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The Good Witch of the South
There is a darkness brewing in the West and alarming rumors of dragons and an evil enchantress building an army to overthrow the Great Head of Oz. A demon fairy witch the Land of Oz hasn’t seen since Dorothy Gale destroyed the Wicked Witch of the West.
Soon to be sixteen-year-old Samantha Goodwitch, the daughter of Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, knows she is disobeying her mother’s wishes when she leaves the castle to search for dragons, but she’d rather have an adventure than follow her mother’s command. When one of the Shadow Mountain Cats, Akasha, unexpectedly saves her life, the adventure turns deadly and a friendship grows between them.
But the rumors soon become real, and the freedom that had captured the hearts of the citizens of Oz is quickly unraveling. As the tensions mount and battles begin, Sam and Akasha find others who join them in the last Great War of Oz, to fight against the darkness that is devouring a once peaceful land.
Soon to be sixteen-year-old Samantha Goodwitch, the daughter of Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, knows she is disobeying her mother’s wishes when she leaves the castle to search for dragons, but she’d rather have an adventure than follow her mother’s command. When one of the Shadow Mountain Cats, Akasha, unexpectedly saves her life, the adventure turns deadly and a friendship grows between them.
But the rumors soon become real, and the freedom that had captured the hearts of the citizens of Oz is quickly unraveling. As the tensions mount and battles begin, Sam and Akasha find others who join them in the last Great War of Oz, to fight against the darkness that is devouring a once peaceful land.
345 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2020
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 11, 2020
3.5 Stars
Children's author T. C. Bartlett's middle-grade debut novel had its inception in an image he painted of a fairy.* As he put the finishing touches on the image, he was struck with the idea that he had painted the daughter of Glinda the Good, the beautiful and goodhearted witch from L. Frank Baum's Oz stories, who is Queen of the Quadlings. From this kernel of an idea, he developed the story of Samantha Goodwitch, a sixteen-year-old witch-fairy, Glinda's younger daughter.
Like any teen, Samantha (or Sam as she prefers to be called) is keen to be treated as an adult. She is eager to assume her role in defending the Quadlings and maintaining the peace in Oz. She's been training for years with her mother's guards Saran and Lillith. But she's a bit prone to working around her mother's wishes, like the one where she is to stay home and guard the castle. Rumors of dark forces rising beyond the borders of Quadling Country abound. Stories of beloved members of Oz, like the Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman, and Cowardly Lion having fallen victim to evil are worrisome, as is the disappearance of Sam's father, Lucius. Queen Glinda plans to visit Rumpart, King of the Winkies, to see if rumors of wickedness creeping out of Winkie Country are true. Sam idolizes her older sister Elle, who is the biological daughter of the Wicked Witch of the West. Elle already serves at their mother's side and will travel with their mother to Winkie Country. She tries not to be jealous of Elle, and so she uses her time wisely- in the library. Sam is drawn to a book of the history of Quadling Country, where she comes across a note from Ozma, the Princess of Oz. The book mentions dragons, great and small, who are controlled by wicked witch fairies. But she also learns that magic using pieces of dragons' teeth can create a race of giant dragon warriors that serve the person sowing the teeth. Of course, you know it's only a matter of time until Sam goes off looking for dragons! Who and what will she find, and are the rumors of a new Wicked Witch Fairy correct? With a Shadow Cat princess named Akasha and sturdy Munchkin named Thorn as her companions, can Sam save not just the Quadlings but all of Oz?
The Good Witch of the South is an engaging read for older children who love Ozian-based stories. While it extensively echoes some aspects of The Wizard of Oz (especially so when it comes to the new Wicked Witch of the West and her taunts), it offers a less nuanced depiction of good and evil than stories like Gregory Maguire's Wicked. The magic system in the book isn't developed beyond that of Baum's vision, and I wished sometimes that it was... more magical. Sam is a straightforward, goodhearted girl who wants to be a hero. She thinks she can save the day and Oz. Some of the secondary characters in the story, like Elle, their mother Glinda, and father Lucius, don't have a great deal of depth on the page. But for a middle-grade novel, this book is a fun, action-filled read. The epilogue leaves things wide open for a sequel.
