The Witch's Revenge

Spooksville #6

by Christopher Pike

Was she a good witch or a bad witch?

The time has come for Adam and his friends to again face Spooksville's most powerful citizen--Ms. Ann Templeton. Sally says the woman is definitely a witch, but Adam and Watch are not so certain. To find the truth, they visit her castle together. There they find both good and bad: creatures more horrible than anything they could imagine, but also magical tools that can create the most wonderful things.

But will these tools help Adam and his friends?

Or are they just instruments to trick them? And make them slaves of the mysterious Ann Templeton?




Front cover illustration by Lee MacLeod

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Paranormal, Childrens, Audiobook

116 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Christopher Pike is the pseudonym of Kevin McFadden. He is a bestselling author of young adult and children's fiction who specializes in the thriller genre.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

McFadden was born in New York but grew up in California where he stills lives in today. A college drop-out, he did factory work, painted houses and programmed computers before becoming a recognized author. Initially unsuccessful when he set out to write science fiction and adult mystery, it was not until his work caught the attention of an editor who suggested he write a teen thriller that he became a hit. The result was Slumber Party (1985), a book about a group of teenagers who run into bizarre and violent events during a ski weekend. After that he wrote Weekend and Chain Letter. All three books went on to become bestsellers.

Reviews

[Sophie Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read.
Read it for Old School April (vlog coming soon)

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished what maybe my favorite of the Spooksville series.This one is called The witches Revenge.The story begins with Sally,Watch,Adam and Cindy are at the ice cream shop talking about Anne Templeton,the local witch that stays in a castle.The four kids are arguing about if the witch is good or bad.The kids are talking and Sally remarks something  about Watch not being able  to see.He decides he should go to the castle to see if Anne will cure his eyesight.After some reluctant conversation.The group decides to go.Once inside the kids see this hourglass and these necklaces each necklace has a different color gem and have an inscription on them.There is one for immortality,strength,wisdom and beauty.Each character is very drawn to a certain character.Watch is drawn to the strength one,because he thinks it will help him strengthen his  eyesight and hearing.Adam is drawn to the wisdom one,because he is short and wants to be taller and smarter.Cindy is apparently really into her looks so she is drawn to the beauty one.Sally is really into death,but more so into living forever so she is drawn to the immortality one.The boys want to try the necklaces on,but the girls argue about the witch being evil and wanting something in return.Watch eventually puts on his necklace and slowly begins to feel stronger.He starts being able to see in the dark and stuff.The others slowly begin to put on their necklaces and they all have respective abilities.We all see examples of this.Sally begins getting smaller going backwards in height and age. Adam is reversed beginning to think clearer and growing taller.Cindy begins to glow with radiance.Anne Templeton shows up and tells the kids they can keep the necklaces under one condition,that's if they can get out of the castle.The witch disapears and the kids see a hole in the attic,so with watches strength,he jumps up and lowers a curtain for the kids to climb up.They crawl around in the attic for a bit when they come across this metal grate.All of the kids get across except for  Adam,who at this point has grown really big.The grate gives,and Sally tries to save him but they fall presumably to their deaths.Watch and Cindy end up being captured from the trolls.We get chapters like in previous books where the kids are separated.Sally and Adam aren't dead but they land Inside this huge web with these two giant spiders.They end up escaping thanks to a lighter and Sally's trusty shoe and they end up in another room surrounded by a violet light.This scene is very surprising,because they enter this room surrounded by plants and trees and a pond and this girl about the kids age.She introduced herself as Mirrian,Anne Templeton's daughter.We cut back to Watch and Cindy they are no hostages of this troll names Bellfart.He basically threatens the kids,telling them he is going to cook them and eat them.This scene is really good and scary,but it definitely  gets balanced out with humor.Cindy tells the troll he can't eat them until after six hours,because they have chicken pox.Cindy also tells him that they are friends with the marines and if they do anything to them,they will go after the trolls.The trolls carry the two kids into a prison cell,and there is a skeleton in there.The troll comes back shortly and asks how to join the marines and this scene is absolutely great.Basically,Cindy tells the troll that Watch has a brochure in his back pocket,but he has to unlock his handcuffs.He does this and gets hit in the head by watch.We cut back to Sally and Adam.They are talking to Mirrian,and we learn a little about her.She stays inside,has no friends and uses her imagination to have fun.They ask for her help and that's where I'm going to leave this one.The Witches revenge is a good one,honestly it's probably the best one yet.There are some genuinely dark scenes,as well as some hilarious scenes.I give it a five out of five stars.

