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The Coven of Deeds
Following the mysterious disappearance of her mother. Maya, a determined and clever Scottish teenager, discovers the strange truth behind her mother's double life as a witch. Now, under the often less than helpful guidance, of her know-it-all cat Mischief, she sets out on an epic adventure to rescue her mum, from a trap like no other. Enlisting the help of another young witchling, Evaline and some very special magical friends along the way, she must pass increasingly challenging initiation tests, to join the fearsome Coven of Deeds in order to secure her mother's release. All is not what it seems however, someone is out to thwart her at every turn. Who can Maya really trust? When her mysterious foe is finally revealed, and the breath-taking extent of the ingenious deception is revealed. One question still remains unanswered... what could have driven them to such extreme measures? The answer, when it comes, is more devastating for Maya and her friends than anyone could have imagined. Their fate and perhaps even the existence of magic itself, is under threat. Now, forced to flee by a seemingly invincible foe, they are led to Threave Castle. An ancient family residence, where the whole story is finally revealed and Maya must face the ultimate test of her courage and wits.
Be warned, this is a highly original, imaginative and surprising adventure, an emotional rollercoaster of a book. Maya faces more challenges and unexpected plot twists and turns, than a fat hamster, stuck in a treacle filled labyrinth, complete with hidden trap doors and the occasional crocodile thrown in, just for fun. If you like a fast moving, original and surprising mystery, with a good heart, positive values and a quirky sense of humour, then congratulations, you've just found a hidden gem. If not, consult your doctor and check for a pulse. Most physicians advise at least two chapters every night, before bedtime. Excessive indulgence can lead to over excitement, so please read responsibly!
Be warned, this is a highly original, imaginative and surprising adventure, an emotional rollercoaster of a book. Maya faces more challenges and unexpected plot twists and turns, than a fat hamster, stuck in a treacle filled labyrinth, complete with hidden trap doors and the occasional crocodile thrown in, just for fun. If you like a fast moving, original and surprising mystery, with a good heart, positive values and a quirky sense of humour, then congratulations, you've just found a hidden gem. If not, consult your doctor and check for a pulse. Most physicians advise at least two chapters every night, before bedtime. Excessive indulgence can lead to over excitement, so please read responsibly!
475 pages, Paperback
Published July 23, 2021
2 people are currently reading
870 people want to read
About the author
Malcolm McCoard
13 books46 followersThe author has published several books in the very different genres of YA fantasy and Cosmology and theoretical physics.
The serious stuff first - the author has published 2 works on the nature of time and creation. The first book "How to fix the universe" introduced a radical new explanation for what time is and proposed alternatives to dark matter and dark energy. A second publication titled "Everything" builds on the success of the model and proposes a new big bang theory. One which starts from nothing and doesn't break Einstein's laws of general relativity, unlike the current model.
The accidental author - Malcolm started writing in response to his 8 year old daughter's request when he was making up bedtime stories about dragons and other magical adventures one night. "You have to write that one down daddy!" Maya insisted. Maya then provided illustrations and ideas for the book which incorporates a number of characters based on her close friends and family. The book won the YA category in the 2017 Purple dragonfly book awards.
A series of seven more books followed.
The serious stuff first - the author has published 2 works on the nature of time and creation. The first book "How to fix the universe" introduced a radical new explanation for what time is and proposed alternatives to dark matter and dark energy. A second publication titled "Everything" builds on the success of the model and proposes a new big bang theory. One which starts from nothing and doesn't break Einstein's laws of general relativity, unlike the current model.
The accidental author - Malcolm started writing in response to his 8 year old daughter's request when he was making up bedtime stories about dragons and other magical adventures one night. "You have to write that one down daddy!" Maya insisted. Maya then provided illustrations and ideas for the book which incorporates a number of characters based on her close friends and family. The book won the YA category in the 2017 Purple dragonfly book awards.
