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aliviasbookshelf's review
5.0
Escape from witch city was, in my opinion, the perfect book.
Exciting and witty main characters with their own personal goals, a plot that was easy to understand and follow along, and despite being a novel with war themes and action, it felt calm. It felt like the characters actually had a chance. And that was huge for me.
The writing was gorgeous, to start. The worldbuilding was amazing and I absolutely adored how the magic system worked. The background was established without being shoved down your throat and the characters had actual raw and biased feelings. 13 year olds felt like 13 year olds should feel in dangerous life saving situations.
Our story follows Emma in a kingdom where witches are exiled and sent away. Emma is the niece of the queen, and she senses magic in herself. Then comes the testing and she's pushed together with other young witches to discover the truth. And discover a place. Witch City.
I think my favorite part of this book is how ageless it feels.
Younger viewers can enjoy Action and excitement without feeling overwhelmed by scary themes.
Older viewers can enjoy the gothic themes and amazing story. It's incredible.
So go add this to your TBR.
Exciting and witty main characters with their own personal goals, a plot that was easy to understand and follow along, and despite being a novel with war themes and action, it felt calm. It felt like the characters actually had a chance. And that was huge for me.
The writing was gorgeous, to start. The worldbuilding was amazing and I absolutely adored how the magic system worked. The background was established without being shoved down your throat and the characters had actual raw and biased feelings. 13 year olds felt like 13 year olds should feel in dangerous life saving situations.
Our story follows Emma in a kingdom where witches are exiled and sent away. Emma is the niece of the queen, and she senses magic in herself. Then comes the testing and she's pushed together with other young witches to discover the truth. And discover a place. Witch City.
I think my favorite part of this book is how ageless it feels.
Younger viewers can enjoy Action and excitement without feeling overwhelmed by scary themes.
Older viewers can enjoy the gothic themes and amazing story. It's incredible.
So go add this to your TBR.
sahelwig's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
sanmeow's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
a story about emma, a young witch living in a world where witchcraft is essentially forbidden. every child gets tested for witch blood at the age of thirteen. if a child has witch blood, they get sent away from london. after emma realizes her witch nature, she knows she has to make it disappear by the time she turns thirteen, but in the process discovers secrets about her family. when emma fails the blood test, she gathers her friends to try to escape to witch city.
my favorite thing about this novel is the magic system - how everyone had a distinct magical ability, which only made the characters better. emma was especially fun to read about. i also loved the friendship and love in this book because they brought more beauty to it. the only complaint i have is that this was a bit slow at times and had pacing issues in general. i would still recommend it to anyone, but especially young teenagers.
my favorite thing about this novel is the magic system - how everyone had a distinct magical ability, which only made the characters better. emma was especially fun to read about. i also loved the friendship and love in this book because they brought more beauty to it. the only complaint i have is that this was a bit slow at times and had pacing issues in general. i would still recommend it to anyone, but especially young teenagers.
bookishwiccan's review
4.0
This is an adventure with new friends and an outcast family member. There are family secrets and a dark past. There is royalty and there is power. There are spooky vibes, adventures, and magic.. The themes toward the end get very dark, but still age appropriate as it is a 9-12 aimed age group. I loved the world-building and thoroughly enjoyed the story. Definitely recommend.
jlynne's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ghostlydreamer's review
3.0
3.5, to be precise.
I found this book on a whim. I was searching Libby's new releases for middle grade books and stumbled across this one. With a title like Escape to Witch City and a cover such as this one, it's no wonder I was immediately drawn to it. So much so that I put other books I planned to read next on hold. And while I did enjoy this book, I guess I didn't love it the way I expected to, which is a little disappointing. Nevertheless, if you're interested in a magical, witchy middle grade book, this is a good one to try and I would recommend it.
The story follows Emmaline Black and her friends in their search for Witch City. To explain why would be a bit of a spoiler, but Emma lives in a world where witches are considered evil, and to have anything over 15% witch blood is considered despicable. Certain...methods...are used when a child of 13 is tested with results that are over this 15%. It's actually pretty dark, and I was definitely drawn to that aspect.
The world is actually pretty creative. While part of the story takes place in real world London, the rest takes place in this curious In-Between land and New Londinium, a world of the author's own creation. The magic was also interesting, but I felt like there was a lot to this world and it's magic that was barely touched on. There's so much more to explore. I'm not sure if there will be a future installment to this book or if it's a standalone. For a while there, I suspected it just couldn't end with one book because there didn't seem to be enough time. But now I'm not so sure, given how neatly it wrapped up. If there is another installment, I'm not sure if I'll read it, but in a way, I hope there is so we can learn more about the witches.
