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Welcome to the Spring Fever Giveaway Party!

 

A dozen authors over at YA Author Rendezvous have put an awesome giveaway together – with over TWENTY chances to win!

 

 

 

 

One grand-prize winner will walk away with a signed, first edition hardback of Witch and Wizard which just so happens to be written by one of the biggest names in fiction – JAMES PATTERSON! On top of that, they get a $100 amazon gift-card!

And all if takes is a minute or two and a few clicks of the mouse.

 

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This book is great for people who aren't sure about reading. The chapters are super short. I don't think there's a chapter that's over 5 pages! It really flies. It's a cool concept - New Order (new government) takes over and is eliminating all threats. This includes our two main characters. They are accused and sentenced to death for being a witch and wizard.

I'm reading this with a group of seventh graders and they seem to enjoy it. However, I do see some faults. The story is told as two different narrators, but they both sound exactly the same. Their sarcasm is unwarranted and unbelievable. I'm giving it 3.5 stars for the kids, just because it must be doing something right if they're enjoying it and continue reading.

 

 

From the book cover

 

The Wizard is Lost.

The Witch is Angry.

The Enemy is Relentless.

They will never see the end coming...

 

I must say that when I started this book I was a little over what felt like the same plot: Evil Adult tries to control the city & control magic, Evil outsider wizard threatens the city, the Witch & Wizard save the day. But, I ended up really enjoying this book. 

 

Darrius is the evil wizard and he is a great character. Some of the chapters are told from his point of view so we get to see inside his warped mind. Whit's motivations are a little hard to understand at points. He makes a huge decision without seeming to put much thought into it and then regrets it later - as we as readers knew he would. Wisty is the same firebrand character who never thinks before she acts but still manages to survive. There are a couple of characters in this book that I didn't expect to see again. This book brings together elements from all the previous books and finally ties them all together. There are some unexpected twists and surprises toward the end of the book.

 

 

Recommended to:

Overall a great series for middle grades and young adults, especially if you like Patterson's style and magical worlds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 -The First Truth-

 Know The Self.

Illusions Trick The Eyes,

But Not The Inner Eye.

  

-The Second Truth- 

Know The Family.

Trust Is Not Truth;

It Is But A Flickering Flame.

  

-The Third Truth-

Know Light From Dark.

Magic Is Not Equal To Righteousness.

A Wizard May Destroy Or Save.

A City Hangs In The Balance.

 

-from the first page

 

 The Fire was the final book in the original Witch & Wizard trilogy. It wrapped up things nicely. So, going into this book, Whit & Wisty and the entire city are all celebrating the end of the evil dictator The One. But, of course things can't stay happy or there wouldn't be a story. There is a new threat, the Wizard King on the mountain. And there is a new government. A council made up of 17 men & women and 17 kids including Wisty & Whit. The head of the council, General Bloom is also a problem. He wants to control things and takes his newfound power too far. The Wizard King has cut off the city's water supply and children have been vanishing from the city. Whit takes off on a peaceful mission to the mountain to negotiate with the Wizard King. And Wisty chooses to stay behind with a mysterious wizard named Heath.

 

I enjoyed this book. It seemed totally separate from the original trilogy, with new locations and characters popping up that we never heard of before. But, it is another exciting adventure for Whit & Wisty. She is a difficult character to like because she is so hot-headed and always flying off the handle (not a good thing when you can't control your magic and you start fires). But I get her. She seems to fall really fast for this new wizard (Heath) without too much hesitation considering she doesn't really know him. But I guess that's young love in the wizard world. ;) Whit is likable but I wish his powers were stronger. I liked the conflict between the siblings and that they learn they are stronger together.

 

There were some fun twists towards the end and one especially that I didn't see coming (though some of you may). A fun, very quick read. Overall another good book in the series and great for middle school students.

 

Recommended to:

Young adults and middle school students. There is magic and adventure, a little romance and a strong brother/sister bond.

Imagine another world...

one similar to your own.

A parallel universe, where life is

still full of friends and loves,

school and sports, church and family.

 

But then: Everything changes.

 

Overnight.

 

Because people aren't paying attention,

something important is taken from society:

Books, movies and music. Freedom and justice.

And respect for the incredible creative power of kids.

It can all disappear in a flash...

 

So, pay attention.

Don't let this happen to your world.

 

Recommended to:

Young readers from 4th grade on and adults who enjoy fantasy, magic & young adult books. An edge of your seat book. There is some violence & death and  a bit of nail biting action. So, assess your own child for what they can handle.

 

I read these books ages ago. And I just recently realized that another book from the series came out and I need to catch up. :)

 

So, I decided to reread these two and then try to finish the series. I'm glad I did. The books are great dystopian YA fun. I love James Patterson's style and the characters in these books are great. I don't want to give anything away. Let me just say that if you like YA books and magic and a bit of adventure, I think you will enjoy this series.

 

Whit & Wisty are great as the Witch & Wizard. In the beginning, they don't even realize they have powers. There are prophecies and a evil power hungry guy (the One who is the One). There is dark humor and of course, death and danger. The book is written so that Whit and Wisty are talking to the reader. We read what is going on from each of their point of views separated by chapters. And they are constantly talking to us, like "I know I went too far" or "I shouldn't have said that" or "you wouldn't believe what we saw". It makes for fun reading and I sped through both of these books. Now I'm on to book 3, Fire. I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait to see how this will turn out.