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j2024's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Xenophobia and Homophobia
maraec5c4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this quick read. My daughter told me I HAD to read it, after she had read and enjoyed it herself. So I took it along on a long train trip, and read it in one sitting. While Ibbotson will never win any awards for character development, she does have a way with both words and plot; her turns of phrase continually gave me pleasure, and her silly plot made me laugh out loud several times, drawing bemused looks from my fellow train passengers. A good book for younger middle grade readers who like their fantasy with a strong dose of humor.
polyphonicprairies's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5
I remembered loving this as a kid, so - as I do from time to time - I gave it another read to see if it stood the test of ages. It absolutely did. I was charmed all over again.
Major caveat - there were a couple of very serious jumpscares from some of the language (yes, homophobic slur that must somehow have been in relatively casual parlance in 1979 ?! - totally unrelated to plot - it could and should be changed with minimal effect on the writing).
Major caveat - there were a couple of very serious jumpscares from some of the language (yes, homophobic slur that must somehow have been in relatively casual parlance in 1979 ?! - totally unrelated to plot - it could and should be changed with minimal effect on the writing).
jodi_ice's review against another edition
2.0
Cawpile: 3.5* 6.71 (See below for why it is rated 2*)
I know this book was written in 1979, *however*, it has been repeatedly re-published since then, and I truly feel that although the repeated use of the word f*gg*t as insult from one sister to another when was it published may have been acceptable in a childrens/middle grade book in 1979, it *really* isn’t acceptable in 2022…
This really should have been spotted and replaced by an alternative more kid friendly word by now.
It really jarred me and I have to be honest I really didn’t like it, so I’m taking a star off of my cawpile rating for this. If I find out it’s been changed I’ll alter my rating.
I know this book was written in 1979, *however*, it has been repeatedly re-published since then, and I truly feel that although the repeated use of the word f*gg*t as insult from one sister to another when was it published may have been acceptable in a childrens/middle grade book in 1979, it *really* isn’t acceptable in 2022…
This really should have been spotted and replaced by an alternative more kid friendly word by now.
It really jarred me and I have to be honest I really didn’t like it, so I’m taking a star off of my cawpile rating for this. If I find out it’s been changed I’ll alter my rating.
marlene_wp's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lannthacker's review against another edition
3.0
J IBBOTSON - fantasy, humor
An evil wizard decides to hold a competition to find a witch worthy of his greatness. The heroine turns out to be good in spite of her best efforts at evil-doing and spell-casting. 9 - 12
An evil wizard decides to hold a competition to find a witch worthy of his greatness. The heroine turns out to be good in spite of her best efforts at evil-doing and spell-casting. 9 - 12
24marsha's review against another edition
4.0
Darling book that would be fun to read with an older child for Valentines or Halloween! A Magician holds a contest of the witches to see who is the most evil one and that is how he will choose who to marry. Each witch has a horrible spell to cast to prove her wickedness but all kinds of troubles and warts and boils get in most of the witches way.