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ariaoffantasy's review against another edition
3.0
Overall: 3/5
Hocus Pocus was fine. I would have appreciated it more if it were a bit longer with more details. I had a lot of beef with The All-New Sequel. I grumbled through the whole thing, but the initial story was decent and the romance was done well. Individual story reviews follow below.
Hocus Pocus: 3.5/5
It's been a few years since I've seen the movie, so I read the book and watched the movie after for a comparison. The movie started with a prologue intro of Thackery and Emily's story. This book doesn't do that. Instead, it hops back and fourth between 1693 and 1993 for the first chunk. I'm not sure why they did it that way, but a lot of books these days tend to, so it didn't take away from anything for me.
The story so seems mostly the same as the movie, aside from an expanded introduction for Binx and Emily. They added insights into Max and Winifred's thinking, which was nice. Some parts and details were omitted from the book though, and I don't know why, because I don't think the book was made any better for not having them. If anything, I would have wanted it to be longer than what it was, because it was only 200 pages. The bulk of the book is obviously the sequel.
Side Notes:
Why did nobody ever bat an eye at three kids being totally willing to commit murder? We all know the witches don't die in the kiln, but as far as Max, Dani, and Allison were concerned, they believed they would, and they were fine with it.
In the chapter Maggoty Malfeasance, there is a little confusion while the witches are on the floor from the lights of the car. It says, "She got clumsily to her feet." This was referring to Winnie, who was buried under her sisters, but after a few more lines, it specifies all three of them getting up, as if that quote had never been there. Not important, just an editing error I noticed.
The All-New Sequel: 3/5
I have many complaints...
First thought, it's trying WAY too hard to be "hip and cool" with the teens, and it throws in Disney titles and Disney halloween costume mentions everywhere possible. It gets annoying.
Most people's biggest question: Are the original witches in it? Yes, they are, but it takes about 100 pages to get to them. You would think this would be a good thing, but I'm not sure it is.
The writing seems lazy. I'm seeing repeated use of the tropes used in the original. There were so many, I was literally groaning and sighing from annoyance. Example, did you like that part when Sarah danced around saying, "amok," repeatedly until Winnie elbowed her? Well, guess what? Sarah does that ALL THE TIME now.
There are three ghosts that appear to be hand-holding the protagonists, because apparently Poppy growing up with the stories of her parents' adventure wasn't good enough.
Worried you'll miss having a talking animal in the story? Don't worry, there is one.
Let's not forget the random musical number put in for Mary for no reason, aside from maybe trying to make the story feel, "more Disney."
The biggest thing wrong with the story is it invalidates the entire adventure that happened in the first story. There's supposedly an item that is a Sanderson family heirloom that can do a few different things, but one of those things is grant eternal life. So, why, then, would the Sanderson sisters not have gone looking for this item in the first story instead of relying on children?
They said a spell can only be cast once per person, yet Winifred cast it, like, three times. Seriously, what?
There were more, but I'd rather not dig through the book to remember what they were.
It's not ALL bad though. The initial premise is good, just poorly executed. The romance was done well. It wasn't forced, and just happened naturally. However, the book was left open for a third story, and I do not think this author is the right person to write it.
It wasn't horrible, but I don't approve of this as a canon sequel. I don't want to see this as a movie. I think there should be a new, better written, script or story.
Hocus Pocus was fine. I would have appreciated it more if it were a bit longer with more details. I had a lot of beef with The All-New Sequel. I grumbled through the whole thing, but the initial story was decent and the romance was done well. Individual story reviews follow below.
Hocus Pocus: 3.5/5
It's been a few years since I've seen the movie, so I read the book and watched the movie after for a comparison. The movie started with a prologue intro of Thackery and Emily's story. This book doesn't do that. Instead, it hops back and fourth between 1693 and 1993 for the first chunk. I'm not sure why they did it that way, but a lot of books these days tend to, so it didn't take away from anything for me.
The story so seems mostly the same as the movie, aside from an expanded introduction for Binx and Emily. They added insights into Max and Winifred's thinking, which was nice. Some parts and details were omitted from the book though, and I don't know why, because I don't think the book was made any better for not having them. If anything, I would have wanted it to be longer than what it was, because it was only 200 pages. The bulk of the book is obviously the sequel.