[Mavis Ros · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first stumbled upon this during a book sale and that book cover is too hard to resist so I ended up buying it.

I didn't realise it was a series plus it's a-twelve-book-marathon. I don't think I can find all of these books unless I'm lucky.

It was a book turner for sure but sometimes, there were certain types of dialogue that contains a lot of adult content within the pages so don't blame the book if the kid starts doing the questioning.

[Carrie (brightbeautifulthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone in Spooksville claims that Ann Templeton is a witch, but Adam and Watch aren’t so sure. When Watch has a problem that can’t be solved with modern science, they decide to visit her castle to see if she can help. Inside, Adam, Watch, Sally, and Cindy will each have to face the thing they want most and discover that sometimes the things we desire most are the very things that can destroy us. Trigger warnings: some ableist language, bug horror, spiders, mild body horror, violence, threats.

Like most series, Spooksville is at its best when it’s playing the long game. So far, the books have been episodic with little overarching plot, and I think that’s why The Witch’s Revenge takes an upturn. Ann Templeton hasn’t featured much since The Secret Path, which is a shame because she’s one of Spooksville’s most compelling characters. While it’s almost certain that she is, in fact, a witch, we’re never sure which sort of witch she is. Is she a villain? Is she there to help? I like that the narrative never settles firmly on either side, and my overall sense of her is that she’s playing to her own agenda, whatever that might be.

I also enjoy the way the challenges each of the main characters faces inside the castle are specifically designed to force character growth. It’s some of the most introspection we’ve seen so far, and it gives us more insight into what matters most to each of them as well as their strengths and weaknesses. As usual, Pike’s threats have very real physical consequences, but the solutions typically lie in characters using their minds to work through a problem. It’s an enjoyable read, and I’m hoping to see some of these ideas resurface later in the series.

I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.

[Elissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I JUST WANT MORE

[Jason Harlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I own Chain Letter and its sequel, this is actually my first time reading and reviewing anything from Christopher Pike (unless you count the Point Horror anthology). Going into this, I had no idea all the books in this series had all the same characters. I've seen the TV series from the early 2010s, and knew they did it that way, but figured it was for budgetary purposes. Obviously, I hate when horror series are done that way because it's almost always safe to say the characters never find themselves in much danger. The story begins with Adam and Watch arguing with Cindy and Sally over whether Ann Templeton (apparently a recurring character who is the most beautiful woman in Spooksville) is a good witch or a bad witch. Because this is a middle-grade horror book, the characters decide to visit her castle, and shortly thereafter spooky things occur. I love the idea of a witch lady keeping evil trolls in her castle, but the protagonists are dumb, weak and quite frankly useless. Although this wasn't terrible, it had the same issue as a lot of these Goosebumps-esque books - there's technically a lot of action, but a more mature reader can easily recognize that the main characters are never in much peril, and therefore it's easy to be taken right out of this. Recommended for fans of stuff like this, but don't go in with high expectations.

[Elusive · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 'The Witch's Revenge', Adam takes up Ann Templeton's invitation to visit her castle with Sally, Watch and Cindy in tow. Their quest to determine if she is a witch or not is thwarted by temptations, traps and threats.

The castle was fascinating from the outside and proved to be even more so inside. Once they clapped their eyes on the four necklaces, their fates were sealed. What appeared to be magical gradually beget challenges and regrets.

As they roamed the huge castle in search of an exit, there was so much to contend with - dangers lurking around every corner and the effects of the necklaces. So there was nary a dull moment.

They made several discoveries:

- Ann's daughter, Mireen.

- Watch reaped the benefits of the necklace because he genuinely had an eyesight problem and had faith that he would be fine. The rest suffered negative effects as they desired and took something they did not need.

