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Blackbirch: The Beginning Paperback – February 17, 2020

by K.M. Allan (Author)

4.7 25 ratings

Book 1 of 4: Blackbirch

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Welcome to Blackbirch. It's a place no one forgets. Except for Josh Taylor.

The fatal car crash took more than 17-year-old Josh's parents. It stole his memories and returned him to his birthplace, Blackbirch, a tourist town steeped in a history of witchcraft.

Amongst friends he's forgotten and a life he doesn't want, Josh is haunted by nightmares so believable he swears the girl in his dreams is real. Kallie is so captivating he ignores her blood-stained hands, but he can't overlook the blue glow summoned to her skin.

Kallie says it's an ancient magic they share and a secret worth hiding, because as Josh discovers, they aren't the only gifted ones.

To restore his memories and find the true cause of the car accident, he must learn what's real. And what secrets Blackbirch has buried in its woods.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dark secrets, dangerous woods, murder, magick and mayhem, everything you need for an engaging read. This is a wonderful debut from a very talented writer." - Goodreads Review

"Blackbirch: The Beginning has the kind of smart, sharp prose that makes it stand head and shoulders above the usual YA read." - Goodreads Review

"I devoured this book! The intrigue grabs you from page one, and this air of mystery and magic carries throughout the whole story." - Goodreads Review

"Blackbirch: The Beginning is the kind of book that will make you stay up late reading it, and then invade your dreams." - Goodreads Review

"K.M Allan weaves you into the story at a visceral level - creating a sense of place and a feeling of dread, that follows you right through to the closing pages." - Goodreads Review

About the Author

K.M. Allan is an identical twin, but not the evil one. She started her career penning beauty articles for a hairstyling website and now powers herself with chocolate and green tea while she writes novels and blogs about writing.
When she's not creating YA stories full of hidden secrets, nightmares, and powerful magic, she likes to read, binge-watch too much TV, spend time with family, and take more photos than she will ever humanly need.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ K.M. Allan (February 17, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 212 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0648773000
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0648773009
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 - 18 years
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.48 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #5,245,750 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,072 in Teen & Young Adult Magical Realism Fiction
- #3,944 in Teen & Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy
- #6,307 in Teen & Young Adult Wizards & Witches Fantasy

Customer Reviews:
4.7 25 ratings

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K.M. Allan

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K.M. Allan is an identical twin, but not the evil one. She started her career penning beauty articles for a hairstyling website and now powers herself with chocolate and green tea while she writes novels and blogs about writing.

When she’s not creating YA stories full of hidden secrets, nightmares, and powerful magic, she likes to read, binge-watch too much TV, spend time with family, and take more photos than she will ever humanly need.

Visit her website, www.kmallan.com, to discover the mysteries of the universe. Or at the very least, some good writing tips.

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4.7 out of 5

25 global ratings

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Ms. Laurie J. Bell

A great read for Halloween month! or any month really

Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2020

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This is a terrificly scary fantasy. A mysterious dark YA thriller and I was drawn in from the first page. Poor Josh. A car accident killed his family and his memory is lost. His mother’s best friend has taken Josh in, which brings Josh back to his childhood town of Blackbirch.

Blackbirch is named after the blackbirch trees that surround the small town. It’s also a small town with a witch history making it quite the tourist attraction. But it’s not just tourists who believe in magic. Many of the townsfolk do as well. Josh is not a fan. He can’t remember the town or his old school friends but they remember him and want him to be the Josh of old. But there is something about this town Josh was made to forget. Finding out what he can’t remember will hurt more than just Josh. Along with his old school friends, there is a dream girl who is trapped, a witch girl who desires more magic, and a shadowy figure hunting Josh. If he doesn’t find out what he can’t remember more than just his past will be lost.

This is a fantastic book one. K.M. Allan paints a gloriously spooky world of magic and fear. The town of Blackbirch is a character in its own right. The young men and women of this witchy place are layered and well defined. The pacing is perfect for the tale. K.M. Allan does a great job of creating a creepy vibe that flows from every page. A great read for Halloween. I’m absolutely looking forward to book two.

2 people found this helpful

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Felix I.D. Dimaro

A Thrilling and Transportative Tale

Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2020

Blackbirch: The Beginning by K.M. Allan is a supernatural Young Adult mystery about a small town known for its population of black birch trees and its history of witchcraft. We follow the story of Josh, a teenager who has just returned to Blackbirch after the death of his parents. He has no memory of much of his past and of how deep his roots (see what I did there?) go in this town.

This was a fast-paced and thrilling read. Mixing in a good amount of action, awesome imagery and some pretty cool twists and turns. I wish I had known more about the nature and rules of the magic(k) that is described in this book, but that’s why there is a sequel – one that I am looking forward to.

I enjoyed this book, particularly the way it wrapped up, though I kept thinking to myself that I really would have appreciated it more when I was younger, which is a complement to the author because many parts of this book made me think of the young reader that I was, and made me really connect with my imagination.
I will be back to catch up with the residents of Blackbirch when book two comes out, and I recommend that you (and your kids) get acquainted with them as well

One person found this helpful

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Lauren Miller

Mystery Abounds in this Exciting YA Novel

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2020

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Mystery abounds in this fresh and exciting YA novel, which is the first book in the series to come. Young Josh Taylor has been sent to live in the town of Blackbirch with his mother's best friend, after the car accident that took his parents' lives. Part of the mystery is that Josh suffers from a sort of amnesia which keeps much of his memories hazy. Though he doesn't know why.

Blackbirch is a touristy town that heralds a reputation of being a location for witchcraft and magick. His mother's friend, Grace, owns a store dealing in spell books, candles, herbs and other magical items. Eve, who believes in magick, and Sarah, who doesn't, are Josh's friends. Josh doesn't pay attention to any of it until he touches a magical item and then power he doesn't understand shoots through him.

To add to these circumstances, a girl named Kallie, who only comes to him in his dreams, warns him of impending danger and a sinister presence. Josh is driven to find the answers to his questions. And some mysterious force keeps drawing him deep into the woods toward a house that he's told doesn't exist. The mysteries keep mounting. What really happened to his parents? What caused the car accident. Why can't he remember so many things. Who can he trust?

The world building is terrific. Blackbirch is a town we'd all be fascinated by, a place we'd all want visit. The books ends with us needing to read the next in the series to get our own questions answered. This is a clean, and a true young adult book, though all ages will enjoy the premise. KM Allan has crafted an intriguing and mysterious story with more to come.

One person found this helpful

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Lemony Reader

Highly Recommend this broody, magical YA novel

Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2020

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I bought this for my 19 year old niece for a ski trip, who read it in one weekend, before passing it along to her 15 year old sister, who also loved it. So then I just read it and really enjoyed it. It had the same vibe as Anna Dressed in Blood but witchy and full of secrets. I loved the town, the forests and intrigue between Josh and the mysterious girl of his dreams. No spoilers but the scene in the woods with fire haunted me for days. I just wish that book two was out because I hate waiting once I find a series to love. Other than that small thing- highly recommend!

2 people found this helpful

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F. Phillips P. Phillips

Great beginning

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2024

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Let’s start by saying this is the first book in a series which pleases me immensely because there’s no way I want to say goodbye to Josh and Sarah. I love well-written witchy fiction and that’s exactly what this novel provides.

Great characters. Intrigue. Characters good, bad, and everything in between. The big reveal towards the end of the novel was incredibly well done, if not altogether unexpected. And what a brilliant way to wrap up this book and prepare readers for the next.

Absolutely brilliant.

Sarah Jayne

Cannot wait for book 2!