Currently only available in hardcover, the book's first edition was released in September 2020 and is already in a second printing as of late November 2020. Purchasers should be aware that this second edition does not bear the colorful dusk jacket of the limited first edition, though it does have the same lovely interior ink wash drawings. The blog will be hosting a giveaway of the second edition hardcover in support of the author and his small publishing house.
Updated 12/05/20: I've been informed by the author's publicist that Amazon has been shipping some books without the dust jacket and it's not clear if it's an error at Amazon's end or the printer's end, but the books should have the green fairy dust jacket.
Updated 12/11/2020: There have been questions about the content warning and what "allusions to mass murder" means. There is an evil witch and she kills people. On page 245 of my review copy there is a description of a field full of corpses and skeletons. This isn't about death camps, or genocide. It might be intense for younger children or it might not hold full meaning for them. It might be a trigger for some with personal or family experiences.
(1) Correspondence of the author and JoelBook
*Correspondence of the author and JoelBooks, https://joelbooks.com/the-good-witch-...
CW: torture, allusions to mass murder, death of parent
I received a digital review copy of this book courtesy of the Reedsy Discovery program.
Children's author T. C. Bartlett's middle-grade debut novel had its inception in an image he painted of a fairy.* As he put the finishing touches on the image, he was struck with the idea that he had painted the daughter of Glinda the Good, the beautiful and goodhearted witch from L. Frank Baum's Oz stories, who is Queen of the Quadlings. From this kernel of an idea, he developed the story of Samantha Goodwitch, a sixteen-year-old witch-fairy, Glinda's younger daughter.
Like any teen, Samantha (or Sam as she prefers to be called) is keen to be treated as an adult. She is eager to assume her role in defending the Quadlings and maintaining the peace in Oz. She's been training for years with her mother's guards Saran and Lillith. But she's a bit prone to working around her mother's wishes, like the one where she is to stay home and guard the castle. Rumors of dark forces rising beyond the borders of Quadling Country abound. Stories of beloved members of Oz, like the Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman, and Cowardly Lion having fallen victim to evil are worrisome, as is the disappearance of Sam's father, Lucius. Queen Glinda plans to visit Rumpart, King of the Winkies, to see if rumors of wickedness creeping out of Winkie Country are true. Sam idolizes her older sister Elle, who is the biological daughter of the Wicked Witch of the West. Elle already serves at their mother's side and will travel with their mother to Winkie Country. She tries not to be jealous of Elle, and so she uses her time wisely- in the library. Sam is drawn to a book of the history of Quadling Country, where she comes across a note from Ozma, the Princess of Oz. The book mentions dragons, great and small, who are controlled by wicked witch fairies. But she also learns that magic using pieces of dragons' teeth can create a race of giant dragon warriors that serve the person sowing the teeth. Of course, you know it's only a matter of time until Sam goes off looking for dragons! Who and what will she find, and are the rumors of a new Wicked Witch Fairy correct? With a Shadow Cat princess named Akasha and sturdy Munchkin named Thorn as her companions, can Sam save not just the Quadlings but all of Oz?
The Good Witch of the South is an engaging read for older children who love Ozian-based stories. While it extensively echoes some aspects of The Wizard of Oz (especially so when it comes to the new Wicked Witch of the West and her taunts), it offers a less nuanced depiction of good and evil than stories like Gregory Maguire's Wicked. The magic system in the book isn't developed beyond that of Baum's vision, and I wished sometimes that it was... more magical. Sam is a straightforward, goodhearted girl who wants to be a hero. She thinks she can save the day and Oz. Some of the secondary characters in the story, like Elle, their mother Glinda, and father Lucius, don't have a great deal of depth on the page. But for a middle-grade novel, this book is a fun, action-filled read. The epilogue leaves things wide open for a sequel.
Currently only available in hardcover, the book's first edition was released in September 2020 and is already in a second printing as of late November 2020. Purchasers should be aware that this second edition does not bear the colorful dusk jacket of the limited first edition, though it does have the same lovely interior ink wash drawings. The blog will be hosting a giveaway of the second edition hardcover in support of the author and his small publishing house.
