Mundie Moms

Thursday, August 24, 2017

THE HAWKWEED SERIES by Irena Brignull / Spotlight: Excerpt & Giveaway #TheHawkweedSeries



Welcome to today's spotlight for The Hawkweed Series by Irene Brignull. I've heard wonderful things about this series, but have not yet had the chance to read the series.l I'm thrilled to team up with Weinstein Books to spotlight this series. Today's post features a spotlight for the first two books in the series, an excerpt and a giveaway courtesy of the publisher. Be sure to check out the entire post! Trust me, you don't want to miss anything. First, here's a little bit about the first two books in the series. 

ABOUT THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES



By: Irena Brignull
Published by: Weinstein Books 
Released on: August 15th, 2017
SeriesThe Hawkweed Prophecy #1
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads

Two Lives. Two Worlds. One Throne.

Poppy Hooper and Ember Hawkweed couldn't lead more different lives. Poppy is a troubled teen: moving from school to school, causing chaos wherever she goes, never making friends or lasting connections. Ember is a young witch, struggling to find a place within her coven and prove her worth. Both are outsiders: feeling like they don't belong and seeking escape.  Poppy and Ember soon become friends, and secretly share knowledge of their two worlds. Little do they know that destiny has brought them together: an ancient prophecy, and a life-changing betrayal. Growing closer, they begin to understand why they've never belonged and the reason they are now forever connected to each other.

Switched at birth by the scheming witch Raven Hawkweed, Poppy and Ember must come to terms with their true identities and fight for their own place in the world. Enter Leo, a homeless boy with a painful past who – befriending them both – tests their love and loyalty. Can Poppy and Ember's friendship survive? And can it withstand the dark forces that are gathering?


PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

"I loved this book! Irena has created such beautifully complete world--our world, and nestled within it, a simmering world of magic.The Hawkweed Prophecy has everything: friendship, desire, delicious earthy magic, secrets and spells and at its centre, the wonderful young Poppy, on a journey of self-discovery. I so hope there is more to come!"
— Karen Foxlee, author of Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy and A Most Magical Girl

“The Hawkweed Prophecy was bewitching from the get-go. Irena Brignull does an amazing job weaving a tale of pure magic in this debut novel. She'll have you on a roller coaster of emotions from the very first page. Get ready to be spellbound."

— Paige McKenzie, author of the New York Times bestselling Haunting of Sunshine Girl series

ABOUT THE SECOND BOOK IN THE SERIES 


By: Irena Brignull
Published by: Weinstein Books 
Released on: August 15th, 2017
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads

A Centuries Old Prophecy. A Forbidden Love. A Spellbinding Story.

Poppy is discovering a purpose for her powers in Africa, but she is haunted by a vision of her own death. Taken in by a boy and his great-grandmother, a healer, they vow to keep her safe-even if that ultimately means holding her captive. But Poppy never stops longing for Leo and, when she feels his magic begin to spark, she will do anything to be reunited with him.

Desperate to regain Poppy's trust and bring her home, Charlock embarks on a plan to reunite Leo with his mother. What Charlock doesn't foresee are the string of consequences that she sets into motion that leave Ember all alone and prey to manipulation, the clan open to attack from other witches, Sorrel vulnerable to Raven's ghost, Betony determined to protect her son from his father's fate, and which leave both Leo and Poppy in terrible danger.

Deftly exploring friendships and the entanglements of love, and examining the dark side of sacrifice and betrayal,THE HAWKWEED LEGACY will speak to fans of inventive fantasies where sisters clash for the crown such asThree Dark Crowns, to those who thrilled to the complex family relationships ofCharmed,and to readers who happily lost themselves in the epic love-story ofPractical Magic or the enthralling world-building of Deborah Harkness’s All Souls trilogy.  


PRIASE FOR THE BOOK


"Brignull develops story and characters slowly, long, luxurious sentences balancing the magic and the mundane expertly and building the world of the witches by showing how out of place Ember is in it. Tension builds inexorably to the inevitable witch showdown, which brings small victories but not a happily-ever-after for all. The third-person narration switches focus from character to character as they make frustrating, heart-rending, totally believable choices. Fantasy and nonfantasy readers alike will appreciate this gritty and intriguing coming-of-age story."
―Kirkus Reviews

"Brignull...debuts with an instantly engrossing novel...It's a fantasy with the air of a classic, yet one that's also entirely contemporary in its tight focus on identity, friendship, and romance. Ages 12-up."―Publishers Weekly, starred Review

ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Irena Brignull is a screenwriter, novelist and mum. Her screenwriting credits include the Oscar nominated movie, The Boxtrolls, starring Ben Kingsley, Elle Fanning and Simon Pegg. (She was nominated for Best Screenplay for that one at the Annie Awards in 2014.) Her adaptation of The Little Prince, directed by Mark Osborne and starring Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, James Franco and Marion Cotillard, closed the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. She also adapted Skellig for Sky which starred Tim Roth, John Simm and Kelly MacDonald. 

Before all this, Brignull was a Script Executive at the BBC and then Head of Development at Dogstar Films where she was the script editor on Shakespeare in Love, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, I Capture the Castle and Bravo Two Zero to name a few. She lives with her family in London but was brought up outside the city in the beautiful Chiltern Hills. 

