The Witches' Kitchen Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have to say that "The Witches' Kitchen" is making itself a challenge to rate. A fantasy for Middle Graders, I would definitely suggest to kids that they check it out if they like a truly creepy fairytale. For adults though, I'd have to advise them to approach the book more hesitantly. The ideas behind "The Witches' Kitchen" are definitely creative and interesting, and the artwork is absolutely first-class, but the writing is a little uneven. In some places, for example, the tone changes abruptly, and in other places there is far too much dependence on dialog to tell the story. It almost seems like a play at times.
There's also the question of motivation. Darn if I could discern why anyone did what they did. The toad, for example, picks up friends who help her along. But there's no reason, other than to have a story, that I could see for them befriending the little heroine. I had to put on my 'this is a fairytale' mindset in order to read on with satisfaction.That said, I would most definitely look forward to reading the next book by Mr. Williams, either in this series (yes, please we'd like another book) or elsewhere. I expect his writing skills will increase to match his artwork-- which would be phenomenal indeed.
3 to 4 stars depending on what part of the MG-to-YA-to-Adult scale you inhabit.
Pam T~
mom/blogger
Notes:
Language: few instances, all extremely mild, most beginning with "d"
Violence: mild
Read-aloud: surprisingly makes a very good read-aloud. I am currently sharing the book with my 10 yo daughter.

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The Kitchen Witch (Accidental Witch Trilogy, Book 1) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was annoyed at the beginning of this novel. It starts with a drop-dead gorgeous but unemployed woman, Melody, using her sex appeal to manipulate her way into a starring role on a cooking show. Never mind that she can't cook.
From there, however, it becomes a cute, lightweight romance that isn't bad at all. Melody matures a great deal throughout the book, becoming more mature and responsible while retaining her spunk and spirit. The male lead, Logan, becomes more annoying as Melody becomes less so. He's looking for a woman who can be a good mother to his son, ignoring his feelings for Melody and the constant proof the she's great with kids--from her adorable bonding with Logan's son to her rescuing abandoned kittens--because he has the idea that only a staid, conventional woman could make a good mother. The rest of the novel is devoted to finding out whether Logan will ever wise up.
I did hope there would be a little more *witchcraft* in this book! If it's going to be titled "The Kitchen Witch", and star a witch and a man who's a little afraid of witches, and be set in Salem--I want a little more magic than, say, a red candle getting lit when the characters are about to get it on. I don't like novels that read like Witchcraft 101 primers--but this goes too far in the other direction. The story could have been better either by dropping the witch angle entirely or by having more fun with it.

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