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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
First part is soo nostalgic and a good novel of the movie.
25 years from the movie is the sequel it was alright. It was a fun but few things where just fell flat.
25 years from the movie is the sequel it was alright. It was a fun but few things where just fell flat.
Hocus Pocus is one of my favorite movies! So of course when I found out that this book was coming out, I could not wait! But did it hold up, or did it disappoint me?
I'm going to break this review into three parts; one for Hocus Pocus, the second bit for the sequel, and the third for the book overall.
Hocus Pocus
Reading this was so much fun! I have watched the movie dozens of times, so reading the tale was a nice treat! I loved that the book really centered on Max so we got to learn more about him. I also enjoyed learning more about Emily and Thackery in the chapters that flashed back to them in 1963.
I had a couple of issues with this read through, one being simply the jump between the witches not understanding the modern world, to suddenly seeming knowledgeable, and then back again. Specifically in the car/broom chase scene where this happened: "Pull over,"Winifred demanded. "Let me see your driver's license." So they don't know what a road or a bus is, or that people wear costumes, but they know what a drivers license is?
My favorite passages from this section:
In the dreams, the edge of the field ran right up to the edge of the wood and then stopped, as if perplexed about where to go next.
Max’s heart slammed against his rib cage, a rubber ball trying to escape this risk-taking madman.
“Oh, look,“ she sighed. “Another glorious morning. Makes me sick!
The house ahead of them was smaller than Max expected, but somehow it seemed to loom above them, as if its spirit were far bigger than the collapsing wooden porch and broken eaves.
Leaves fell around them like confetti in oranges and browns and golds.
"I'll wait outside," said Binx, jumping into the low branches of a nearby tree. "If anything happens, shout for me."
Max eyed the noisy building. "How will you hear us?" he asked.
"I won't," said Binx. "But it might help you feel better.
The All-New Sequel
The second half was... interesting. Let me pause here to say that I did NOT read the synopsis before I dove in, so I didn't know what to expect. However, as this is one of my all time favorite movies, I was SO excited to dive in to see where the author took the story. But once I started reading, I just tried to keep an open mind...
I was thrilled to find out that the main character was the daughter of Max and Allison! I also really enjoyed her interest in photography, but overall I just didn't care for her character. My favorite character by far was Travis; I loved his humor, but sometimes it felt way too forced!
I also really enjoyed that there were a few things thrown in that gave a nod to the first half, like Poppy saying that the only cookies her mom bakes are dark chocolate chip cookies- a nod to Allison and Max's conversation about whether milk or dark chocolate is better in a cookie.
My main issue was that it was so incredibly repetitive. I found myself skimming quite a bit. The main character kept circling around the same thoughts over and over again. Many chapters to new sections gave the readers a little recap of what had just happened, or what they were trying to do, which wasn't necessary in my opinion. It just bogged the flow down.
There were also weird "modern" bits added that just felt forced to me. For example when Poppy is thinking; "I've heard plenty about this particular house of horrors, but confronting it IRL is bone-chilling." Maybe I wouldn't have been to put off if this was in a dialogue section, but having it as part of the narrative just wasn't a hit for me.
I also really didn't like how some of the flow just didn't work. There were a few odd bits where something happened, but then it was brought up again like it had just happened. In one section, a certain character is right by the main characters side, but then she's no where to be found... and the way that it was worded made it seem like she hadn't been there in the first place. It would have worked better if there was a thought about her disappearing instead.
My next complaint was about how the witches returned. When it happened, I was left quite underwhelmed. Because of the last bit of the first book (below), I was REALLY hoping that the story was going to pick up on a new character, not the same three witches again...
Meanwhile, on its podium Winifred's spell book slowly opened its
eye and looked around, feeling the loss of its master. But then it
rose into the air. Jay and Ernie screamed and shook the bars of
their cages at the strange sight. The book soared out of the window
and into the early morning light. It floated above the cemetery and
through the town square, passing the crowd of adults who filed,
stumbling, out of Town Hall after a night of endless dancing.
