The Gifts That Bind Us

O’Donoghue is wonderfully attuned to the delights and agonies of adolescence. The emotional intelligence of this book, and its grasp of how friendships can be a source of fierce love and tremendous pain at different times, is what stands out here; every detail rings true. This series is Ireland’s answer to Buffy the Vampire Slayer; I adore it. -- Claire Hennessy * The Irish Times *

A great blend of witchy drama and nuanced teenage relationships.

* The i *

The world O’Donoghue has built with its poky but believable small Irish town and distinct magic system is a pleasure to spend time in. Teen readers will love this series – but adults might learn a thing or two as well.

* Irish Business Post *
a book that bewitches the reader * Armadillo *

Handling all the classic teenage themes of isolation, sex, feeling different and even self-sabotage with a wonderfully realistic and down-to-earth approach O’Donoghue refuses to condescend to her audience. It’s with a lightness of hand that she sketches this time of transition and self-identification, capturing the terror of making what we think are life-altering choices at 17.

Brave, but incredibly relatable, these teens are written with wit, honesty and great authenticity.

With great heart and empathy, O’Donoghue takes the second book in a more mature direction, but the magic of the first (All Our Hidden Gifts) remains with deeper, more intimate explorations of relationships, traumas and how finding yourself can sometimes feel like losing yourself at first…truly spellbinding.

* The Irish Independent *