Updated 12/05/20: I've been informed by the author's publicist that Amazon has been shipping some books without the dust jacket and it's not clear if it's an error at Amazon's end or the printer's end, but the books should have the green fairy dust jacket.
Updated 12/11/2020: There have been questions about the content warning and what "allusions to mass murder" means. There is an evil witch and she kills people. On page 245 of my review copy there is a description of a field full of corpses and skeletons. This isn't about death camps, or genocide. It might be intense for younger children or it might not hold full meaning for them. It might be a trigger for some with personal or family experiences.
(1) Correspondence of the author and JoelBook
*Correspondence of the author and JoelBooks, https://joelbooks.com/the-good-witch-...
CW: torture, allusions to mass murder, death of parent
I received a digital review copy of this book courtesy of the Reedsy Discovery program.
April 11, 2021
Oz, that enchanting place we’ve all come to know so well, is the focus of this delightfully familiar yet intriguingly unique tale. My favorite character, the Bubble-traversing Glinda, now has a daughter and it is this young witch who must now rescue her realm from the evil gaining power in the West. With an alliance of brand-new characters, this young witch faces the challenges of coming-of-age while seeking adventure and discovering danger.
Sam Goodwitch of the South, is at that precarious and spectacular age when everything seems possible and tempting. Just sixteen, Sam goes against her mother’s wishes and abandons her life in the castle that has been her home so she can search for adventure. Not just any adventure, mind you; adventure in the shape of dragons. What she discovers, however, is that adventure isn’t always as bright and shining as the stories you hear as a child. Danger, duplicity and even death lurks around every corner.
New creatures fill the colorful pages of this lovely book whose narrative is lush with inviting details and picturesque landscapes. Oz is just familiar enough to captivate fans of the original story; yet delightfully new, with characters like Akasha, one of the Shadow Mountain Cats who saves Sam from her own fool-hardiness and becomes her greatest ally. Readers are treated, as well, to the presence of a Munchkin, along with a few scenes that mirror the original book.
Exhilarating and distinctively bewitching, The Good Witch of the South will whisk you off to a place you THINK you know for a journey that is as fresh and unforgettable as the classic from which it’s spun.
Sam Goodwitch of the South, is at that precarious and spectacular age when everything seems possible and tempting. Just sixteen, Sam goes against her mother’s wishes and abandons her life in the castle that has been her home so she can search for adventure. Not just any adventure, mind you; adventure in the shape of dragons. What she discovers, however, is that adventure isn’t always as bright and shining as the stories you hear as a child. Danger, duplicity and even death lurks around every corner.
New creatures fill the colorful pages of this lovely book whose narrative is lush with inviting details and picturesque landscapes. Oz is just familiar enough to captivate fans of the original story; yet delightfully new, with characters like Akasha, one of the Shadow Mountain Cats who saves Sam from her own fool-hardiness and becomes her greatest ally. Readers are treated, as well, to the presence of a Munchkin, along with a few scenes that mirror the original book.
Exhilarating and distinctively bewitching, The Good Witch of the South will whisk you off to a place you THINK you know for a journey that is as fresh and unforgettable as the classic from which it’s spun.
March 3, 2021
The author, T.C. Bartlett was kind enough to contact me and send me a digital copy of their debut YA fantasy novel, The Good Witch of the South, and I am extremely thankful.
As someone who loves Ozian-based stories, The Good Witch of the South was a delightful read. I admit it took me a few tries before I got into it, and even longer to sit down and pen my thoughts on it, but as of this moment when I am writing this, I remember being taken back to the remembrance and enchantment of Oz by this incredible book. I recognized many references of the original Oz story sprinkled throughout this incredible original story. Bartlett writes from the heart and even though I already knew it while interacting via email, the narration of the story hints at that even more.
This fantasy novel is about a sixteen-year-old girl named Samantha Goodwitch, the daughter of Glinda, the good witch of the South, who decides to venture into the wild looking for dragons and an army rumored to be growing to overthrow the Great Head of Oz. Sam's character is such that I could see hints of the Good Witch in her while also being able to tell her apart as a separate person.
