Review by Kayleigh
This book had a lot of potential, but fell flat in its delivery for me.
Favourite Quote:
In Aloysia’s more impressionable years, Great-Granny Ethelbah’s words would have stung for a week. Now in her thirties, however, she knew better. Being the sensible, fully-grown witch she was, she had taken the logical precautionary measure of carving the pumpkin temporarily hosting the soul of her dearly departed great-granny with the face of a bunny.
Book Synopsis:
Welcome to the whimsical world of Tangleroot Valley, where magic thrives in every corner, and witch Aloysia Papplewick tends to her Prattling Pumpkin patch. But there’s one thing Aloysia doesn’t have – her familiar. The magical folk of the valley take flight astride and depend upon their majestic yet adorable companions – cat-dragons. Fluffy yet fierce, playful but protective, each cat-dragon is a unique blend – which is rumoured to say something about the witch or wizard it bonds with, and perhaps even predict their future. Aloysia has failed thirteen times already to bond with her own – until now – and no sooner has she done so than the two of them are whisked away on a quest to protect the valley…
Review:
This book sounded so cute and cozy, and the characters were eccentric and engaging. However, that’s where it ends for me. I feel like there were a lot of gaps in the book: I never fully understood the magical world and its politics driving the story. I didn’t buy the love story – it’s kind of an enemies (but they both secretly have feelings for each other) to lovers, but I didn’t see any growth or engagement into how the two characters fall for each other. I felt confused about the ending.
Saying that, here’s what I did like about the book: I loved the cozy world, and would have happily spent more time in it if I could see more of it. I wanted to understand more about the prattling pumpkins, how the magic and non magic worlds existed, how the politics between the three very different areas worked together, and more about the role of a witch’s hat. It felt like the books had a lot of vibes, and if there was just an extra layer of depth, this would be a knock out. I really wanted to love this book. I also want to acknowledge that maybe it just wasn’t the time for me to read this book. Others that I saw in reviews, loved this book and took what they needed from the story.
All in all this book has a sweet premise and I’m optimistic that the author will continue to refine their writing.
Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
