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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
I really loved reading the Hocus Pocus story. It stayed true to the movie but did have some additions to keep it interesting. I really liked being able to know exactly what Max was thinking. The additions also helped to set up the sequel. The sequel was fun and cute while doing a great job to pay homage to the original. It somewhat follows the same type of plot points as the original which did make it drag just a little which is why I rated it only four stars.
First, I’m a fan of the original 1993 movie, so it was fun to revisit the Sanderson Sisters and their latest hijinks. The first part of the book is just a novelization of the first movie, so I won’t spend time discussing that here. The second part of the book is an official sequel.
(Light Spoilers Ahead)
This story is about the generation of children following those in the original movie. The former bully, is high school principle. Max Dennison now teaches high school history to his daughter Poppy and her friends Travis and Isabella. Now, Poppy has grown up with her parents, Max and Allison, along with her Aunt Dani’s retelling of their misadventures 25 years earlier. Poppy, like most teenagers would, thinks her family is a bit crazy for their beliefs in the Sanderson sisters and magic as a whole.
The plot, like the first movie, really begins when the trio of friends goes to the Sanderson Sister’s old house to use a Ouija board to summon the sisters. Well, the summoning works...sort of. Basically, the three friends summon the Anderson Sisters but end up sending Poppy’s parents and aunt to hell in their place. The three friends have until sunrise to break the spell or the spell becomes permanent.
(Critique)
1) I definitely think the book does a good job of updating the story and including modern references to society and technology. The Sanderson Sisters didn’t come in contact with cellphones back in 1993.
2) I was pretty surprised and gladdened that the primary romantic interest in this book is between Poppy and Isabella. The story is told from Poppy’s point of view, so it was nice to see a teenage romance naturally blossom between two young women. It’s good to see Disney taking some chances like this.
3) I’m not completely sure who this book is targeted at age wise. I think the writing is less sophisticated than other YA novels, and some of the dialogue comes off as canned and a bit cheesy.
4) I also think the plot is a bit predictive. Once you have the exposition, it follows the same basic plotting devices from the original. Witches come back, witches have a horrible goal, kids upset witches’ plan, and the hero gets the girl in the end. I wish there had been a few more twists and turns along the way.
Overall, I did find the book enjoyable. I think parents who know the original movie will enjoy sharing this book with their offspring.
(Light Spoilers Ahead)
This story is about the generation of children following those in the original movie. The former bully, is high school principle. Max Dennison now teaches high school history to his daughter Poppy and her friends Travis and Isabella. Now, Poppy has grown up with her parents, Max and Allison, along with her Aunt Dani’s retelling of their misadventures 25 years earlier. Poppy, like most teenagers would, thinks her family is a bit crazy for their beliefs in the Sanderson sisters and magic as a whole.
The plot, like the first movie, really begins when the trio of friends goes to the Sanderson Sister’s old house to use a Ouija board to summon the sisters. Well, the summoning works...sort of. Basically, the three friends summon the Anderson Sisters but end up sending Poppy’s parents and aunt to hell in their place. The three friends have until sunrise to break the spell or the spell becomes permanent.
(Critique)
1) I definitely think the book does a good job of updating the story and including modern references to society and technology. The Sanderson Sisters didn’t come in contact with cellphones back in 1993.
2) I was pretty surprised and gladdened that the primary romantic interest in this book is between Poppy and Isabella. The story is told from Poppy’s point of view, so it was nice to see a teenage romance naturally blossom between two young women. It’s good to see Disney taking some chances like this.
3) I’m not completely sure who this book is targeted at age wise. I think the writing is less sophisticated than other YA novels, and some of the dialogue comes off as canned and a bit cheesy.
4) I also think the plot is a bit predictive. Once you have the exposition, it follows the same basic plotting devices from the original. Witches come back, witches have a horrible goal, kids upset witches’ plan, and the hero gets the girl in the end. I wish there had been a few more twists and turns along the way.
Overall, I did find the book enjoyable. I think parents who know the original movie will enjoy sharing this book with their offspring.
I LIVED for the Hocus Pocus retelling and was fairly enjoying the sequel portion due to the fact that the original characters are a part of the action as adults. Then the originals disappear due to the plot of the story and honestly, I just checked out. I read it but it was just meh and kept waiting for it to end.
3.75/5
Part 1 (the retelling of Hocus Pocus) - 5 perfect stars
Part 2 (the all new sequel) - 2.5 fanfictiony stars
Overall this was a fun waste of time. If you love Hocus Pocus, you should enjoy this. I recommend reading it closer to Halloween though. :)
Part 1 (the retelling of Hocus Pocus) - 5 perfect stars
Part 2 (the all new sequel) - 2.5 fanfictiony stars
Overall this was a fun waste of time. If you love Hocus Pocus, you should enjoy this. I recommend reading it closer to Halloween though. :)
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is a mixed bag. I was never a hardcore Hocus Pocus fan. In fact, this year was the first time I watched it all the way through. I realize that it has a following. I also realize that nostalgia is perhaps the biggest part of it's popularity. The film reminds me of The Santa Clause, only for Halloween. It's just a silly holiday classic that people enjoy for the themes and the memories. That being said, I think I enjoy the book's retelling of the story more than I do the film and the sequel was sub par trash. It was very "fan fiction" in it's flavor. Things I did like about the sequel was the diversity. Otherwise, it was formulaic and unoriginal. My kid's did seem to enjoy it and it was a nice thing to add to October for a good Halloween read. If you are a hardcore fan of the film, I think it would be a good suggestion to read this, but I think even then the reader may not enjoy the sequel.
They really didn't put much into the story format for the first part. I guess they figured that they didn't need to. But I wish that they did. Instead of cramming two books together and both being a little half assed, they could have spent more time developing the story and give us two really good books.
This is an absolute must read for the fans of Hocus Pocus out there. The first 3rd of the book covers the original movie, while the rest is an all new story.
Its been 25 years since Max, Dani, & Allison fought the Sanderson sisters & lived to tell about it. Now, on October 31, 2018, Poppy Dennison will fight the Sanderson sisters just as her parents & aunt did years prior. She and her friends, Isabella & Travis journey to where it all started before the Sanderson house. And the new story takes shape!
Its been 25 years since Max, Dani, & Allison fought the Sanderson sisters & lived to tell about it. Now, on October 31, 2018, Poppy Dennison will fight the Sanderson sisters just as her parents & aunt did years prior. She and her friends, Isabella & Travis journey to where it all started before the Sanderson house. And the new story takes shape!