Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Good, clean wholesome young adult witchy fun! A fun and compelling read that leaves you with a distinct sense that the story is only just beginning... There is some beautiful imagery which creates a really creepy sense of impending doom. The relationship between Seth and Anna is suitably tenuous and - I'm not sure if this is intentional - you're left with a feeling that it's not entirely genuine... Bring on book two!
Quite bland teenage fare, I'm not quite sure what all the other reviewers are seeing that I missed. Yes, it's a nice change from vampires and werewolves but certainly nothing original or terribly exciting.
Read it in a day so I have to say it was pretty good ;)
One thing I got a bit hung up on though was that some characters just appeared without any introduction... I had a description of Emmaline for example, but not her name, and then all of a sudden her name is there and I am sitting there wondering if I'm supposed to know who she is? That annoyed me a bit. Same with a few others..
But all in all it was a good book!
One thing I got a bit hung up on though was that some characters just appeared without any introduction... I had a description of Emmaline for example, but not her name, and then all of a sudden her name is there and I am sitting there wondering if I'm supposed to know who she is? That annoyed me a bit. Same with a few others..
But all in all it was a good book!
RATING: 3 stars (barely)
Anna Winterson moves from London to a small fishing village after her father lost his job. Starting at a new school (with boys) and making new friends proves to be a little easier than Anna thought: she meets a few girls and a gorgeous (but badass, of course) boy named Seth.
One day her father finds an old book in the old house they're living in. When her new friends come to stay the night they try a love spell and soon Anna has a problem: the gorgeous Seth seems to be obsessed with her.
I liked this book until it devolved into just so much teen angst over (what else) teen love. Very unrealistic. YA authors: people don't behave that way, teenagers included. It's ok to get a little creative but this much? No.
Still it had its good points and at first I liked the characters well enough. Sure, they were very stereotypical and Anna is very meek and normal (she definitely isn't normal heroine material... which was good, in a way), but they were charming. The story was very interesting, although the plot has been used before, I liked the fact that Anna discovered her heritage and powers through trial and error and made mistakes.
But overall there was just so much that was left unexplained: the house, the book, where do witches' powers come from. I know that there will be more books, but these are basic aspects in my opinion. A little more of that and a little less of Seth's almost-creepy, almost-stalking and it would have been fine. The author devoted way too many of the book's pages to the teen love.
At first I thought this was going to be insta-love; then I thought that no, the author managed to turn it around nicely; and then, what a disappointment: it was insta-love (yes, YA authors, professing love after a week is insta-love... not only after the first hours/day).
Basically... the insta-love and the teen angst ruined it for me.
Overall, a nice enough read, but it doesn't stand out in the genre. It could have been better if there were some more revelations about the magic and the witches but the author chose to focus on the teen romance (obsessive and unrealistic, as it's usual) and so much was left unexplained. I really hope she comes back to it later, because the story has potential.
Anna Winterson moves from London to a small fishing village after her father lost his job. Starting at a new school (with boys) and making new friends proves to be a little easier than Anna thought: she meets a few girls and a gorgeous (but badass, of course) boy named Seth.
One day her father finds an old book in the old house they're living in. When her new friends come to stay the night they try a love spell and soon Anna has a problem: the gorgeous Seth seems to be obsessed with her.
I liked this book until it devolved into just so much teen angst over (what else) teen love. Very unrealistic. YA authors: people don't behave that way, teenagers included. It's ok to get a little creative but this much? No.
Still it had its good points and at first I liked the characters well enough. Sure, they were very stereotypical and Anna is very meek and normal (she definitely isn't normal heroine material... which was good, in a way), but they were charming. The story was very interesting, although the plot has been used before, I liked the fact that Anna discovered her heritage and powers through trial and error and made mistakes.
But overall there was just so much that was left unexplained: the house, the book, where do witches' powers come from. I know that there will be more books, but these are basic aspects in my opinion. A little more of that and a little less of Seth's almost-creepy, almost-stalking and it would have been fine. The author devoted way too many of the book's pages to the teen love.
At first I thought this was going to be insta-love; then I thought that no, the author managed to turn it around nicely; and then, what a disappointment: it was insta-love (yes, YA authors, professing love after a week is insta-love... not only after the first hours/day).
Basically... the insta-love and the teen angst ruined it for me.
Overall, a nice enough read, but it doesn't stand out in the genre. It could have been better if there were some more revelations about the magic and the witches but the author chose to focus on the teen romance (obsessive and unrealistic, as it's usual) and so much was left unexplained. I really hope she comes back to it later, because the story has potential.
In ten words or less: witchy story with unrealized potential.
