This magical, heartfelt and thrilling adventure from the White Witch Shop of Spiton to the pyramids and tombs of Egypt, is guaranteed to capture the minds of readers everywhere. It is an uniquely insightful blend of fantasy and historical fiction. Move over Harry Potter, it’s time for Isobel Ashwell’s story to begin.
Our story begins in Egypt 1936, as Lady Ludroth’s grandfather and archaeologist Harold Ludroth discovered the lost tomb of Pharaoh Akhanatu. In this tomb, hidden for centuries, is the powerful Serpent of Anata, which can heal and raise the dead. The serpent once belonged to evil high priestess Sekhmet, who murdered the pharaoh and was sentenced to death.
In the 21st century, a young intelligent white witch called Isobel Ashwell, who practises magic with her powerfully gifted grandmother Lilith, much to her resultant refuses to use magic mother, Diana. Isobel is soon give her first quest, go to Egypt with her grandmothers friend, Lady Ludorth; and find the ancient Serpent of Anata, before the young wizard Nemor claims it first for his own malicious gain.
Nemor intends to use the serpent to save his father, the great dark wizard Karlad who once cursed Isobel’s grandfather Arthur and has resented the family ever since. Isobel and her friends are on a race against time, to find the serpent first and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
The first instalment of this heart felt and action packed fantasy series, starts off the series with a bang, as our protagonist is sent straight into action in Egypt, and into the beginning of her magical destiny, which slowly begins to unfold in later books. The Serpent of Anata has all the elements of jaw-dropping action adventure, a mystical mysterious fantasy and relatable tale of family, friendship, and a new notions on the struggle between what is good and what is right, and good versus evil, something Isobel is forced to comfort in ways young witches her age could only find in their deepest dreams and nightmares.
Rolfe has gifted readers with a a feminist protagonist, who proves capable of handling herself in Egypt, who isn’t afraid to fail but strivers to do what she wants to do and who isn’t afraid to ask for help when she needs it, which is a admirable and refreshing quality to see in a character. Not forgetting the numerous other strong female characters (in a series uniquely dominated by female characters, aside from Nemor, which is a nice surprise) such as Lilith, Diana, Isobel’s friend Holly, and Lady Ludroth.
I have the privilege of knowing our talented local author Tracey, and when you meet her, it’s clear to see where her books have captured the attention of readers everywhere. The way she draws amazingly truthful details from the real life shop that inspires her book (the white witch ship of Waltham Abbey) and incorporates fantasy elements of magic, myth and lore with central historical events and relics, is evident in the enthusiastic and knowledgeable way she talks about her books, and the kind caring person she is.
The Serpent of an Anata is the perfect read for magical fantasy fans who want something with more action and more female characters. The flashbacks, foreshadowing, and plot reveals keep on coming in this race against time, as time and magic collide as Isobel rushes to find the serpent first, and come to terms with her magical legacy.
You can purchase the The White Witch of Spiton and the Serpent of Anata and the rest of the books in the series, on Amazon; here:
The White Witch and the Serpent of Anata
The White Witch and the Book of Dreams
The White Witch and the Stones of Destiny
The White Witch and the Goddess of the Moon
the girl and the city of books 
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