Book Review: The Witch’s Journey by Keith Miller

About the Book

A key may unlock more than just a door.

In a town beset by demons, from which the children are disappearing, redheaded Mira grows up wild and willful. When she’s around, soups boil over and flowers catch fire, and one night in her sleep she unwittingly turns her house around.

The morning of her thirteenth birthday, Mira receives a gift from the a gold key. It will lead her on a journey, to seek the door her key will open.

The Witch’s Journey is a dark fairytale embroidered with fairytales, full of sorrows and terrors, heartbreaks and delights, chocolates and mayhem and magic.

My Review

What an absolutely magical book this was! Not only is the story original, with lyrical nods to mythologies and fairy tales sprinkled throughout, but the illustrations are lovely – even in a digital format! I started reading it on my kindle, but shifted to the computer so I could see the illustrations in all their glorious detail – and the decision was well worth it. I’m in the process of obtaining a print copy, thanks to the wonderful folks at Elsewhen Press, and cannot wait to see what they look like in physical form.

The story itself is a delicious blend of elements – coming of age, magical journey, learning to appreciate one’s own value – that are melded together into a narrative that is engaging and thought-provoking. There are stories within the story, and these tidbits of fairy tale lessons that Mira encounters throughout her own journey are entertaining and enlightening, and allow the reader to engage in witchy education right along with her.

There’s more than a fair bit of darkness and mistreatment layered within the magic here, and it is in those bits that I think Miller really shines as an author. He manages to convey the fear and frustration of Mira’s family and the townspeople, who are confronted by something they don’t understand and can’t possibly do anything about, as well as the anger and frustration of Mira herself, who is equally flummoxed by what is happening and by the sense that it is her responsibility, although not her fault nor of her choosing. The resulting responses to The Other (in the form not only of the demons but of Mira and the other witches she encounters) becomes an all-too telling illustration of the dangers of hating the things we fear and can’t (easily) understand, and of using that lack of understanding as an excuse for all kinds of bad behavior. It’s a particularly poignant message, given the current state of the world…

But don’t be put off by all that seriousness – this is also a phenomenal example of storytelling, plain and simple. The descriptions are evocative, and the illustrations contribute to that magic. The characters are well-developed and easy to engage with, particularly given the consistent pacing. It’s a great tale!

Thanks to Elsewhen Press for my obligation-free review copy.

About the Author

Keith Miller (born 1969) is an American author who has written The Book of Flying, The Book on Fire, The Sins of Angels, and The Witch’s Journey. Visit his website at www.millerworlds.com and his blog at www.millerworlds.blogspot.com.