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steffmau's review against another edition
2.0
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only*
Ah.
I had a bit of whiplash with this read - I’d get into it and then it flops and then I get back into it ... for it to just die a death.
I think this is a great read for the younger audience but for me, the characters were just too much. Too much immaturity and wanting to be mature, magic but then there’s no magic and then a school that I can only assume we see in upcoming reads. There just wasn’t quite enough in this read to keep me going or wanting more but it has so much potential! It had great ideas, good writing style and I enjoyed the references to other books. When I did get into the read it was a pleasant one but just not for me and not one I'd really rush to re-read or recommend.
Ah.
I had a bit of whiplash with this read - I’d get into it and then it flops and then I get back into it ... for it to just die a death.
I think this is a great read for the younger audience but for me, the characters were just too much. Too much immaturity and wanting to be mature, magic but then there’s no magic and then a school that I can only assume we see in upcoming reads. There just wasn’t quite enough in this read to keep me going or wanting more but it has so much potential! It had great ideas, good writing style and I enjoyed the references to other books. When I did get into the read it was a pleasant one but just not for me and not one I'd really rush to re-read or recommend.
panamaangie's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free copy from the author, from Voracious readers Only to write an unbiased review ofTardy bells and witches’ spells Book one in the Womby’s School for Wayward Witches Series by Sarina Dorie. The story is very cute and original but doesn’t flow very well at times. From one story line or scene to the next it is very jerky and you feel like you missed a page a time or two.
This is the story of Clarissa 14 yr old about to start high school that still plays with dolls believes in fairies and wants nothing more than to have magic be real and go to Hogwarts or find Narnia in her wardrobe. She has a loving family and older sister that she looks up to. Then something happens to make her sister missy fear and dislike her. Most of the book is how she deals with making friends and dealing with bullies ( including her sister) her first yr of high school. A possible boyfriend and what if magic really does exist but isn’t what she always thought it was like from her books.
The book I got included an excerpt from the next book in the series that is a look back into Clarissa as a small child and answers a lot of questions wish it was included in this book would have made a few things make more sense. More than the actual ending in my opinion.
This is the story of Clarissa 14 yr old about to start high school that still plays with dolls believes in fairies and wants nothing more than to have magic be real and go to Hogwarts or find Narnia in her wardrobe. She has a loving family and older sister that she looks up to. Then something happens to make her sister missy fear and dislike her. Most of the book is how she deals with making friends and dealing with bullies ( including her sister) her first yr of high school. A possible boyfriend and what if magic really does exist but isn’t what she always thought it was like from her books.
The book I got included an excerpt from the next book in the series that is a look back into Clarissa as a small child and answers a lot of questions wish it was included in this book would have made a few things make more sense. More than the actual ending in my opinion.
abook_and_brew's review
4.0
*Received free from Voracious Readers Only for an honest review*
I did kind of expect this be aimed at young teens from the cover and description, but I really enjoyed it and there are some dark themes and mature content that would place it into the YA category. I loved the characters of Clarissa and Derrick and their relationship, and the characters are relatable and realistic. This was a fun read and there's 18 books in the series!
I did kind of expect this be aimed at young teens from the cover and description, but I really enjoyed it and there are some dark themes and mature content that would place it into the YA category. I loved the characters of Clarissa and Derrick and their relationship, and the characters are relatable and realistic. This was a fun read and there's 18 books in the series!
amalyndb's review
3.0
Tag: young adult, witch, fae, urban fantasy, mental illness, magic, animal sacrifice, bullying,
On one level, this is about magic and enchantment, but on another, it is about others around you “growing up” or “acting their age” while you are still engaging with the world with a childlike sense of wonder.
Clarissa is soon to start high school, but still wishes for her Hogwarts letter, for her armoire to take her to Narnia, for the Doctor to whisk her off on adventures. After a strange experience at a fair, a rift grows between her sister and herself.
Having been a shy geek, Clarissa is confused when on her first day of ninth grade she is rejected by her older sister publically - and then when a 17 year old boy and other misfits welcome her into their nerd herd.