My reaction:
Well, throughout the first half or so I was thinking it might be a 3.5 star read. But unfortunately, it started going downhill in the latter part of the book and didn't redeem itself. I feel like this book had potential in several different areas, but fell short.
Character-wise, I liked Anna at the beginning. She seemed pretty down-to-earth and just generally relatable. My enthusiasm for her lessened as the book went on, particularly once her relationship with Seth changes. I just didn't buy that she could be "in love" that quickly, without spending very much time with him. If it had been downgraded from "love" to "interest" or "attraction" and then have the tension upped gradually, it would have been a whole lot more believable. Seth is no better, suffering from seriously rapid attitude adjustments and the unfortunate fate of ending up rather 'whipped'. And just overall, I felt like the characters didn't have much personality and could have used some more description to help me visualize them.
Plot-wise, I liked the concept of the love spell and its initial effects on Seth. The whole is-he-or-isn't-he-really-in-love-with-me premise is a great hook, and one that I think could have been exploited more effectively. Instead, the love spell storyline is pretty much resolved (in a predictable manner) about halfway through and a whole new storyline is set up to take its place. This fast acceleration of their relationship is too sudden, and love is portrayed in a black-and-white way that fails to fully explore the gray areas.
Now, at first I was okay with this second, more adrenaline-filled, plot. The Ealdwitan were threatening Anna and Mr. Brereton seemed pretty creepy. Plus, there was the question underlying their menacing stance: why do they want Anna so badly? But we don't see enough of the Ealdwitan to really get a sense of who they are or what their motivations are. Consequently, the spell they unleash on Winter just comes off as ridiculously overkill for the situation at hand — and not very well thought-out, either. The question regarding Anna's role is never answered. I suspect it is being saved for the sequel, but not having that pertinent information means the reader is left going, "WHY????"
As for the world-building... the setting of England countryside by the sea — with cliffs and a castle and an old, dilapidated house — was pretty cool. I thought more description could have been used to heighten the atmosphere, but still, the backdrop was fitting for a story about witches. However, the magic system was all over the place. Sometimes spells were done reading from a Grimoire. Sometimes they weren't. Certain witches saw the future, but not consistently. I'm pretty sure there is shapeshifting at a few points. One character conveniently talks to Anna in her mind at a crucial moment. If there'd been more structure and explanation for the different kinds of magic, then I wouldn't have so much of a problem with it, but it just seemed to depend on the individual witch. Anna basically gets no training in magic, but she seems to develop some good instincts once she's told she's a witch. It's like she's sucked up witchy knowledge by osmosis or something. The magic itself isn't articulated very clearly, beyond the generic "threads" or "webs" of spells we've seen many times before in fantasy novels.
Best aspect: I enjoyed Abe's character. He's this older, mysterious, sexy rebel guy (with a faint aura of danger) and you can't always anticipate what he'll do next. I hope he'll figure more prominently in book 2, but I kind of doubt I'll be reading it to find out. (That would be pretty much the only reason I would read book 2.)
If I could change something... I would majorly rehash the magic system to make it logical and straightforward. The storyline would be reworked so it didn't come across as two sub-plots accidentally smacking into each other at the halfway point. And I would keep cheesy emotional declarations to a bare minimum, spicing up the dialogue to make it more fresh, memorable, and authentic.
Spot the allusion? There's one scene that made me think of Romeo & Juliet. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but I enjoyed the dramatic irony (and humor!) inherent in the scene. ()
Just one more thing I want to mention: June, Lily and Prue just get dropped out of the story soon after the love spell is cast. I'm pretty sure the only reason they were included was to provide a plausible vehicle for Anna enchanting Seth. Plot device, anyone?
If you haven't read it: if you're really crazy about witches and don't mind unreasonably lovestruck teens, you might like this one better than I did. Just don't expect it to make a whole lot of sense.
If you have read it: Anyone else have a Twilight flashback in the scene with Seth in the tux?
Quote:
"My breathing slowed. I was almost asleep when my ear caught another sound, something fluttering against the window pane. The noise was stealthy, soft, persistent. I shut my eyes tighter and pulled the sheets to my chin, pushing away the vision of a dry, dead hand, pressed paper-thin, scrabbling against the window, trying to get in."
Final verdict: 2.5 shooting stars. I think the book description is a bit misleading, since the love spell aspect really only has a role to play in the first half of the book. On the whole, I found this one pretty bland and generic, not adding anything new to the genre.
Disclaimer: I received this book for review from the publisher.
This book counts towards my goal for the Debut Author reading challenge.
My reaction:
Well, throughout the first half or so I was thinking it might be a 3.5 star read. But unfortunately, it started going downhill in the latter part of the book and didn't redeem itself. I feel like this book had potential in several different areas, but fell short.