Side Notes:
Why did nobody ever bat an eye at three kids being totally willing to commit murder? We all know the witches don't die in the kiln, but as far as Max, Dani, and Allison were concerned, they believed they would, and they were fine with it.
In the chapter Maggoty Malfeasance, there is a little confusion while the witches are on the floor from the lights of the car. It says, "She got clumsily to her feet." This was referring to Winnie, who was buried under her sisters, but after a few more lines, it specifies all three of them getting up, as if that quote had never been there. Not important, just an editing error I noticed.
The All-New Sequel: 3/5
I have many complaints...
First thought, it's trying WAY too hard to be "hip and cool" with the teens, and it throws in Disney titles and Disney halloween costume mentions everywhere possible. It gets annoying.
Most people's biggest question: Are the original witches in it? Yes, they are, but it takes about 100 pages to get to them. You would think this would be a good thing, but I'm not sure it is.
The writing seems lazy. I'm seeing repeated use of the tropes used in the original. There were so many, I was literally groaning and sighing from annoyance. Example, did you like that part when Sarah danced around saying, "amok," repeatedly until Winnie elbowed her? Well, guess what? Sarah does that ALL THE TIME now.
There are three ghosts that appear to be hand-holding the protagonists, because apparently Poppy growing up with the stories of her parents' adventure wasn't good enough.
Worried you'll miss having a talking animal in the story? Don't worry, there is one.
Let's not forget the random musical number put in for Mary for no reason, aside from maybe trying to make the story feel, "more Disney."
The biggest thing wrong with the story is it invalidates the entire adventure that happened in the first story. There's supposedly an item that is a Sanderson family heirloom that can do a few different things, but one of those things is grant eternal life. So, why, then, would the Sanderson sisters not have gone looking for this item in the first story instead of relying on children?
They said a spell can only be cast once per person, yet Winifred cast it, like, three times. Seriously, what?
There were more, but I'd rather not dig through the book to remember what they were.
It's not ALL bad though. The initial premise is good, just poorly executed. The romance was done well. It wasn't forced, and just happened naturally. However, the book was left open for a third story, and I do not think this author is the right person to write it.
It wasn't horrible, but I don't approve of this as a canon sequel. I don't want to see this as a movie. I think there should be a new, better written, script or story.
mrzepka's review against another edition
4.0
Millennials will love reading this because of our obsession with the movie and its nostalgia. Part One is the movie, and I worried about how it was written kind of quick, but when I got to Part Two (the sequel), I realized it was done so we wouldn’t waste too much time reading what we already know. (This could have been remedied by releasing it as two separate books.) Once the new material takes over, we get more detailed and get to know the characters. I think the author does a great job continuing the story 25 years later, showing a plausible way the Sandersons could come back and why. It’s an easy read and I recommend it.
dani_natter's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't need half the book to be a retelling of the movie
nic_renee3's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this one. I really did! In the first part there a fairly decent narration of the original Hocus Pocus film from 1993. Part II is about Allison and Max's daughter, Poppy, as she summons the Sanderson sisters once more and the journey she takes.
The first part is about 3 stars for me. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. I listed to the audiobook, so I wish the narrator had utilized more expression and inflection in her narration to help set the mood and distinguish between the female characters.
I was bored for most of the second part, the exception being the first few chapters. There is little new here. The plot for part two is largely the same as the original plot, nothing has really changed with the Sanderson sisters (ex. no new powers/magic) and it feels like the last season of a show that should have ended two seasons ago.
The first part is about 3 stars for me. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. I listed to the audiobook, so I wish the narrator had utilized more expression and inflection in her narration to help set the mood and distinguish between the female characters.
I was bored for most of the second part, the exception being the first few chapters. There is little new here. The plot for part two is largely the same as the original plot, nothing has really changed with the Sanderson sisters (ex. no new powers/magic) and it feels like the last season of a show that should have ended two seasons ago.
emilygaynier's review against another edition
4.0
*2022*
Honestly I just reread the original story.
Is it well written? No
But it's fun!
Longer review to come
But the original story is 5/5 stars and the sequel is 3/5 stars
*Full Review*
Okay so I loved the novelization of the movie. 5/5 stars! I liked seeing inside Max's head and how his thoughts made him less into a dumb boy from the 90's and more progressive and feminist. I also liked how a scene was added to address.
Now with the Sequel, I have some thoughts and opinions.