For more information, visit her website: www.irenabrignull.com.

READ AN EXCERPT 

An Excerpt from The Hawkweed Legacy by Irena Brignull


Chapter 5
Young Charlock


Every year, the coming of spring was greeted by a celebration from the coven. On the last day of winter, the sisters wished for night to fall quickly, for then the preparations would be over and the merriment could begin. As if mindful of its unpopularity, the sun hardly bothered to show itself through the clouds, and day stitched to darkness almost seamlessly. Immediately, circle upon circle of candles was lit in readiness for the nights festivities. For this eve was not for sleeping. The coven had taken to their beds that afternoon in order to remain awake the whole night through. Fires were burning and hogs roasting. Cider was being poured. Young witches were practicing spells for their displays.
Charlock and her friend Betony were responsible for lighting the candles.
Were lucky theres no breeze tonight,murmured Charlock as she admired the tiny flames.
Your sister has made certain of that, most likely,joked Betony. It is not just us she bosses but the weather too.Charlock smiled, then looked around guiltily to see if Raven might be watching. Dont fear her so,whispered Betony. You are a Hawkweed too.
Charlock shrugged. Not the one that matters,she said simply, without complaint.
It was true. She was the younger, softer sister, a witch with only moderate magic. Raven, on the other hand, was already the most powerful witch their clan had ever known. As if able to hear these thoughts, her sister turned her head and peered at Charlock from across the camp. Charlock waved in nervous greeting, but Raven only narrowed her eyes before returning her attention to her young daughter, Sorrel. Betony moved closer to Charlock in a show of solidarity. The pressure and warmth of her friends side against her own were comforting, as were Betonys words.
Come on,she said. These candles, this celebration, are for us. We have turned seventeen this winter. Not her. It is us who will be yoking for the first time tomorrow.
It is our night,Charlock admitted, gazing out at the candles they had lit. She felt a sudden shiver of nerves, and the flames seemed to flicker in response. Do you ever doubt it though?she whispered. That we are ready?
Betony didn’t hesitate. I want an adventure. I want to see something new.
But what of making a daughter?Charlock reminded.
Betony took her hand. We have many years for that,she said, pulling Charlock toward a small throng of sisters by the storeroom. Besides, look at Sisters Caraway, Mildred, and Ivy. They are keen enough for all of us.
Each seventeen-year-old was collecting a garland for her hair snowdrops, irises and crocuses. Normally, flowers were not for picking, but this celebration was different. For many of these girls, it was to be their first foray into town; for all, their first encounter with a male. As Charlock bent her head and felt the delicate petals caress her hair, she reminded herself of all that shed been taught. Yoking was a part of life. It was natural and not to be feared. To bring a daughter into the world was the greatest achievement of any witchs life greater than any spell or magical gift. Charlock inhaled the sweet scent of the flowers and felt soothed. She didn’t have to go tomorrow. She knew that. It was only for those who wanted and there were many sisters who chose to remain childless. This was her choice. Besides, she had promised Betony and would not let her down.
She squeezed Betonys hand. I think I smell cake.
Sister Clovers honey cake!And they both laughed with delight as they ran to fetch some.
That night, they danced until their feet were sore and feasted till their bellies were full. Sister Wynne read their horoscopes and told their fortunes. Sister Ada produced her usual falconry display. Sister Starling, Charlocks mother, told them stories of times long since past, of witches strong and true who suffered for their craft. The youngest of the group put on their own displays one magicked mice from her sleeves. Another turned water into juice. One bent a spoon by staring at it. A small group recited healing spells in high and lilting voices. Everyone oohed and aahed and clapped as the children took a bow.
Charlock and Betony were the last to sleep and the last to awake. None minded, though. The first day of spring was for the mothers in the clan and all those trying to become one. By the time Charlock rose from her bed, her mother had already received gifts from the other sisters, praising her achievement of bringing a daughter into the world and raising her in the ways of the craft. The Hawkweed table was laden with jars of nuts and dried fruits, hocks of ham, and pots of pickles. Charlock gave her mother a hug when she saw them and thanked her as she always did on this day.
Thank you, Mother, for all you have done and do for me.
Her mother put her hands on Charlocks cheeks, rough skin against smooth. It is your turn now, my sweet. It makes me very proud to know you will join the others for the yoking this evening. Then she plucked a fragment of a flower from Charlocks hair and handed it to her. It lay in Charlocks palm, crushed and damp, and Charlock felt a seconds sorrow at its loss.
After picking the rest of the garland from her hair, Charlock placed the dying flowers between the pages of her book of spells. Then she changed from her nightgown to her clothes. Her belly hardly curved and it was difficult to picture a baby curled up within it. Instead, she imagined how proud her mother would be if tonight she proved successful. Her reverie was broken by Ravens strident tones.
Charlock, stop dawdling!came the call from outside the caravan. Charlock leaned out of the window and saw her sister holding a little lamb. Chop chop,said Raven without a smile.

Copyright © 2017 by Irena Brignull, reprinted with permission from Hachette/Weinstein Books.

ENTER TO WIN



Thank you to Hachette/Weinstein Books, (1) winner will receive a copy of the first two books in the series, along with a cat necklace. Please see images above. This is open to residents in the US. To enter, please fill out the form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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