Yet another delightful and historical piece by Lindsay Galvin. The characters are all figures that we can imagine in this world alongside the very real Isaac Newton. The themes of witchcraft and plague, which relate to death and pain, contrast to the idea of an elixir. This creates a tension in a small village that thrives on gossip and the disturbance of newcomers. Life being thrown into chaos by people who believe in their own importance. A short book filled with magical moments, themes and patterns throughout. The author comments that there is power in the unexpected and this is so true. The words are to be treasured as are the fabulous illustrations. Will share a review via BlueSky using pynchonic name to explain how delightful this book is.

Just imagine if, through a mixture of aura-reading and synaesthesia, you can see the 'colours' of everything and everyone, and manage to match people to the perfect mixture of herbs and chemicals to cure them of all their ills. Just imagine if your grandma was once thought a witch – and that a witchfinder is in town even now. But then imagine what might happen if a young Isaac Newton was lodging above your apothecary, and was determined to combine his science with your craft to create the Elixir of Life…

Such is the scenario facing Ann Storer in this historical drama. It's a pacy, rich read, as well, perfectly suited to the Barrington Stoke branding, for it delivers the story quickly and easily, with no nonsense, and no fuss – and it's probably a story the young audience might actually surprise themselves by enjoying. Here are witchcraft allegations and the drama surrounding them, but here too is the balance between science and herbal lore – the split between the male student who would never be thought guilty by a witchfinder and the female specialist doing very well by everyone in town and yet under permanent threat something worn by these pages quite classily. It's a clever, unfussy read, and is probably four and a half stars.

Linday Galvin is an exceptional writer. Having read The Great Phoenix of London, I already knew that going into The Elixir, but she continues to prove me right with this fantastic, dyslexia friendly novel. Her ability to convey so much description, action, emotion, characterisation and plot in such inclusive language and structure is masterful. I could not have adored The Elixir any more than I did!
 
With a drive, passion and a touch of magic, Ann is a marvellous protagonist. Her ability to treat and heal people through colour is a brilliant take on magic but grounded in the reality of apothecary. Tying in the history of Isaac Newton makes this feel possible and given then ending (which I won’t reveal here), I foresee plenty of reader looking at doctors, nurses, medical professionals differently in the best way possible. And that, again, is testament to Lindsay Galvin’s storytelling.
 
As well as writing wondrous protagonists and ‘good guys’, Galvin writes amazing antagonists with Abel Geach. He’s abhorrent, biased, ignorant, and the type of person all of us wish to never encounter, which is what makes him a superb villain. Again, no spoilers here, but I was shocked where his storyline went, and I think this is one that will have readers turning page after page.
 
Yet again, Barrington Stoke have struck gold with The Elixir by Lindsay Galvin. This is a book I hope to see live forever, and if you haven’t yet, make sure you go preorder (especially to get to relish in the illustration talents of Kristina Kister with this STUNNING cover). Perfect for readers needing dyslexia friendly books, and anyone wanting a splendid adventure, The Elixir is such to be a hit of the summer and I cannot recommend it enough!