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brewsandbooks's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
antimony's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
i liked it more when i was 8 and it was still fun but i do truly think that perhaps. maybe arriman shouldn't have gotten married. he seemed so miserable about the prospect for like 3/4 of the book.
lycheecha's review against another edition
5.0
The Bachelor but if it was with witches. I love love loved this book as a kid and I'm so happy to see that Eva Ibbotson's writing is still just as enjoyable almost 20 years later. It's funny, witty, and charming and all the characters are memorable. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the lines just like I did when I was a kid. There's just something very comforting about Ibbotson's writing, and as an aspiring author myself, it's something I aspire towards.
lehine's review against another edition
5.0
Re-reading My Childhood (2023).
This was probably my favorite book growing up. I was obsessed with witches, and the ones in this book were the best. Everything about it is delightful. Belladonna’s plight of wishing to be evil but being a white witch against her wishes is adorable, as is Terence and his best friend, the worm. The spells are fun to read about, and each character has such personality.
This was probably my favorite book growing up. I was obsessed with witches, and the ones in this book were the best. Everything about it is delightful. Belladonna’s plight of wishing to be evil but being a white witch against her wishes is adorable, as is Terence and his best friend, the worm. The spells are fun to read about, and each character has such personality.
foreveralicexox's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
goodbooksgreatgoats's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
4.0
Great magical fun that plays with fantasy tropes and English humor like a Diana Wynne Jones classic.
ianmcnamara's review against another edition
5.0
I had this read to me at boarding school when i was about 11 and remember really enjoying it. This was a nice fun read to help keep me focused during my week day. It is a book i really enjoyed.
venusofthesnakes's review against another edition
5.0
I easily enjoyed this book. It is right up my alley of humor, lighthearted fun, simple plots.
The basic plot is: that through desperation and duty, the greatest, and darkest wizard in all of Britain must find a wife. And it is through great suffering and self sacrifice that Arriman the Awful decrees a witch pageant in order to find the blackest witch to marry... but only from his tiny hometown. Seven witches enter the competition, every one of them unique. But who will win?
Eva has really cute writing that I enjoy so much. I just find it so delicious when these "children's authors" write things like "of course everybody knows" or "it's common knowledge that" and then follows it up with something absurd. It really tickles me in the good places.
I'm giving it 5 stars because I think this book is great, and my enjoyment while reading it was up there with hot tubs, cream puffs, and good wine.
The basic plot is: that through desperation and duty, the greatest, and darkest wizard in all of Britain must find a wife. And it is through great suffering and self sacrifice that Arriman the Awful decrees a witch pageant in order to find the blackest witch to marry... but only from his tiny hometown. Seven witches enter the competition, every one of them unique. But who will win?
Eva has really cute writing that I enjoy so much. I just find it so delicious when these "children's authors" write things like "of course everybody knows" or "it's common knowledge that" and then follows it up with something absurd. It really tickles me in the good places.
I'm giving it 5 stars because I think this book is great, and my enjoyment while reading it was up there with hot tubs, cream puffs, and good wine.