The Magic Treehouse series written by Mary Pope Osborne is a popular children's book series that takes readers on exciting adventures through time and space. One of the notable books in this series is titled "Dragon of the Red Dawn." In "Dragon of the Red Dawn," the main characters, Jack and Annie, are transported to ancient China. They are on a mission to rescue a talented artist, named Shen, who has been captured by an emperor and forced to paint his portrait. With the help of their magic treehouse, they arrive in China during the Tang dynasty. Upon arriving in China, Jack and Annie find themselves in the midst of a bustling city, filled with vibrant culture and historical significance.
Upon arriving in China, Jack and Annie find themselves in the midst of a bustling city, filled with vibrant culture and historical significance. They explore the city and learn about the Chinese way of life during that time. As they unravel the mystery of Shen's capture, they discover the existence of a magical dragon that has the power to grant wishes.
Book Review: Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
Practical Magic follows Owens sisters Gillian and Sally as they live their lives. They grow up in a town in Massachusetts where their family is shunned by the entire town. It is believed that the women in their household are responsible for every terrible (or even mildly inconvenient) thing that happens. As adults, the sisters part ways, escaping the town to find better lives, but they’re inexplicably drawn back together.
I fell in love with the writing style within the first few lines. Hoffman is both eloquent and tantalizing with each word that she has so carefully selected. It begins with a narrative setting the scene, but around fifty pages in, I realized that the whole book was like this. It’s too much narrative. Pages after pages of long paragraphs, with very little action to move the plot forward. Every now and then there is dialogue, but the nature of the narrative pulls the reader away from what is happening. I couldn’t truly connect with what was happening.
Not only is the book beautifully written, but it is beautifully twisted. This is revealed early on in the story, and was one of Practical Magic’s saving graces for me. I probably wouldn’t have finished it if it hadn’t had that darkness seeping into an otherwise seemingly innocuous story.
I love how Hoffman incorporated little tidbits of witchcraft into her descriptions of things:
“Never presume August is a safe or reliable time of the year. It is the season of reversals, when the birds no longer sing in the morning and the evenings are made up of equal parts golden light and black clouds. The rock-solid and the tenuous can easily exchange places until everything you know can be questioned and put into doubt.”
If only the entire book had been passages like this, without any pesky plot to get in the way of my enjoyment.
I had a hard time relating to the characters. They’re all quite selfish (which, weirdly, is normally relatable for me ;)), but they had very unlikable characteristics attributed to each of them. I didn’t appreciate how each one of them (aside from Sally) was preoccupied with their looks. Even Hoffman, in her describing of characters, never spent much time talking about their other traits. The way Gillian has literally every man falling head over heels in love with her was a tad tedious. There was also too much of this “falling in love at first sight” nonsense. It was amusing with Gillian, because she did it a million times, but every character did it, which made it less amusing and more aggravating.
Mild spoilers between the glasses!
There isn’t much to the plot, other than the characters falling in love many times. I did appreciate the character development between the younger sisters, Antonia and Kylie, but it didn’t quite make up for the irritating first nine tenths of the book.
When Gillian kills her boyfriend and buries him in the backyard, I thought, Finally! This is getting interesting! But not much of interest happened after that. Not even when someone came knocking on their door to investigate…
I recommend this book to those who love an engrossing writing style, but aren’t expecting a lot in the form of plot. The characters are a major appeal for this book, and it’s hard to determine who will like them and who will not. I suggest you give the book a shot if you’re wanting to read a book about witchcraft that isn’t a horror or a romance.
*25th Anniversary Edition*—with an Introduction by the Author!
This dragon can only be found at sunrise on the Great Wall of China. To find and rescue Shen, Jack and Annie embark on an epic journey up the Great Wall of China. Along the way, they encounter various challenges, including treacherous terrain, mythical creatures, and Chinese folklore. Through their bravery and resourcefulness, they are able to reach the sunrise on the Great Wall and encounter the dragon of the red dawn. The dragon of the red dawn listens to Jack and Annie's plea for help and grants them a wish. With their wish, they free Shen from the clutches of the emperor and ensure his safe return home. Throughout their adventure, the siblings also learn about the importance of friendship, bravery, and the power of dreams. "Dragon of the Red Dawn" is a captivating story that combines history, fantasy, and adventure. It not only educates young readers about ancient Chinese civilization but also instills valuable lessons about compassion, courage, and the pursuit of one's passions. With its engaging narrative and lovable characters, this book has become a favorite among children and a beloved addition to the Magic Treehouse series..
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