All Prunella wants is to be a proper bog-witch. Unfortunately, her curses tend to do more good than harm. When her mixed-up magic allows a snea... read full description
reviews
Dec 12, 2011
Valerie
rated it: 
A really great book for young readers. I think that if I read this book when I was a kid (or read to me) I might've gotten into reading earlier. A story like Prunella's I probably would’ve read over and over again. I might’ve reenacted Prunella’s world, cast spells on my sisters, and pretend I had a pet alligator. Or maybe I would just like the book and read it often. But in any case I think this would be a fantastic read for young readers.
However, don’t assume this book is a tradit More...
However, don’t assume this book is a tradit More...
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May 26, 2010
Ari
rated it:
An absolutely charming book that blends friendship, magic and adventure. Prunella Bothistle is a witch you will be cheering for (just don't cheer too late because a proper bog witch does not like praise!)
My only minor quibbles with this book concern the lack of information about Prunella's family. Why was she living with her grandmother? What happened to her parents? I was really curious and I hoped it would be revealed later on, but it's not. I also wanted to know more about Prunell More...
My only minor quibbles with this book concern the lack of information about Prunella's family. Why was she living with her grandmother? What happened to her parents? I was really curious and I hoped it would be revealed later on, but it's not. I also wanted to know more about Prunell More...
Sep 20, 2010
Ofilia
rated it: 
Prunella is a plucky sort of witch and Barnaby a Gilderoy Lockheart in training. Still they make a fine pair as they try to save their homeland from “the waste” some force that is stealing all enchantments from the land. It was a good message about magic coming from within and not judging people based on their looks or what people like them have done before. Prunella’s desire for her grandmother’s love is pointed out a lot, which gets a bit tiresome. I did like how the person they were so afraid
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May 10, 2011
Doret
rated it: 
This is a beauiful cover and fits the story perfectly. The artist behind it is Bradon Dorman. I love seeing a kid of color on a middle grade novel. I believe Prunella, mentions her brown skin once. This lone mention makes me appreciate the cover even more, the publishers Henry Holt could have easily pretended they didn't see
"Just the same clear brown skin and snub nose I'd always had. Blast it!."
Instead, they embraced and reinforced it with the cover. So much k More...
"Just the same clear brown skin and snub nose I'd always had. Blast it!."
Instead, they embraced and reinforced it with the cover. So much k More...
Nov 23, 2011
Linnae
rated it:
Prunella really wants to be a bog witch, just like her many relations. But her spells leave something to be desired. They lack a certain fierceness, for example. What's more, her grandmother kicked her out of the bog.
Her partner in adventures is the smooth-talking, admiration seeking, dapper young thief named Barnaby. Together they have a job to do: recover the Mirable Chalice and (possibly) redeem their reputations...such as they are.
Quick read, fun. I liked how the Pru More...
Her partner in adventures is the smooth-talking, admiration seeking, dapper young thief named Barnaby. Together they have a job to do: recover the Mirable Chalice and (possibly) redeem their reputations...such as they are.
Quick read, fun. I liked how the Pru More...
Jun 27, 2010
Erica
rated it:
I happened upon this book on the new books display at the library while picking out some books for my son. The cover caught my eye. I had never read anything by Deva Fagan before (this is her second book), but it sounded like a book I would like. I was right. I really enjoyed it. It's definately a book geared towards younger kids (it was in the juvenile section). It's a book about magic, adventure, friendship, self discovery, and acceptance. I highly recommend this book! I'll be reading
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Mar 06, 2011
Melody
rated it:
Disclaimer: I know the author of this charming book. But I'm also working hard to be objective. Just so you know.
Prunella Bogthistle is an inept bog-witch who can't even charm a wart onto her face. She does, however, catch a young thief in her grandmother's garden. Mischances and problems ensue, and the two of them end up having a host of scary adventures and meeting up with some unlikely heroes and villains. It's a whooshing ride of a book, with plot twists in plenty.
I More...
Prunella Bogthistle is an inept bog-witch who can't even charm a wart onto her face. She does, however, catch a young thief in her grandmother's garden. Mischances and problems ensue, and the two of them end up having a host of scary adventures and meeting up with some unlikely heroes and villains. It's a whooshing ride of a book, with plot twists in plenty.
I More...
Mar 06, 2011
Susann
rated it:
I had cornbread with dinner last night, because of this book. It made me hungry, not only for fried bread, molasses pie, and hot-leaf tea, but for star-shaped buttons, light-dells, and mossy riverbanks.
It was great fun watching Prunella's prickles bump into Barnaby's foppery, as the two set off on their quest through the Uplands. And it was even more satisfying to follow Prunella as she slowly and stubbornly came into her own.
It was great fun watching Prunella's prickles bump into Barnaby's foppery, as the two set off on their quest through the Uplands. And it was even more satisfying to follow Prunella as she slowly and stubbornly came into her own.
Jun 28, 2010
John
rated it:
Prunella was truly excellent. This had all the great elements I loved from Fagan's first book - excellent characters, fun plot twists, moral dilemmas and lessons to be learned. But I enjoyed this one even more than Fortune's Folly. There's something about our pair of unlikely heroes staggering their way through adventure after adventure that really warmed my heart and made me want more. I'm greatly looking forward to her 3rd book!
