Review: Ancora: the Fog Banshee’s Curse
Four sisters and a mysterious fog banshee? Yes, please!
I wasn’t sure what to expect when this book arrived in my mailbox, but as I sat down to write my review, I found myself wishing that I had read the book sooner. Miriam Pittman’s first installment in the Ancora series is as intriguing and rewarding as its title promised it would be. The Chronicles of Narnia meets The Penderwicks in this fun and lighthearted adventure following three sisters as they explore a fantastical world.
When Kat Harper and her sisters go on summer vacation so that their father can teach summer classes at the local college, none of them are expecting to find a magical world just steps away from their little cabin’s door. But when Kat and her sisters accidentally stumble into the world of Ancora, they discover that this summer is going to be a lot more special—and a lot more dangerous—than they originally anticipated.
New friends, charming horse thieves, delicious desserts, and magical creatures await the Harper sisters. But under all the magic and wonder lies a deeper secret, one that the people of Ancora do not seem ready to tell them. The fearful Fog Banshee is coming to find them—and for some reason, the Harpers’ destiny seems entwined with the monster’s.
The themes of this book were very refreshing in that they promoted selflessness over selfishness and courage and honor over self-preservation. A good example is our heroine, Kat. While perhaps not always the most obedient, Kat is curious and spunky, never afraid to do what she believes is right, even if it means risking herself in the process. This was a pleasant change from what I’m used to seeing in current fiction, where the main character is, more often than not, encouraged to make decisions that are best for them. In contrast, Pittman makes it clear that sometimes doing the right thing isn’t going to turn out very well for you—and that you should still do the right thing anyway.
It’s these themes —the themes of selflessness and sacrifice, and the example the Harper sisters set by their courage —that won me over to this book. Too often, children are told to “take care of number one” and to prioritize themselves over the needs of others. Not only is this a self-centered and damaging point of view, but it’s also in direct contrast with how Christ tells us to live.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourself.”
-Philippians 2:3
Kit and her sisters are driven by their curiosity, yes—but as the story progresses and their new friends become endangered, they choose to fight for what’s right even though it’s the dangerous way to go. We may not have any real fog banshees in our lives, but stories like this do serve as a reminder: when our family in Christ is struggling, do we risk ourselves to aid and comfort them? Do we stand up for them even when there are painful consequences? Fog banshees or no, we should be living sacrifices in our day-to-day lives!
While some independently published debuts struggle to maintain consistent quality throughout, I found Pittman’s novel to be a breath of fresh air. If I hadn’t had any context for the story beforehand, I would have believed it to have been written by a seasoned author and edited by a full-fledged team of editors. The plot twists were surprising, and the characters were colorful and clever. I especially enjoyed Miriam’s bright humor and her relatable portrayal of sibling relationships, both the good and the bad. Her creative interpretation of classic fantasy creatures was unique. My only complaint as the reader is that I wish I could have known even more about Ancora! This story felt original and yet simultaneously familiar.
With no questionable content (unless you have an irrational fear of wicked fog banshees!), this book is a great option for kids 8+, and I would happily hand this book to my younger siblings. I look forward to the next book in the Ancora series, and I can’t wait to see what Pittman writes in the future.
You can find her on her blog at https://emmathebard.wixsite.com/egrunyan where she posts twice a week on Christianity and creativity.
- Review: Ancora: the Fog Banshee’s Curse - July 30, 2025
- Review: Through the Keeper’s Door - October 2, 2024
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