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The Witches of Dredmoore Hollow
Nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Juvenile Mystery When his two strange aunts arrive at Dredmoore Hollow, eleven-year-old Elijah finds his life turned upside down. His parents suddenly leave town, and he’s whisked away to stay with Serena and Agnes on Moaning Marsh, where they run the world’s most mysterious beauty salon. Not to mention their creepy hired man, his beastly pet, and the three unusual girls who are their only customers. Elijah discovers that secrets and magic are part of the Dredmoore family legacy, and there’s no hiding from your roots no matter how deep, dark, and tangled they may be.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2008
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154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 22, 2019
I started reading this over a week ago, then got busy with vacation and kind of forgot about it.
It's a quick read, and has elements of magic, which I liked, but there's no real depth to the story. Elijah is portrayed as a bumbling scaredy cat who can't make his own decisions, and he doesn't show enough of real change to make the story believeable.
I did like Dez's character and what she brought to the story, what little we saw ofher.
There's too much action, too quickly, and not enough backstory. And it all wraps up too nicely in a neat little bow for me to have really enjoyed it.
It's a quick read, and has elements of magic, which I liked, but there's no real depth to the story. Elijah is portrayed as a bumbling scaredy cat who can't make his own decisions, and he doesn't show enough of real change to make the story believeable.
I did like Dez's character and what she brought to the story, what little we saw ofher.
There's too much action, too quickly, and not enough backstory. And it all wraps up too nicely in a neat little bow for me to have really enjoyed it.
September 8, 2010
This is the favorite book of one of my young customers at the library. Based on her rave reviews (and in order to keep up with what others her age might be reading), I gave this book a try. It was a fun read with interesting characters, good versus evil (and evil wasn't always clearly delineated), and of course, youth being wiser than age.
While I can't rank this as a favorite (if I'm going to read about boys with magical powers, I'm pretty much always gonna choose Harry), I thought this was an original take on the boy-finds-out-he's-magic story.
While I can't rank this as a favorite (if I'm going to read about boys with magical powers, I'm pretty much always gonna choose Harry), I thought this was an original take on the boy-finds-out-he's-magic story.
October 16, 2008
My kids & I all *devoured* this book, we've been trying to find something to fill our Harry Potter habit, and this is probably the best entry to date (will also delight Lemony Snicket & Roald Dahl fans). Magic, humor, mystery, adventure, quirky and fun -- the hero is a self-proclaimed coward who is thrown into a gleefully creepy adventure, and discovers that his family has witching in its roots. Highly recommended.
December 12, 2008
Pretty good - cute with some fun elements but I felt it was trying a little too hard and I had trouble staying interested. I do think this is an author to watch however. Younger teens will enjoy this.
May 19, 2014
A quick read that was okay, but didn't wow me. I just didn't feel like the plot or the characters were really three dimensional enough to keep my interest.
November 3, 2021
I would say that the most creative parts of the books are also hard to understand and confusing. They get lost in the frenzy of the action. I don't have a clear image of what just happened.
I can see it made into a Tim Burton/ Coraline/Boxtrolls movie.
The boy ends up with his aunts in dreadful place being the core of their plans. He tries to escape several times. This slows down the book a bit, but then the addition of other characters makes it better, such as Dez. Again there are parts and chapters that flow very well, but others that I would like to visualize better, such as the maids attacks.
September 13, 2018
I kept picking this book up and putting it back down, mainly because I was picking up other books in the meantime! But this book really took me by surprise at the end! Really glad I read it. It says 27 chapters, but I was able to finish the rest of it from chapter 2 in two days. This really is one of those stories where you are thrown into the mystery of it all. Can’t wait to do my review for it on my channel. :)
August 2, 2017
Elijah is stunned to find out he has two aunts he never knew about who also happen to be witches. When Elijah and his family are kidnapped by their evil kin Elijah must work to figure out how to safe them. This book was humorous and spooky and will appeal to middle grade fans of paranormal fiction.
August 10, 2017
2.5 stars. I had a hard time getting into this book.
July 19, 2021
3.5 stars
October 16, 2023
Enjoyed this book, but the cover art is kind of disturbing.
August 7, 2010
I loved running my hands over the smooth cover of this book, which I got from the library, admiring the cleverly-illustrated cover.
I haven't gotten a book from there in such a long time. I got four books, and at first I felt overwhelmed--which one to read? The all sounded great--and it turned out that out of the four books, The Witches of Dredmoore Hollow was THE BEST in the entire pile. The best book I've gotten from a library in a long time.
This book stunned me, I could NOT put it down. I just HAD to keep reading!
