Thorfinn and the Witch's Curse

Jay Veloso Batista talks to Boomers on Books about ‘Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse’.

Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse

The Forerunner Series Book One

WINNER of the 2020 Wishing Shelf Book and Readers’ Favorites 2021 Awards!

Viking legends, unforgettable characters and authentic history combine in an exciting series starter! Vikings and Saxons, ghostly curses, witches and soothsayers, dangerous were-creatures and a young boy who must find his courage…

Danelaw life is good! Practicing martial skills, grumbling over chores, listening to scary stories and shadowing his brothers everywhere, Finn is a normal boy of ten in the Viking Kingdoms of ninth century England. A bit timid, his father plots his apprenticeship while the family prepares a grand wedding. Off to the North, his uncle sails home after years of exile. And unbeknownst to all, the ghost of an ancient mage sits sentinel over his clan freehold. But when a witch’s curse comes alive, a mishap turns young Finn into a vardoger, haunted by his own forerunner ghost.

Suddenly thrust into a new realm beyond Midgard, Finn struggles to be a boy by day and a ghost at night. His own clan fears him, he overhears murder plots, he learns the truth of giants and the hidden folk, and the witch still hunts revenge…

Will Finn find the courage to defeat his enemies, save his uncle, and accept his new ghostly existence?

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“WOW! This is a compelling “coming of age” story that centres around a shy boy who ultimately finds courage. It is an enjoyable, page turning read which is full of history, ghost stories and of course Vikings!”

“A story of coming of age, learning to own your power, and facing up to an epic adventure … a superb work of fantasy fiction which will surely tick all the boxes for fans of the genre. A highly immersive, descriptive work, and a fast-paced and exciting plot delivers a satisfying and sensational series opener. Overall, I would highly recommend Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse to high fantasy fans of all ages seeking a fantastic adventure.”

–K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

“Author Jay Veloso Batista beautifully draws you into this tale of familial love, loyalty, and sacrifice that gives a different view of the Norsemen that we have always been told were intent on rape, pillage, and destruction. To be sure, there is plenty of action and fighting in this tale, but the central themes are those of family, love, devotion, and cultural pride. … This book does a fantastic job of introducing and elucidating on Norse lore, magical, beliefs, and cultural norms. The characters ring true and, as a reader, it was easy to be drawn to the young Finn, who, as a third boy in the family, was destined to live an ordinary and unexciting life. The unexpected adventures he stumbled over gave a depth of character to the young man that bodes well for future iterations of this series.“

–Grant Leishman for Readers’ Favorite

“The first thing you will notice about Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse is the complete immersion in the world. Vibrant descriptions and masterful scene settings draw you into a time of ages past where you will truly feel as if you are in the hustle and bustle of the world, absorbing every detail as it unfolds around you to provide a strong and realistic setting. The characters are distinctive, each possessing their own story arc, which adds to the full feel of the world and the depth of people within when they are taken on a rollercoaster ride of excitement, fear, and intrigue. Action, danger, change, and adventure combine in a plot filled with myth, superstition, legend, and the supernatural. An entertaining read with great scene-setting and plot development.”

— K.J. Simmill for Readers’ Favorite