Sam was the epitome of rebellion and boldness. Young, ambitious, and growing into her powers and her fighting skills, Sam wants desperately to prove herself and fight alongside her mom and step sister Elle. Bartlett’s vivid description was excellent, the narration outstanding, and the characters solid. Both major and minor characters were beautifully developed by the author. The opening scenes in which Sam is afraid to talk to her mother in front of others disappear as she matures into a powerful, resilient woman determined to protect her family and kingdom. Because of all the intense backstory that had been told, their father was already one of my favorite characters before he was introduced into the novel.
Even though I had read the original novel, I was engrossed and captivated with the story right from the first few pages when the author retold the story of the Wicked Witches' downfall. The battles were well-written, as were the description of the kingdom; I could easily imagine everything in my head, fighting dragons and evil alongside them. Sam's dreams were vivid, and the feelings she and those in the novel experienced made me feel the same way.
My slight pet peeve was that I struggled to get into the story at first because of the middle-grade language that has been used, and don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with it after I was done; in fact, it was perfect. This novel can be enjoyed by any age group, and I can see why it was categorized for Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult groups. I would personally classify it as a Middle-Grade book because of the writing style (again, nothing wrong with it; I absolutely love it!) that can be enjoyed by just about anyone, especially because of the familiarity and some serious issues mentioned in the book, for which I will be putting up a trigger warning, just in case.
With everyday life being overwhelming these days, a good literary escape to a fantastical universe is all I could hope for. The ending left the book open for a possible sequel and I am eager for the author to publish it!
Trigger Warning: contains some scenes and descriptions of torture, killing and death, that may or may not mean anything to children due to personal experiences.
As someone who loves Ozian-based stories, The Good Witch of the South was a delightful read. I admit it took me a few tries before I got into it, and even longer to sit down and pen my thoughts on it, but as of this moment when I am writing this, I remember being taken back to the remembrance and enchantment of Oz by this incredible book. I recognized many references of the original Oz story sprinkled throughout this incredible original story. Bartlett writes from the heart and even though I already knew it while interacting via email, the narration of the story hints at that even more.
This fantasy novel is about a sixteen-year-old girl named Samantha Goodwitch, the daughter of Glinda, the good witch of the South, who decides to venture into the wild looking for dragons and an army rumored to be growing to overthrow the Great Head of Oz. Sam's character is such that I could see hints of the Good Witch in her while also being able to tell her apart as a separate person.
Sam was the epitome of rebellion and boldness. Young, ambitious, and growing into her powers and her fighting skills, Sam wants desperately to prove herself and fight alongside her mom and step sister Elle. Bartlett’s vivid description was excellent, the narration outstanding, and the characters solid. Both major and minor characters were beautifully developed by the author. The opening scenes in which Sam is afraid to talk to her mother in front of others disappear as she matures into a powerful, resilient woman determined to protect her family and kingdom. Because of all the intense backstory that had been told, their father was already one of my favorite characters before he was introduced into the novel.
Even though I had read the original novel, I was engrossed and captivated with the story right from the first few pages when the author retold the story of the Wicked Witches' downfall. The battles were well-written, as were the description of the kingdom; I could easily imagine everything in my head, fighting dragons and evil alongside them. Sam's dreams were vivid, and the feelings she and those in the novel experienced made me feel the same way.
My slight pet peeve was that I struggled to get into the story at first because of the middle-grade language that has been used, and don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with it after I was done; in fact, it was perfect. This novel can be enjoyed by any age group, and I can see why it was categorized for Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult groups. I would personally classify it as a Middle-Grade book because of the writing style (again, nothing wrong with it; I absolutely love it!) that can be enjoyed by just about anyone, especially because of the familiarity and some serious issues mentioned in the book, for which I will be putting up a trigger warning, just in case.
With everyday life being overwhelming these days, a good literary escape to a fantastical universe is all I could hope for. The ending left the book open for a possible sequel and I am eager for the author to publish it!