The mysterious, moving, exciting and dark story of 11-year old (soon to be 12) Elijah Twisp is a must-read for fans of scary stories, mysteries and a HEAP of the UNEXPECTED.
Elijah Twisp is an 11-year old boy living with his mother and father (referred to throughout as 'Poppers', which helped the Narrative Voice even more) on a farm stuck without cars or anything modern.
"Automobiles will be the ruination of modern man!"
Elijah is a timid boy, afraid of everything. His bravery will be put to the test, however, when he witnesses the mysterious Burrowing Ravenweed, (such a clever name!) a plant-bird monster, chop off the hand of a shady man, who stole five heavy somethings from the family graveyard...
Then, before he knows it, he is swept into a befuddling adventure that will drastically alter his life--for better or for worse, that's for YOU, reader, to find out--involving three strange girls, a whisker, an odd writing quill, and a beauty salon by the name of "The Magic Snippers".
The author did such an utterly fantastic job writing this book! I really wished there was a second book, it would make a great series. The words flowed effortlessly, painting elaborate pictures in my mind, and the characters were so well-developed it tore my heart out to say good-bye at the end of the book.
The author also did a great job with the magic spells, using creative words such as "Thundercrack!" and "Hush-a-tongue!" and, my favorite "BLUNDERBLAST!"
Also, instead of using the words 'magic wands' and 'magic cauldron' the different (different and amazing!) words 'witching sticks' and 'witching kettle' were used.
I found this book to be absolutely amazing. It has GREAT potential to be a good movie. I think I might end up buying this book, it was so great!
I haven't gotten a book from there in such a long time. I got four books, and at first I felt overwhelmed--which one to read? The all sounded great--and it turned out that out of the four books, The Witches of Dredmoore Hollow was THE BEST in the entire pile. The best book I've gotten from a library in a long time.
This book stunned me, I could NOT put it down. I just HAD to keep reading!
The mysterious, moving, exciting and dark story of 11-year old (soon to be 12) Elijah Twisp is a must-read for fans of scary stories, mysteries and a HEAP of the UNEXPECTED.
Elijah Twisp is an 11-year old boy living with his mother and father (referred to throughout as 'Poppers', which helped the Narrative Voice even more) on a farm stuck without cars or anything modern.
"Automobiles will be the ruination of modern man!"
Elijah is a timid boy, afraid of everything. His bravery will be put to the test, however, when he witnesses the mysterious Burrowing Ravenweed, (such a clever name!) a plant-bird monster, chop off the hand of a shady man, who stole five heavy somethings from the family graveyard...
Then, before he knows it, he is swept into a befuddling adventure that will drastically alter his life--for better or for worse, that's for YOU, reader, to find out--involving three strange girls, a whisker, an odd writing quill, and a beauty salon by the name of "The Magic Snippers".
The author did such an utterly fantastic job writing this book! I really wished there was a second book, it would make a great series. The words flowed effortlessly, painting elaborate pictures in my mind, and the characters were so well-developed it tore my heart out to say good-bye at the end of the book.
The author also did a great job with the magic spells, using creative words such as "Thundercrack!" and "Hush-a-tongue!" and, my favorite "BLUNDERBLAST!"
Also, instead of using the words 'magic wands' and 'magic cauldron' the different (different and amazing!) words 'witching sticks' and 'witching kettle' were used.
I found this book to be absolutely amazing. It has GREAT potential to be a good movie. I think I might end up buying this book, it was so great!
July 13, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: MG
Recommended for: fans of MG fantasy, adventure stories featuring witches
Trigger Warnings: witchcraft, black magic
My Thoughts: This was a really fun story, and a fast read, despite the length. I was especially amused by Japheth and his made-up and silly words and phrases. I imagine there will be some controversy, since this book features both white and black magic practitioners, but overall it's a fun, clean story for younger readers. It was especially fun to find this book featuring a boy, a modern story that is in short supply lately.
This story is set in 1927, so it was also fun to see the difference in thoughts, speech and attitudes. Elijah's father is distrustful of mechanical things and refuses to have a car, for instance, or electricity, which Elijah finds most distressing.
I was left thinking that there was plenty of room for a sequel to this story. After all, the cauldron was probably un-Chosen by the end of the story. Does it need to Choose to maintain a level of safety? What is another dark-magic practitioner wanted to try to take it over? I could see where the story could definitely continue. However, I cannot find any evidence that it will, and the website that is listed for the author in the back of the book is apparently defunct.
At any rate, if you're looking for a fun, clean read for your younger readers, especially for boys, this is a great book. Check it out.