Unfortunately, the pacing was a bit slow for me at times. Then at the end it all started going really fast, to the point where it kind of felt like it was going TOO fast. And admittedly, sometimes the plot was a little predictable. But I'm not the target audience so I'll let that slide.
The main cast of characters were pleasant, but in a way, I don't see why needed so many of them. At first it was really hard to keep track of them since three of them have names that start with E. There could probably have been a little more depth to them, and sometimes they felt very similar, but none of them irritated or bothered me.
The book has a really strong beginning, though. The author knows how to write a convincing story. And the main storyline definitely got my attention and kept me reading. I enjoyed it well enough. I guess I mostly just wanted MORE from this. It felt a little lacking in places. But I say that as an adult. For a child, I think this is perfect.
I found this book on a whim. I was searching Libby's new releases for middle grade books and stumbled across this one. With a title like Escape to Witch City and a cover such as this one, it's no wonder I was immediately drawn to it. So much so that I put other books I planned to read next on hold. And while I did enjoy this book, I guess I didn't love it the way I expected to, which is a little disappointing. Nevertheless, if you're interested in a magical, witchy middle grade book, this is a good one to try and I would recommend it.
The story follows Emmaline Black and her friends in their search for Witch City. To explain why would be a bit of a spoiler, but Emma lives in a world where witches are considered evil, and to have anything over 15% witch blood is considered despicable. Certain...methods...are used when a child of 13 is tested with results that are over this 15%. It's actually pretty dark, and I was definitely drawn to that aspect.
The world is actually pretty creative. While part of the story takes place in real world London, the rest takes place in this curious In-Between land and New Londinium, a world of the author's own creation. The magic was also interesting, but I felt like there was a lot to this world and it's magic that was barely touched on. There's so much more to explore. I'm not sure if there will be a future installment to this book or if it's a standalone. For a while there, I suspected it just couldn't end with one book because there didn't seem to be enough time. But now I'm not so sure, given how neatly it wrapped up. If there is another installment, I'm not sure if I'll read it, but in a way, I hope there is so we can learn more about the witches.
Unfortunately, the pacing was a bit slow for me at times. Then at the end it all started going really fast, to the point where it kind of felt like it was going TOO fast. And admittedly, sometimes the plot was a little predictable. But I'm not the target audience so I'll let that slide.
The main cast of characters were pleasant, but in a way, I don't see why needed so many of them. At first it was really hard to keep track of them since three of them have names that start with E. There could probably have been a little more depth to them, and sometimes they felt very similar, but none of them irritated or bothered me.
The book has a really strong beginning, though. The author knows how to write a convincing story. And the main storyline definitely got my attention and kept me reading. I enjoyed it well enough. I guess I mostly just wanted MORE from this. It felt a little lacking in places. But I say that as an adult. For a child, I think this is perfect.
jilljemmett's review
5.0
Emmaline Black is the niece of Queen Alexandria. The Queen’s mission is to find and destroy all the witches. When Emma turns thirteen, she must be given a test to see if she has any witch blood. Emma is nervous about it, because she suspects she is a witch. She has the ability to hear heartbeats of people who are near her. Emma is also curious about her other aunt, who was a witch and was banished from the city. After Emma gets tested, she teams up with some new friends to find the truth about her family and the witches.
I love middle grade books about witches! This was book with a spooky, Victorian setting. Their society has a history of hunting witches, but Emma doesn’t know the true reason why. Her aunt, the Queen, hunted out witches to find the Witch City. Emma and her friends had to be sent there to find the secrets of the witches.
The witches in this story had unique powers. Emma had the ability to hear people’s heartbeats. Another character can persuade anyone to do anything, while another has the ability to control birds. These were powers that were quite useful to them but I haven’t encountered them in a story before. I really liked these original abilities.
Escape to Witch City is a fun middle grade witch story!
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love middle grade books about witches! This was book with a spooky, Victorian setting. Their society has a history of hunting witches, but Emma doesn’t know the true reason why. Her aunt, the Queen, hunted out witches to find the Witch City. Emma and her friends had to be sent there to find the secrets of the witches.
The witches in this story had unique powers. Emma had the ability to hear people’s heartbeats. Another character can persuade anyone to do anything, while another has the ability to control birds. These were powers that were quite useful to them but I haven’t encountered them in a story before. I really liked these original abilities.
Escape to Witch City is a fun middle grade witch story!
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
followingfantasies's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers and/or author for providing me an e-ARC of this title in return for am unbiased review.
