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snarkywench's review against another edition
3.0
The premise of this novel grabbed me a few months back when it started popping up on everyone’s Waiting on Wednesday posts. The idea of coming from a successful witch family and not being bequeathed a Talent is a fact of life we can relate to whether is looking different, lacking a family ability or just being different. Of course this witch, Tamsin, who is initially established as a thoroughly “ordinary” (aka wears jeans and has a clumsy streak) isn’t powerless for long and it’s this development that disappointed me no end. A study of a family where one child is without the generational power could have been a complex and thought provoking read. Instead, we are handed the all too common power struggle between two warring supernatural families where our protagonist has the power to affect who wins.
More concerning is Tamsin’s power once it manifests or should I say re-surfaces. It’s remarkably like Bella’s “shield” in the Twilight series, with elements of Peter’s power acquisitions (Heroes). It’s simply been done before, and recently. The areas of the plot that are more involving, that of the family interactions and the notion of the Keeper, aren’t explored in enough to outweigh the two dimensional aspects. Any element of the novel that involved the family was stronger for it. Although anytime time travel is brought into a story there are numerous issues – time travel quite often is an author or screenwriter’s worst enemy. Clarity is lost and while meeting one’s relatives is excited there are questions that are bond to arise.
The romance is one of those where the guy (Gabriel) has loved her since they were children. He’s come back after a decade away and immediately starts with some pouting, innuendo and then finally romancing Tamsin. The development of this relationship was far too automatic to allow the reader to have a stake in it other than knowing that Gabriel is aesthetically pleasing. It’s fun filler.
No doubt the critical nature of this review implies that this novel isn’t good. It’s not the case, it was a fun read with good use of conflict and family melodrama. You can’t help but wonder if another hundred pages would have allowed the author to flesh out all the characters so that the reader’s attachment could be more than superficial. MacCullough has a great voice for YA and some great snappy dialogue; it’s just that Once A Witch could have been so much more.
More concerning is Tamsin’s power once it manifests or should I say re-surfaces. It’s remarkably like Bella’s “shield” in the Twilight series, with elements of Peter’s power acquisitions (Heroes). It’s simply been done before, and recently. The areas of the plot that are more involving, that of the family interactions and the notion of the Keeper, aren’t explored in enough to outweigh the two dimensional aspects. Any element of the novel that involved the family was stronger for it. Although anytime time travel is brought into a story there are numerous issues – time travel quite often is an author or screenwriter’s worst enemy. Clarity is lost and while meeting one’s relatives is excited there are questions that are bond to arise.
The romance is one of those where the guy (Gabriel) has loved her since they were children. He’s come back after a decade away and immediately starts with some pouting, innuendo and then finally romancing Tamsin. The development of this relationship was far too automatic to allow the reader to have a stake in it other than knowing that Gabriel is aesthetically pleasing. It’s fun filler.
No doubt the critical nature of this review implies that this novel isn’t good. It’s not the case, it was a fun read with good use of conflict and family melodrama. You can’t help but wonder if another hundred pages would have allowed the author to flesh out all the characters so that the reader’s attachment could be more than superficial. MacCullough has a great voice for YA and some great snappy dialogue; it’s just that Once A Witch could have been so much more.
breenmachine's review against another edition
4.0
Fun, entertaining. Couldn't put down- read in one day :)
elizareads35's review against another edition
4.0
This creative urban fantasy was a good, quick read. The novel centers on 17 year old Tamsin, who is the only member of her family with no magical ability. This leads to complicated relationships, a chip on her shoulder, and a rash promise to find an object for a stranger. Though I liked the overall feel and flow of the book, certain plot points & decisions felt glossed over and rushed to me. I didn't love the book, but I really liked it and would read a sequel, if there is one (which from ending seems likely).
toesinthesand's review against another edition
2.0
Typical YA fantasy novel... girl doesn't know she has powers, super hot guy falls for her, oh and he's her bff, she gets powers and is the only one that can save us, yada yada. It reads fast but there's not much depth to it. The bad guy is bad, the sister is so perfect you don't care about her and there's no reason why they would have kept this secret from the main character. I'm not even sure I understood the whole domani thing either.
arinnroberson's review against another edition
1.0
I never finished this. What I did read was kay it was slow boring and slightly confusing. i didn't really like it.
novelsbycaitlin's review against another edition
3.0
I really started out liking this book. I loved how our heroine was counted as the "outcast" among her family. How the love interest/childhood friend came back into the picture. How she popped back into time and so forth. The set up was neat and I loved it.
But then, the more I got of the heroine (sorry I forgot her name and it's been a year since I've read this book) the more I disliked her. The more she made snarky remarks. The more I rolled my eyes. Suddenly, everyone was becoming over the top--like MacCullough was trying too hard at what she was doing. The plot went along nicely but, man was I getting tired of everyone real quick.
I know I'm a harsh critique, but at the same time I can imagine how my rating of 3 1/2 stars could be a 4 1/2. So There you go.
But then, the more I got of the heroine (sorry I forgot her name and it's been a year since I've read this book) the more I disliked her. The more she made snarky remarks. The more I rolled my eyes. Suddenly, everyone was becoming over the top--like MacCullough was trying too hard at what she was doing. The plot went along nicely but, man was I getting tired of everyone real quick.
I know I'm a harsh critique, but at the same time I can imagine how my rating of 3 1/2 stars could be a 4 1/2. So There you go.
sadnig's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked Tamsin and Gabriel. The story line was good too not that great but good enough to keep reading and not put the book down.
msglam's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book. It has an interesting plot with some twists and surprises however I was disappointed with the ending. As it does not look like a sequel is being made the ending left a lot of loose ends and I felt it was rushed. Also I would have like to see Tasmin be developed more as the story progressed because I did really like her as the heroine. This book was easy to read flowing naturally even when back story was revealed. Overall I enjoyed the book I just wanted more closure.