Jubilant Birthday Diminutive Witch Today is a day of celebration, for it is the birthday of a diminutive witch. This sorceress, though small in stature, possesses a power that radiates far beyond her size. With a heart full of joy and elemental magic at her fingertips, she brings happiness wherever she goes. From a young age, this spellcaster has displayed an impeccable talent for enchantment. Her spells are always cast with precision and grace, leaving all who witness them in awe. Whether it be conjuring potions, changing the weather, or transforming animals into mythical creatures, this witch has an uncanny ability to bring magic to life.
"I'm being serious, why aren't there any other light sources except from the ones you lit?" You asked again
In that, this book might be worth a read if you enjoy quick and wistful retellings it is ominous, feels-inducing, and a nicely conclusive standalone , but perhaps not if you have too many books on your TBR. In that, this book might be worth a read if you enjoy quick and wistful retellings it is ominous, feels-inducing, and a nicely conclusive standalone , but perhaps not if you have too many books on your TBR.
Whether it be conjuring potions, changing the weather, or transforming animals into mythical creatures, this witch has an uncanny ability to bring magic to life. But it is not just her magical abilities that make her special. This sorceress has a spirit that shines brighter than any spell.
Sea Witch by Sarah Henning: Pensive, melancholy, ominous // Book Review
Evie, Anna, and Prince Nik are childhood friends, but Anna tragically drowns in an accident, and Evie is still haunted by her death years later. However, when Anna suddenly returns from the dead, Evie is determined to protect her friend’s life and happiness at whatever cost.
***Genre: Retelling, Fantasy, Magical realism, Historical fiction
***Thank you to Edelweiss for sending an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are solely my own and have not been influenced in any way.
My thoughts:
Alas, I am once again at a standstill with another conflicted review. I must disclaim that while I personally did not regret my decision to read this book, it is still one that makes me hesitant to recommend as a fully satisfying retelling.
But first off, the positives. The overarching premise of the book is quite compelling on the whole. The author’s tone, pacing, and flow merges nicely to create a cohesive outlet for the story to forge ahead, and the atmospheric story-telling presents an ominous sense of dread and impending doom that immersed me in the narrative right away.
Furthermore, characters are surprisingly self-aware and level-headed. Too often it is with romantic conflicts in YA that I tend to emerge irritable and peeved, yet the initial setup of platonic relationships, natural banter, and likable protagonists prevented any unnecessary drama from occurring, and I was relatively absorbed in their plights.
On top of this, though I was aware going in that this was a Little Mermaid retelling from the perspective of the sea witch, it was still dismaying to see the outcome of this story regardless. The author spins a tragic and poignant tale to reel in the feels, and it left me feeling somber, melancholy, and contemplative for hours after finishing it.
In other words, this book delivered a tonally satisfying narrative.
Unfortunately, there are a few missteps here that prevent this book from being a fully satisfying retelling, one of which is plot/suspense. Characters are in constant state of flashback and rumination, and while I personally did not object to this, characters tended to slip back into the same circle of musings that rendered their concerns repetitive and meandering, and I felt the author was flogging a dead horse by the end.
Furthermore, there is a lack of progression at crucial moments in the story. As much effort the author puts into reflecting the arguably obsessive inner turmoil of these characters (particularly Evie), she fails to deliver a diverse range of emotions, whether it be shock, betrayal, or sadness: emotions are touched only in passing, and that made character developments appear more rash and reactionary than they actually were.
Lastly, although I greatly enjoyed the atmospheric nature of this book, it felt rather unbalanced due to its lack of substantial dialogue or action to ground the reader in the present. The action was disproportionate to the lengthy introspection of these characters, so it was difficult to find myself grounded in the present as the author constantly either dredged up the past or foreshadowed the imminent future.
Bottom line, this book ultimately feels like a solid first draft or a complex middle-grade novel. It is focused, reflective, and atmospheric, yet because the author strikes only minimal plot developments and emotions to get her story across, I came out of this book feeling satisfied, but not satisfied if that makes any sense.
“It did not do make waves.”
Recommended? If you have time to kill.
To be clear, is this a book that the masses will enjoy? Arguably yes, arguably no. This book appealed to me as I enjoy nihilistic morals and self-aware characters, but it did objectively feel repetitive as the same suspense was re-tread one time too many.
In that, this book might be worth a read if you enjoy quick and wistful retellings (it is ominous, feels-inducing, and a nicely conclusive standalone), but perhaps not if you have too many books on your TBR. Recommended for fans of Heartless by Marissa Meyer.
Final thoughts: Simplistic, but atmospheric
As much as I felt this book lacked meat, I think it would’ve made for a 5-star read had it been twice its length. It offered a nice sense of atmosphere and complexity that immersed you in these characters, yet the context (plot, action, dialogue) was bypassed so lightly that it read more like a simplistic fable than a full retelling.
But because this book enveloped me in a nice sense of melancholy, I give it 3 stars. There’s an atmospheric consistency that despite the lack of meat, the characters are likable and the sense of finality will leave you satisfied: this book has its flaws, but it is surprisingly quiet and pensive for YA, and I can respect that.
The witch sighed then said,"Because my ignorant pet, I must keep my lair a secret." The witch then turned around and proceeded down deeper into the cave. The cave then opened up into a cavern, and torches lit up the walls on every corner. You and the witch then approached a large metal cage that looked like it could be the frame of a two story house, and the witch told you to get inside. You got into the cage, and the witch locked the door behind you, and you suddenly noticed you needed to go to the bathroom badly.
Her kind heart and generous nature have endeared her to all those who have had the pleasure of knowing her. She is always there to lend a helping hand, casting spells of love and healing, and ensuring that everyone around her feels valued and appreciated. On this jubilant day, let us celebrate the birth of this diminutive witch. Let us gather together, in a coven of friendship and laughter, to honor her remarkable abilities and the magic that she brings to our lives. Let us shower her with wishes for a year filled with joy, prosperity, and endless enchantment. Happy birthday, dear diminutive witch! May your spells continue to mesmerize and delight us, and may your spirit of kindness and love forever illuminate the world. May the candles on your cake burn bright, casting a glow that reminds us all of the magic that resides within you..
Reviews for "Bewitching Birthday Fun: Bringing the Magic to Life for a Little Witch"
1. Sarah - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with "Jubilant birthday diminutive witch". The storyline was confusing and lacked depth, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The writing style felt disjointed and inconsistent, making it difficult to follow along. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time and would not recommend it.
2. Mark - 2/5 - I had high expectations for "Jubilant birthday diminutive witch" based on the hype, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The plot seemed promising, but it quickly became convoluted and hard to follow. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. While there were a few moments of potential, the overall execution left much to be desired.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I picked up "Jubilant birthday diminutive witch" expecting a fun and whimsical read, but it ended up being quite disappointing. The writing style was overly flowery and excessive, making the story drag on unnecessarily. The dialogue felt forced and inauthentic, making it hard to connect with the characters. Overall, I found this book to be tedious and lacked the charm I was hoping for.
4. Jason - 3/5 - While "Jubilant birthday diminutive witch" had an interesting premise, I found the execution to be lackluster. The pacing felt off, with moments of intense action followed by long stretches of monotony. The characters were not particularly memorable, and the dialogue felt forced at times. I wouldn't say it was the worst book I've read, but it certainly didn't live up to my expectations.