Other editions of book The Doomspell: A Battle Between Good and Evil

The first volume in Cliff McNish's best-selling debut trilogy. In a blaze of light, rush of wind, and scrabble of claws, Rachel and Eric are ripped through the wall and hurtled on to another world. Like thousands of other children before them, they have been snatched away by the Witch. But this time the Witch has met her match. Rachel discovers that she has extraordinary gifts: she can transform herself into a feather, or fly on an owl’s back, just as the Witch can. The Witch is excited she has found someone to use for her own evil purposes. But for the Witch’s victims, Rachel is their only hope. Read by Siân Phillips Music by Peter Rinne with Andrew Butler Abridged by Patricia Saunders Original text Cliff McNish 2000

In a blaze of light, rush of wind and scrabble of claws, Rachel and Eric are ripped through the wall and hurtled on to another world. Like thousands of other children before them, they have been snatched away by the Witch. But this time the Witch has met her match. Rachel discovers that she has extraordinary gifts: she can transform herself into a feather, or fly on an owl’s back, just as the Witch can. The Witch is excited she has found someone to use for her own evil purposes. But for the Witch’s victims, Rachel is their only hope.Reviews'High fantasy, richly imagined and refreshingly well-written — an excellent novel.' The Sunday Times 'Brilliant, breathless and filled with action from page one.' Kids Out'Gripping, racy, children have been fighting to borrow it.' The Guardian'An incredible world in which the reader will become totally absorbed.' The Bookseller'A vivid world of magical possibilities.' The Times 'A thrilling and magical read - there is a real build up of suspense with plenty of twists and turns. It is full of brilliant descriptions of events, characters and places.' Library and Information Service for Schools 'Places him firmly among much more well-known names such as Philip Pullman and C.S.Lewis - Ithrea is a truly complete world, and the characters are beautifully conceived to obtain an emotional response from the reader.' BookMonster

In a blaze of light, rush of wind, and scrabble of claws, Rachel and her younger brother are ripped through the wall and hurtled on to another world. Like thousands of children before them, they have been snatched away by the Witch. But this time the Witch has met her match. Rachel discovers that she has extraordinary gifts: she can transform herself into a speck of dust, or fly on an owl's back, just as the Witch can. The Witch is excited - she has found someone she can use for her own evil purposes. But for the Witch's victims, Rachel is their only hope. A great narrative drive, strong characters and emotions, a beautifully imagined world and delicious touches of magic and humour are hallmarks of Cliff's debut.

In a blaze of light, rush of wind, and scrabble of claws, Rachel and her younger brother are ripped through the wall and hurtled on to another world. Like thousands of children before them, they have been snatched away by the Witch. But this time the Witch has met her match. Rachel discovers that she has extraordinary gifts: she can transform herself into a speck of dust, or fly on an owl's back, just as the Witch can. The Witch is excited - she has found someone she can use for her own evil purposes. But for the Witch's victims, Rachel is their only hope. Cliff McNish's first book is a real page turner. A great narrative drive, strong characters and emotions, a beautifully imagined world and delicious touches of magic and humour show him to be a natural-born storyteller with an instinctive understanding of what children will enjoy. Rave reports are coming in from 10 to 12 year-olds and from adult fantasy lovers too, indicating that in Cliff McNish we have discovered a new and highly commercial author of huge talent and an exceptionally broad appeal.