Book One: CANDLEWICKE 13: Curse of the McRavens
Valor McRaven tries to hide his odd symptoms from the “normal” witches. His shadow moves on its own, and he sometimes makes objects move without the required wand. Valor refuses to believe the rumors about his family, even after Mystic Ministry locks the McRavens in the sanatorium and schedules him to be the hunted fox in a ghastly tournament with blindfolded ogres, boiling cauldrons, and cats with moon madness.
If Valor wins, or survives, he can begin his dream of becoming an apprentice of magic at Mystic Steeples, where he hopes to unravel the death of his twin and the attempts someone keeps making to kill him. His only friends say it’s too late for that. They insist he’s the leader of their misfit coven, foretold to unravel the greatest cover-up in history (The Great Deception) and stop the Grim Warlock’s terrible Thirteenth Hour. But they’re not risking a life sentence in a dreary prison having their inner essence removed.
The only person Valor trusts is his morosely precocious adopted sister, Doomsy Gloomsy, who knows much more than any eight-year-old should.
Candlewicke 13: Curse of the McRavens, the first book in the CANDLEWICKE 13 series, contains hidden clues throughout the novel. It also contains chapter illustrations as well as a variety of maps.
In 2019, the sequel to Candlewicke 13: Curse of the McRavens, "Candlewicke 13 and the Tombstone Forest" by Milan Sergent, won the Readers' Favorite Finalist Award in the Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi category.
In 2020, the sequel to Candlewicke 13: Curse of the McRavens, "Candlewicke 13 and the Tombstone Forest" by Milan Sergent, won the Book Excellence Finalist Award in the Fantasy category.
Excerpt from a 5-star review by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
"This is a superbly entertaining work of fantasy fiction which ticks all the boxes for the younger end of the young adult reading spectrum. I really enjoyed the level of irreverent humor that peppers the pages, interrupting what could be quite intensely horrible moments and lightening them appropriately. Doomsy Gloomsy was a particular favorite of mine, with her little quips and odd turns of phrase, and the storyline that builds around Valor and his family’s intriguing past makes for excellent reading. The formatting too, with its gorgeous illustrations and classic olde-worlde print style, enhances the already high quality of the reading experience to a whole new level of awesome. Overall, Milan Sergent has done a superb job with Candlewicke 13: Curse of the McRavens, and I can’t wait for more."
Excerpt from a 5-star review by Lit Amri for Readers’ Favorite
"Readers will definitely find all the visual elements enhance the reading experience wonderfully. The gothic designs and graphics add a lot to the story, no doubt accentuating the settings, characters, and scenes, making the story esthetically attractive. The world-building is fascinatingly intricate and perturbingly eccentric, filled with fantastical creatures, a trait that one can expect from a hidden magical land called Hoopenfangia. With the premise of a boy, magic, and a challenging fate, fantasy fans will definitely be entertained by Milan Sergent’s Candlewicke 13: Curse of the McRavens. It’s a whimsical tale with a dark tone. I gravitated more towards the sharp-minded Doomsy, who’s witty in her own mordant way. Memorable characters with interesting names, high stakes, and quick-paced actions, this first book of the series will surely keep readers enthralled from start to finish."
Excerpt from a 5-star review by Ruffina Oserio for Readers’ Favorite
"Curse of the McRavens is an exciting first entry in the Candlewicke 13 Series by Milan Sergent, a gorgeous treat for fans of fantasy with unusual characters and intriguing plot lines."
Excerpt from a 5-star review by K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite
"Curse of the McRavens is the first book in Milan Sergent's Candlewicke 13 fantasy series. This is a highly detailed book with attention paid to not only world and character building, but to providing a vast history, complete with myths, legends, fables, and bestiaries. There are different types and understandings of magic, and the views on them are varied. Vivid characters and a constant sense of foreboding drive the reader forward, searching the text for hints and clues as to who is behind the horrendous acts of which Victor is being accused. The insertion of images really enhanced the chapters, and I thought the addition of the maps at the end was a great touch. Humour, drama, questions, uncertainty, and tension erupt in a world of magic where anything seems possible. Follow the trail of clues and discover more hidden truths than you would dare imagine could be concealed."
Milan Sergent's Candlewicke 13 series ranks at number four in the Children and Young Adults catagory in the state of Mississippi for the week of March 11, 2019!
Milan Sergent signs and reads book one of the Candlewicke 13 series: Candlewicke 13 Curse of the McRavens, and book two: Candlewicke 13 and the Tombstone Forest at Lemuria Books.
Cryptic Quill Publishing
Signing 5:00
On September 1, 2019, Readers’ Favorite announced that "Candlewicke 13 and the Tombstone Forest" by Milan Sergent won the Finalist Award in the Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi category in its annual international book award contest.
On September 1, 2019, Readers’ Favorite announced that "Candlewicke 13 and the Tombstone Forest" by Milan Sergent won the Finalist Award in the Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi category in its annual international book award contest.