Overall, 'The Witch's Revenge' was a spellbinding read with bountiful wit and witchery.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

De vuelta con la saga de Fantaville ya que gracias a alguien ha subido unos cuantos libros para que pueda descargarlos xD
En fin, en este libro conocemos un poco más sobre la bruja Ann Templeton, debido a que tiene fama de ser una bruja muy mala y poderosa pero al ahondarnos en este libro nos damos cuenta que realmente no tiene nada de "malo", a lo mejor solo un poco.
Esta vez el grupo de amigos —es decir, Adam, Watch, Sally y Cindy— se van al castillo de Ann Templeton para ayudar a Watch sobre sus problemas de vista pero lo que ocasionará a que cayeran directamente en una trampa que los acompañaran a lo largo de muchas aventuras que podrían acabar con sus vidas.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book with my 9 year old daughter. I wanted to make sure she could understand the vocabulary and answer any questions she had since she does not normally choose a suspenseful book. The book has a lot adventure and excitement between the kids trying to find answers from the witch. Sally thinks she is a witch for sure, but Watch and Adam aren't sure that she is a bad witch. Finding the answers they came for prove to be harder than what they thought, but a great lesson to be learned in the end.

[Ana Ibarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the developing of the adventure. It wasnt just an outsider and the event, it is something directly to them and about them. It is a good story, but again the ending, a bit rushed, there was a little more explanation to it, but I still feel it was rushed, a couple of chapters would have been good.

[Nam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't agree with her methods, but honestly, I kind of like the witch. After meeting her daughter, you can't believe she's such a bad person after all. Plus, she did improve Watch's vision. Also, I think the rest learned a really good lesson

[নিটোল · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too old for this.

[Emmie · Rating 3 out of 5]

10/10/19

[Laura Saavedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUPER FUNNY BOOK! Great message, puzzles, adventure and magic 🔮✨😍🕯💙😂🌈🌒🌑🌗💫

"The things we crave the most destroy us quickest"

[Florencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro me recordó MUCHO al primero, así que tiene un lugarcito especial en mi corazón ♥ Me encantó, lo disfruté, y si algún día releo estos libros, este seguro va a ser uno de ellos.

[Coco A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book in the series after the wishing stone

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid entry in the life of Spooksville.

[Steven Foley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a nice read, and a bit of nostalgia as well. Loved Pike when I was a kid, and still read his work as an adult.

[Cinthya Chacon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 *

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite so far in the series. The witch's castle is fantastic with a strange fix of rooms and levels. There are plenty of surprises and lessons to be learned along the way.

[Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam y sus amigos deben enfrentar a la bruja del pueblo 👍🏽🧙🏽‍♀️

[Entertainment · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worried parents are nowhere to be found in this universe, even though their kids go missing twice a day

[Solim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 A revisit of the first book with the town’s most known villain. This one was better than the original by a bit.

[Lil Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fricking funny

[Cameron Stolfuss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This month i read the book The witch's revenge in the series spooksville by Christopher Pike. This book is a Horror genre because it has lots of intense moments because you don't know what is going to happen next. This book takes place in a town called spooksville, four characters Watch, Adam, Cidney, and Sally. All of the main characters stumble along a witches castle hoping to fix a frends vision problems.While they are in the castle they stumble upon four necklaces and then everything goes wrong. I rated this book 4/5 stars because it has loads of action with tons of suspense.

[Justin Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took my imagination where it's always wanted to go. I filled in the characters if they were lacking anything. This book is the best of the series, at least out of the ones I read.

[Chrissie the Reformed Book Hoarder · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Cinthya_ch · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 *

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay.

[Jessica Serrano · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little annoying. 3 kids decide to trespass on a woman, Ann Templeton's home. They believe she is a witch and break into her home to try to find out. While in the house they come across some magical creatures and scary tricks. So as it turns out the older woman is a witch, and the kids escape the house. This is 1 book in a series, there is at the end of the book the first chapter to the next in the serie, so I thought that was nice to keep the reader interested.