Character-wise, I liked Anna at the beginning. She seemed pretty down-to-earth and just generally relatable. My enthusiasm for her lessened as the book went on, particularly once her relationship with Seth changes. I just didn't buy that she could be "in love" that quickly, without spending very much time with him. If it had been downgraded from "love" to "interest" or "attraction" and then have the tension upped gradually, it would have been a whole lot more believable. Seth is no better, suffering from seriously rapid attitude adjustments and the unfortunate fate of ending up rather 'whipped'. And just overall, I felt like the characters didn't have much personality and could have used some more description to help me visualize them.
Plot-wise, I liked the concept of the love spell and its initial effects on Seth. The whole is-he-or-isn't-he-really-in-love-with-me premise is a great hook, and one that I think could have been exploited more effectively. Instead, the love spell storyline is pretty much resolved (in a predictable manner) about halfway through and a whole new storyline is set up to take its place. This fast acceleration of their relationship is too sudden, and love is portrayed in a black-and-white way that fails to fully explore the gray areas.
Now, at first I was okay with this second, more adrenaline-filled, plot. The Ealdwitan were threatening Anna and Mr. Brereton seemed pretty creepy. Plus, there was the question underlying their menacing stance: why do they want Anna so badly? But we don't see enough of the Ealdwitan to really get a sense of who they are or what their motivations are. Consequently, the spell they unleash on Winter just comes off as ridiculously overkill for the situation at hand — and not very well thought-out, either. The question regarding Anna's role is never answered. I suspect it is being saved for the sequel, but not having that pertinent information means the reader is left going, "WHY????"
As for the world-building... the setting of England countryside by the sea — with cliffs and a castle and an old, dilapidated house — was pretty cool. I thought more description could have been used to heighten the atmosphere, but still, the backdrop was fitting for a story about witches. However, the magic system was all over the place. Sometimes spells were done reading from a Grimoire. Sometimes they weren't. Certain witches saw the future, but not consistently. I'm pretty sure there is shapeshifting at a few points. One character conveniently talks to Anna in her mind at a crucial moment. If there'd been more structure and explanation for the different kinds of magic, then I wouldn't have so much of a problem with it, but it just seemed to depend on the individual witch. Anna basically gets no training in magic, but she seems to develop some good instincts once she's told she's a witch. It's like she's sucked up witchy knowledge by osmosis or something. The magic itself isn't articulated very clearly, beyond the generic "threads" or "webs" of spells we've seen many times before in fantasy novels.
Best aspect: I enjoyed Abe's character. He's this older, mysterious, sexy rebel guy (with a faint aura of danger) and you can't always anticipate what he'll do next. I hope he'll figure more prominently in book 2, but I kind of doubt I'll be reading it to find out. (That would be pretty much the only reason I would read book 2.)
If I could change something... I would majorly rehash the magic system to make it logical and straightforward. The storyline would be reworked so it didn't come across as two sub-plots accidentally smacking into each other at the halfway point. And I would keep cheesy emotional declarations to a bare minimum, spicing up the dialogue to make it more fresh, memorable, and authentic.
Spot the allusion? There's one scene that made me think of Romeo & Juliet. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but I enjoyed the dramatic irony (and humor!) inherent in the scene. (
Spoiler
the part where everyone thinks Anna's dead and she's actually recorded at the hospital as such, but the reader knows she isn't. And then she shocks everyone by sitting up!Just one more thing I want to mention: June, Lily and Prue just get dropped out of the story soon after the love spell is cast. I'm pretty sure the only reason they were included was to provide a plausible vehicle for Anna enchanting Seth. Plot device, anyone?
If you haven't read it: if you're really crazy about witches and don't mind unreasonably lovestruck teens, you might like this one better than I did. Just don't expect it to make a whole lot of sense.
If you have read it: Anyone else have a Twilight flashback in the scene with Seth in the tux?
Quote:
"My breathing slowed. I was almost asleep when my ear caught another sound, something fluttering against the window pane. The noise was stealthy, soft, persistent. I shut my eyes tighter and pulled the sheets to my chin, pushing away the vision of a dry, dead hand, pressed paper-thin, scrabbling against the window, trying to get in."
Final verdict: 2.5 shooting stars. I think the book description is a bit misleading, since the love spell aspect really only has a role to play in the first half of the book. On the whole, I found this one pretty bland and generic, not adding anything new to the genre.
Disclaimer: I received this book for review from the publisher.
This book counts towards my goal for the Debut Author reading challenge.
Very good book but I wish it was a little longer. It's has definitely left me wanting to read the rest.
