Fascinated by the works of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, C.B. Oresky began writing her own fantasy novel, The Warlock’s Curse, after dreaming of being whisked off to an alien realm. She currently lives in a small town in Connecticut with her bodybuilder husband, their exceptionally naughty cat, four chickens, and a yard filled with majestic flowers.
Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
The Warlock’s Curse by C.B. Oresky finds two sisters drawn into an epic adventure after they move to a new house. When their parents move them into a rundown house, Clara and Angelica never expected that they would embark on the most extraordinary journey of their lives, taking them away from the bullying and judgmental sneers of the locals. Their adventure begins in the house they now call home where they meet ghosts and discover an ancestor’s secret access to another realm. Uncovering the secret sends them on an epic voyage where they encounter creatures of all kinds including unicorns, demons, and whales. In a fantasy come to life, the sisters train like warriors only to discover this is to prepare them to do battle against the evil agenda of a warlock.
The relationship between the sisters is at the heart of the story, taking on every aspect of the adventure together. Despite their closeness, their relationship is not perfect with the friction between them typical of real sibling dynamics. The incorporation of sisterly spats adds authenticity to the story and grounds the fantastical elements in reality. Despite their disagreements, the sisters work as a team and keep each other going, no matter what they encounter. They both find excitement in the adventure as it takes them away from their dreary lives and fulfills Clara’s wish for them to be superstars. Familial troubles are woven throughout, creating more reasons for them to want to go to another realm. The house creates the opportunity for their adventures and has a ghostly presence that connects them to their ancestors.
C.B. Oresky blends magic and adventure with an old Victorian house, a door to another realm, demons, ghosts, and travel by ship. The writing style brings this world to life with phrasing that adds a fantasy element. The Warlock’s Curse is a spellbinding adventure with magic, fighting, voyages, demons, and ghosts in a story that will capture children’s attention and draw them into an epic journey of imagination.