It continued flying, higher and higher, seeking its master...
It wouldn't stop until it found her.
I actually closed the book and debated DNFing when the witches returned. But I pushed on... I'm not sure it was worth it. The overall story was interesting, but I just didn't care about the characters, the repetition was horrible, and it just didn't keep my interest.
I really disliked the first half of part two, but toward the end, it got more interesting. I did like a few things that were added to the tale to wrap things up, but again, it all felt too neat and rushed. Some of it felt a little late, such as the line "You can never really kill a witch."
My favorite passages from this section:
You don’t need external affirmation, Mom would say - but one could argue that you don’t need cheese fries, either. Both are pretty damn satisfying indulgences.
Overall
I really liked the design of the book! The cover is fun and colorful. I loved the silhouettes that began each section as well as the illustrations on each of the chapters, which were titled in a fun way.
I also really liked the town maps that were included at the beginning of each section. It was really neat to see how the maps changed from the beginning of the tale, to present time.
In the end, I am glad that I had the opportunity to read this. I definitely love the first half and would happily read that time and time again. But the second half? I think I could have done without that one. It was just far too repetitive and a bit boring to me.
I'm going to break this review into three parts; one for Hocus Pocus, the second bit for the sequel, and the third for the book overall.
Hocus Pocus
Reading this was so much fun! I have watched the movie dozens of times, so reading the tale was a nice treat! I loved that the book really centered on Max so we got to learn more about him. I also enjoyed learning more about Emily and Thackery in the chapters that flashed back to them in 1963.
I had a couple of issues with this read through, one being simply the jump between the witches not understanding the modern world, to suddenly seeming knowledgeable, and then back again. Specifically in the car/broom chase scene where this happened: "Pull over,"Winifred demanded. "Let me see your driver's license." So they don't know what a road or a bus is, or that people wear costumes, but they know what a drivers license is?
My favorite passages from this section:
In the dreams, the edge of the field ran right up to the edge of the wood and then stopped, as if perplexed about where to go next.
Max’s heart slammed against his rib cage, a rubber ball trying to escape this risk-taking madman.
“Oh, look,“ she sighed. “Another glorious morning. Makes me sick!
The house ahead of them was smaller than Max expected, but somehow it seemed to loom above them, as if its spirit were far bigger than the collapsing wooden porch and broken eaves.
Leaves fell around them like confetti in oranges and browns and golds.
"I'll wait outside," said Binx, jumping into the low branches of a nearby tree. "If anything happens, shout for me."
Max eyed the noisy building. "How will you hear us?" he asked.
"I won't," said Binx. "But it might help you feel better.
The All-New Sequel
The second half was... interesting. Let me pause here to say that I did NOT read the synopsis before I dove in, so I didn't know what to expect. However, as this is one of my all time favorite movies, I was SO excited to dive in to see where the author took the story. But once I started reading, I just tried to keep an open mind...
I was thrilled to find out that the main character was the daughter of Max and Allison! I also really enjoyed her interest in photography, but overall I just didn't care for her character. My favorite character by far was Travis; I loved his humor, but sometimes it felt way too forced!
I also really enjoyed that there were a few things thrown in that gave a nod to the first half, like Poppy saying that the only cookies her mom bakes are dark chocolate chip cookies- a nod to Allison and Max's conversation about whether milk or dark chocolate is better in a cookie.
My main issue was that it was so incredibly repetitive. I found myself skimming quite a bit. The main character kept circling around the same thoughts over and over again. Many chapters to new sections gave the readers a little recap of what had just happened, or what they were trying to do, which wasn't necessary in my opinion. It just bogged the flow down.
There were also weird "modern" bits added that just felt forced to me. For example when Poppy is thinking; "I've heard plenty about this particular house of horrors, but confronting it IRL is bone-chilling." Maybe I wouldn't have been to put off if this was in a dialogue section, but having it as part of the narrative just wasn't a hit for me.