A series of seven more books followed.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 16, 2022
Uncovering her mother’s secret life as a witch, Maya sets off to rescue her mum. Scottish teenager Maya’s mother has vanished, and Maya is determined to find her. When she discovers her mother has been living a double life as a witch, certain clues fall into place. Maya and her smart-aleck cat, Mischief, set out on a journey to rescue her mother. Maya also brings along a young witch named Evaline and other magical friends. In order to free her mother, Maya must join the Coven of Deeds. What Maya goes through to join takes all of her strength and ability, but her mother is worth it. Maya soon learns all is not as it appears. Someone is out to make sure Maya doesn’t free her mother. The question is why. Finding the answers puts Maya and her friends in danger. Someone wants to eliminate magic and has set its sights on Maya. Will Maya stop their evil plan, or will she too disappear for good?
The Coven of Deeds is an imaginative fantasy adventure perfect for middle-grade and young adult readers. Maya is a wonderfully written heroine many readers will relate to. Her POV is fresh, realistic, and full of emotion. The plot moves at a great pace with plenty of twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The dialogue is humorous and there’s a positive vibe to the story which I found refreshing. This father/daughter writing duo has penned another brilliant fantasy story and it’s one I highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it. My thoughts are all my own.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
The Coven of Deeds is an imaginative fantasy adventure perfect for middle-grade and young adult readers. Maya is a wonderfully written heroine many readers will relate to. Her POV is fresh, realistic, and full of emotion. The plot moves at a great pace with plenty of twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The dialogue is humorous and there’s a positive vibe to the story which I found refreshing. This father/daughter writing duo has penned another brilliant fantasy story and it’s one I highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it. My thoughts are all my own.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
August 19, 2022
Really enjoyed this read! It gripped me from the beginning! It was such a cute, exciting read! I enjoyed the protagonist Maya and the cat Mischief a lot. The writing was consistently well-done. It had been awhile since I had read a YA novel centered on magicalism. It does hold some similar elements to other magical children's books, but the story itself and the characters were unique. The book can be enjoyed by diverse ages and readers who do not typically go for "magic" and/or YA books. This book was such a nice, refreshing break from the ultra serious books I have been reading this year thus far!
June 26, 2022
This was such a cute book! The story was great, the writing and storytelling added to the plot and made this such an enjoyable read. This is perfect for any age group. I very much look forward to other books on this series. The authors did a fantastic job of making the story enjoyable, emotional, heartwarming and funny- which is a very delicate balance but the pulled it off seamlessly. I also loved the addition of the drawing and pictures from the places being described in the book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*I won this book from the publisher off of a Goodreads Giveaway*
*I won this book from the publisher off of a Goodreads Giveaway*
June 4, 2022
I now need a cat like Mischief lol
I loved everything about this book from the story to the characters , they were all charming and I found myself smiling in multiple points throughout the story. I enjoyed the world building and the fantasy aspect in here, it definitely gave me Harry Potter vibes.
I do feel that this could have been just a tad shorter as it felt like there were 2 different storylines fighting for space at some point and I feel it would’ve gotten more had it either been 2 books instead of one or just focused on one plot line. However I still throughly enjoyed this and would definitely recommend 😊
I loved everything about this book from the story to the characters , they were all charming and I found myself smiling in multiple points throughout the story. I enjoyed the world building and the fantasy aspect in here, it definitely gave me Harry Potter vibes.
I do feel that this could have been just a tad shorter as it felt like there were 2 different storylines fighting for space at some point and I feel it would’ve gotten more had it either been 2 books instead of one or just focused on one plot line. However I still throughly enjoyed this and would definitely recommend 😊
December 30, 2021
A real page turner, story of a young girl trying to solve the disappearance of her mother. A story with true heart and humour. Really surprising.. starts off relatively simple but there is real deapth to this story. Quirky and original I loved it. A must read for any fantasy lover.
December 30, 2021
Highly recommended... unusual, fast moving, imaginative and entertaining with a good heart and plenty of surprises!
