What actually makes a witch wicked? Is it the casting of spells, the use of potions, the peculiar wardrobe? Certainly, every witch worth her cauldron has all of these down pat. In her funny, breezy and charming fantasy novel, The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale, author C.M. Waggoner posits that a witch’s wickedness hinges on one thing: her intent.
Of course, Gretsella of the Dark Forest of Brigandale never intended to have a baby plopped on her front stoop in the middle of the night. She intended to spend her days crafting useful tinctures and conferring with her coven of witch-friends. But babies have a way of changing the world, and Gretsella the witch becomes an adoptive mother. Eventually, baby Bradley does what all babies do: grow up. He also turns out to be the lost heir to the kingdom of Evermore. Bradley soon realizes that being King is all a little overwhelming, what with the courtiers, the maids, the knights and all manner of other people vying for his attention. So he does what any son would and asks his mother for help whipping the kingdom of Evermore into shape (with some light wickedness expected along the way).
It is impossible to forget the third-person voice that animates this novel. By turns warm, hilarious, tender and knowing, the narrative is almost a character in itself. Waggoner often breaks in the middle of the action for asides with titles like “A Very Brief Diversion on the Subject of Love” and “A Short Story About Stories.” Charm and levity are around every corner, and The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale evokes the bright colors and big heart of Disney’s Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. But underneath the sprightly narrative voice run themes of motherhood, self-identity, imposter syndrome and loneliness. Gretsella isn’t really all that wicked. Her intent is rooted in love.
Fun, easy and lovable, The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale is both unexpected and familiar. Once you pass the classic opening line of “Once upon a time,” you won’t turn back.