Magic, General, Animals / Cats
- Age: Teen
- Publisher: Arthur a Levine
- Pages: 314
- Language: English
- Format: hardcover
- Release Date: September 1, 2010
- Date Published: September 1, 2010
- Author: Erin Bow