May 31, 2024
The Coven of Deeds is an engaging fantasy adventure that I found particularly enjoyable. The story centers on Maya, a determined Scottish teenager whose mother mysteriously disappears. Maya soon learns her mother has been leading a double life as a witch. With her sarcastic cat Mischief by her side, Maya embarks on an adventurous quest to rescue her mother. She teams up with a young witch named Evaline and other magical allies, facing numerous challenges to join the Coven of Deeds and uncover the truth behind her mother's disappearance.
What stood out to me was how relatable and well-developed Maya is as a protagonist. Her journey is filled with emotional depth, making her struggles and triumphs feel very real. The pacing of the story is excellent, with plenty of unexpected twists that kept me hooked from start to finish. The dialogue is witty and often humorous, adding a light-hearted touch to the otherwise suspenseful narrative.
The writing throughout is consistently strong, creating an immersive and magical world. Although the book shares some elements with other magical tales, it manages to stand out with its unique characters and plot. The Coven of Deeds is a wonderful read for a wide range of ages, offering a refreshing break from more serious books. The authors did a fantastic job balancing excitement, emotion, and humor, making this a highly recommended four-star book.
What stood out to me was how relatable and well-developed Maya is as a protagonist. Her journey is filled with emotional depth, making her struggles and triumphs feel very real. The pacing of the story is excellent, with plenty of unexpected twists that kept me hooked from start to finish. The dialogue is witty and often humorous, adding a light-hearted touch to the otherwise suspenseful narrative.
The writing throughout is consistently strong, creating an immersive and magical world. Although the book shares some elements with other magical tales, it manages to stand out with its unique characters and plot. The Coven of Deeds is a wonderful read for a wide range of ages, offering a refreshing break from more serious books. The authors did a fantastic job balancing excitement, emotion, and humor, making this a highly recommended four-star book.
June 16, 2022
This story had me from the first line and held my interest until the very end! I cannot wait to share this book with my granddaughter. Maya, is a preteen, who's mother goes missing, after she receives a special necklace from her mother as a birthday gift.
What Maya learns, from her cat (who now talks), that she is a descendent from a long line of witches. Maya take us on a journey to learn about her heritage, while trying to find her mother. Maya learns to navigate the good paths from the bad paths and the importance of doing the right thing (with beings that cross her path).
I am looking forward to reading all of the books in this series and I am going to share them with my granddaughter. There are lots of things to discuss while reading with a child.
What Maya learns, from her cat (who now talks), that she is a descendent from a long line of witches. Maya take us on a journey to learn about her heritage, while trying to find her mother. Maya learns to navigate the good paths from the bad paths and the importance of doing the right thing (with beings that cross her path).
I am looking forward to reading all of the books in this series and I am going to share them with my granddaughter. There are lots of things to discuss while reading with a child.
April 26, 2022
I really enjoyed this YA heroes journey novel. It has two distinct parts. Booktasters told me I would love this book and although I had 800+ books on my Kindle I thought they haven't let me down yet so I should give it a go. I devoured the book over a long weekend and was utterly charmed. The fact that the author wrote the book for and with his daughter made it that much more special. There are illustrations in the book that were drawn by the author's daughter which enhanced the book. Although this book was written for a young reader, it is a nice book for adults who just want a change of pace. And let's face it, the world could use a few more talking cats, dragons and special wands.
January 16, 2023
I really enjoyed this fantasy and adventure story very much. It was
written very well, it had a great plot and good, strong characters.
I liked the layout and the cover painting as well!
I recommend this book to all young adult readers who like a
fantastic story with lots of tension.
Of course, I'd like to give a 5 star rating for this splendid book.
written very well, it had a great plot and good, strong characters.
I liked the layout and the cover painting as well!
I recommend this book to all young adult readers who like a
fantastic story with lots of tension.
Of course, I'd like to give a 5 star rating for this splendid book.
April 6, 2022
4.5 Stars. A YA novel of witches and dragons in two parts, either of which could stand alone as a complete tale. 13 year old Maya is both naive and intelligent which pretty much describes the average teen girl that age. Sassy puns and outright slapstick ease the reader through a few horrific scenes. And the whole ends with tears and happiness.
