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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
Read- August 2020 for The N.E.W.Ts (O in Transfiguration- Read a hardcover)
- This was one of my many pre orders for this year and I've been craving getting to it since it came out. The main reason I didn't get to it before now is because I never managed to get it to fit into a TBR but I've now decided that I'm a mood reader so I'm just going to read whatever I want, whenever I want.
In this book we follow Tor Luna who is born on Emblem island, an island where all people are born knowing their fate; both from the rainbows lifelines on their hand that shows them the course of their life and the Emblems that tell you how you will spend it.
When our story starts it's Eve on Emblem Island, a night of celebration and making wishes. Tor has turned twelve in the previous year which means that he can finally make a wish and he knows exactly what he's wishing for, an emblem change. Tor was born with with the Leadership emblem, just like his mother, but that isn't what he wants because he's never felt like much of a leader. He wants the water breathing emblem. The issue with this is that you should never mess with fate, all the children are warned that you shouldn't wish for an emblem change but all Tor wants is to choose his own path.
Of course, this doesn't go to plan and when he makes up the next morning he looks at his wrist to discover that his emblem has been replaced with the symbol of a curse. Not only that, the curse has shortened his lifeline giving him only a week to live. The only way to get rid of this curse is to go on a trip the the terrifying Night Witch.
With just his villages old tales and his friends with him, Tor must travel all over Emblem island trying to fight mystical creatures that come from the old tales in order to find the Night Witch and make everything right again. Before it's too late.
- This was one of my many pre orders for this year and I've been craving getting to it since it came out. The main reason I didn't get to it before now is because I never managed to get it to fit into a TBR but I've now decided that I'm a mood reader so I'm just going to read whatever I want, whenever I want.
In this book we follow Tor Luna who is born on Emblem island, an island where all people are born knowing their fate; both from the rainbows lifelines on their hand that shows them the course of their life and the Emblems that tell you how you will spend it.
When our story starts it's Eve on Emblem Island, a night of celebration and making wishes. Tor has turned twelve in the previous year which means that he can finally make a wish and he knows exactly what he's wishing for, an emblem change. Tor was born with with the Leadership emblem, just like his mother, but that isn't what he wants because he's never felt like much of a leader. He wants the water breathing emblem. The issue with this is that you should never mess with fate, all the children are warned that you shouldn't wish for an emblem change but all Tor wants is to choose his own path.
Of course, this doesn't go to plan and when he makes up the next morning he looks at his wrist to discover that his emblem has been replaced with the symbol of a curse. Not only that, the curse has shortened his lifeline giving him only a week to live. The only way to get rid of this curse is to go on a trip the the terrifying Night Witch.
With just his villages old tales and his friends with him, Tor must travel all over Emblem island trying to fight mystical creatures that come from the old tales in order to find the Night Witch and make everything right again. Before it's too late.
adventurous
lighthearted
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
I liked it but it is intended for middle schoolers so it was a bit harder for my to get into. The ending kind intrigued me though so I want to read the next one.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK YA'LL. IT'S SO GOOD. YOU NEED IT.
*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/
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There were a few times where I struggled to continue on but I really enjoyed the world building and the characters. I’m super intrigued for the sequel
This was darker than I was expecting but I enjoyed the world-building a lot. Based on Latin American myths and stories, Curse of the Night Witch is a fast-paced adventure with mischievous children and a great heart. Looking forward to the sequel!