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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This was ok. I didn't feel like the characters really stood out or were very complex or original. I appreciated getting to hear some new folklore from Colombia, and the framing device of using these folktales as a means of story progression. Although it did somewhat feel like the plot was sacrificed at the expense of sticking to that framework, i.e., it felt like a book of MG folklore qith characters and plot pegged in to fit the tales more than progressing naturally. It was a bit disjointed, and I'd also rather it had focused more strongly on 2 or 3 of the folklore it drew inspiration from to make it more cohesive, rather than jumping from tale to tale. Some seemed very interesting but had to move on too quickly to flesh out or understand at the sake of getting to the next story in the arc.
*I received a free ARC of this novel, with thanks to the author, Sourcebooks Kids – Jabberwocky and NetGalley. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Curse of the Night Witch is a fantastic fantasy adventure book for middle-grade upwards, packed with magic, action and a touch of mystery.
Tor and his friends have to go on a journey to try to reverse the ill-advised wish he made, which has brought a curse down upon him. The three pals – a reluctant hero, a big eater and a quick thinking leader respectively – travel across their world, following the clues laid out in a book of fairytales and legend, The Book of Cuentos. Of course, the problem with real-life fairytales is the real-life monsters that come with them, and Tor, Engle and Melda will need to use all of their individual skills, but also learn to work together, if they want to survive the journey.
I really love the world Alex Aster has built in this story. There is a unique magic system of gifts, curses and emblems, and a raft of new monsters and myths to explore too. Some aspects of the story are actually quite dark and haunting (even as an adult!) – the Puppeteer Queen, the Weeping Willow, the emblem thieves – but this is true of all the best ‘grim’ children’s tales… how else would we learn to stay out of the deep, dark woods?
The characters are great too. They start off realistically obsessed with their own personal concerns about school, parental expectations and their dreams for the future, and then set off on their journey of self- and witch-discovery and begin to develop and grown through the trials they face. There are some really good lessons about priorities, thinking of others, and the wider consequences of our individual actions, cleverly woven under the exciting plot.
This is the first book in a series, and therefore all the threads are not tied up with a neat bow. Instead the story leads towards further adventures for Tor and his allies. Personally, I can’t wait!
Once upon a screaming white moon, a Night Witch was born.
As a child, she spoke to the willow trees, whispered to the garden bees, and had a smile so sweet it dripped golden honey. When she brushed her hair, starlight fell to the ground. When she passed by, flowers fell from her fingertips. And when she cried, it stormed.
So sweet she looked, her smile hid the darkness waiting behind it.
She had a gift never seen before. The power to kill with a single touch.
And kill she did.
– Alex Aster, Curse of the Night Witch
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/10/08/curse-of-the-night-witch-alex-aster/
Curse of the Night Witch is a fantastic fantasy adventure book for middle-grade upwards, packed with magic, action and a touch of mystery.
Tor and his friends have to go on a journey to try to reverse the ill-advised wish he made, which has brought a curse down upon him. The three pals – a reluctant hero, a big eater and a quick thinking leader respectively – travel across their world, following the clues laid out in a book of fairytales and legend, The Book of Cuentos. Of course, the problem with real-life fairytales is the real-life monsters that come with them, and Tor, Engle and Melda will need to use all of their individual skills, but also learn to work together, if they want to survive the journey.
I really love the world Alex Aster has built in this story. There is a unique magic system of gifts, curses and emblems, and a raft of new monsters and myths to explore too. Some aspects of the story are actually quite dark and haunting (even as an adult!) – the Puppeteer Queen, the Weeping Willow, the emblem thieves – but this is true of all the best ‘grim’ children’s tales… how else would we learn to stay out of the deep, dark woods?
The characters are great too. They start off realistically obsessed with their own personal concerns about school, parental expectations and their dreams for the future, and then set off on their journey of self- and witch-discovery and begin to develop and grown through the trials they face. There are some really good lessons about priorities, thinking of others, and the wider consequences of our individual actions, cleverly woven under the exciting plot.
This is the first book in a series, and therefore all the threads are not tied up with a neat bow. Instead the story leads towards further adventures for Tor and his allies. Personally, I can’t wait!
Once upon a screaming white moon, a Night Witch was born.
As a child, she spoke to the willow trees, whispered to the garden bees, and had a smile so sweet it dripped golden honey. When she brushed her hair, starlight fell to the ground. When she passed by, flowers fell from her fingertips. And when she cried, it stormed.
So sweet she looked, her smile hid the darkness waiting behind it.
She had a gift never seen before. The power to kill with a single touch.
And kill she did.
– Alex Aster, Curse of the Night Witch
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/10/08/curse-of-the-night-witch-alex-aster/
Myths and magic and a grand adventure! Very enjoyable.
*MILD spoilers ahead*
This is definitely going on my favorites list! Curse of the Night Witch by Alex Aster is uniquely based on Latin American folklore. It’s a rich tale of adventure and new friendships. Anyone who enjoys fantasy, exploring, amazing fantasy worlds, and/or the found family trope would love this book. When Tor makes an unfortunate decision, he ends up getting cursed by the fabled Night Witch. Turns out the curse was contagious, and Tor accidentally spreads it to his best friend, Engle and his difficult classmate, Melda. They end up having to travel all around the world together and become fast friends. Until everything changes when they finally confront the Night Witch… All the places they go to tie into the folklore, and every few chapters there's a rustic looking page filled with an abridged version of the actual folktale. Each folktale fits with the story. For example, they fight some of the beasts in the myths. I like everything about this book, however one of my favorite parts is when Tor, Engle, and Melda enter a supposedly empty mansion, in an abandoned town, in the Shadows. There was another person there and, let’s just say, that she has an interesting backstory. All in all, this book is amazing and you should read it!
This is definitely going on my favorites list! Curse of the Night Witch by Alex Aster is uniquely based on Latin American folklore. It’s a rich tale of adventure and new friendships. Anyone who enjoys fantasy, exploring, amazing fantasy worlds, and/or the found family trope would love this book. When Tor makes an unfortunate decision, he ends up getting cursed by the fabled Night Witch. Turns out the curse was contagious, and Tor accidentally spreads it to his best friend, Engle and his difficult classmate, Melda. They end up having to travel all around the world together and become fast friends. Until everything changes when they finally confront the Night Witch… All the places they go to tie into the folklore, and every few chapters there's a rustic looking page filled with an abridged version of the actual folktale. Each folktale fits with the story. For example, they fight some of the beasts in the myths. I like everything about this book, however one of my favorite parts is when Tor, Engle, and Melda enter a supposedly empty mansion, in an abandoned town, in the Shadows. There was another person there and, let’s just say, that she has an interesting backstory. All in all, this book is amazing and you should read it!
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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:
Complicated