October 31, 2022
This was a fun read, I've always had a weak spot for adventures and witches
November 9, 2022
This book is definitely great.
June 25, 2022
I throughly enjoyed this book! There were two different stories, and Book Tasters told me I would love the book. I devoured the book once I finally had time to read it, and it was captivating. The fact that he wrote the book for his daughter makes it more endearing. As a voracious reader of YA books, this one was wonderful! The talking cats , dragons, and magic wands made it even more special! This book gave me Harry Potter vibes, and I now want another cat- one just like Mischief. For fans of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Harry Potter, this book will make you smile while you are reading it!
Great book!
Great book!
May 7, 2022
Maya and her cat, Mischief, are off on another adventure, but this time for something far more important....finding her mother. Maya's mom has disappeared, and something is not right.
There's so much for this young witch to learn, and she must do so quickly, if she has any hope of saving her mom and defeating the Grim Reaper
According to the author, there are many more Maya books to come, and I bet they are all equally entertaining. I just hope they are about 50-100 pages shorter than this one. I felt this one definitely had two stories in there, but at least all the ends were tied up nicely. I just would have preferred that the second story had been a book of its own, because there was a lot more to Cruellen and Evaline that I feel could have been told.
This was the second book I have read in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I felt it was a tad bit too long for a young adult. However, that last Harry Potter book was a doozy, too. I would recommend this book to fans of Harry Potter and fans of cats, because Mischief is by far my favorite character in the book. This is not a dark and scary book. Scary things do happen, but the humor in the book is enough to take some of the edge away, and I really liked that about it, too.
There's so much for this young witch to learn, and she must do so quickly, if she has any hope of saving her mom and defeating the Grim Reaper
According to the author, there are many more Maya books to come, and I bet they are all equally entertaining. I just hope they are about 50-100 pages shorter than this one. I felt this one definitely had two stories in there, but at least all the ends were tied up nicely. I just would have preferred that the second story had been a book of its own, because there was a lot more to Cruellen and Evaline that I feel could have been told.
This was the second book I have read in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I felt it was a tad bit too long for a young adult. However, that last Harry Potter book was a doozy, too. I would recommend this book to fans of Harry Potter and fans of cats, because Mischief is by far my favorite character in the book. This is not a dark and scary book. Scary things do happen, but the humor in the book is enough to take some of the edge away, and I really liked that about it, too.
July 28, 2022
It Kept Going and Going and Going
Making it to the end of this book should be celebrated by getting a gold star. It dragged on forever.
A lot of odd similes.
-Her tongue circled her mouth in deep concentration like a freshly cut teenage toe nail caught in the vortex of a draining bath
-Squealing all the way like a sunburned pig, which had just fallen onto a porcupine and bounced off into a shingle nettle patch.
-Her heart thumping in her chest, like a chubby three-legged hamster in a loose fitting running wheel.
The story is imaginative. But also long and boring. There were some exciting scenes, but it took 200 pages to get there. I didn’t like how it put down men. It surprised me since a man helped write the book.
Making it to the end of this book should be celebrated by getting a gold star. It dragged on forever.
A lot of odd similes.
-Her tongue circled her mouth in deep concentration like a freshly cut teenage toe nail caught in the vortex of a draining bath
-Squealing all the way like a sunburned pig, which had just fallen onto a porcupine and bounced off into a shingle nettle patch.
-Her heart thumping in her chest, like a chubby three-legged hamster in a loose fitting running wheel.
The story is imaginative. But also long and boring. There were some exciting scenes, but it took 200 pages to get there. I didn’t like how it put down men. It surprised me since a man helped write the book.
May 22, 2023
This was a charming book - fun and entertaining, with some fun characters. I think Mischief the cat was my favourite. I think this is definitely a book that would have interested my younger self. I still find joy in children's stories as an adult, and I think that a story like this one is something that I might pick up as a comfort read, or to cheer myself up.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews