Riford Mckenzie

I would say that the most creative parts of the books are also hard to understand and confusing. They get lost in the frenzy of the action. I don't have a clear image of what just happened.

I can see it made into a Tim Burton/ Coraline/Boxtrolls movie.

The boy ends up with his aunts in dreadful place being the core of their plans. He tries to escape several times. This slows down the book a bit, but then the addition of other characters makes it better, such as Dez. Again there are parts and chapters that flow very well, but others that I would like to visualize better, such as the maids attacks.… (més)

Book Info: Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: MG
Recommended for: fans of MG fantasy, adventure stories featuring witches
Trigger Warnings: witchcraft, black magic

My Thoughts: This was a really fun story, and a fast read, despite the length. I was especially amused by Japheth and his made-up and silly words and phrases. I imagine there will be some controversy, since this book features both white and black magic practitioners, but overall it's a fun, clean story for younger readers. It was especially fun to find this book featuring a boy, a modern story that is in short supply lately.

This story is set in 1927, so it was also fun to see the difference in thoughts, speech and attitudes. Elijah's father is distrustful of mechanical things and refuses to have a car, for instance, or electricity, which Elijah finds most distressing.

I was left thinking that there was plenty of room for a sequel to this story. After all, the cauldron was probably un-Chosen by the end of the story. Does it need to Choose to maintain a level of safety? What is another dark-magic practitioner wanted to try to take it over? I could see where the story could definitely continue. However, I cannot find any evidence that it will, and the website that is listed for the author in the back of the book is apparently defunct.

At any rate, if you're looking for a fun, clean read for your younger readers, especially for boys, this is a great book. Check it out.

Edition information: Please note, this book was recently re-released in a Paperback edition from Amazon Children's Publishing. The edition I have, and which I read, was the original 2008 edition in hardcover.

Disclosure: I received a copy through the Amazon Vine Last Harvest program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: When his two strange aunts arrive at Dredmoore Hollow, eleven-year-old Elijah finds his life turned upside down. His parents suddenly leave town, and he's whisked away to stay with Serena and Agnes on Moaning Marsh, where they run the world's most mysterious beauty salon.… (més)