The Witch In The Lake
Anna Fienberg

Allen & Unwin 2001
217pp. pbk

1865083496

It is based in a small town in Italy. The book is about Leo, a twelve year old boy born with the twin signs of a wizard, and his best friend Mirlee who are trying to rid the lake of an evil presence that has captured many helpless souls. The evil presence was created by Leo's grandfather but Leo doesn't know it.

While trying to stop this great evil presence Leo and Mirlee run into some problems. Mirlee's sister, Laura is diagnosed with the deadly fever Black Death: Leo's father Marco tries to help but Laura is too frightened and runs out of the cave straight towards the lake; Mirlee is taken to the Wise Woman's Place by her evil Aunt Beatrice to learn about plants and aromatherapy and to top it all off Marco gets sick. What else could go wrong?

The main characters, Leo and Mirlee are very believable, as are all the characters. The author, Anna Fienberg, really makes you feel like you are a bystander watching the whole thing with your very own eyes, by adding little easy to understand Italian words every now and then. These words also help you feel the mood.

It is one of the best books I have ever read and I recommend this book to everyone between the ages of nine and thirteen. The Witch in the Lake is a really good book. Please do me a favour and read it.

Reviewer:  Shannon , Norwood, SA