Entertainment
5 February, 2026
Witchful thinking
THERE’S a new witch on the block for young adult readers, and her name is Raven Shikoba.
Already, she has received a 5-star review from Readers’ Choice Book Awards.
For local writer Wendy Pim, the release of her debut novel, Raven and the Witch, is the end of a long-held ambition and the beginning of a new chapter – many new chapters – in her life as a published author, as she builds on Raven’s success, and creates more books in her series, The Bloodlines of Destiny Chronicles.
“I started writing some 15 years ago. It wasn’t until my late brother Brent became Ill, that I wanted to fulfil a promise to him, to finish my story and continue on my path to become a published author and artist,” she said.
“My brother’s passing pushed me to follow my dreams. I clearly remember his words; ‘Don’t do what I did, and work your life away … because after all, life is short’.”
True to her promise, Wendy, an allied health worker on the Tablelands, launched her book in Yungaburra in December with a quiet satisfaction and determination.
Raven and the Witch is set in the wilds of 18th century Canada where Raven Shikoba, a fierce young Mohawk girl, discovers a destiny far more perilous than she ever imagined.
Born with the ability to shapeshift, Raven struggles to master her fledgling powers.
But darkness looms. A menacing blood witch, one who has tormented Raven’s ancestors for generations, rises from the shadows with a plan to destroy her people and the delicate balance of their world.
As Raven’s magic grows, so too does the threat of this ancient bloodline enemy. Torn between her duty to her people and the rising tension within herself, Raven must confront her lineage and her dangerous destiny.
Wendy centres the book on Native American culture, for which she has had a love and fascination “for as long as I can remember”.
Born and raised for her first 13 years in New Zealand, she would collect bones and feathers to craft ornaments, long before she understood their cultural significance.
Her passion led her to travel solo to America many years later, where she visited reservations and brought home treasured jewellery and carvings that continue to inspire her work both in art and writing.
When teenager Wendy and her family moved to Brisbane, her love for the outdoors, sport and art – particularly fantasy art, continued to flourish.
So too, did her capacity to hold her own with three older brothers, and her “best friends”. She earned three belts in Kung Fu before taking up Muay Thai kickboxing.
Martial Arts taught her confidence, respect, honour, and dedication, she said – all qualities reflected in her main protagonist, Raven, “a heroine not to be messed with”.
Now living on the Tablelands, Wendy feels at home, working in a job she loves, and having a backdrop to foster her creativity.
“I love the Tablelands, parts of it remind me so much of NZ, the farmlands and rainforests, I adore it.”
Raven and the Witch by Wendy Pym is available at all leading bookstores and online.