In 'Escape to Witch City,' we are following Emma, a young girl who is trying to find a way to conceal her magic abilities. Emma's aunt also happens to be the Queen and after witches destroyed their city, the Queen has banished all witches. Every child is tested when they are 13 for abilities and if they fail the test it is a death sentence. After Emma and her cousin, the Prince, both fail their tests they are set on a path with unlikely friends to save themselves by finding a hidden colony of witches called Witch City.
This is a very good middle-grade fantasy with an interesting magic system. The world is described enough to intrigue readers, while leaving enough unexplored to keep you wanting more. I'm not sure if there are plans for a sequel, but if so, it is set up very well for one. The characters were fun and there is a good message about friendship. As expected, this mystery includes some unexpected twists along with some predictable ones. It was fun to watch the characters discover their abilities throughout the book.
Fans of V.E. Schwab and Harry Potter will most likely enjoy this book. People interested in a dark or Gothic aesthetic will appreciate the world that is set up. There is some magic along with some mystery for those who enjoy that.
In 'Escape to Witch City,' we are following Emma, a young girl who is trying to find a way to conceal her magic abilities. Emma's aunt also happens to be the Queen and after witches destroyed their city, the Queen has banished all witches. Every child is tested when they are 13 for abilities and if they fail the test it is a death sentence. After Emma and her cousin, the Prince, both fail their tests they are set on a path with unlikely friends to save themselves by finding a hidden colony of witches called Witch City.
This is a very good middle-grade fantasy with an interesting magic system. The world is described enough to intrigue readers, while leaving enough unexplored to keep you wanting more. I'm not sure if there are plans for a sequel, but if so, it is set up very well for one. The characters were fun and there is a good message about friendship. As expected, this mystery includes some unexpected twists along with some predictable ones. It was fun to watch the characters discover their abilities throughout the book.
Fans of V.E. Schwab and Harry Potter will most likely enjoy this book. People interested in a dark or Gothic aesthetic will appreciate the world that is set up. There is some magic along with some mystery for those who enjoy that.
cryptidkay's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.5
I'm a sucker for a good fantasy/horror mix and this one delivers. The characters suffer a bit from the focus on atmosphere and world building but what a world! The terrifying In-Between, the range of magical abilities (which I loved rather than everyone being equally able to do all magic, so original), the ties to old witch trials and the three sisters trope, this book was written for me. It does read a bit like the first book in a series... and I'm probably too invested on how London was going to handle the succession with the queen in prison in a different realm and her only child there as well...
lelliereads's review
4.0
4.25/5
Escape to Witch City is a middle grade fantasy following Emma, a young royal living in a castle in London with her mother, her Aunt the Queen, and her cousin Edgar who is the crown Prince. Ever since witches destroyed their city, the Queen has gone through great lengths to eradicate them from their country, going as far as Testing every child and making people drink thistle, which witches have a weakness to. When Testing Day approaches, Emma, her cousin Edgar, and two other children from London, Maddie and Eliza, are tested and found to be witches. This sends them on a journey to escape from their death sentence and locate the mythical Witch City.
I really enjoyed this book, especially the first half leading up to the mystery. I do wish the In-Between and the parallel Londons had been explained a little better and that more time was spent exploring the Witch City, but the ending has a great set up for a sequel to remedy these things. I love the Victorian gothic aesthetic and thought the 4 main characters were fun. Overall, very enjoyable!
***My version isn’t the finished version, but there is a line in the ARC about sleeping off a concussion and you definitely shouldn’t sleep when you first have a concussion. I hope that's a line that is revisited.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Escape to Witch City is a middle grade fantasy following Emma, a young royal living in a castle in London with her mother, her Aunt the Queen, and her cousin Edgar who is the crown Prince. Ever since witches destroyed their city, the Queen has gone through great lengths to eradicate them from their country, going as far as Testing every child and making people drink thistle, which witches have a weakness to. When Testing Day approaches, Emma, her cousin Edgar, and two other children from London, Maddie and Eliza, are tested and found to be witches. This sends them on a journey to escape from their death sentence and locate the mythical Witch City.
I really enjoyed this book, especially the first half leading up to the mystery. I do wish the In-Between and the parallel Londons had been explained a little better and that more time was spent exploring the Witch City, but the ending has a great set up for a sequel to remedy these things. I love the Victorian gothic aesthetic and thought the 4 main characters were fun. Overall, very enjoyable!
***My version isn’t the finished version, but there is a line in the ARC about sleeping off a concussion and you definitely shouldn’t sleep when you first have a concussion. I hope that's a line that is revisited.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
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