Cinders and Sparrows audiobook

Cinders and Sparrows is kind of like if Matilda found out she was actually from a family of witches and when she returns home everything begins to go terribly, terribly wrong. The book follows orphaned thirteen-year-old, Zita Brydgeborn, as she finds out she comes from a great line of witches who are currently under some awful spell and it’s up to her to find her power and fix it. Bachmann has created a beautiful witchy atmospheric middle grade with just enough spook to keep you wondering what in the world is really going down at Blackbird Castle. The characters are well thought out, especially with Zita having two young house servant friends who offer details to assist in world-building in a subtle and engaging way. As Cinders and Sparrows is written in first person we only get the information available to Zita which makes the plot twists even more fun. I would love to see this onscreen. The visuals Bachmann has created, from the gothic castle and the fantastic set of characters, that this all jumps from the page and seems to be made for a Tim Burton-esque style treatment. *ARC provided by Edelweiss for an honest review*

For fans of Howl's Moving Castle by Diane Wynne Jones or The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, Cinders & Sparrows is about a resourceful young girl prepared to meet challenges head-on and battle the forces of darkness for her friends and family.Zita, 12 years old, orphaned, believes she's fated to a life of drudgery as a housemaid when she receives a letter informing her that she's the heir of a powerful witch family and has inherited a castle. What sounds exciting and glamorous turns out to be horrifying. When she arrives, she's greeted to the sight of a crumbling, burnt-out castle. Instead of family to greet her, she's given into the care of the cold and scheming Mrs. Cantanker. Her only allies are the castle's two servants, Bram and Minnifer, and a crow. Clever and spirited, Zita knows that things aren't right and prowls the castle and its grounds, looking for answers. But can she survive a castle full of deadly rooms and menacing ghosts and the nefarious Mrs. Cantanker? Fast-paced with creepy, atmospheric descriptions, this fantasy will appeal to tweens and adults. Described as a standalone, I hope that Stefan Bachmann has the opportunity to put this descriptive worldbuilding to use in other books.This dark fantasy with its resiliant main character gets a highly recommended from me.

What a marvelous book! If you are looking for a spooky, charming middle-grade novel with a ton of atmosphere, terrific writing, and a heart of gold, CINDERS AND SPARROWS should be at the top of your list. First, Zita is one of the most endearing, delightful heroines I’ve ever come across—she reminded me a bit of Jane Eyre in her humility, kindness, and cleverness (not to mention her determination to find out what's lurking up the mysterious staircases in her new home). I just loved her, and I found myself caring deeply about her plight from the very first pages of the book. The supporting characters are masterfully spun as well (and the bad ones are VERY BAD—but multidimensional and complex, never flat. Bachmann keeps readers on their toes!)I'm convinced Bachmann is one of the most talented writers and prose stylists out there right now. The writing in the book is just superb at a line level, wonderfully evocative and beautiful. And funny. If only this book had been around when I was 12! It would absolutely have become one of my favorites.

The digital arc of this book was kindly provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ website in exchange for an honest review.This is a story about a young orphan who turned out to be the sole heir to a famous clan of witches. And the book actually was as cool as this premise sounds. It was quite dark and mysterious, the characters had distinct personalities, and even though the villains kind of felt like they stepped out a fairy tale, it added to the overall atmosphere and witchiness of the novel. It's definitely an interesting book with some strong autumn vibes, so check it out if that sounds like your thing.

Actual rating: 4.5!I might have only read a couple of Middle-Grade books this year so far, but it was quite obvious from the first few chapters that Cinders & Sparrows would come out as my most favorite. Following the story of the chosen one in a dark big castle full of mysterious corridors and magic, I was certainly obsessed with the mood this book got me into.All the main characters were very easy to like (except for Mrs. Cantanker, of course), and going through the story from Zita's lens was definitely an exciting experience. I'm always all for fictional midnight adventures in restricted areas, thus having her wandering around Blackbird Castle in the dark made the adventure all the more compelling for me. With a secret to unravel, parts of the castle to roam about, and a mysterious past to solve, the mystery and the gloomy mood rendered this book even more mystical.Mentions of November and snow elicited a more exciting experience also, because the adventure got all wintery and we all know that it was a perfect combination for anything magical. How I hope I read Cinders & Sparrows at the end of the year instead. While it was not so light, this book was written beautifully with perfect holiday weather I adored. Obviously a good choice for either a winter read or a reread material.In conclusion, I loved Cinders & Sparrow, especially the twist in the ending, and how the pace was quite fast but everything was still so enjoyable—it's definitely a book I want to go back to in the future. If you love Middle-Grade and various magic systems, this book would be a good choice for you.

