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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.
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
5.0
To avoid a reading slump I could feel coming on after my last two disappointing reads I decided to re-read Which Witch? because it was one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors as a kid and I was confident I'd still enjoy it.
And I was totally right. I am as charmed and delighted by Eva Ibbotson as I was a decade ago.
So many fantasy young adult books want what this book had. It had a whimsical prose that wasn't overly simplistic or overly detailed. It had fully developed characters despite a fairly large cast. It had a quirky, refreshing style that didn't seem forced.
My favorite aspect is that it celebrates the alternative in a really genuine way. The plot of this story is that Arriman, a dark Wizard dedicated to spreading and maintaining evil in the world, is looking for a wife in order to have an evil heir. And the best part is that he and all the witches (except for Belladonna who is a White Witch which provides the conflict) just stay evil. It's completely fine and just presented as the way things are in a totally straightforward way. There's no justification or vilification of being a dark wizard or witch. It's just the way things are and you are along for the ride. I loved it.
I will say that it might not be for you if you want really deep mythos or lore. I feel the characters are developed just fine because I was familiar with the story and Ibbotson's writing style, but it might also come off as rather brusque if you're going into it expecting too much.
For me, however, it was everything I needed right now to re-invigorate me going forward. I cannot recommend it enough.
The Haunting of Granite Falls
The Secret of Platform 13
The Great Ghost Rescue
And I was totally right. I am as charmed and delighted by Eva Ibbotson as I was a decade ago.
So many fantasy young adult books want what this book had. It had a whimsical prose that wasn't overly simplistic or overly detailed. It had fully developed characters despite a fairly large cast. It had a quirky, refreshing style that didn't seem forced.
My favorite aspect is that it celebrates the alternative in a really genuine way. The plot of this story is that Arriman, a dark Wizard dedicated to spreading and maintaining evil in the world, is looking for a wife in order to have an evil heir. And the best part is that he and all the witches (except for Belladonna who is a White Witch which provides the conflict) just stay evil. It's completely fine and just presented as the way things are in a totally straightforward way. There's no justification or vilification of being a dark wizard or witch. It's just the way things are and you are along for the ride. I loved it.
I will say that it might not be for you if you want really deep mythos or lore. I feel the characters are developed just fine because I was familiar with the story and Ibbotson's writing style, but it might also come off as rather brusque if you're going into it expecting too much.
For me, however, it was everything I needed right now to re-invigorate me going forward. I cannot recommend it enough.
The Haunting of Granite Falls
The Secret of Platform 13
The Great Ghost Rescue