Aug 15, 2011
Annie
rated it:
Poor Prunella is not a proper bog witch at all! She doesn't have any warts and her curses don't work. When Barnaby shows up in their garden, her whole world turns upside-down and they set off on an impossible quest. Prunella discovers some things about herself, and others, that she never thought possible. Love this unique tale. Recommended for students in 4th & 5th, maybe 3rd.
Jul 14, 2010
Laura
rated it:
Prunella is kicked out of the bog for not being a proper witch. She hooks up with a boy who is looking for the stolen chalice to break the curse on the land. They team up together: one to be the hero and one to become a proper villain.
This story is beautifully written with lots of great sensory details and visual images. I believe middle grade readers will enjoy this book.
This story is beautifully written with lots of great sensory details and visual images. I believe middle grade readers will enjoy this book.
Jun 19, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
Reviewed by Joan Stradling for TeensReadToo.com
Prunella wants to be a proper bog-witch, but her curses end up helping instead of harming.
Her inability to curse allows a thief, Barnaby, to escape from her grandmother's garden and gets Prunella banished until she can do a proper curse.
Barnaby is on a quest to gain fame and fortune by finding the Mirable Chalice and returning it to the queen. Now, Prunella must team up with the very thief who got her kicked out o More...
Prunella wants to be a proper bog-witch, but her curses end up helping instead of harming.
Her inability to curse allows a thief, Barnaby, to escape from her grandmother's garden and gets Prunella banished until she can do a proper curse.
Barnaby is on a quest to gain fame and fortune by finding the Mirable Chalice and returning it to the queen. Now, Prunella must team up with the very thief who got her kicked out o More...
Nov 03, 2010
Cindy
rated it:
I loved this book. It kept me captivated even as an adult which is good. I loved the fact that the characters grew as the story went along and there was just the right amount of action, character growth and world building to make it a wonderful story!
I hope there are a few more books in this series. It would really make my day!
I hope there are a few more books in this series. It would really make my day!
Sep 22, 2010
Shanshad
rated it:
Delightful. A romp of a story where no one is quite what they seem and our protagonists discover that who they think they are may not be the truth of who they really are growing up to be. Plenty of magical mayhem, conflicts of goals and coming of age themes are explored as we follow Prunella on her journey.
I was surprised at how well this story played out without becoming cliche, or being entirely predictable. Not only well told but with enough surprises of character and outcomes More...
I was surprised at how well this story played out without becoming cliche, or being entirely predictable. Not only well told but with enough surprises of character and outcomes More...
Oct 30, 2011
Emyrose8
rated it:
You know, at first I wasn't sure if I would like it or not, but the book really grew on me the further I got into the story. I'm not a huge fan of witches and magic spells, so I didn't particularly care for that part, but I love the plot and the characters. Plus the book has a happy ending.
Aug 03, 2010
Laura
rated it:
This was a really cute MG/younger YA novel about Prunella Bogthistle, a bog-witch who just can't seem to get her curses to work correctly, and Barnaby Bagby, a thief trying to make good. I found the story a tiny bit uneven in places, and you definitely get whacked on the head with the moral(s) of the story at the end (it's important to get both sides of a story, because the story you know may not be the true story; it's important to be true to yourself and not do things just because others expe
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Nov 06, 2010
Erin
rated it:
This was a cute story that reminded me of The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede. There is an endearing teamwork between Prunella and Barnaby and the theme of discovering yourself. I also thought the concept of power mad rulers who put on a kind face was appropriate.
Aug 27, 2010
The Library Lady
rated it:
I could not get JR to read this, but I am going to try again, because I enjoyed it immensely. My favorite sort of blend of fantasy, humor and the classic theme of a girl who doesn't fit in finding out who she is and where she belongs. Deva Fagan has done it again!
Sep 08, 2011
A fun, lighthearted MG fantasy about a girl who wants to be a mean witch so her family will accept her—but she’s kind of nice, actually. So she gets kicked out and ends up with a thief, each with their own agenda, only they become friends as well.
Sep 16, 2010
Maureen
rated it:
I feel like I have very little sense of how I actually felt about this book, which might be due to the fact that I read it in chunks. Overall, I found it different (in a good way) but not entirely wowing. (Aug. 2010)
Sep 04, 2011
My nephew just read and loved this - I am coaxing my sister to let him join Goodreads but she wants him to focus on 3rd grade (spoilsport).
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Feb 27, 2011
Natalie
rated it:
This book was sooo good!! It has a twisting end and is an adventurous love story
Jan 19, 2011
Ashpash
rated it:
It was full of magic and whimsical wonders.... just my kind of story=)
Jan 28, 2012
R
rated it:
Prunella Bogthistle, HOW OLD ARE YOU?!?
EDIT 10/8/11:
I added a star to my review, because looking at the cover that I have as one of my circulating desktop pictures, I remembered how much I really liked a lot of the elements in this book. And reading other reviews made me realize that I loved the fantasy setting and all the silly, fun creatures. And that I loved the silly, fun characters.
So I'm adding a star. And I'm bumping it up to my wish-i-owned shelf until I own it.
EDIT 10/8/11:
I added a star to my review, because looking at the cover that I have as one of my circulating desktop pictures, I remembered how much I really liked a lot of the elements in this book. And reading other reviews made me realize that I loved the fantasy setting and all the silly, fun creatures. And that I loved the silly, fun characters.
So I'm adding a star. And I'm bumping it up to my wish-i-owned shelf until I own it.