I also really didn't like how some of the flow just didn't work. There were a few odd bits where something happened, but then it was brought up again like it had just happened. In one section, a certain character is right by the main characters side, but then she's no where to be found... and the way that it was worded made it seem like she hadn't been there in the first place. It would have worked better if there was a thought about her disappearing instead.
My next complaint was about how the witches returned. When it happened, I was left quite underwhelmed. Because of the last bit of the first book (below), I was REALLY hoping that the story was going to pick up on a new character, not the same three witches again...
Meanwhile, on its podium Winifred's spell book slowly opened its
eye and looked around, feeling the loss of its master. But then it
rose into the air. Jay and Ernie screamed and shook the bars of
their cages at the strange sight. The book soared out of the window
and into the early morning light. It floated above the cemetery and
through the town square, passing the crowd of adults who filed,
stumbling, out of Town Hall after a night of endless dancing.
It continued flying, higher and higher, seeking its master...
It wouldn't stop until it found her.
I actually closed the book and debated DNFing when the witches returned. But I pushed on... I'm not sure it was worth it. The overall story was interesting, but I just didn't care about the characters, the repetition was horrible, and it just didn't keep my interest.
I really disliked the first half of part two, but toward the end, it got more interesting. I did like a few things that were added to the tale to wrap things up, but again, it all felt too neat and rushed. Some of it felt a little late, such as the line "You can never really kill a witch."
My favorite passages from this section:
You don’t need external affirmation, Mom would say - but one could argue that you don’t need cheese fries, either. Both are pretty damn satisfying indulgences.
Overall
I really liked the design of the book! The cover is fun and colorful. I loved the silhouettes that began each section as well as the illustrations on each of the chapters, which were titled in a fun way.
I also really liked the town maps that were included at the beginning of each section. It was really neat to see how the maps changed from the beginning of the tale, to present time.
In the end, I am glad that I had the opportunity to read this. I definitely love the first half and would happily read that time and time again. But the second half? I think I could have done without that one. It was just far too repetitive and a bit boring to me.
After waiting for more than 7 weeks for my library hold, I finally got to read this one. I've always loved the campiness of the film so while I was gung-ho to read this, I also had some trepidation.
The first third of the novel is a film adaptation and one that I could have gone without as I felt that it didn't live up to the film. It was oddly and even hastily put together and in some instances felt that complete sentences were removed. The campiness and humor of the film were missing and for me, this section of the book was very meh.
I liked the sequel, although I think it should have warranted a name of its own, as it provided a fun story in which the Sanderson Sisters against all odds, come back to try to finish their original intent of immortality as new characters are introduced besides Poppy, daughter of Allison and Max, and her friends that make the last half of the new story more entertaining. I did have some issues with a few things as they felt a bit over the top while other ideas were a little far-fetched that to mention it would make it a spoiler so let me not do that, haha.
The first third of the novel is a film adaptation and one that I could have gone without as I felt that it didn't live up to the film. It was oddly and even hastily put together and in some instances felt that complete sentences were removed. The campiness and humor of the film were missing and for me, this section of the book was very meh.
I liked the sequel, although I think it should have warranted a name of its own, as it provided a fun story in which the Sanderson Sisters against all odds, come back to try to finish their original intent of immortality as new characters are introduced besides Poppy, daughter of Allison and Max, and her friends that make the last half of the new story more entertaining. I did have some issues with a few things as they felt a bit over the top while other ideas were a little far-fetched that to mention it would make it a spoiler so let me not do that, haha.
The novelization of the movie portion of this book is really fun. The sequel portion is not great. The writing is fairly rough, and the plot felt disorganized and slapped together.
I was thrilled to learn there was a book version of Hocus Pocus coming out and even more excited about a sequel. As for the first part of the book, if you've seen the film there are no huge surprises here, but it's tons of fun all the same.
The sequel was equally as enjoyable, introducing some great new characters and providing an entertaining plot. I'd absolutely recommend the books to fans of the original movie and those who love fun and festive Halloween stories.
