Mistress of the storm - Melanie Welsh

Verity Gallant has always struggled to fit in. Outshone by her perfect sister and tormented by her schoolmates, she knows there is nothing special about her.
But everything changes when theStormdocks at the quiet harbour town of Wellow, and Verity receives an ancient book from a mysterious stranger. It tells the chilling story of the Mistress of the Storm - a story that has been kept from Verity all her life.
Suddenly Wellow is stirring with long-hidden secrets and bitter rivalries. As dark clouds roll menacingly above and Verity begins to uncover the truth about her family's past, she becomes dangerously entangled in a web of dark magic and powerful revenge.

Melanie spent her formative years in the sailing town of Cowes, on the Isle of Wight. The tightly-bound community, maritime history and captivating landscapes of the southern Island were all sources of inspiration for the fictional town of Wellow in whichMistress of the Stormis set. Melanie lives in Suffolk, near the seaside town of Southwold, with her husband Lucien and their two sons, Joe and Ben.Mistress of the Stormis her first book.

"A really gripping magical debut with a strong girl heroine"
The Bookseller - Fiona Noble

"Straight away you are thrown into a world of intrigue and questions that keep you guessing and captivated with every turn of a page"
My Child

"Welsh's prose is lovely, her characters are well-drawn, and the atmosphere of the town is palpable. In creating a place in the world where a story read aloud can become true, Welsh offers a benediction of sorts to readers, that "every child who is alone or out of place will find the friends they need, and the love they deserve""
Publishers Weekly

Kirkus

"If you like stories that are full of adventure, magic but with a firm footing of solid friendship try this - a wonderful book"
My Favourite Books