Basti lives in a world much smaller than our own, a world of villages and tight-knit communities created after climate collapse and deadly disease wiped out all cities and most modern technology. Together with her adoptive guardian Lodyma, Basti earns her keep as a Witnesser of Miracles, experiencing the inexplicable occurrences of their home and spinning them into stories they share at the market. The two both live in the shadow of their shattered families – Basti orphaned and always feeling out of place, and Lodyma still searching for the son she had to abandon to save his life – but when they learn of a new miracle left on the doorstep of a distant monastery, family is the very thing they’ll have to face.

Once again Bren MacDibble has combined fascinating worldbuilding with emotionally resonant storytelling to create something truly special. I was immediately caught up in Basti’s precocious and empathetic voice and drawn into the mystery of her adventure. Although this is a story of a broken world and a broken family, MacDibble maintains a sense of optimism and hope that acknowledges darkness but never dwells on it. The Apprentice Witnesser is a thoughtful and thought-provoking tale perfect for ages 10+.