I’m not 100% sure what I expected from Cinders & Sparrows, but what I got was a tale that was completely whimsical and actually really quite creepy. This is the kind of middle grade novel that I would have loved as a child. Thoroughly enjoying the read and then probably needing to sleep with the light on for a few nights! The writing is magical, and truly paints the castle and the characters right in front of you.Zita Brydgeborn sounds a lot like a bookish cliché, she’s an orphan that discovers she’s a powerful witch with an inherited fortune and a secret family. Thankfully she really rises above any threat of unoriginality, and was such a fun protagonist to read. With a fiercely stoic disposition, she was brave, intelligent and kindhearted. I so admired the way she handled everything, even as an adult if I was faced with a castle full of less than friendly ghosts and a guardian that clearly didn’t have any regard for me, I’d crumble to pieces! I loved her ability to see the positives and how she always tried to be kind to everyone she met.As much as I loved Zita, the largest character in the story, is the house itself. Filled with magic and mystery and creepy things that go bump in the night. Honestly, as a grown adult some of the quirks of the house freaked me out, there are some seriously spooky elements! I just loved the pesky triggles and the idea of tricksy little mushrooms sneaking around the house. There are so many intricate little details woven into the house, and Stefan Bachmann writes so beautifully that you can really visualise it all, despite there being so very many layers to it. Each twist and turn, new corridor and new staircase had me completely hooked, although I’m not sure I would like to explore it in person…Going hand in hand with the spooky nature of the book, there were plenty of villainous characters to help the story along. Perhaps my only criticism is that the ultimate bad guy is pretty clear from the beginning, and I had hoped for a little twist along the way. Having said that, there are a few surprises in store and those that may first appear to be friendly, aren’t always as they seem. I was suspicious of pretty much everyone, including the mysterious Bram and Minnifer, expecting everyone to have nefarious plans for poor Zita.I truly thought the book was wonderful and well worth a read. I’d perhaps recommend it for those a little on the older side of the middle grade spectrum, due to some of the elements. It’s also a massive bonus that this one looks stunning on the shelf, it has a almost sparkly quality to it that really compliments the lovely purple colour. Whoever designed this one should definitely get a pat on the back. I’ll definitely be checking out Stefan’s other published books, and can’t wait to see what he writes next! If you’re looking for some witchy, ghosty chills, this is the book for you!

Welch wundervolles Buch! Perfekt zu lesen im Oktober. Eine sympathische Heldin, eine verzauberte Welt und Familiengeheimnisse - was will man mehr? Bachmann erzählt seine Geschichte ruhig, aber dadurch eben auch sehr stimmungsvoll. Das Hörbuch nimmt diese Atmosphäre auf und bringt sie umso mehr zur Geltung, wenn man dabei durch bunte Blätterhaufen geht und den Nebelschwaden zuschaut."Cinders and Sparrows" ist mein Lieblingsbuch von Bachmann geworden und nun bin ich gespannt, womit der Autor als nächstes aufwartet. Seit dem letzten Buch hat er sich stark weiterenwickelt und ich hoffe, dass dem so bleiben wird.Dieser Titel ist eindeutig ein Monatshighlight und hat das Zeug dazu, auch einen Platz in meinen Jahreshighlights zu ergattern.

Blog ✍ | Facebook 👩 | Twitter 🐦 | Instagram 📸Zita is an ordinary girl of 13, raised in an orphanage and employed as a maid. Seemingly out of the blue, she receives a letter summoning her to Blackbird Castle to claim her inheritance. Intrigued by the idea, Zita drops everything and travels to meet a peculiar cast of characters in an old mansion!Cinders & Sparrows is a brilliant new novel from Stefan Bachmann. Though the premise sounds overused, 'orphan finds out they are the heir to a long lost kingdom/fortune/mansion/etc', Bachmann updates this premise and brings a new approach to this story. Zita is so relatable, frustrated with her initial treatment, but she eventually understands the situation and comes to appreciate what she has. Of course, characters from humble beginnings usually stay humble!This is a standalone novel that delivers a beautiful take on magic and blends a number of magical literary elements into a fascinating puzzle, fitting together with every chapter. I would tag this as a magic, gothic adventure to read under the stars! Arriving just in time for Halloween, I will be purchasing a copy and recommending it to my public library. I absolutely enjoyed it that much!The promotional material for this title describes it as a perfect read for fans of Kate Milford, Victoria Schwab, and Diana Wynne Jones. Three fantastic authors that I admire deeply! This is a standalone title filled with magic, mystery, mayhem, and providing readers with lessons about love, loss, family, friendship, and ultimately, belonging! Fans of the Magisterium Series or the Ember in the Ashes Series would also love this book!Cinders & Sparrows hits shelves October 13, 2020! Get your pre-order in now from your favorite retailer! Thank to Edelweiss and Greenwillow Books for a galley copy of this book in return for an honest review.

"They'll call anyone a witch who doesn't do as she's told and has a fondness for graveyards and talking to cats." (...quite possibly my favorite quote ever)Cinders and sparrows was such an atmospheric, well written middle grade. I really enjoyed the characters and the witchy elements. Plus this had a really great twist at the end I was not expecting at all!And omg the triggles!!!!! They reminded me of moomins. The imagery of these cute, maniacal little guys had me absolutely screaming. Overall, this was really enjoyable and wholesome and just super sweet!