Trigger Warning: contains some scenes and descriptions of torture, killing and death, that may or may not mean anything to children due to personal experiences.
January 12, 2021
Let me start out by saying that The Good Witch of the South, written by T.C. Bartlett, is an amazing fantasy book that will be loved by teenagers and adults. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and instantly gives the book a magical feel. I also thought the chapter titles with the splash marks were pretty as well, I don’t often see those in books which added to its uniqueness.
This story focuses on Sam, the daughter of Glinda the Good Witch of the South and Lucius, she has a sister named Elle that is often spoken of. I found this tale to be captivating, within the first few pages when the author retold the story of The Wicked Witches demise I was enthralled even though I have seen the film and read the book. You instantly get a peek into Sam’s adventurous personality because you find her sitting on the rooftop of the castle staring down at her mother’s guards and warriors as they train.
Throughout the book from front to the end, there are references to the film starring Judy Garland and the book written by Frank L. Baum, I appreciated those references and felt that it made the book special. You learn early on about their father’s disappearance and how the girls and Glinda have had to live without him, but Sam believes he is still alive while others believe he had passed away. He is heavily missed, but they all still manage to live a happy life and Glinda continues to make the land a peaceful one. Rumors of an evil enchantress and dragons begin to cause fear in the land and Sam, despite her mother’s orders to stay home while she, Elle, and her guards head into what could possibly turn into a battle, takes it upon herself to adventure out and see if these rumors of dragons are true.
I found it neat that some of the information she learned was through talking trees and I loved that some animals could speak, like Akasha, while others, like Jo her father’s horse, were unable to. As Sam embarks on her journey to save the land with her new friend Akasha, a mountain warrior cat, they encounter new friends, characters from the original, and foes. The battles were really well written as were the details of the land, you could easily picture everything in your mind and felt like you were traveling with them battling dragons and evil. Sam’s dreams felt real and the emotions that Sam felt, and others in the book, made you feel them as well.
T.C. Bartlett does a fantastic job with her characters, their father was one of my favorite character’s even before he had been introduced into the story because of all the background that had been told, the troubles he went through before meeting Glinda, and his love for his family, it all made you love him before you even knew him.
This story is an emotional roller coaster, you feel everything the characters feel especially when it comes to loss. The ending left the book open for a continuation so I am hoping the author writes a second book based on these easily lovable characters. I give this book five out of five stars and would recommend it to fantasy lovers.
This story focuses on Sam, the daughter of Glinda the Good Witch of the South and Lucius, she has a sister named Elle that is often spoken of. I found this tale to be captivating, within the first few pages when the author retold the story of The Wicked Witches demise I was enthralled even though I have seen the film and read the book. You instantly get a peek into Sam’s adventurous personality because you find her sitting on the rooftop of the castle staring down at her mother’s guards and warriors as they train.
Throughout the book from front to the end, there are references to the film starring Judy Garland and the book written by Frank L. Baum, I appreciated those references and felt that it made the book special. You learn early on about their father’s disappearance and how the girls and Glinda have had to live without him, but Sam believes he is still alive while others believe he had passed away. He is heavily missed, but they all still manage to live a happy life and Glinda continues to make the land a peaceful one. Rumors of an evil enchantress and dragons begin to cause fear in the land and Sam, despite her mother’s orders to stay home while she, Elle, and her guards head into what could possibly turn into a battle, takes it upon herself to adventure out and see if these rumors of dragons are true.
I found it neat that some of the information she learned was through talking trees and I loved that some animals could speak, like Akasha, while others, like Jo her father’s horse, were unable to. As Sam embarks on her journey to save the land with her new friend Akasha, a mountain warrior cat, they encounter new friends, characters from the original, and foes. The battles were really well written as were the details of the land, you could easily picture everything in your mind and felt like you were traveling with them battling dragons and evil. Sam’s dreams felt real and the emotions that Sam felt, and others in the book, made you feel them as well.
T.C. Bartlett does a fantastic job with her characters, their father was one of my favorite character’s even before he had been introduced into the story because of all the background that had been told, the troubles he went through before meeting Glinda, and his love for his family, it all made you love him before you even knew him.
