Book Review: The Apprentice Witch

I saw this book in our school library first. Something about the title and cover caught my eye. Our librarian had it on display and when I took my class to their weekly library time one day. I took it and read the blurb. It caught my attention, I took a picture of the cover, and I showed it to my eleven year-old daughter when I got home. She was interested. So was I.

A few months later we had the book fair at the school, and at my school, teachers always get a $20 voucher to spend books. Not just that, we also get the buy one get the second one half price. Well, I saw this book on the shelves and I had to get it.

My daughter read it first and she said she had really enjoyed it and recommended it. So, when we went on our beach vacation I took it with me.

The book is written by James Nicol, and as you read it you can feel you are in England just by the prose. I felt a little bit as if I were watching a Nanny McPhee movie or Mary Poppins by the dialogue. The characters were very colorful and unique and the story, while a little slow and pointless at times, was charming.

It feels like the beginning of a series of books, too. But, if you just want to read the one, it’s okay, too. It does have a beginning and end, yet the main character could definitely go on different adventures.

After reading it I posted it on Twitter, tagging the author, and I was very happy with his personalized reply. Not only that, he also followed me back on Twitter, which I just loved. I see he has another book that came out in March which is a sequel to this one. I may just pick it up later.

In the meantime I can tell you I still give it 5 stars (maybe 4.5 if 1/2 stars were allowed). I still recommended. It’s a cute Middle Grade book I recommend especially to girls, although I enjoyed it too as an middle aged adult!

cheers!