Reviewed in Australia on March 7, 2020

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Loved it. The storyline gets you hooked from the first chapter, and the plot twists keep you guessing right to the end. It's a great read for young adults (and adults), who enjoy mystery with a side of magic. Cannot wait to see how the story unfolds in book 2.

One person found this helpful

Julia Blake

Very enjoyable and intriguing read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2020

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This is a debut novel by a young writer I have been following for some time on social media. Having witnessed her struggles to finish the book, her epic ordeal editing it and her unpleasant brush with a small press publisher, I was invested enough to purchase a copy when it was finally released.

Technically a YA novel, it was still sophisticated and intriguing enough for this 52-year-old reader to thoroughly enjoy and relate to. Telling the tale of 17-year-old Josh’s return to his childhood hometown after the tragic death of both his parents in a car crash. But much more than just his family have been taken from Josh, most of his memories appear to be gone as well. Understandable amnesia caused by shock is the diagnosis of the doctors, but, as the tale unfolds and strange things begin to happen to Josh, the reader starts to realise there is something a lot more sinister going on.

The author writes well and is obviously comfortable creating believable and relatable teenage characters who are neither annoying nor sappy. I particularly liked the way she allows us glimpses into their internal thoughts and feelings which adds to the depth of the characters, although I have yet to make a connection with the character of Max. Very much a supporting act, I’m not sure what purpose he serves other than to eat any food he can lay his hands on and ferry the main characters around in his car. But this is only book one of the series so maybe the author had plans for Max to grow and develop into something more significant than the cypher he currently is.

Leaving aside the human cast, it is the town of Blackbirch itself that fascinated me the most. A place surrounded by a creepy wood of ancient black birch trees that are steadily encroaching on the township, it is impossible not to pick up on the sense of creeping unease. It is a town rich with a history of magic and witchcraft and Josh and his friends soon find themselves embroiled in old secrets and ancient powers that linger just beyond everyday life.

A short, quick read, Blackbirch is the perfect book for those looking for a few hours of escape and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Lyn Webster

Atmospheric, magical and memorable

Reviewed in Australia on February 18, 2020

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From the very first page, this novel established a genuinely creepy and mysterious vibe that never let up, ramping to a climax that was action-packed and satisfying, and at the same time left me wanting more of these characters. Fortunately, there are several books to come in the Blackbirch series.

I think the first thing that captured me was the magic system, which is fascinating and diverse, with deep roots in the past and the place, and also in Josh's own personal history.

The second factor I really loved was the mystery. Or rather, mysteries, because there are quite a few: Why can't Josh remember his past? What has he forgotten? Who is Kallie and what are her motives? What's really going on in the woods? Who is the scarred man? These and other questions kept me reading. Some answers are given by the end of the story, others are only hinted at in this opening novel.

Finally, the town of Blackbirch itself, with its woods and its trees (and yes, I googled black birches and wintergreen oil and disappeared down that rabbit hole for a while) is almost another character in the novel. The black birches are everywhere, casting their ominous influence over every page.

So why four stars instead of five? Honestly, it's mostly just personal preference. I would have liked the writing to be a little smoother. It's not bad, just not my favourite style. I also found Josh hard to connect to at first, although as he's lost his memory, this is understandable. But he's a moody teenager, and this grumpy older woman has less patience for that than she used to. Finally, the character of Josh's friend Sarah seems a bit bland. But these are minor quibbles, nothing that spoiled my enjoyment or made me want to stop reading. And I loved the climax.

Blackbirch: The Beginning (clever title, by the way, and you won't see how clever until you read the book for yourself) is a great story, a really exciting debut from K.M. Allan. And I have a strong feeling that now the everything has been set up so well, Book Two will be even better.

One person found this helpful

Donna Allan

Great first novel, can’t wait for more.

Reviewed in Australia on September 2, 2020

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Great read. Loved the characters and the feel for the town. Keeps you guessing till the end. Can’t wait to see what is next for the people of Blackbrich.

One person found this helpful

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