This story is an emotional roller coaster, you feel everything the characters feel especially when it comes to loss. The ending left the book open for a continuation so I am hoping the author writes a second book based on these easily lovable characters. I give this book five out of five stars and would recommend it to fantasy lovers.
January 26, 2021
The Good Witch of the South by T. C. Bartlett is a fresh addition to the Land of Oz literature that will appeal to both adult readers and young adult (high school and up) readers. I had an inkling that the book would take place in the world of Oz by the title, but, as I delved in, I was treated to an even more exciting and fantastical novel than I had expected. The Land of Oz is one that appeals to readers across generations; there is something enrapturing about the Emerald City and the Yellow Brick Road that instill both nostalgia and excitement. Bartlett’s novel is a welcome addition to the many novels in the Land of Oz, one that reimagines some of our favorite, classic characters while staying true to original history of Oz. I’m pleased to say I will happily award Good Witch of the South five stars, and encourage any reader to dive into its pages.
The novel centers on Glinda Goodwitch’s daughter, Sam, a princess, who is coming of age in the beautiful Quadling Country in the southern province of Oz. Sam defies your traditional princess stereotypes, more interested in sparring with her mother’s all-female guard and spending hours with her horse of a different color, Jo, than taking tea and wearing tiaras. Alongside Queen Glinda and Princess Sam, there is Princess Elle, Sam’s older half-sister and the daughter of the Wicked Witch of the West (yes, that one!) who Glinda adopted as a baby. When Glinda and Elle depart the peace of Quadling Country for Winkie Country to investigate rumblings of a dark evil witch who has surfaced, Sam is left alone and, warrior princess that she is, she decides to head out on an adventure to take matters into her own hands to save Oz from evil.
Reading Good Witch of the South will be a delight for anyone who is remotely familiar with Wizard of Oz. It is, quite simply, an incredibly fun and refreshing book to read. Bartlett does a skillful job of both incorporating classic Oz characters (I won’t name them all for risk of ruining the surprise), while also reimagining these familiar characters with new strengths, personalities, and passions. Additionally, I particularly enjoyed the details of Ozarian life and landscape that Bartlett incorporates throughout the story, and I frequently found myself putting the book down to look up a map of Oz or facts about Oz history that were mentioned. The pace of the novel is a comfortable mix of action, thoughtful dialogue, and picturesque descriptions, and I feel that Bartlett has crafted a well-rounded, engaging novel that will surprise and delight readers throughout its pages.
With real life feeling incredibly heavy as of late, a good literary escape to a fantastical world is all anyone can ask for, right? The Land of Oz is one that is familiar and deeply cherished, and with Good Witch of the South, T. C. Bartlett has paid homage to the world created by Baum and added his own creative reinvention of our beloved characters, creatures, and places. The novel finishes with a teaser that begs for a sequel, and I, for one, eagerly await its publication.
The novel centers on Glinda Goodwitch’s daughter, Sam, a princess, who is coming of age in the beautiful Quadling Country in the southern province of Oz. Sam defies your traditional princess stereotypes, more interested in sparring with her mother’s all-female guard and spending hours with her horse of a different color, Jo, than taking tea and wearing tiaras. Alongside Queen Glinda and Princess Sam, there is Princess Elle, Sam’s older half-sister and the daughter of the Wicked Witch of the West (yes, that one!) who Glinda adopted as a baby. When Glinda and Elle depart the peace of Quadling Country for Winkie Country to investigate rumblings of a dark evil witch who has surfaced, Sam is left alone and, warrior princess that she is, she decides to head out on an adventure to take matters into her own hands to save Oz from evil.
Reading Good Witch of the South will be a delight for anyone who is remotely familiar with Wizard of Oz. It is, quite simply, an incredibly fun and refreshing book to read. Bartlett does a skillful job of both incorporating classic Oz characters (I won’t name them all for risk of ruining the surprise), while also reimagining these familiar characters with new strengths, personalities, and passions. Additionally, I particularly enjoyed the details of Ozarian life and landscape that Bartlett incorporates throughout the story, and I frequently found myself putting the book down to look up a map of Oz or facts about Oz history that were mentioned. The pace of the novel is a comfortable mix of action, thoughtful dialogue, and picturesque descriptions, and I feel that Bartlett has crafted a well-rounded, engaging novel that will surprise and delight readers throughout its pages.
With real life feeling incredibly heavy as of late, a good literary escape to a fantastical world is all anyone can ask for, right? The Land of Oz is one that is familiar and deeply cherished, and with Good Witch of the South, T. C. Bartlett has paid homage to the world created by Baum and added his own creative reinvention of our beloved characters, creatures, and places. The novel finishes with a teaser that begs for a sequel, and I, for one, eagerly await its publication.
January 18, 2021
Reading The Good Witch of the South’ gives one the satisfaction of living in a fantasy world where dragons, witches, and other mythical creatures try to outdo each other to survive. The author knows how to capture the reader’s imagination with amazing role-playing by the characters, choice of locations for the action, and strong themes. ‘The Good Witch of the South’ is an engaging book that captures the reader’s attention from the first chapter to the last. T. C. Bartlett writes from the heart and one can tell this through the superb narration.
One of the characters I thought to be most interesting was Samantha Goodwitch. This character was the epitome of rebellion, boldness, and unfortunately, facing the consequences of one’s actions. Not everyone gets to disobey their mother and move like it is nothing, but Samantha did. Samantha’s sister though not as defiant as Samantha, was another great character. ‘The Good Witch of the South’ is like a different version of ‘The Wizard of Oz’. the reader gets caught in the moment while following the story, experiencing T.C. Bartlett excellent vivid description, outstanding narration, and solid characters. Both major and minor characters were beautifully developed by the author.
‘The Good Witch of the South’ is an easy book to read. Both older and younger readers will enjoy this amazing piece of literature as the author used simple words with nice sentence structures. Readers that love adventure, action, drama, and fantasy are in for a ride as the author had several fascinating elements revealed throughout the story. The story of Samantha and her associates is a page-turner. T. C. Bartlett is engaging, creative, and excellent at what he does. His writing can encourage one to get into dark fantasy, sorcery tales, and teen dramas.
One of the characters I thought to be most interesting was Samantha Goodwitch. This character was the epitome of rebellion, boldness, and unfortunately, facing the consequences of one’s actions. Not everyone gets to disobey their mother and move like it is nothing, but Samantha did. Samantha’s sister though not as defiant as Samantha, was another great character. ‘The Good Witch of the South’ is like a different version of ‘The Wizard of Oz’. the reader gets caught in the moment while following the story, experiencing T.C. Bartlett excellent vivid description, outstanding narration, and solid characters. Both major and minor characters were beautifully developed by the author.
‘The Good Witch of the South’ is an easy book to read. Both older and younger readers will enjoy this amazing piece of literature as the author used simple words with nice sentence structures. Readers that love adventure, action, drama, and fantasy are in for a ride as the author had several fascinating elements revealed throughout the story. The story of Samantha and her associates is a page-turner. T. C. Bartlett is engaging, creative, and excellent at what he does. His writing can encourage one to get into dark fantasy, sorcery tales, and teen dramas.
November 5, 2020
A Wizard of the Oz retelling that is an absolute delight to read. Who hasn’t read the story of the girl from Kansas clicking her heels? But this story, focuses on the daughter of Glinda. Sam’s character is such that I could see glimpses of the Good witch in her while clearly being able to differentiate her as a unique character. The narrative of this book is so strong that it completely intrigued me till I was hooked into the story. The descriptions make the story more vibrant and add to the immersive experience of reading a fantasy.
All is not well in the Land of Oz despite the destruction of the Wicked witch of the West. As darkness starts dawning, it is Sam with her newfound friend Akasha who must fight in the last Great War. The two main themes that were visible to me as I was reading this was Sam’s determination to live life on her own terms and not under the shadow of her mother. She wants an adventurous life. She loves the feeling of flying. She goes out in the search of action and adventure. And the second theme is that of responsibility. When things go wrong, we sometimes need to prioritize the big picture against our self-interests. This book could just as easily be one meant for middle-graders as it could be for Young Adults. This wholesome writing style ensures that readers (no matter the age) wouldn’t feel disconnected with it. The beauty of the book cover and the illustrations with different chapters just enhances the reading experience.
