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kammi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
lauralynnwalsh's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted something a bit lighter, since my life right now has been "challenging", and this fit the bill for this, but the story didn't quite make it for me.
The characters are the main attraction, but somehow, I just didn't find out enough about them to make a real connection. For example, you don't really get to know Heckie and her friend Dora, before they have a big fight and stop talking to each other. You don't care enough about the friendship to feel its loss until much later in the book.
And some of the characters, especially the other witches and the children, seem uni-dimensional. One wizard wants to make cheese walk. This could be a great joke, but it isn't developed enough to help me understand him - to feel his quirks and sympathize with him. It is just a one-line joke, until it comes in handy later in the story. You do find out a lot about some of the villains, but what you find out is mostly there to convince you that Heckie's plan for them (turning them into animals) is justified.
I don't think children would mind these flaws, but for me, it keeps the book from being a classic. Enjoyable, but superficial.
The characters are the main attraction, but somehow, I just didn't find out enough about them to make a real connection. For example, you don't really get to know Heckie and her friend Dora, before they have a big fight and stop talking to each other. You don't care enough about the friendship to feel its loss until much later in the book.
And some of the characters, especially the other witches and the children, seem uni-dimensional. One wizard wants to make cheese walk. This could be a great joke, but it isn't developed enough to help me understand him - to feel his quirks and sympathize with him. It is just a one-line joke, until it comes in handy later in the story. You do find out a lot about some of the villains, but what you find out is mostly there to convince you that Heckie's plan for them (turning them into animals) is justified.
I don't think children would mind these flaws, but for me, it keeps the book from being a classic. Enjoyable, but superficial.
themoonphoenix's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
harini's review against another edition
5.0
So good. One day I will make my children read this for sure.
ravipotter's review against another edition
Reading the first chapter I thought it was like one of those plot less, utterly terribly predictable and typical two page myth stories, like 'the princess who was a mouse'. But boy was I wrong?
In a very subtle way she dealt with many dark aspects including cruelty to animals and prisoners and all such while never being melodramatic. It has enough fun and plot to keep one engrossed. The author wasn't afraid to show the darkness out in society while also not lecturing the readers. She did one hell of a job.
You wouldn't regret reading it. It would be a great read for children and adults.
In a very subtle way she dealt with many dark aspects including cruelty to animals and prisoners and all such while never being melodramatic. It has enough fun and plot to keep one engrossed. The author wasn't afraid to show the darkness out in society while also not lecturing the readers. She did one hell of a job.
You wouldn't regret reading it. It would be a great read for children and adults.
ravipotter's review against another edition
Reading the first chapter I thought it was like one of those plot less, utterly terribly predictable and typical two page myth stories, like 'the princess who was a mouse'. But boy was I wrong?
In a very subtle way she dealt with many dark aspects including cruelty to animals and prisoners and all such while never being melodramatic. It has enough fun and plot to keep one engrossed. The author wasn't afraid to show the darkness out in society while also not lecturing the readers. She did one hell of a job.
You wouldn't regret reading it. It would be a great read for children and adults.
In a very subtle way she dealt with many dark aspects including cruelty to animals and prisoners and all such while never being melodramatic. It has enough fun and plot to keep one engrossed. The author wasn't afraid to show the darkness out in society while also not lecturing the readers. She did one hell of a job.
You wouldn't regret reading it. It would be a great read for children and adults.
julesg's review against another edition
4.0
It's a children's book full of quirky characters. Yes, the plot is predictable, but I didn't mind it at all.
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