The sequel was equally as enjoyable, introducing some great new characters and providing an entertaining plot. I'd absolutely recommend the books to fans of the original movie and those who love fun and festive Halloween stories.
I really enjoyed the take not only of the original story, but what could happen in a more modern time frame.
Honestly, I could have done without this book. It didn’t enhance my hocus pocus or Halloween experience at all. I really only liked the last 50 pages or so.. oh well
Was gehört zum Halloween-Filmmarathon einfach dazu, egal wie kitschig oder albern es ist? Genau, "Halloweentown" und "Hocus Pocus". A.W. Jantha hat es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, dieses unsterblich-amüsante Meisterwerk um drei Hexenschwestern in Salem, die an Halloween wiedererweckt werden, auf Papier zu bannen. Doch nicht nur das: Sie hat auch eine Fortsetzung geschrieben! Dieses Buch vereint die beiden Geschichten zu einem Must-read-Hexenbesenritt!
"On All Hallows' Eve, when the moon is round, a virgin will summon us from under the ground."
Doch der Reihe nach:
"Hocus Pocus" erhält von den 500 Seiten die ersten 200. Die Geschichte ist uns allen bekannt - Junge (Max), der mit seiner Familie kürzlich nach Salem ziehen musste, erlebt dort Halloween. In einem Haus außerhalb lebten einst drei böse Hexenschwestern (Winnifred, Sarah und Mary Sanderson) und falls eines Tages eine Jungfrau die magische schwarze Kerze entzündet, kehren sie zurück.
Junge entzündet Kerze um Mädchen (Allison) zu beeindrucken, Hexen kehren zurück, Chaos folgt, am Ende wird natürlich alles gut, ist schließlich ein Kinderfilm.
So weit, so bekannt, abstruse kultige Sprüche nicht inkludiert. Es wurde wenig Neues hinzugefügt, bis auf ein paar winzige Details, auf die im Sequel angespielt wird. Gut gemacht und genauso amüsant zu lesen wie anzusehen. Und natürlich sind alle wichtigen lustigen Zitate enthalten!
"Another glorious morning. Makes me sick!"
Das Sequel, das keinen eigenen Namen erhalten hat, spielt 25 Jahre später, also in unserer Zeit und die Hauptpersonen sind diesmal Allisons und Max' Tochter Poppy und ihre Freunde. Poppy ist furchtbar in das beliebteste Mädchen Isabella verknallt (LGBT+, yeah!) und erträgt tapfer ihre hysterischen Eltern, die unter dem Spätfolgen-PTSD von damals noch leiden.
An Halloween schmeißen sie jedoch eine große Party und als Poppys Schulpeinigerin auftaucht, ist die Stimmung im Eimer. Poppy, ihr bester Freund und Isabella verziehen sich ins Sanderson-Haus, wo sie natürlich voll aus Versehen die Schwestern erneut wiederbeleben - und Poppys Familie in die Hölle schicken. Ups!
Ich mochte die Fortsetzung sehr, besonders die zwei Mädels, die umeinander rumschleichen und in all dem tote-Hexen-Weltuntergang-Chaos Zeit haben, sich schöne Augen machen. Es gibt, wie gesagt, einige Anspielungen auf den ersten Teil und auch viele neue kreative Ideen. Insbesondere die meschuggenen Schimpfworte von Winnie für ihre Schwestern haben mich mehrmals laut auflachen lassen. Die muss ich unbedingt in mein Repertoire übernehmen! Auch schön war, dass Charaktere aus dem ersten Teil nochmal auftauchten und man sozusagen erfahren hat, was weiter mit ihnen passiert ist.
Insgesamt eine sehr gelungene, nahtlose Fortsetzung, die ich jedem*jeder empfehlen kann, dem der Film nicht genug ist - und es ist so interessant und spannend geschrieben, dass ich mich frage, wieso sie nicht auch schon verfilmt wurde?!
"Shut up, you frowzy fopdoodle!"
