The Elixir

✨🧪⚗️🪻

by Lindsay Galvin

★★★★

Review

I read The Elixir as an eARC and, as always with a Barrington Stoke title, I knew I was in for something special. Their books are clear, simple, and incredibly accessible—perfect for all kinds of readers, especially those who might find reading a bit tricky. The gorgeous front cover was the first thing that drew me in, and thankfully, the magic continued all the way through.

One of my favourite things about this book was the magical vocabulary. Words such as “tinctures” and “witch finders” really bring the world to life and transport you back to the days of apothecaries and old superstitions. It’s packed with interesting, unusual language that will spark curiosity and imagination.

I also absolutely loved the illustrations throughout the book - they’re super enchanting and fit perfectly with the simple yet gripping storyline, adding something a little extra to the reading experience.

The plot itself is super intriguing, mixing real historical elements like England’s witch-hunting past with the scientific genius of Isaac Newton. It’s a clever combination that makes the story feel exciting and different.

Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who love science or magic (or both!) and any reader who is keen to expand their vocabulary and try something a little different!

Dive Deeper

At a glance

Author: Lindsay Galvin

Illustrator: Kristina Kister

Release Date: 5th June 2025

Book type: Short chapter, 120 pages (yellow pages, extra spaced text)

Reader level: Growing (9+)

Overview

With a witchfinder skulking about town, gifted healer Ann and a young Isaac Newton must be careful not to draw too much attention in this high-stakes story from Lindsay Galvin.

Will the discovery of the Elixir of Life lead to a death sentence for a talented young healer?

Ann Storer has inherited her grandmother’s mysterious gift of healing, which she shares through the special tinctures she dispenses in her family’s apothecary shop. When she combines her talents with the genius of a young Isaac Newton, recently arrived to board above the shop, the two create an incredible elixir with seemingly unlimited powers.

But seventeenth-century England is a dangerous place to display any special abilities, and Ann must hide all evidence when witchfinder Abel Geach arrives in town.

So when the plague starts to run rife and those she loves are in danger, will Ann risk everything to help them?