Witch and Wizard "Book One"- Free Preview

by James Patterson

Imagine you wake up and the world around you—life as you know it—has changed in an instant. That’s what has happened to Whit Allgood and his sister, Wisty. They went to sleep as normal teenagers, and woke up as wanted criminals. Accused of holding incredible powers they’d never dreamed possible. Find out just how different they are. It begins… now. FREE! Read “Book One” of Witch & Wizard by #1 bestselling author James Patterson now!

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Magic, Audiobook, Mystery, Science Fiction

320 pages, ebook

First published October 5, 2009

About the author

Official US Site
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JIMMY Patterson Books
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[A_ bookbound _soul · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was not a page turner but it can definitely keep you awake. Also this book is full of ridiculous stuff like :
'One In Command, The One Who Judges, The One Who Imprisons ,The One Who Assigns Numbers, The One Who Is The One, blah, blah.'
These are supposed to be the positions of the officers. LOL.
Besides being ridiculous the book was fast moving. I usually like fast moving books but in this one I constantly kept feeling that I had missed something! Though the story had an unique plot it was poorly written. Overall I would give it 2 & 1/2 stars. Recommended for kids below 13.

[Laura Trombley]

This is James Patterson? Ugh. This is the worst book I think I have ever read. I made myself finish it. It is written at a fourth grade level for 7th-9th graders. If they like it, and it can get them to read, that is this book's redeeming qualities. He tries overtly to speak to the preteen set and his characters are so poorly developed. The plot seems to be developed solely to give the main characters reasons to make snarky remarks. No stars for you

[Mycah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's really great. Im so into the book. I have to force myself to put it down.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

After seeing a few of my students read this book last year, I figured I would give it a try. I have also been trying to read more books that I could recommend to my male students, so I figured a book about witchcraft and wizardry might do the trick. Because this book was written by James Patterson (an author of all trades/genres in my opinion), I went into this book with lofty expectations; this was my first mistake. Compared to other books written by James Patterson, I was severely let down by Witch & Wizard. I thought the writing was very staccato, meaning very start and stop. I did not feel that each of the events flowed together rather the events were just thrown into the book in some sequence. I am not sure if this "broken" writing was the result of the short chapters, the switching perspectives, or the separate into 3 books, but the book was a serious letdown for me. In fact, I had to convince myself to finish the book (I am someone who refuses to stop in the middle of a book). At this point, I am torn between whether I will recommend this book to my students or not. On one hand, it is a genre (adventure and fantasy) that some of my students may enjoy. In addition, my students tend to enjoy books with short chapters (2-3 pages). But, on the opposite hand, I think the writing would bore some of my students and they would want to quit the book, without really even knowing why.

[Kelly DeLeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel "Witch & Wizard," by James Patterson isn't the kind of book for me. Although it wouldn't be fair to call it either boring or charming. I didn't find the book very intriguing because nothing seemed to be exciting. Scenes in the book seemed rushed even though it was an important part or even the climax. The plot of the story, although, I found very unique, but not all that special to make it a page flipping novel. Characters in the book are fairly simple and nothing to gush about. Nothing seemed to be enough to get a good emotion out of me. There didn't seem to be any power behind the writing. It seemed to just drag on and on with how it was written. The style of how it was written was new to me where the point of view changes from the two main characters, Whit and Whitsy. Sometimes I would forget what point of view I'm in so I have to turn back to the start of the chapter to check. This book is part of series, but I wouldn't continue to read it and just stop at this book. Even though I'm a fan of magic, and the supernatural it just didn't do any justice.

[Andrew Dewey · Rating 2 out of 5]

What can I say about Witch and Wizard by James Patterson? It had its ups and downs. This wasn’t a page turner for me but it was an interesting story. It started really slow because the story just picks it up but felt fast paced at the end of the story. The reading level for this story is meant for ninth graders but in reality it is written for elementary school students because the vocabulary is lacking. The story’s main gist is that the world will never be the same after what happened to Whit and Witsy, which I found to be a very boring plot in general.You know when you try to complete a really boring task but very quickly and it feels like it takes forever? That’s Witch and Wizard. I would recommend this book to elementary school students or 6th graders. My review of this book is 2 out of 5 not just for the story being boring but for the way you have to read is a very slowed pace process I found myself coming back to part because of not remembering key details.