This witchy coming of age story was a ton of fun with awesome characters and a surprisingly dark plot. I'll definitely have to check out other books from Stefan Bachman

I really enjoyed this one! It was like The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina for middle grade books.

*Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. *Ingebeth, an orphan and a housemaid, never really had any past or future, until the day a scarecrow delivered a letter to her. Did she know that her real name was Zita Brydgeborn, she was a witch, and her mother had been looking for her since she was kidnapped ten years before? Dreaming of a family she never got to know, and nagged by vague memories of being taken as a toddler, Zita made the long trek to her new home - a huge, haunted place inhabited by one grouchy older woman, two servant children, and many, many ghosts. Her family had been killed by a spell, and if anything was going to be done, it was up to her as the last witch of her name. Of course, in a witch’s house, not everything is as it seems.I love this book so much! I couldn’t put it down and read the whole thing in a day, cheering on Zita and trying to keep one step ahead of the secrets (impossible). I hope Zita has more adventures in the future.

A Satisfying Girl's Own AdventureThe "simple housemaid who finds out she's really the long-lost last living member of a line of powerful witches" is not the most novel hook upon which to hang a magical adventure tale. But the test, of course, is what you do and where you go with that set up. Well, I've read a lot of these, and this one struck me as a real treat.It's well written, well plotted, atmospheric, and nicely balanced between action bits and periods of calm. But the real star here is our heroine, thirteen year old Zita Brydgeborn. She is excited by the new life that has suddenly and unaccountably materialized before her, but she is also solidly grounded and practical. As a consequence we get both an air of wonder and a certain refreshing skepticism that makes Zita much more fully rounded than are most heroines in such circumstances. She has a dry sense of humor and a native streak of wisdom. It's especially satisfying that she is feisty, independent, and even a bit imperious at times, yet still patient and kind hearted. The author has not tricked Zita out with any phobias, dark secrets, or quirks or gimmicky characteristics. She is smart, streetwise, unflappable, open, and honest. The "right stuff" and all that sort of thing.The book is written in the first person from Zita's perspective. I know some people don't care for that, but I thought it was perfect for this story and this character. Zita is an extremely reliable narrator, and it is good fun to follow the story strictly from her point of view, and to experience the events and learn family secrets as and when she does. The reader is very much invested in Zita's adventure right from the get go. It helps that Zita has a dry sense of humor and often exhibits a rather deadpan response to magical surprises. (It also helps that there is zero romance angle.)Of course she gets two house servant kid sidekicks, who are good adventure pals, and sources of subtle info dumps. There's a nasty governess type, lots of ghosts and creatures, and villains and tricksters galore. The plot is a bit balky, but for the most part it moves along crisply enough, and it's no surprise to find out that lots of players would like to snuff out the last of the Brydgeborns. There's some backstory, some family history, a lot of training up as a witch, and then the action takes off. Everything happens at Blackbird Castle, the family seat Zita has inherited, and the Castle is described in enough compelling and engaging detail to establish a satisfyingly gloomy and witchy atmosphere.The bottom line is that our heroine is a real charmer and her adventures are both engaging and ripping. While this may have been a familiar hero's journey, it was a fun trip nonetheless.(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

A lovely Stephan Bachmann book. Such a delight to read. When my son was younger we would sit in the school library before the bell rang for the start of the day and read magical middle-grade novels. So many smart, curious, brave, young heroes and heroines. It was a wonderful way for both of us to start our day. When he moved to middles school it was not cool to have your mom read to you at school. Our reading tastes diverged. He prefers graphic novel and apocalyptic fiction. I returned to my adult novels with the occasional foray into kids literature so I could recommend books to the young readers who buy books at the bookstore I work for. I think back on those books and think about what made them special. First, it was sharing them with my son. We would spend discuss the book. Really good books might be read between bites at the dinner table. Second, the really good ones weren't just great stories but beautiful writing as well. And finally, in some way, if filled me with a sense that childhood could still be innocent even with evil step mom's and dangerous beasties. Reading about monsters was better than living with monsters.All of this is to say that Cinders and Sparrows hits the sweet spot. Bachmann is a gifted writer. The literary quality of his words is beautiful and requires, indeed, demands that this be a book that an adult reads to a child. In classic fashion it the story of an orphan finding her family, overcoming challenges with a little magic and grit. Also, there is a really great villain or two, which any good children's book needs.

Zita is in for a strange adventure, and one I had so much fun on, when she is given a message from a scarecrow that she's inherited a castle. Right from the start you get a sense of whimsy, that remains throughout, even as just the right amount creepy works in for younger readers.I love the creative setting and the creatures. The description of the castle gave it a spooky feeling that was still light and filled with wonder. It's a first person tale, and the main heroine is brave, sweet, often sassy, and totally relatable. There are also some fun characters Zita encounters as she attempts to find out what it means to be the last in a dynasty of witches. Bram and Minnifer made me laugh when they greeted her and continued to give me giggles as the story grew more thrilling.I liked trying to figure out the mystery and was so happy with the ending. The story moved at a fast pace that will be perfectly suited for holding readers of all ages grippe. The tone makes it perfect to read during the Halloween season.