It's MMGM with a review of Vanishings: The Wythic Wood Mysteries Series, Book One Catharina Steel

Vanishings: The Wythic Wood Mysteries Series by Catharina Steel
Publisher:  SparkPress
Format:  Paperback ARC
Number of pages:   272 pages
Publishing:  May 20th, 2025
Source:  Books Forward

Opening Lines:  "Sadness pulled at her as she studied the bony body of the old man-his tattered clothes barely covering his fragile frame-lying on a cold, hard surface."

Tilly's cousin Michael ventured into the woods for a hike and disappeared a year ago.  It has been three years since Tilly's parents died in a car accident, and Michael has been her person, the one who helped her navigate through her grief.  Gran refuses to talk about Michael's disappearance, and Tilly fears that no one is actively searching for him.  When word arrives that Opa wishes for her to spend the summer with him in Clayton Forest to study their family's magic, Tilly is thrilled, as the Forest is adjacent to Wythic Wood.  Can this be her opportunity to search for Michael?

Tilly is joined in Clayton Forest by her two cousins, Jess and Zach. They begin exploring the forest soon meeting magical creatures like fairies, gnomes and good witches.  They also receive lessons in potion-making, learn Gobight fighting, a form of goblin martial arts and become attuned to their unique style of magic.  Tilly begins to dream of the old man from the introduction, with each dream adding a new piece of information to the story.  But what exactly are the dreams trying to tell her?  Does this mean that she is a seer like her Oma? 

When Tilly experiences a new vision while awake, she interprets it as an urgent call to rescue Michael and persuades her cousins to venture with her into the Wythic Wood.   Soon the trio are being hunted by weredogs, ravens, and even the Witch of Wythic Wood.  Will they be able to find Michael and safely return to Opa in Clayton Forest?

Vanishings is the first book in the Wythic Wood Mystery series.  It has the feel of Fabelhaven's magical creature preserve, meets Alice in Wonderland's shrinking and growth potion, meets the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the Wicked Witch of the West with her winged monkeys/ravens in the current story.  At twelve-years-old, Tilly is a very determined girl, and not easily swayed from her task to rescue Michael.  She's a doer, and she needs answers.  I really enjoyed that her thoughts appear in italics on the page.  Tilly isn't entirely honest with her cousins and withholds a lot of information from them, she means well, but is pretty impulsive.  I also enjoyed how her dream came in little pieces, first just footsteps, and then a key in a lock, etc.  How we are never quite sure what this vision is trying to tell her.

There're facts about mushrooms to include the various types that can be eaten, and which kinds to avoid for being poisonous.  Even a bit about cooking being a bit like potions in terms of adding just the right mix of things.  The magical creatures that are found within Clayton Forest are interesting and don't distract from the plot.  Each character's skills were helpful in getting them through the Wythic Woods or to evade detection.  The story cumulates in a big battle, but I have to admit that I was a little let down with the ending.  Everyone just seems to return home.  So many unanswered questions, like what about the weredog curse?  The hidden elves and ancient magic, what's the wicked witches plans now?  

In the acknowledgements, Steel states that the story was inspired by Enid Blyton, C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll's books.  The next book in the series is Magical Piet: Opa's Origin Story which is available upon following the authors website. Overall, I really enjoyed the adventure and am looking forward to any future books in the series. 

 **A huge thank you to Books Forward for the Paperback ARC in exchange for an honest review** 

 I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE      

CATHARINA STEEL has an adventurous spirit and enjoys traveling and exploring. The forests in The Wythic Wood Mysteries series stems from her love for hiking, the outdoors, and the enchanting essence found in these settings. She’s had various pets over the years, among them a kid goat called “Billy,” named after the famous “Billy the Kid.” Her current cherished companion is Macherie, a gentle and sweet greyhound. During her leisure time, Catharina enjoys viewing properties, walking in the southwest region of Western Australia where she dwells, reading, sketching, and watching TV series. Find out more about them at www.catharinasteel.com.

Follow Catharina Steel on social media:

Facebook: @CatharinaSteel.Author | Instagram: @catharina_steel_author 

TikTok: @catharinasteel_author 

Youtube: @CatharinaSteel_Author | Goodreads: @Catharina_Steel