Reviews

Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones

eiris_books's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

bethilda's review

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

bluestarfish's review

3.0

Earwig get chosen from an orphanage, much to her dismay, and gets placed in an odd home. I love how Mandrake remains so mysterious and so much gets left unexplained - and that's okay. Great fun as Earwig and Thomas the cat work out how to make life better for themselves.

protag's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

egbert's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Trapped between four and three stars, as I love Diana Wynne Jones' writing so much. She captures stories of everyday people & incidents in a world of magic. Bringing both her characters and story to life. That said, this book was too short!! I know it was to be a short story, yet there were questions left unanswered at the end. 

Earwig and Thomas were momentarily a dynamic duo in their strange predicament, then a "One Year later" was smacked on the end to wrap up the story. Leaving me wondering, who is Earwig's momma? Is she ever coming back for Earwig? Who are the Mandrake and Bella Yaga? Plus, I'd love to see the shenanigans Earwig, Custard, and Thomas get into at school. 

Cute and Short. But too short.

amelia_herring's review against another edition

2.0

A strange little book about an orphan named Earwig who is adopted by a witch and a strange "man" who may be the devil. Earwig tries to outwit the witch so that she may learn magic, as well. Bizarre but interesting.

violinknitter's review against another edition

Delightful DWJ itsy-bitsy story. I'm not sure it's her strongest writing, but it's fun.

jamiethekeener's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

saviinvhetin's review

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Absolutely adorable and ends too soon
I’ll have to check the movie out!

brandypainter's review

4.0

Originally posted at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.

Reading Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones was such a bittersweet experience as it was the last book Jones wrote before she died and so obviously the beginning of what would have been an absolutely delightful series.

This book is for a younger audience than I usually review books for. It is most definitely an early chapter book. First through third graders rejoice. Those who wish to introduce young readers to the joy that is DWJ's writing early on may also rejoice. Earwig is an irrepressible heroine full of spunk and wits. She, her cat familiar, the mean old witch, and the grumpy mandrake are certain to pull readers into the story. The plot is a fun one full of Earwig trying to get the best of her new foster parents. It is a fun book and it is so sad there will be no more continuation of Earwig's adventures.