CARI THOMAS Threadneedle and Shadowstitch. Reviewed by Amelia Dudley

The first two instalments of Welsh author Cari Thomas’s bestselling fantasy series are full of magic, danger, coercion and rebellion.

In the first volume, Threadneedle, Anna’s future is all planned out for her: study hard to become a doctor and have her magic bound, to be kept beyond her reach forever. Growing up with her strict, overprotective aunt (known simply as Aunt) after her mother’s tragic murder, has made Anna shy and reserved. She accepts Aunt’s harsh form of parenting, as it is all that she has ever known, and she can’t really see a future other than the one Aunt has in mind: no fun, no love, and definitely no magic.

But Anna is finally shown another side of magic when her mother’s friend Selene moves back to London, bringing her wild daughter Effie with her. They seem determined to drag Anna out of her shell and make her question her acceptance of her upcoming binding. Maybe magic doesn’t destroy everything it touches. Anna, however, can’t help wondering: what if Aunt is right about magic? Surely, she must have a reason to hate it so much.

There is a rich and breathtaking magical world hidden in plain sight amongst the mundane, like the overpriced vintage shop that’s really selling actual memories, not just the objects they’re attached to. Witnessing this side of London for the first time, Anna is struck with wonder after her cloistered upbringing. But even before Selene and Effie appear, we get to enjoy seeing the first embers of potential rebellion in Anna – this is how she thinks of Aunt’s anti-magic Binder friends:

They all had the same pinched look about them, as if they’d smelt something that wasn’t to their liking several years ago and had never quite got over it.

These sorts of observations showcase the vibrant personality that Anna desperately tries to hide from everyone, especially herself. If she’s only a nobody, there will be less for her to give up when she inevitably follows Aunt’s plan and is quietly bound.

The story is also full of fantastic banter:

‘Roses are a perfectly lovely flower.’

‘They’re boring. A rose is a rose is a rose …’

‘At least he gets a girl flowers, what do you give them, an STI?’

In addition to her highly varied schoolmates, Anna’s Aunt is a fascinating character – a woman so uptight she won’t even allow herself to savour her morning cup of tea. She is truly something to behold.

Thomas also has a lot of fun answering the question: what might high school delinquents get up to if they had access to magic? Across the two books, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud scenes of chaos, only made possible by magic.

In the sequel, Shadowstitch, rumours of witchcraft steadily gain momentum as mysterious bouts of hysteria strike randomly across London, culminating in an official investigation at Anna’s school into outrageous claims by the school bully, Darcey, of being targeted by a satanic cult. As the new Witchcraft Inquisitorial & Prevention Services (WIPS) make the most of everyone’s growing fear to consolidate their power, the school becomes an increasingly uncomfortable place for Anna and her few friends, putting a great deal of strain on her relationships. Anna’s horrific nightmares only grow worse as the hysteria spreads, leaving her wondering whether her dreams are trying to tell her something or if she’s just being haunted by the events of the previous year.

The story contains a timeless warning about how easily we humans can be manipulated when terrified, furious or, worst and most insidious of all, convinced that our yearning for a higher calling has finally been answered. As it has often been throughout history, those in power justify cruelty towards a minority group by painting them as less than human.

Anna turned to her own mannequin, its blankness staring back at her like a reflection. Was this how they were seen now? Not people anymore, objects to analyse and gossip about, to fear.

Which characters are more and less susceptible to the witch hunts (which seem analogous to fascism) might come as a surprise. Everyone has their own moral code – there are some lines not to be crossed.

There are more light-hearted moments among the darkness, which show off Thomas’s skill  with characters just as well. The dynamics of a big family Christmas are simply delightful:

Attis cut off a small branch of what appeared to be an upright chocolate Yule tree cake. ‘Can I marry you?’

Bertie laughed. ‘An offer I expect most women can’t refuse, but alas, here comes the love of my life —’

The back door clattered open.

‘The light of my existence —’

Two barking, bounding dogs ran through, followed by two men.

‘BILL! YOU’RE GETTING MUD EVERYWHERE – BACK OUT! OUT! CLEAN THE DOGS!’

In a great feat of world-building, Thomas seamlessly weaves myth, folklore and even traditional pomp and ceremony into her alternate, magical London. The importance of the ravens kept at the Tower of London, for instance, is given a suitably mystical explanation, and in Shadowstitch readers get a glimpse of the darker, more misunderstood forms of magic in this world.

These enchanting tales of love, festering secrets and heart-wrenching betrayal are very well-paced and both books are hard to put down. I look forward to the next instalment (yet to be announced) and have no doubt it will be just as stunning..

Cari Thomas Threadneedle HarperVoyager 2021 PB 576pp $22.99; Shadowstitch HarperVoyager 2024 PB 672pp $24.99

Amelia Dudley has degrees in plant biology. But despite spending a lot of time in the garden, her plants still occasionally die.

You can buy Threadneedle and Shadowstitch from Abbey’s at a 10% discount by quoting the promotion code NEWTOWNREVIEW. You can also buy it from Booktopia. We receive a small commission if you purchase through these links.

You can also check if they are available from Newtown Library.