Knock Three Times: Wizards and Warriors join forces

Knock Three Times by Cressida Cowell

The third book in Cressida Cowell‘s THE WIZARDS OF ONCE sees our young protagonists on an adventure to collect the rare ingredients needed to banish the terrible Witches that have recently awoken all across Ancient Britain.

As difficult as it may be to find the scales of a Nuckalavee, it’s even stranger to consider the team they’ve assembled to retrieve them. Xar is the youngest son of the Head Wizard Encanzo, while Wish is the daughter of the cold Queen Sychorax, two tribes that have been at war for generations.

To make matters worse, Xar is struggling with the Witchstain on his hand (the result of his ill-fated attempt to gain magical powers) and Wish has recently found out that she has magical abilities that can work on iron (though magic is strictly forbidden among the Warrior tribes).

On board their flying door, accompanied by their extensive entourage (Wish’s bodyguard Bodkin, and Xar’s array of sprites, wolves, snowcats and giant) the two youngsters have quite an adventure ahead of them, which involves a betrayal, an underground school, a talking bear, and a cave that holds the dreaded Nuckalavee.

They’ve also got their parents to contend with, who have decided to temporarily put aside their enmity to track down their children – though as we found out in the last book, Encanzo and Sychorax were once in love, and there’s every chance that those feelings might rekindle if they spend too much time together.

I was under the assumption that this would be the final book in this series, though it’s apparent by the end that there’s at least one more on its way. And I can’t say that I mind spending a bit more time with these characters. They’re all quite lovable in their own ways, from arrogant Xar (who is improving) to compassionate Wish (still struggling with her magical eye) to Bodkin (who messes up in this book, then struggles to make amends).

Cowell beautifully describes the world of Ancient Britain, in all its danger and mystery, and fills her story with songs, jokes, poignancy and her own quirky illustrations. What else can I say? I’m invested, and can’t wait until the next book.