Also what is going on with Abe? I've had a massive crush on him since he was first introduced and then what he did at the end of the book i was like "eeeeeeeeeee!". so i'm hoping there is some development with him.
Also what is going on with Abe? I've had a massive crush on him since he was first introduced and then what he did at the end of the book i was like "eeeeeeeeeee!". so i'm hoping there is some development with him.
‘A Witch in Winter’ is the stunning debut novel of British Author, Ruth Warburton. Action-packed full of spells, drama and romance it truly is a fantastic read and if you haven’t all ready, I would whole heartedly recommend you check it out.
When Anna Winterson and her father move to the small coastal town of Winter, they never imagined that their ancient house was once the home of witches. But then Anna discovers a half burned book in the old fireplace – a Grimoire, the treasured spell book of a witch. Yet despite the book and rumours whispered around town, Anna is still dubious towards the existence of magic. At least until her friends convince her to have a some fun and cast a little love spell.
Suddenly Seth, the hottest and most badass boy in school dumps his girlfriend and much to Anna’s surprise, professes his undying love for her. Now with time ticking away, Anna must somehow find a way to reverse the spell before her attraction towards Seth can grow deeper, but each failed spell only serves to bring her and Seth closer together. Yet Anna’s problems are only just beginning as slowly, she begins to uncover the buried secrets of her true heritage…
All I can say is that this was truly a brilliant read. The story was well paced, the plot intriguing and Anna was such a great character that I just couldn’t seem to stop turning the pages! I also loved that the story was set in England, a real rarity in paranormal, YA fiction.
A really easy book to fall into, ‘A Witch in Winter’ really picks up as Anna learns to cope with her newly discovered powers. As a main character she is brave, honourable and reacts to things just like any other fifteen year old girl – which makes her extremely likeable and easy to relate to.
Also Seth, Anna’s be-spelled love interest, sounds absolutely gorgeous! Despite him being a bit of an arrogant bad boy, you can’t help but fall for his charms and as a reader, I was fully rooting for their romance to be real. Both of them were really satisfying lead characters.
Furthermore as their romance develops, new plotlines are added bringing with them new dangers and challenges. With the stakes constantly being upped, Ruth Warburton builds up to a very climatic ending that has left me thirsting for the next book in the series.
Magical, Romantic and totally spell-binding, ‘A Witch in Winter’ will be loved by all fans of YA Paranormal. It’s sequel, ‘A Witch in Love’ is due out in July 2012 and I would recommend the series to all. 4 Stars!
When Anna Winterson and her father move to the small coastal town of Winter, they never imagined that their ancient house was once the home of witches. But then Anna discovers a half burned book in the old fireplace – a Grimoire, the treasured spell book of a witch. Yet despite the book and rumours whispered around town, Anna is still dubious towards the existence of magic. At least until her friends convince her to have a some fun and cast a little love spell.
Suddenly Seth, the hottest and most badass boy in school dumps his girlfriend and much to Anna’s surprise, professes his undying love for her. Now with time ticking away, Anna must somehow find a way to reverse the spell before her attraction towards Seth can grow deeper, but each failed spell only serves to bring her and Seth closer together. Yet Anna’s problems are only just beginning as slowly, she begins to uncover the buried secrets of her true heritage…
All I can say is that this was truly a brilliant read. The story was well paced, the plot intriguing and Anna was such a great character that I just couldn’t seem to stop turning the pages! I also loved that the story was set in England, a real rarity in paranormal, YA fiction.
A really easy book to fall into, ‘A Witch in Winter’ really picks up as Anna learns to cope with her newly discovered powers. As a main character she is brave, honourable and reacts to things just like any other fifteen year old girl – which makes her extremely likeable and easy to relate to.
Also Seth, Anna’s be-spelled love interest, sounds absolutely gorgeous! Despite him being a bit of an arrogant bad boy, you can’t help but fall for his charms and as a reader, I was fully rooting for their romance to be real. Both of them were really satisfying lead characters.
Furthermore as their romance develops, new plotlines are added bringing with them new dangers and challenges. With the stakes constantly being upped, Ruth Warburton builds up to a very climatic ending that has left me thirsting for the next book in the series.
Magical, Romantic and totally spell-binding, ‘A Witch in Winter’ will be loved by all fans of YA Paranormal. It’s sequel, ‘A Witch in Love’ is due out in July 2012 and I would recommend the series to all. 4 Stars!
This book was okay. I think the love story was a bit ridiculous and not in the spell sense. Halfway through the book Seth is sure that he truly loves her, and towards the end she says how she's always loved him when really I don't think they spent enough time to know each other like that.
fast-paced