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samantha_randolph's Reviews (1.59k)
One Witch at a Time takes a spin on the traditional ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ tale. Rudi Bauer just wanted to have a good, successful day at the market place when his neighbor, Susanna Louisa, sells his family cow for beans. When the beans prove to be magical, magic from a source they shouldn’t have, Rudi, Susanna, and a strange girl named Agatha go on a journey they won’t forget.
The premise for this story is adorable. The twists on ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ are fun and different, especially the use of the beanstalks. Susanna and Rudi both feel realistic and true to their ages. Rudi’s desire to be seen as worthy and noticeable will settle with many readers his age, as will his reluctant but brotherly relationship with Susanna. The frequent appearances of the Brixen Witch are hilarious and enjoyable as well.
As much as I enjoyed the premise, the plot fell a bit flat for me. Though the novel is short, the pacing drags at times, and it leads to a disappointing climax. The witch of Petz feels one-dimensional, and there is little urgency in defeating him. Agatha and Rudi wrap up their journey easily with little room for character development. However, Agatha and Rudi are still charming, and they work well together as a team.
Though this story had areas that left me wanting more, this is an overall entertaining story, perfect for readers looking for a quick and fun read. The premise is imaginative and delightful, and this would make a good choice for fans of unique retellings.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/18164-one-witch-at-a-time
The premise for this story is adorable. The twists on ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ are fun and different, especially the use of the beanstalks. Susanna and Rudi both feel realistic and true to their ages. Rudi’s desire to be seen as worthy and noticeable will settle with many readers his age, as will his reluctant but brotherly relationship with Susanna. The frequent appearances of the Brixen Witch are hilarious and enjoyable as well.
As much as I enjoyed the premise, the plot fell a bit flat for me. Though the novel is short, the pacing drags at times, and it leads to a disappointing climax. The witch of Petz feels one-dimensional, and there is little urgency in defeating him. Agatha and Rudi wrap up their journey easily with little room for character development. However, Agatha and Rudi are still charming, and they work well together as a team.
Though this story had areas that left me wanting more, this is an overall entertaining story, perfect for readers looking for a quick and fun read. The premise is imaginative and delightful, and this would make a good choice for fans of unique retellings.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/18164-one-witch-at-a-time
Do you ever start a book and, after just a few pages, know how magical it’s going to be? THE LUCK UGLIES cast its spell on me early on, and I fell head over heels for the world, characters, and writing. The premise is insanely cool, mixing creepy creatures, nontraditional families, adventure, and secrets galore into an awesome package. Rye’s home, Village Drowning, comes to life as Rye and her friends navigate the mysteries behind it, and the story leaves plenty of hints of other unique towns and villages that might be explored in later novels.
Rye is a dynamic, clever, and brave protagonist, and the depth of the secondary characters takes the story to the next level. The descriptions and sly smirks from Rye’s mom, Abby, and the mysterious Harmless make me want prequel books dedicated to all of them. Rye’s friends, Folly and Quinn, also hold personalities that will draw the reader in. The dialogue between all the characters feels real, witty, and contains so much beneath the surface of what is being said.
The plot unfolds beautifully, though the story line does get a tad slow in areas. When it slows down, however, the story opens up to wonderful relationship development between the characters, and the magic of the story continues to deepen. I especially love the balance between teamwork and individual capabilities that happen while attempting to solve the main conflict.
Middle grade readers should flock to this series immediately. Those looking for magical writing brimming with complex characters and true heart will very likely find their next favorite book with this first installment in Paul Durham’s THE LUCK UGLIES series.
Originally posted at Young Adult Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/17223-the-luck-uglies
Rye is a dynamic, clever, and brave protagonist, and the depth of the secondary characters takes the story to the next level. The descriptions and sly smirks from Rye’s mom, Abby, and the mysterious Harmless make me want prequel books dedicated to all of them. Rye’s friends, Folly and Quinn, also hold personalities that will draw the reader in. The dialogue between all the characters feels real, witty, and contains so much beneath the surface of what is being said.
The plot unfolds beautifully, though the story line does get a tad slow in areas. When it slows down, however, the story opens up to wonderful relationship development between the characters, and the magic of the story continues to deepen. I especially love the balance between teamwork and individual capabilities that happen while attempting to solve the main conflict.
Middle grade readers should flock to this series immediately. Those looking for magical writing brimming with complex characters and true heart will very likely find their next favorite book with this first installment in Paul Durham’s THE LUCK UGLIES series.
Originally posted at Young Adult Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/17223-the-luck-uglies
With a vicious Constable rampaging and the appearance of a mysterious bunch of Luck Uglies that call themselves Fork-Tongue Charmers, Rye O’Chanter has a lot on her plate. When danger once again strikes her village, her and her family must flee to the Isles of Pest, her mother’s homeland. There, Rye will discover secrets, mysteries, and enemies she never expected.