Overall I really enjoyed my time reading it. If I was just rating off of how much fun I had reading this book, I would've give the second half around 4 stars. But! There was some issues with the plot and characterization of well known and loved characters. Also this book already feels a little dated because there are so many references to modern trends and tech. Snapchat, Instagram, and Pinterest were talked about. And while I think those things won't go anywhere soon, they do take me out of the story a bit. I would've preferred Halloween decorations that would've made a witch proud instead of Pinterest-worthy Halloween decorations. These kinds of references always feel too try hard and really date the story. It's such an easy trap to fall into too and a good editor would've caught it.
That being said! This book really needed some more editing. Or just some help in general with the plot. In this book we are following Max and Allison's daughter on her own spoopy adventure. Max and Allison are both very obsessed with magic and the witches, while also being against specific Halloween stuff and really try to distance themselves from the Sandersons. I think Allison being a lawyer as an adult makes a lot of sense, she got the best grades and is super smart. But Max being a teacher doesn't feel like something that character would do. I do like how he wears a tie die tie every Halloween, but a bow tie also doesn't feel like Max. But with the level of how much they know about magic, I personally think that they should've reopened the Sanderson Museum. Even if it was part-time and volunteer work, this would've given them a great excuse to know about the blood moon and being weary about the spirit board.
The thing I probably enjoyed the most about this book was how many lame Halloween and Witch puns there were. Resting Witch Face and stuff like that. 100/10, would pun again.
Below is going to be about specific things I liked and disliked about this book.
Huge spoiler warning!
Click if you dare!
Mary also got a song and dance scene and that felt out of place. It might've been better in a movie, but I think it should've been left out. It didn't add to the story or make it fun. Honestly, I skipped it.
Also with the animal transformation, would Winnie need to know what a Boston Terrier is in order to turn someone into one or is it like a personality thing? Cause Binx got turned into a cat deliberately. And there was the remark saying Winnie chose a small dog because they are useless and not as troublesome as a cat. Again a Boston Terrier just felt out of place. Maybe a kitten would've been better or a bird or something more in the spirit of Halloween.
Also with the blood moonstone, this is something else that would've fit well with Max and Allison if they had reopened the Sanderson Museum. We got references to the fourth Sanderson in both the original story as a book and the sequel. But the blood moonstone was just brought up when it was needed. Poppy and her friends were told about it from Elizabeth Sanderson without any foreshadowing. It just felt like bad story telling.
A few last things
I loved the photo from Halloween 1994
A lot of these scenes read like movie scenes, which (witch, hehe) I enjoyed
The thing that spells out words on a spirit board is called a planchette, not a cursor
The romance was super cute
Honestly I just reread the original story.
Is it well written? No
But it's fun!
Longer review to come
But the original story is 5/5 stars and the sequel is 3/5 stars
*Full Review*
Okay so I loved the novelization of the movie. 5/5 stars! I liked seeing inside Max's head and how his thoughts made him less into a dumb boy from the 90's and more progressive and feminist. I also liked how a scene was added to address
Spoiler
how Max was objectifying Allison and Dani embarrassing themNow with the Sequel, I have some thoughts and opinions.
Overall I really enjoyed my time reading it. If I was just rating off of how much fun I had reading this book, I would've give the second half around 4 stars. But! There was some issues with the plot and characterization of well known and loved characters. Also this book already feels a little dated because there are so many references to modern trends and tech. Snapchat, Instagram, and Pinterest were talked about. And while I think those things won't go anywhere soon, they do take me out of the story a bit. I would've preferred Halloween decorations that would've made a witch proud instead of Pinterest-worthy Halloween decorations. These kinds of references always feel too try hard and really date the story. It's such an easy trap to fall into too and a good editor would've caught it.
That being said! This book really needed some more editing. Or just some help in general with the plot. In this book we are following Max and Allison's daughter on her own spoopy adventure. Max and Allison are both very obsessed with magic and the witches, while also being against specific Halloween stuff and really try to distance themselves from the Sandersons. I think Allison being a lawyer as an adult makes a lot of sense, she got the best grades and is super smart. But Max being a teacher doesn't feel like something that character would do. I do like how he wears a tie die tie every Halloween, but a bow tie also doesn't feel like Max. But with the level of how much they know about magic, I personally think that they should've reopened the Sanderson Museum. Even if it was part-time and volunteer work, this would've given them a great excuse to know about the blood moon and being weary about the spirit board.