All is not well in the Land of Oz despite the destruction of the Wicked witch of the West. As darkness starts dawning, it is Sam with her newfound friend Akasha who must fight in the last Great War. The two main themes that were visible to me as I was reading this was Sam’s determination to live life on her own terms and not under the shadow of her mother. She wants an adventurous life. She loves the feeling of flying. She goes out in the search of action and adventure. And the second theme is that of responsibility. When things go wrong, we sometimes need to prioritize the big picture against our self-interests. This book could just as easily be one meant for middle-graders as it could be for Young Adults. This wholesome writing style ensures that readers (no matter the age) wouldn’t feel disconnected with it. The beauty of the book cover and the illustrations with different chapters just enhances the reading experience.
February 16, 2021
The good witch of the South is a young adult fantasy story. The tale takes you on a journey to the Ozarian adventure in the land of Oz. A sixteen-year-old girl named Samantha Goodwitch, who is the daughter of Glinda, the good witch of the South, decides to adventure into the wild looking for dragons and an army rumored to be growing to overthrow the Great Head of Oz.
Sam’s life is saved by a Shadow Mountain Cat named, Akasha and they become good friends. There is a demon witch to face, and Sam is lucky enough not to fight against the darkness alone.
The cover design of the book is absolutely beautiful. I usually don’t comment on these things, but this one just had to be said. The book also has articulated little designs and formatting that genuinely transcends the reader as close as they can get to a fantasy novel.
The literature is very well written. The story is told by the third-person narrative, and as you read along, it is straightforward to bond with the lead character. Her personality is strong, and as a young girl, she is very lovable.
The tale is perfect for the genre it’s written for. It has all the elements young adults enjoy when they want to pick a book. I recommend this book to all young adult fantasy readers.
Sam’s life is saved by a Shadow Mountain Cat named, Akasha and they become good friends. There is a demon witch to face, and Sam is lucky enough not to fight against the darkness alone.
The cover design of the book is absolutely beautiful. I usually don’t comment on these things, but this one just had to be said. The book also has articulated little designs and formatting that genuinely transcends the reader as close as they can get to a fantasy novel.
The literature is very well written. The story is told by the third-person narrative, and as you read along, it is straightforward to bond with the lead character. Her personality is strong, and as a young girl, she is very lovable.
The tale is perfect for the genre it’s written for. It has all the elements young adults enjoy when they want to pick a book. I recommend this book to all young adult fantasy readers.
December 29, 2020
This novel is a rich and intriguing fantasy with plenty of action, adventure, and suspense. The Good Witch of the South is a spectacular play on the timeless tale, The Wizard of Oz.
The author taps the young adult market with believable characters, like the protagonist Samantha, who is intelligent and rebellious of the status quo. She embodies quirks that allows us to see her human emotions and not those of a super heroine with heartless responses in her relationships. As this incredible dark fantasy story begins, Sam and her sister, Elle prepare to go to war to fight evil forces that threaten to end their peaceful life. Soon, I found myself completely caught up in this fascinating story.
This is a must-read for fantasy fans who enjoy the melding of two worlds into a land of The Good Witch of the South. Kudos to the author, T.C. Bartlett for an exceptional story and creative book cover. Well-done!
The author taps the young adult market with believable characters, like the protagonist Samantha, who is intelligent and rebellious of the status quo. She embodies quirks that allows us to see her human emotions and not those of a super heroine with heartless responses in her relationships. As this incredible dark fantasy story begins, Sam and her sister, Elle prepare to go to war to fight evil forces that threaten to end their peaceful life. Soon, I found myself completely caught up in this fascinating story.
This is a must-read for fantasy fans who enjoy the melding of two worlds into a land of The Good Witch of the South. Kudos to the author, T.C. Bartlett for an exceptional story and creative book cover. Well-done!
September 7, 2023
I couldn't finish it.
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