Book Review: Once A Wtich

Once a Witch

Author: Carolyn MacCullough

Publish Date: September 2009

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant. (Goodreads)

There are far too few books about witches. Or at least in YA there is. Which is weird when you think about it because witches are frequent in several histories. Thus, I was pretty excited to pick up this book.

New York City is a pretty busy place. Or at least the last time I was there it was. Which brings me to my not as crowded as NYC should be feeling of the locale.  Don’t get me wrong, it still feels like NYC but more laid back then the rushing pace of NYC I’m used to. The house in the countryside is completely realistic to environment in comparison. Since the characters don’t spend a huge amount of time in the city it’s not a great big deal the city is lacking its usual luster.

Tamsin has this great big chip on her shoulder called I have no power and I dislike everyone that does. It’s not a very healthy way to deal with the problem. And being powerless isn’t truly a problem even in a family of witches. They try to make her part of the group but she stubbornly refuses because she’s different. It makes her an unlikeable character in a way. Since she’s not like them, she’ll just shut them all out. While this doesn’t mean she doesn’t love her family it’s still very apparent she’s bitter.

The story moves along rather quickly. It would have to with as short as it is. There are no wasted words or events. Everything written has some purpose whether future or past is yet to be determined at the beginning of the book, but it all makes sense at the end.

While no means a complicated read, it was an overall enjoyable experience. The witches are true to the history of them and there are no plot holes that leave the reader scratching their head wondering what just happened. While not earth shattering it is a complete, no mysteriously vague events story.

My Rating: