The Cauling

The Cauling introduces Willow Hawker, a young woman struggling with her identity within a pagan witching community where she feels she doesn't belong, especially since she lacks magical abilities. Her unique appearance and mental connection to an ancient willow tree hint at a different heritage. The narrative deepens with the mystery of her twin brother, Lark, who disappeared years ago, and Willow's discovery of secret scrolls about Norse gods. As a pivotal ceremony looms, her mother reveals a shocking truth connecting Willow's lineage to the Norse god Loki. This revelation propels Willow on a dangerous quest to Norway and ultimately to Asgard, the realm of the Norse gods, in hopes of finding Lark and understanding her true self. This book is ideal for young adults aged 12-18 who enjoy rich fantasy, mythology, and coming-of-age stories centered on self-discovery and family secrets.

Young Willow Hawker is about to go through a pagan ceremony to enhance her witch powers, but Willow has never felt like a witch, despite being part of a witching community, for she has never been able to perform any spells. Willow is unlike her fellow villagers in other ways too - she alone has white-blonde hair and cornflower blue eyes. The only unusual skill Willow seems to possess is her ability to communicate mentally with an old willow tree, deep within the wood where her village is located. And then there are her dreams - dreams in which she sees a winged female that she later discovers is a Valkyrie. Willow once had a twin brother named, Lark, who disappeared one day. His body was never found but for Willow, his memory is ever present. Now, as the dreaded ceremony approaches, Willow feels torn about which way to turn - the witch way or to learn more about the Norse Gods, a religion she has read about in some secret scrolls she has uncovered. Then, a matter of days before the planned ceremony, her mother, Sorrel, suddenly reveals something shocking - something to do with the Norse God, Loki, and the old willow tree. Suddenly Willow learns why she looks so different from everyone else and she quickly begins to suspect that it is her blood father who is behind Lark's disappearance. Determined to find Lark, she sets off alone to Norway in search of, Bifröst the fabled, Rainbow Bridge that will take her to Asgard, home of the Norse Gods, and hopefully, to a joyful reunion with Lark.