Thickety: A Path Begins

White, J.A. Thickety: A Path Begins. Katherine Tegan Books, 2014.

Kara's mother is killed for being a witch; Kara narrowly escapes the same fate, but is derided by the villagers for being the daughter of a witch. Her puritanical village is thrown into upheaval, though, after Kara discovers a grimoire and the village leader's daughter steals it to use for her own devices. Can Kara save everyone from destruction? After the way they've treated her, does she even want to?

This book would make an excellent read-alike for kids who have read and enjoyed Harry Potter or any of the Rick Riordan series. The book is thick, but the story is filled with intricate details and descriptions, and there is enough action to keep it moving. I will note that readers who are sensitive to violence may wish to read something else; there are several instances where characters are killed or injured rather suddenly, so it would be difficult to skip over the violent bits just to read the rest of the story.  The second book in this series is on my to-read shelf, and I am looking forward to further adventures with Kara.

Recommended for: tweens
Red Flags: violence - Kara is nearly stoned, several characters die in a violent manner
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars

Read-Alikes: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, The Night Gardener