Fun Fact: Es kommt nur sehr selten vor, dass an Halloween Vollmond ist und noch seltener, dass Blaumond ist, also zwei Vollmonde in einem Monat. Doch natürlich ist dies 2020 der Fall, also passt gut auf euch auf, lasst die Geister in Ruhe und zündet keine Kerzen an, die ihr nicht kennt!
"Keep calm and carry a wand."
"On All Hallows' Eve, when the moon is round, a virgin will summon us from under the ground."
Doch der Reihe nach:
"Hocus Pocus" erhält von den 500 Seiten die ersten 200. Die Geschichte ist uns allen bekannt - Junge (Max), der mit seiner Familie kürzlich nach Salem ziehen musste, erlebt dort Halloween. In einem Haus außerhalb lebten einst drei böse Hexenschwestern (Winnifred, Sarah und Mary Sanderson) und falls eines Tages eine Jungfrau die magische schwarze Kerze entzündet, kehren sie zurück.
Junge entzündet Kerze um Mädchen (Allison) zu beeindrucken, Hexen kehren zurück, Chaos folgt, am Ende wird natürlich alles gut, ist schließlich ein Kinderfilm.
So weit, so bekannt, abstruse kultige Sprüche nicht inkludiert. Es wurde wenig Neues hinzugefügt, bis auf ein paar winzige Details, auf die im Sequel angespielt wird. Gut gemacht und genauso amüsant zu lesen wie anzusehen. Und natürlich sind alle wichtigen lustigen Zitate enthalten!
"Another glorious morning. Makes me sick!"
Das Sequel, das keinen eigenen Namen erhalten hat, spielt 25 Jahre später, also in unserer Zeit und die Hauptpersonen sind diesmal Allisons und Max' Tochter Poppy und ihre Freunde. Poppy ist furchtbar in das beliebteste Mädchen Isabella verknallt (LGBT+, yeah!) und erträgt tapfer ihre hysterischen Eltern, die unter dem Spätfolgen-PTSD von damals noch leiden.
An Halloween schmeißen sie jedoch eine große Party und als Poppys Schulpeinigerin auftaucht, ist die Stimmung im Eimer. Poppy, ihr bester Freund und Isabella verziehen sich ins Sanderson-Haus, wo sie natürlich voll aus Versehen die Schwestern erneut wiederbeleben - und Poppys Familie in die Hölle schicken. Ups!
Ich mochte die Fortsetzung sehr, besonders die zwei Mädels, die umeinander rumschleichen und in all dem tote-Hexen-Weltuntergang-Chaos Zeit haben, sich schöne Augen machen. Es gibt, wie gesagt, einige Anspielungen auf den ersten Teil und auch viele neue kreative Ideen. Insbesondere die meschuggenen Schimpfworte von Winnie für ihre Schwestern haben mich mehrmals laut auflachen lassen. Die muss ich unbedingt in mein Repertoire übernehmen! Auch schön war, dass Charaktere aus dem ersten Teil nochmal auftauchten und man sozusagen erfahren hat, was weiter mit ihnen passiert ist.
Insgesamt eine sehr gelungene, nahtlose Fortsetzung, die ich jedem*jeder empfehlen kann, dem der Film nicht genug ist - und es ist so interessant und spannend geschrieben, dass ich mich frage, wieso sie nicht auch schon verfilmt wurde?!
"Shut up, you frowzy fopdoodle!"
Fun Fact: Es kommt nur sehr selten vor, dass an Halloween Vollmond ist und noch seltener, dass Blaumond ist, also zwei Vollmonde in einem Monat. Doch natürlich ist dies 2020 der Fall, also passt gut auf euch auf, lasst die Geister in Ruhe und zündet keine Kerzen an, die ihr nicht kennt!
"Keep calm and carry a wand."
It was so nice to see a novelization of the first movie. It helped me get used to the author's style with something I am so familiar so that I could be ready for the written sequel. I thought the story was fresh and fun! And I would definitely like to see it made into some sort of movie one day! What a book to finish on Halloween! :)