[Mona Kabbani · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just... don’t really understand what I should be taking from this... The plot evaporated before it was ever even developed. None of the characters felt genuine or likable - rather forced. The N.O. did not come across to me as a well organized and militarized government - instead, very goofy and incompetent which leaves no exciting threat for the climax.

I could go on but these are the main elements that did not succeed for me. I do not suggest picking this up.

*Edit* Additional note: if this book was meant to be for YA, fine. But I found this in the adult fiction section under James Patterson’s name sooooo.... poor marketing?

[Kesean T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome

[Jacob shirland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was pretty good. I don't like to read fantasy but i read this and enjoyed it and i suggest it to anyone who likes fantasy books.

[ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whit and Wisty are brother and sister. When they get kidnapped in the middle of the night and sent to prison, everything changes. They are forced worth the truth. Now witch and wizard must escape and find and save their parents.

[Mariam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was full of action, which I liked. It could have been way better though. The writing was not the best, and the author wasn’t creative by way of names (ridiculous titles like: the One Who Judges, or the One Who Micromananges Public Spaces)-I’m not kidding that’s actually in the book. The author couldn’t find any good names, so he tried to spice up by putting weird titles for people. Definitely not the best book I’ve read, could’ve been way better.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this is the best book you can ever read, there 's so much action in this book I would say it's the best book ever! (spoiler! there is a weasel I repeat there is a kawaii weasel :3

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

WARNING: there may be a SPOILER ALERT!!
This book is about, a brother and a sister named whit and Wisty Allgood. they find out there a witch and wizard After they get taken by the first order. the first order is run by the one who is the one who has magic as well, but he wants to rule every world. They want get rid of all the kids that have magic, anyone really that has magic. and Wisty and whit according to the prophecies are suppose to change that. so they meet new friends in the free lands and go on journey to save the children, and find there parents.
I personally love the books about vampires and witches wizards, the type of books like hunger games where its basically set in the future. i loved this book, my favorite character was definitely wisty. she is such a strong amazing character. she could shoots like 5 foot flames off her body if she wanted to. even though she had her moments, she was such a great thinker and she really good at improving on the spot. My favorite part of the book probably was tords the end of the book when wisty,whit and the other kids they just rescued were outside the gate. when Wisty was weak and the
matron showed up with one off the kids that betrayed them from the free lands. even though Wisty was weak she still but she still had the strength to fight off the matron, whom she once let have control over her but not anymore. then Wisty turned the judge into a cockroach and the matron went running.
I got so mad at the end of the book because the author left out like a whole chunk of how they got captured, what they were doing to get captured. but there is a 2 book so I'm sure it will explain more but because I loved the book so much i was so upset/ confused at the very end of the book.

[Travis Vandenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever dreamed of having crazy supernatural abilities? Many magical powers come to life in the novel Witch and Wizard by James Patterson. In this story, two teenagers’ lives are interrupted by an unexpected turn--- involving magic. In Witch and Wizard, James Patterson creates a whole new world that is completely different than the one we live in today.

Wisty and Whit Allgood just want to live a normal teenage life. However, after finding out they have magical abilities like starting on fire or levitating objects, it becomes pretty hard to maintain that. So, Whit and Wisty are forced to navigate throughout a web of lies, fear, and magic. An example of this crazy magic is when Wisty explains starting on fire: “And right then I felt this whooshing sensation, as if a stiff, hot wind were blowing up against me. In an instant, blood rushed to my head, my cheeks flooded with heat….I saw---and felt---foot-long flames burst out of every pore in my body” (Patterson 28).

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys science fiction or adventure stories. It tells the reader a story of an insane, amazing adventure that is exhilarating to read about. I give Witch and Wizard 5 out of 5 stars, for the interesting plot and fantastic twists and turns. Other work by James Patterson that is similar to this is the Maximum Ride novels, another spectacular adventure. Witch and Wizard fabricates a completely new world anyone would want to live in. More importantly, it fashions characters and a story worth reading about.