In this sequel to The Luck Uglies, Paul Durham once again weaves a masterful and intricate plot with many layers. Each unfolding requires extensive build up that occasionally makes the story read a little slowly, but ultimately accomplishes its mission of creating serious, impactful twists and turns. Much like Rye’s home village, Pest is full of strong world building and uniqueness. From accented locals to new folklore, I love how rich this new setting is and how Rye and company grow to adjust to their new surroundings.
As in the prior book, I once again found myself drawn to Harmless and Abby. Some mysteries and secrets behind them find answers in this book, but their characters are so complex and intriguing you know they still have more secrets in store. Durham’s talent at crafted equally superb children and adult characters make this a strong read for both audiences. The new friends Rye makes at Pest offer even more opportunities for humor, fun, and character development, and I hope to see some of them pop up again in the next book.
While this book doesn’t have quite as much charm as the first, The Luck Uglies: Fork-Tongue Charmers delves further into the mysteries and darkness of Rye’s world and delivers another breathtaking plot to readers. This group of characters will stay with readers long after the last page and leave them eager to find out what dangers will brew in the next book.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/18204-fork-tongue-charmers-the-luck-uglies-2
In this sequel to The Luck Uglies, Paul Durham once again weaves a masterful and intricate plot with many layers. Each unfolding requires extensive build up that occasionally makes the story read a little slowly, but ultimately accomplishes its mission of creating serious, impactful twists and turns. Much like Rye’s home village, Pest is full of strong world building and uniqueness. From accented locals to new folklore, I love how rich this new setting is and how Rye and company grow to adjust to their new surroundings.
As in the prior book, I once again found myself drawn to Harmless and Abby. Some mysteries and secrets behind them find answers in this book, but their characters are so complex and intriguing you know they still have more secrets in store. Durham’s talent at crafted equally superb children and adult characters make this a strong read for both audiences. The new friends Rye makes at Pest offer even more opportunities for humor, fun, and character development, and I hope to see some of them pop up again in the next book.
While this book doesn’t have quite as much charm as the first, The Luck Uglies: Fork-Tongue Charmers delves further into the mysteries and darkness of Rye’s world and delivers another breathtaking plot to readers. This group of characters will stay with readers long after the last page and leave them eager to find out what dangers will brew in the next book.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/18204-fork-tongue-charmers-the-luck-uglies-2
Even if twelve-year-old Molly doesn’t look like a Wicked Witch, she is indeed one, and she is ready to fulfill the vacant witch spot at Castle Hangnail. Once there, she must convince the staff that are slowly becoming family as well as the Board of Magic that she is fit to run a haunted castle. The only problem is, she may have lied about her identity, and she has a few other secrets she hasn’t mentioned that could get her in trouble.
Castle Hangnail is an adorably quirky read full of friendship, magic, humor, and complete entertainment. Molly is the kind of protagonist that both young and adult readers can enjoy. She desperately wants to prove her worth, and above all, she is seeking people who understand her and accept her as she is, ‘wicked’ and all. The cast of characters is a wonderful mixture of a hilarious and strict cook, a lovable doll whose expertise is in sewing, a guardian of the castle who wants to follow the rules, and many more. By the end of the story, it is easy to feel that they are your own family.
The plot is engaging and fresh, full of magical tasks, not limited but including a good smite, and even an Evil Sorceress. Readers will have a difficult time not being wholly interested in this laugh-out-loud and heart-warming story. In addition to the magical elements, there are also traces of realistic family relationships between Molly, her ‘good’ twin, and her parents.
The illustrations are a nice touch, though the art style isn’t my favorite. They do add a nice touch of dark edge to the story and give a great idea of what the characters look like.
All in all, Ursula Vernon’s Castle Hangnail is a magical story, perfect for fans of Eva Ibbotson, that will capture the hearts of many readers. I will be definitely be looking for more from this author.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/18326-castle-hangnail
Castle Hangnail is an adorably quirky read full of friendship, magic, humor, and complete entertainment. Molly is the kind of protagonist that both young and adult readers can enjoy. She desperately wants to prove her worth, and above all, she is seeking people who understand her and accept her as she is, ‘wicked’ and all. The cast of characters is a wonderful mixture of a hilarious and strict cook, a lovable doll whose expertise is in sewing, a guardian of the castle who wants to follow the rules, and many more. By the end of the story, it is easy to feel that they are your own family.
The plot is engaging and fresh, full of magical tasks, not limited but including a good smite, and even an Evil Sorceress. Readers will have a difficult time not being wholly interested in this laugh-out-loud and heart-warming story. In addition to the magical elements, there are also traces of realistic family relationships between Molly, her ‘good’ twin, and her parents.
The illustrations are a nice touch, though the art style isn’t my favorite. They do add a nice touch of dark edge to the story and give a great idea of what the characters look like.
All in all, Ursula Vernon’s Castle Hangnail is a magical story, perfect for fans of Eva Ibbotson, that will capture the hearts of many readers. I will be definitely be looking for more from this author.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/18326-castle-hangnail
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