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lfro2013's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Not bad, the asides about Kendra I found sometimes a bit distracting, like I just wanted to get on with the main story. I was glad when she didn't get back with that bonehead, Warner, though. Though I did find it rather unbelievable that parents would behave like hers did in the book- I mean surely they'd actually try to talk to her, and especially her mom would actually do something to make her daughter not be basically abused by the stepsister?? I know it's a fairy tale book but THAT was the craziest part for me.
zabetd's review
2.0
This and other reviews can be found on Reading Between Classes
Cover Impressions: The cover is pretty, and I like the dark tone and colors but it doesn't really stand out from all the other "pretty girl in a pretty dress" in YA. If it wasn't for my slight obsession with witches and fairy tale re-tellings, I probably never would have picked up this book.
The Gist: Bewitching spins together a number of fairy tales as it follows Kendra, a witch who tries to help people but, inevitably, makes things worse.
Review: I thoroughly enjoy books that re-tell or take a different spin on fairy tales. This book should have been right up my alley, but there was something about it that just didn't click. First of all, I wasn't a fan of Kendra (does anyone else think this is an odd name for a character that originated in the 1660s?). We never really learn anything about her motivations. The story opens with her escaping a plague ridden town with her brother in tow and being captured by the witch from the Hansel & Gretel story. This witch teaches Kendra how to control her powers but we see very little of these lessons nor do we learn anything else about the history of that witch or Kendra. Eventually, the brother disappears - for no apparent reason and we abruptly shift to the Cinderella story of Emma and Lisette.
In Emma, I see a character that I could enjoy (despite her being ANOTHER YA character who is obsessed with classical novels - puhleese!). She grew up in a priveledged household, but it ultimately just a lonely little girl. When her stepfather brings home a daughter Emma never knew about, she hopes to gain a friend and instead finds Lisette to be a mastermind at manipulation. A few things bothered me: 1) we never find out why Lisette lived in abject poverty while Daddy Warbucks spoiled Emma and her mother 2) the father seems like a decent guy, but while bonding with Lisette he COMPLETELY neglects Emma - FOR YEARS!
Just as I am getting interested in Emma and Lisette's story, there is yet another interlude while Kendra tells us another story. The shifts in time and narrator changes made for a very choppy storyline and left me annoyed. Each time one occurred, I was tempted to put the book down and never pick it up again. In the end, it felt like the author started this book with a handful of short stories and then concocted a weak storyline in order to link them all together into one book. Perhaps, if the entire story had been told from Kendra's point of view (or at least switched between just Kendra and Emma) it might have flowed better.
In the end, I found this novel unsatisfying. While the novel may be exactly what some readers enjoy (and judging by many of the reviews, it is) it was simply not for me and I do not think I will be continuing with Kendra's story through any subsequent books.
Teaching/Parental Notes:
Age: 15 and up
Gender: Females
Sex: Kissing,
Violence: Death by drowning,
Inappropriate Language: Bastard, Slut
Substance Abuse: Underage Drinking, Marijuana Use
Cover Impressions: The cover is pretty, and I like the dark tone and colors but it doesn't really stand out from all the other "pretty girl in a pretty dress" in YA. If it wasn't for my slight obsession with witches and fairy tale re-tellings, I probably never would have picked up this book.
The Gist: Bewitching spins together a number of fairy tales as it follows Kendra, a witch who tries to help people but, inevitably, makes things worse.
Review: I thoroughly enjoy books that re-tell or take a different spin on fairy tales. This book should have been right up my alley, but there was something about it that just didn't click. First of all, I wasn't a fan of Kendra (does anyone else think this is an odd name for a character that originated in the 1660s?). We never really learn anything about her motivations. The story opens with her escaping a plague ridden town with her brother in tow and being captured by the witch from the Hansel & Gretel story. This witch teaches Kendra how to control her powers but we see very little of these lessons nor do we learn anything else about the history of that witch or Kendra. Eventually, the brother disappears - for no apparent reason and we abruptly shift to the Cinderella story of Emma and Lisette.
In Emma, I see a character that I could enjoy (despite her being ANOTHER YA character who is obsessed with classical novels - puhleese!). She grew up in a priveledged household, but it ultimately just a lonely little girl. When her stepfather brings home a daughter Emma never knew about, she hopes to gain a friend and instead finds Lisette to be a mastermind at manipulation. A few things bothered me: 1) we never find out why Lisette lived in abject poverty while Daddy Warbucks spoiled Emma and her mother 2) the father seems like a decent guy, but while bonding with Lisette he COMPLETELY neglects Emma - FOR YEARS!
Just as I am getting interested in Emma and Lisette's story, there is yet another interlude while Kendra tells us another story. The shifts in time and narrator changes made for a very choppy storyline and left me annoyed. Each time one occurred, I was tempted to put the book down and never pick it up again. In the end, it felt like the author started this book with a handful of short stories and then concocted a weak storyline in order to link them all together into one book. Perhaps, if the entire story had been told from Kendra's point of view (or at least switched between just Kendra and Emma) it might have flowed better.
In the end, I found this novel unsatisfying. While the novel may be exactly what some readers enjoy (and judging by many of the reviews, it is) it was simply not for me and I do not think I will be continuing with Kendra's story through any subsequent books.