Spoiler
Also I find Allison being against fake tombstones because of Billy is weirdThe thing I probably enjoyed the most about this book was how many lame Halloween and Witch puns there were. Resting Witch Face and stuff like that. 100/10, would pun again.
Below is going to be about specific things I liked and disliked about this book.
Huge spoiler warning!
Click if you dare!
Spoiler
I personally felt like this book was trying too hard and not hard enough. There were so many, almost painful, references to the first story that either should not have been in the book or should've leaned harder into the reference. Such as, the sequel has a Halloween party scene where Allison dresses up as Lady Gaga. Poppy has the same reaction to her and Dani had to her mom as Madanna. Not that Lady Gaga isn't relevant anymore, but I think that if Allison had dressed as Madanna in a different style, it would've fit the reference better. Max was dressed as the Hollywood sign (which I loved!). It was a perfect reference for his nickname from '93. Gaga just felt out of place.Mary also got a song and dance scene and that felt out of place. It might've been better in a movie, but I think it should've been left out. It didn't add to the story or make it fun. Honestly, I skipped it.
Also with the animal transformation, would Winnie need to know what a Boston Terrier is in order to turn someone into one or is it like a personality thing? Cause Binx got turned into a cat deliberately. And there was the remark saying Winnie chose a small dog because they are useless and not as troublesome as a cat. Again a Boston Terrier just felt out of place. Maybe a kitten would've been better or a bird or something more in the spirit of Halloween.
Also with the blood moonstone, this is something else that would've fit well with Max and Allison if they had reopened the Sanderson Museum. We got references to the fourth Sanderson in both the original story as a book and the sequel. But the blood moonstone was just brought up when it was needed. Poppy and her friends were told about it from Elizabeth Sanderson without any foreshadowing. It just felt like bad story telling.
A few last things
I loved the photo from Halloween 1994
A lot of these scenes read like movie scenes, which (witch, hehe) I enjoyed
The thing that spells out words on a spirit board is called a planchette, not a cursor
The romance was super cute
marylou_w's review against another edition
2.0
As I was reading this book, I thought I'd give it 3 stars, but after finishing, I feel it's a 2. I liked the first part, but I feel like that's a given, as it is basically just the movie in book form (even the dialogue is all the same). The second part left me feeling unsatisfied.
I'm glad that Poppy's sexuality was never a big deal in the sense that it was just a given, but the romance itself fell flat for me. I felt like the moments of her thinking of Isabella came during so much action that it just didn't feel realistic. I also just generally did not like the characters, and I'm slightly annoyed that the book is open-ended with the potential for another sequel.
I also found Mary's singing scene EXTREMELY awkward. It was clearly written more like a script to be acted out, and not like a passage in a book. And I felt all of the more "adult" jokes a little distasteful. I get that movies like to do that because parents are also watching, but this is a children's book for children. The adult humor is not needed.
Overall, this book was not my cup of tea, which was sad, because I really love the movie. The characters were flat and there were inconsistencies in terms of names and information. I also did not find it believable that these kids were in high school. This is a middle-grade book, and the kids in this story are middle schoolers through and through.
I'm glad that Poppy's sexuality was never a big deal in the sense that it was just a given, but the romance itself fell flat for me. I felt like the moments of her thinking of Isabella came during so much action that it just didn't feel realistic. I also just generally did not like the characters, and I'm slightly annoyed that the book is open-ended with the potential for another sequel.
I also found Mary's singing scene EXTREMELY awkward. It was clearly written more like a script to be acted out, and not like a passage in a book. And I felt all of the more "adult" jokes a little distasteful. I get that movies like to do that because parents are also watching, but this is a children's book for children. The adult humor is not needed.
Overall, this book was not my cup of tea, which was sad, because I really love the movie. The characters were flat and there were inconsistencies in terms of names and information. I also did not find it believable that these kids were in high school. This is a middle-grade book, and the kids in this story are middle schoolers through and through.
empat's review against another edition
3.0
A very nostalgic read for 90's kids. The writing isn't amazing, but I wasn't expecting it to be, tbh.
whatkreads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
nikolas1975's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The part of the book that was Hocus Pocus is really good. The author filled in some back story really well. The sequel was ok. It was too slow to get going. The main character, Poppy, was kinda annoying for most of the story.