She discovers that magic is real, despite the years of her mother telling her otherwise. And that it is perhaps as wonderful as she imagined - but also extremely dangerous.
An entertaining read, this is non-devotional non-thiestic magic, with the Fae around and a touch of ceremonial magic performed by others, but without direct chants or invocations in the text.
(As a note: Animal sacrifice does not happen “on-screen” so to speak - it is the not the main character sacrificing or harming animals but she is present when remains are discovered. The main character of Clarissa acknowledges that magic has a price, but does not feel that taking lives, human or animal, to be worth it for her, or something she is willing to do.)
On one level, this is about magic and enchantment, but on another, it is about others around you “growing up” or “acting their age” while you are still engaging with the world with a childlike sense of wonder.
Clarissa is soon to start high school, but still wishes for her Hogwarts letter, for her armoire to take her to Narnia, for the Doctor to whisk her off on adventures. After a strange experience at a fair, a rift grows between her sister and herself.
Having been a shy geek, Clarissa is confused when on her first day of ninth grade she is rejected by her older sister publically - and then when a 17 year old boy and other misfits welcome her into their nerd herd.
She discovers that magic is real, despite the years of her mother telling her otherwise. And that it is perhaps as wonderful as she imagined - but also extremely dangerous.
An entertaining read, this is non-devotional non-thiestic magic, with the Fae around and a touch of ceremonial magic performed by others, but without direct chants or invocations in the text.
(As a note: Animal sacrifice does not happen “on-screen” so to speak - it is the not the main character sacrificing or harming animals but she is present when remains are discovered. The main character of Clarissa acknowledges that magic has a price, but does not feel that taking lives, human or animal, to be worth it for her, or something she is willing to do.)
wonderxxland's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only.
Overall it is a good and enjoyable read, especially if you are in the mood for a magical setting/world. Even though we don't see the school in this book, which was a bit disappointing.
A 14-15 year old girl wants to believe in magic, but her mom is going all "mama Gothel" at times. At the beginning it was a bit slow but there wasn't any unnecessary conversations and moments that weren't moving along the plot. I loved the writing style as well, there were some twists to keep it interesting and the world the story is set in seemed quite interesting.
Derrick is easily likeable and hilarious at times, i loved his character. And i loved the chemistry between Clarissa and Derrick, and how their love story took a while to progress.
There were references of some fantasy and sci-fi movies and books, which is fun to read about if you like said movies, and Clarissa is relatable.
What i didn't like were the few Harry Potter rules of magic that we see in here as well. The magic here was shown and explained differently, it's a different type of magic. However then there's the "technology shoundn't be near when magic is being performed"...okay, it was like, one scene really, so i let it slide. What bugs me even more is how wands were involved, it could have been just as well without them. And.... Did they had to use quills? We see it just once used by a "professionally trained" Witchkin, so it wouldn't be shocking if the students and teachers in the school use them as well. It was also a bit weird how Jessica was afraid of Derrick, so far so good, but then Clarissa tells her friend group about magic and stuff, (and they ALL? believe her. Being "nerdy/geeky" doesn't mean one would believe in magic instantly) Jessica included. And she's fine fine with it and all, no mention of her not liking the thought of magic, feeling uncomfortable to do a spell or anything.
Overall it is a good and enjoyable read, especially if you are in the mood for a magical setting/world. Even though we don't see the school in this book, which was a bit disappointing.
A 14-15 year old girl wants to believe in magic, but her mom is going all "mama Gothel" at times. At the beginning it was a bit slow but there wasn't any unnecessary conversations and moments that weren't moving along the plot. I loved the writing style as well, there were some twists to keep it interesting and the world the story is set in seemed quite interesting.
Derrick is easily likeable and hilarious at times, i loved his character. And i loved the chemistry between Clarissa and Derrick, and how their love story took a while to progress.
There were references of some fantasy and sci-fi movies and books, which is fun to read about if you like said movies, and Clarissa is relatable.