[Coltant]

Coltan Tangney
Outstanding, an amazing, exciting story from start to finish! Witch and Wizard, by James Patterson, rates 5 out of 5 stars. There are several reasons why. First, the story contains a gripping plot with almost non-stop action. There is simply no let up, from when the government raids the home of a simple family to when those same government agents take the children from their beloved parents, the drama never stops. Second, Patterson introduces us to interesting characters who we care about as the story unfolds.
For these reasons and others, the book is difficult to put down. The primary characters, brother and sister Whit and Wisty, have magical abilities that they are just learning to harness as they fight for basic freedoms that don’t exist in their futuristic, dark and scary society. As soon as they begin to discover their powers, the government finds out, and a relentless pursuit to imprison the young mages begins. The siblings must use all their powers to out run and outsmart the government and put a stop to their government’s oppression once and for all.
I would highly recommend this compelling book for both teens and young adults. Whit and Wisty are forced to work together to overcome their problems together, and learn many important lessons that teenagers can identify with along the way.

[Nadi L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Witch and Wizard" (Book One) by James Patterson was thrilling and interesting to read. To simply the summery of the novel, the two main characters, Whit and Wisty, discover that apparently they possess powers that only their parents have the knowledge about. Together, they both go on a journey to not only strengthen their powers but to figure out their identities. The novel took numerous twists and turns that was really interesting. However, this made the book even more exciting to read because there were no boredom parts to the book. It felt as if the book went into "hyper drive" and I could not get the book out of my hands. Secondly, the novel contained classified information about these two characters that was revealed in this book which made the book even more fascinating then before. The reasoning for this statement is that, in any fiction novel, the reader feels a connection with the characters. However, in this particular novel, the connection with the characters makes you feel like you are keeping a secret that only they and other close people know around them. In the end, this was a fun read and I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in fantasy and science fiction novels because, of course, the reader will be getting to know the witch and the wizard.

[Sid]

I first got this book because I had read another series by James Patterson, and I liked it. So, I got this book. Another reason was because my dad made me read a chapter book. But I will overlook that fact.
I started to read this book, and it started off with a bang. The plot went running from there becoming more and more elaborate with every second I read it. Like Harry Potter, this book is filled with main characters, that are witches and/or wizards fighting off the intruding evil forces. But unlike Harry Potter, this book puts the wizards in sort of a "realer world" with more realistic events. Also, this book is a little more dark and twisted. The other thing I liked about this book is that the author switches the narrators perspective between the two main characters. Some people might find it confusing, but I thought that it was a pretty neat feature in the book. So, to wrap up, I think that the book "Witch and Wizard" by James Patterson is basically a revamped version of Harry Potter. No, I don't mean that in a negative way... It's just a really good book.

[Karlee Kamberling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book Witch and Wizard really caught my attention when I read it, it has so much action and suspense that it makes you want to never put the book down. My favorite character in this book has to be Wisty Allgood because she gets really confused but she is also very calm when it comes to having to act fast without thinking. She is also very brave just like her brother. Wisty and her brother Whit have been through a lot, they end up being taken away from their parents and are held hostage and then they bump into some real problems that they have to fight and fix by themselves. This book also includes a lot of details about what they are going through and all the emotions they are feeling. Overall this book really caught my attention by the cover and by the overall story.

[Gabrielle Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever thought of being taken away from you family and excused of being a witch and wizard. Well if you haven't you should read this book. It tells how to innocent kids were torn away from there family. The N.O. does that the the siblings and wants them hung so they can not foil there plans. The two siblings are in a prophecy that says they will help control the world using kids. The two siblings are taken away from there family, excused of being something they are not, starved, and hurt but still over power the N.O. In conclusion, even though kids with no power are weaker we can over come anything if we have hope.

[Sarah Turley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title:Witches and Wizards
Author:James Patterson

This book is about these parents adopted kids and they don't know it but the the strange thing is they are magical. These people come take these kids but they disappeared. When there parents come looking for the kids we're she saint them they were not there. I gave this book 5stars because of the place it was happening at and the author gives great ducription of what is happend. This book reminds me of stranger things bc it's magical and mistakes happen to this kid the genre is fiction because advously powers are are not real people can't have powers.

[Bailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think it is an absolutely good book so far. I can't put it down. It has two different points of view Whit and Wisty. They are the main characters. It starts out as them in there house and it is night time and then "The One" kidnaps the whole family and during the kidnapping Wisty turned into a huge flame and everyone in the new order are on the floor or outside and then they go to the new order jail after Wisty wasn't on fire. When they are at the jail they find out that there parents were there and that they escaped.

[Rahul Chamarthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is a good attention grabber. It is about two siblings who are accused of being a witch and wizard by the new order. At first, they thought they were crazy but turns out, they are actually a witch and wizard. The witches name was Whisty and she was able to make fire appear out of no where so anybody near her would get burned. At first, she couldn't control it. It just randomly happened. But soon, she was able to control it. The Wizard was Whisty's brother. His name was Whit and he could stop objects that are moving.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. This book, is SO amazing. Its weird, but in a good way. Intriguing. I could not put this book down. It's so easy to read, and it's really easy to follow along with the story. I LOVED it. It's a must-read for these of you who haven't read it yet.

[Taegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is def. a page turner!! I read it in one day (which shows how good it is). I'm not gonna give away any spoilers, I'm not that evil. The book does not start off slow, it jumps right into the story and does not slow down for a second. Readers, you are in for a treat!

[Trayvon Frazier]

one of the best

[S147461 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was heart warming, it had me like OMG, it was like i was in the book. I believe this is the greatest thing i have ever read in my entire life.

[Michelle]

good book

[Cindy C · Rating 1 out of 5]

BAD

[Cameron Shankle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witch and Wizard is a book by the famous author James Patterson meant for teens to read and enjoy. The story is about teens getting attacked, as well as getting accused of being witches and wizards. They also get torn away from their families and are getting slammed into a prison. The genre of this book would be both fiction and fantasy. I say this because the book goes through a story of teens being accused of being witches and wizards. This meaning it’s fantasy because it talks about witches and wizards, and it is fiction because this didn’t actually happen in the past and is made up.
This story goes through the life of a sister and her brother named Whit and Wisty. They got torn away from their parents, thrown into prison, and got accused of being a witch and a wizard. Then they might eventually get publicly executed if a regime doesn’t rise. They aren’t alone in this terrifying predicament. Thousands kids and teens have been kidnapped. Some of them were accused of being witches and wizards, while others remain missing and never to be found again. Most of these teens who weren’t missing would get publicly executed, and no one in the crowd would even think about shedding a tear or protesting against this unruly act. The people in the crowd would actually cheer and be joyful when these kids who were supposedly witches and wizards got executed.
I would give this book a four-star rating. I gave this book a four star because it was well written and has a good story. The book could be easily relatable since it goes through a story of young teens that are kind of like outcast to the eyes of the people throwing them into prison. The teens are very fearful and have everyone against them. This makes it relatable because some teens in today's world feel like an outcast and have everyone against them with little help. One thing that you will keep guessing about is will the young teens band together to stop this crazy act for good or will they slowly get picked off one by one through the act of public execution. The book is also very well written. It was written allows the reader to be able to come to a stop instead of being forced to read for hours just to find a good place to stop. I would strongly recommend Witch and Wizard by James Patterson to young readers, but it is a great book for anyone to read.

[Alison Mahdak · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was this really written by James Patterson? And well received enough to turn it into a series? I would never have picked it out, had it not been left in a take a book leave a book shelf, but it actually sounded pretty good. And I’d always meant to read something by James Patterson…It’s unfortunate that this was my first Patterson selection. I don’t anticipate braving another of his anytime soon.

Immediately you’re struck by how stupid the names of the characters are. Whit the Wizard and Wisty the witch, seriously? The writing is juvenile. I read young adult and teen books on occasion so I can recommend to students, but come on. Just because you’re writing for teens from the perspective of older teenage characters, doesn’t mean you have to write like a young child. The dialogue is basic and terrible and reminds me of my first efforts to write creative stories as a third grader. Seriously. I had flash backs.

I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone above the age of 12, even though the characters are significantly older than that. The one saving grace was a positive message thrown in on the last page that I appreciated when imagining young teens reading. Unfortunately you didn’t need to read the whole book to understand the motivational concept-but if you see a book copy lying around feel free to read the last page for a nugget of inspiration. But don’t get your hopes up even on that count…it’s not anything you haven’t heard before.