Teaching/Parental Notes:
Age: 15 and up
Gender: Females
Sex: Kissing,
Violence: Death by drowning,
Inappropriate Language: Bastard, Slut
Substance Abuse: Underage Drinking, Marijuana Use
ls72019's review against another edition
4.0
I have a love/hate relationship with the way this book is set up. I really liked the Emma and Lisette story and so when it got interrupted by Kendra telling stories from her past I would get annoyed at first. However, as I read Kendra's stories I really got into them as well. Overall, this story was a good read.
epenglin's review
4.0
Hey there fellow book readers!!!! So I just finished reading the book "Bewitching," and I would recommend this book 100%!!!!
I have not read the first book "Beastly," but I got the idea of the first book from the descriptions Kendra tells us in her half of the story.
So the synopsis tells us how Kendra discovers she's a witch and how she tries to use her powers to help people in need. Like the Mermaid on the Titanic, the French Prince looking for a wife, and the kids in the gingerbread house. This was Kendra's story in the book, and then the story shifts to Emma.
Emma is a girl who needs serious help, well not serious, serious, but her life is being ruined by her stepsister Lisette. So without revealing her witchy self to Emma, she decides to help her get her life back and perhaps the guy of her dreams.
Overall, the book started slow, but as the plot thickened, and we got to know about Kendra even more, it book was great! I loved the ending, and I loved how Alex Finn retold Cinderella's story in a modern and fun way!
I have not read the first book "Beastly," but I got the idea of the first book from the descriptions Kendra tells us in her half of the story.
So the synopsis tells us how Kendra discovers she's a witch and how she tries to use her powers to help people in need. Like the Mermaid on the Titanic, the French Prince looking for a wife, and the kids in the gingerbread house. This was Kendra's story in the book, and then the story shifts to Emma.
Emma is a girl who needs serious help, well not serious, serious, but her life is being ruined by her stepsister Lisette. So without revealing her witchy self to Emma, she decides to help her get her life back and perhaps the guy of her dreams.
Overall, the book started slow, but as the plot thickened, and we got to know about Kendra even more, it book was great! I loved the ending, and I loved how Alex Finn retold Cinderella's story in a modern and fun way!
ekvise's review
3.0
Honestly I was a lot like Emma in the book. I love to read just like she does. I'm intimidated by certain people like she is and has lost all of my childhood friends just like Emma! I've never had my adoring boyfriend stolen by my sister, but I've felt the heartache Emma has felf and just like Emma... I end up finding something that I never thought I would want in the end of it all. :) Congrats Alex Finn! Not only did you pick a fantastic name, being Emma of course, but you got the dorky and introvert personality of an Emma I know very well ;) HAHAHA!
samiism's review
4.0
Much better than Towering. I'm glad I have Alex Flinn another try.
This book felt a bit like Into the Woods to me, which isn't a bad thing. Flinn actually did a great job mashing the fairy tales together and added in Kendra's storyline so they everything sense.
Emma and Lisette's story, along with the interspersed tales of The Little Mermaid and the Princess and the Pea retellings, were interesting. I truly felt for poor Emma...but I don't want to spoil anything! Great book for light reading.
This book felt a bit like Into the Woods to me, which isn't a bad thing. Flinn actually did a great job mashing the fairy tales together and added in Kendra's storyline so they everything sense.
Emma and Lisette's story, along with the interspersed tales of The Little Mermaid and the Princess and the Pea retellings, were interesting. I truly felt for poor Emma...but I don't want to spoil anything! Great book for light reading.
hldavids's review against another edition
4.0
In this charming retelling of the Cinderella tale, everything you thought you knew about Cinderella and fairy tales is upturned. What is ugly? Who is the step-sister? What is happily-ever-after?
Listed as the first of the Kendra chronicles, the story centers around Emma, a young girl whose life has been turned upside-down with her step-father's daughter moving in after the tragic death of his first wife. Lisette, the step-sister, is pretty with a tragic past, so of-course everyone loves her best. Is it so wrong that Emma allows her mother to treat Lisette as their personal maid? Especially after Lisette ruined Emma's relationship with her father and stole her boyfriend?
Emma then learns that Kendra, her school-mate is a real-life witch. By enlisting Kendra's help, can Emma obtain her happily-ever-after? And what is that anyway?
This book was obtained through a first-reads giveaway on Goodreads.
Listed as the first of the Kendra chronicles, the story centers around Emma, a young girl whose life has been turned upside-down with her step-father's daughter moving in after the tragic death of his first wife. Lisette, the step-sister, is pretty with a tragic past, so of-course everyone loves her best. Is it so wrong that Emma allows her mother to treat Lisette as their personal maid? Especially after Lisette ruined Emma's relationship with her father and stole her boyfriend?
Emma then learns that Kendra, her school-mate is a real-life witch. By enlisting Kendra's help, can Emma obtain her happily-ever-after? And what is that anyway?
This book was obtained through a first-reads giveaway on Goodreads.
gonza_basta's review against another edition
2.0
It's not my fault, but I just can not stand YA books, then this one is a version of Cinderella transposed to the present day, where instead of the stepmother is the half-sister who is bad and the other sister has to take care of herself. What to say... avoidable.
Non é colpa mia, ma io gli YA proprio non li reggo, queso poi é una versione di Cenerentola trasposta ai giorni d'oggi, dove la cattiva é la sorellastra. Che dire... evitabile.
Non é colpa mia, ma io gli YA proprio non li reggo, queso poi é una versione di Cenerentola trasposta ai giorni d'oggi, dove la cattiva é la sorellastra. Che dire... evitabile.