What i didn't like were the few Harry Potter rules of magic that we see in here as well. The magic here was shown and explained differently, it's a different type of magic. However then there's the "technology shoundn't be near when magic is being performed"...okay, it was like, one scene really, so i let it slide. What bugs me even more is how wands were involved, it could have been just as well without them. And.... Did they had to use quills? We see it just once used by a "professionally trained" Witchkin, so it wouldn't be shocking if the students and teachers in the school use them as well. It was also a bit weird how Jessica was afraid of Derrick, so far so good, but then Clarissa tells her friend group about magic and stuff, (and they ALL? believe her. Being "nerdy/geeky" doesn't mean one would believe in magic instantly) Jessica included. And she's fine fine with it and all, no mention of her not liking the thought of magic, feeling uncomfortable to do a spell or anything.
Spoiler
Because of the summary i expected Clarissa to either try to prove she isn't evil or for her to be evil/battle with her morals. It wasn't really delved into, at least not in this book. I mean, she doesn't have to be evil, just because her mom is considered to have been. But then again what was this moment when she was tested? She thinks it's a test, having the choice to not do magic at all or to be able to do dark magic only and turn to the dark side. It could have been delved more into that, as one second she chooses to lose her magic only so she'd prove she's not evil. She was tempted to take that offer, to be able to do only dark magic over doing none at all, but didn't cause she thought she'd get accepted into the magical school. But then, at the last pages, she chooses to let go of magic forever quite easily. On top of that, her thinking "I won't be like Missy! I will fit in!" ......umm.... Missy went "to the dark side" exactly with this way of thinking...? Couldn't she realise that?Spoiler
nickieandremus's review
5.0
*** I receieved an advanced e-copy from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
Clarissa loves all things magic. She believes it really exists and she also believes she has magic powers. Despite her mom's determination to stamp magic out of Clarissa's life and make her more normal, Clarissa meets and falls in love with the one guy in high school who is just like her. Together they test the boundaries to see just what they are capable of...until tragedy strikes.
This is a very fun YA fantasy book. It kept me smiling throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed it and if you are a fan of YA fantasy, then you will as well.
Clarissa loves all things magic. She believes it really exists and she also believes she has magic powers. Despite her mom's determination to stamp magic out of Clarissa's life and make her more normal, Clarissa meets and falls in love with the one guy in high school who is just like her. Together they test the boundaries to see just what they are capable of...until tragedy strikes.
This is a very fun YA fantasy book. It kept me smiling throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed it and if you are a fan of YA fantasy, then you will as well.
b_norton's review
1.0
Took a while to get into it at first and a bit confusing with the time jump at the beginning but overall a very good book. Extremely well written!
belle590's review
3.0
I did enjoy this book and have started the next book to give a go. It has a good premise and is easy to read. However, I have mixed feelings about it and there are a few flaws which added up to leave me disappointed. I enjoyed the pop culture references, but found some things far too strongly based on Harry Potter, such as the very Snape-like character. I expected it to be set at leaast partly at a magic school, but the school was barely even mentioned. This book felt like a prologue. While the main character was frustratingly childish, after reading further on I understand why. Still, this doesn't make it easier to read especially earlier on. I hope to see these items addressed in the next book and improved upon, I definitely think the story has great potential.
fallfromgrace67's review against another edition
1.0
I received my copy of Tardy Bells and Witches' Spells from Voracious Readers Only.
I tried to like this book. I really did. But no. Just no.
From the excessive pop culture references, poor pacing, and awkward writing it was a disaster from the start. There is a skeleton of a better novel here, but the skeleton is rough.
I tried to like this book. I really did. But no. Just no.
From the excessive pop culture references, poor pacing, and awkward writing it was a disaster from the start. There is a skeleton of a better novel here, but the skeleton is rough.
charlottexx's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
I got sent the e book and was hooked when I started. Some parts did seen to drag a little but was defiantly worth the read. I might even consider reading the next one as well.
I got sent the e book and was hooked when I started. Some parts did seen to drag a little but was defiantly worth the read. I might even consider reading the next one as well.