Hootcat Hill
A Novel

Reviews

“What makes this novel special is the fey, fantastical atmosphere it creates.  It uses mythological treasure troves with brio…to show how a bullied schoolgirl can find unexpected reserves of courage.”
Amanda Craig The Times Saturday March 8 2008

“Midsomer meets Middle Earth in Hootcat Hill, an everyday tale of village folk caught up in strange events when old and new magic meet in the town of Wyrmesbury.  There is a lot going on here, but Coats keeps a firm hand on her prose and brings a leavening humour to proceedings that turns her first novel into something more than a run-of-the-mill fantasy.”
Valerie Coghlan  Books for Keeps no 169  March 2008

“This is a richly embroidered, thoroughly traditional fantasy, fizzing at all corners with ideas and imaginatively-described scenes. What shines through is the author’s honest love of what she’s writing. A child’s echoing love of magic could easily make this a favourite with young readers.”
 The Truth About Kids’ Books (Part 1) by ‘Ariadne’ at Vulpes Libris—a collection of bibliophiles writing about books  20 February 2008

“The people at Orion books have outdone themselves by producing what can only be described as a modern artefact. Everything, including the cover, line drawings, font and layout have been done to thrilling perfection. This book is well written. Coats has a masterful command of language…the story is fantastic and world is well conceived. A thrilling fantasy romp!”
Jason Curley writing at www.thebookbag.com

“A lyrical fantasy full of old, dark magic entertainingly bound up with ordinary life.” Nicolette Jones  The Sunday Times Best Children’s books for Easter March 2008

“Since Harry Potter, the stigma of adults reading books aimed at teenagers and young adults has diminished and Lucy Coats’ debut novel is a perfect example of why. A coming of age tale, Hootcat Hill combines touches of Celtic mythology with personal growth, engaging characters and ancient magic. Magic and the modern world make for a thrilling tale, and the book is accentuated by talking badgers, mystical owls (or ‘Hootcats’ as they are sometimes called in East Anglia), fey folk and the essence of magic. But the story also includes real life troubles that make Linnet’s personal journey so much more heartfelt. While magic and modernity have been clashing in novels for a few years now, Hootcat Hill is one that feels more realistic. The author’s own experiences have clearly coloured her writing, making it a book to treasure for both younger readers and adults who don’t want to grow up.”
Lesley Smith writing at www.dwscifi.com

“Charming, enthralling and probably suitable for almost anybody under 11.”
Matt Warman ‘Escape to the Mythosphere’  The DailyTelegraph  March 2008

“Hootcat Hill is a delightful read…this book comes highly recommended.”
Maggie Georgopoulos writing at www.waterstones.com

“This is an assured debut novel, set in a familiar-but-different world, steeped in myth and legend. Linnet is an engaging heroine.”
Dinah Hall  The Sunday Telegraph March 2008

“Hootcat Hill is a tremendously exciting read, brimming with all the requirements any fantasy fan could wish for... a cranky fey Queen, five Guardians with magical powers and abilities (The Maiden is the sixth Guardian), odd dwarves with tattoos that come to life and most of all a young heroine who despite struggling initially to come to terms with the reality of being The Maiden, still manages to deliver us all from certain destruction.
Coats has an exceptional understanding of what young readers want from a book – Hootcat Hill is no disappointment.  Full of heart-thumping action, magic melding antics and some good old fashioned coming of age twists – this is pure entertainment and thoroughly enjoyable.  Be prepared for some occasional gritty realism – not everyone makes it to the end of this fantastical tale.”
www.thetruthaboutbooks.com April 2008

“Beautifully produced and presented by its publishers…this is a coming-of-age novel where the main protagonist is in a world much like our own so that we can easily relate to it, but where there are also very definite differences. Some of these are small and subtle, some amazing and amusing, but still more have the ability to really frighten - even our brave heroes at that. Everything is there just on the edge of normality and it is Linnet's firm grip on what really matters that is important throughout.  Like all the best fantasy fiction the magic is mixed with the mundane - like exams and worries about whether there is enough cheese in the fridge for a sandwich. No one with magical powers wastes a spell on such matters and if they do use their powers to sort out an ordinary human problem, things have a habit of going horribly wrong!

There are spells aplenty and…the whole story is rooted in Celtic mythology and traditional country beliefs - even the quality of the local beer is legendary and has a strange effect!”
Georgina Hobhouse in ‘The Corncrake’ at www.colonsay.org.uk July 1 2008

Hootcat Hill is a magnificent debut novel from a writer who gives every indication of being a very talented storyteller.

Lucy Coats has taken the many elements of a typical teenager’s life - eccentric parents, life in a small village, bullying and trouble at school - blending them with myth, folklore and magic to create a compelling, captivating novel full of excitement, action and adventure. This book is firmly rooted in fantasy and magic yet it is also a breathtaking adventure story full of twists and turns.

Lucy Coats has a fantastic imagination, and the fluency with which the story is told ensures that the reader is swept along and drawn in with ease. Hootcat Hill is fast paced, well written and easy to read. It is packed with likeable and lovable characters, some of which are pure fantasy, others that readers will be able to identify with. The story is unique yet in many ways familiar and will appeal to an audience of age 9+. It is a book that I would highly recommend reading over and again and the first ten year-old I recommended it to agrees!
Louise Ellis-Barrett Armadillo 10.2 Summer 2008 www.armadillomagazine.com

“Hootcat Hill has a wonderful heroine in Linnet Perry, with her red hair, different coloured eyes and dyslexia.”
Victoria White The Irish Times May 2008