thejestess's review against another edition
Spoiler
I appreciated that the characters definitely felt like their age, and was surprisingly affected by the heel-face-heel turn of one of the side characters. Probably would've enjoyed it a lot more when I was 12, but it's good to have on my shelf for when the Younger Folk in my life are looking for recommendations. Idk that it's a spoiler really to say "The adults were wrong and she is actually super powerful" because I guessed that at the start, but it was nice to see the adults apologize to her!marienblanc_'s review against another edition
5.0
Un libro maravilloso con una gran protagonista. Desde luego Arianwyn es todo un ejemplo a seguir de lucha constante por conseguir sus metas. ¡Me encanta! Reseña de Arianwyn, la aprendiz de bruja en Bohemian Creative
mlottermoser's review
3.0
Middle grade book about a young witch who fails her aptitude test and must have an apprentice placement in the tiny village of Lull near the Great Woods. Arianwyn must stand on her own as she tries to show the villagers that she can be trusted. She doubts herself, even as she continues to gain skills and help other people.
Triggers: Car accident death, dark magic, bullying
Triggers: Car accident death, dark magic, bullying
lazygal's review
3.0
Charming story about a world in which magic and non-human creatures exist (that moon hare? so cute!) but loses points because Our Heroine and the supporting characters are one note. We got it, Arianwyn is a klutz and something of a disappointment. While she does grow some in confidence during the book, every now and then it reads as though she was getting away from the author's first idea so let's bring back Clumsy Arianwyn. Everyone else was decidedly stuck as whomever they were when we first met them. The world-building was a little odd: is this closer to our world (telephones!) or an older, more medieval version? Having said all this, middle grade readers probably won't have these qualms and I can see this being a hit.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
emmap2023's review
5.0
This is a middle grade novel debut by James Nicol in a world of witches. Arianwyn has flunked her witch's assessment in front of everybody, she is announced as an apprentice and sent to a town called Lull where she fears she will never be a real witch, much to the amusement of Gimma. However, when Arianwyn arrives at Lull, the sleepy town is not as it would first appear. Strange sights are seen in the woods on the edge of the town and an infestation of hex is creeping through the town. As Arianwyn gets to grips of spirit banishment, helping magical animals and casting spells more lies ahead for her before she can re-take her assessment and become a real witch.
This middle grade novel is a delight and very much reminiscent in a teenage way of the Jill Murphy, Worst Witch books.
I gave this book 5* as it was a true delight to read and I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I look forward now to Books 2 & 3 which I have purchased to get to early next year.
This middle grade novel is a delight and very much reminiscent in a teenage way of the Jill Murphy, Worst Witch books.
I gave this book 5* as it was a true delight to read and I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I look forward now to Books 2 & 3 which I have purchased to get to early next year.
teacher2library's review
3.0
Reread in anticipation of the sequel and I stand by my first review: a pretty solid if somewhat forgettable middle grade fantasy debut. Everything fell into place a little too neatly at the end for Arianwyn. Some odd lurches in pace and awkward dialogue, but I hope the author will hit his stride in the sequel.
audreyisawesome's review
4.0
For some reason it took me so long to finish this book lol. I think this has the best mythical creatures I have ever read about. The magic system is complex and hard I love it!
katiejaye's review
3.0
Good premise. Not sure if it is laying the foundation for more books to come? Didn't feel like a lot happened...