Edition information: Please note, this book was recently re-released in a Paperback edition from Amazon Children's Publishing. The edition I have, and which I read, was the original 2008 edition in hardcover.
Disclosure: I received a copy through the Amazon Vine Last Harvest program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: When his two strange aunts arrive at Dredmoore Hollow, eleven-year-old Elijah finds his life turned upside down. His parents suddenly leave town, and he's whisked away to stay with Serena and Agnes on Moaning Marsh, where they run the world's most mysterious beauty salon.
Reading Level: MG
Recommended for: fans of MG fantasy, adventure stories featuring witches
Trigger Warnings: witchcraft, black magic
My Thoughts: This was a really fun story, and a fast read, despite the length. I was especially amused by Japheth and his made-up and silly words and phrases. I imagine there will be some controversy, since this book features both white and black magic practitioners, but overall it's a fun, clean story for younger readers. It was especially fun to find this book featuring a boy, a modern story that is in short supply lately.
This story is set in 1927, so it was also fun to see the difference in thoughts, speech and attitudes. Elijah's father is distrustful of mechanical things and refuses to have a car, for instance, or electricity, which Elijah finds most distressing.
I was left thinking that there was plenty of room for a sequel to this story. After all, the cauldron was probably un-Chosen by the end of the story. Does it need to Choose to maintain a level of safety? What is another dark-magic practitioner wanted to try to take it over? I could see where the story could definitely continue. However, I cannot find any evidence that it will, and the website that is listed for the author in the back of the book is apparently defunct.
At any rate, if you're looking for a fun, clean read for your younger readers, especially for boys, this is a great book. Check it out.
Edition information: Please note, this book was recently re-released in a Paperback edition from Amazon Children's Publishing. The edition I have, and which I read, was the original 2008 edition in hardcover.
Disclosure: I received a copy through the Amazon Vine Last Harvest program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: When his two strange aunts arrive at Dredmoore Hollow, eleven-year-old Elijah finds his life turned upside down. His parents suddenly leave town, and he's whisked away to stay with Serena and Agnes on Moaning Marsh, where they run the world's most mysterious beauty salon.
August 25, 2016
Closer to 3.5 stars, but overall I did enjoy the book and I think my kids will like it. There were just some points that dragged.
Elijah is scared of everything. When he sees a strange man digging in the family cemetery, his practical father passes everything off as his fearful imagination. Not so his mother, but soon his strange aunts are visiting, his parents have been called off to help his Grandma, and Elijah has to stay with his aunts in their strange, creepy house. He meets a local girl whose sister has been bewitched and learns about his family's "gifts".
The pace was fairly good, and there were bits that I liked, especially once we meet Elijah's opposite, Dez. I also think this might be a standalone. This is good, because I don't know that my kids would want to read a whole series about Elijah.
He was a bit dull, and I kept wanting to scream at him to move. But he doesn't. This is the difficult part with having an overly fearful main character - they are constantly reacting but not ever really taking charge. I get the overall arc of the character, there were just some parts that made me want to skim rather than immerse myself in the tale.
Tween/Younger Middle Grade level, for those who are looking for longer chapter books.
[received review copy from Amazon Vine http://www.amazon.com/review/R2M6R3T5...]
Elijah is scared of everything. When he sees a strange man digging in the family cemetery, his practical father passes everything off as his fearful imagination. Not so his mother, but soon his strange aunts are visiting, his parents have been called off to help his Grandma, and Elijah has to stay with his aunts in their strange, creepy house. He meets a local girl whose sister has been bewitched and learns about his family's "gifts".
The pace was fairly good, and there were bits that I liked, especially once we meet Elijah's opposite, Dez. I also think this might be a standalone. This is good, because I don't know that my kids would want to read a whole series about Elijah.
He was a bit dull, and I kept wanting to scream at him to move. But he doesn't. This is the difficult part with having an overly fearful main character - they are constantly reacting but not ever really taking charge. I get the overall arc of the character, there were just some parts that made me want to skim rather than immerse myself in the tale.
Tween/Younger Middle Grade level, for those who are looking for longer chapter books.
[received review copy from Amazon Vine http://www.amazon.com/review/R2M6R3T5...]
May 8, 2009
Set in the late 1920s, Elijah is a jumpy boy who'd rather read his Tom Swift books than go on adventures. But when his parents disappear and his two crazy aunts whisk him away to their house in the Moaning Marsh, he realizes that things aren't always what they seem. Aunt Serena (the blonde one with the fox fur wrap that seems to be still alive) and Aunt Agnes (the one dressed all in black with hair whirled on top of her head like a tornado) run Magic Snippers, the world's most mysterious beauty salon with the most unusual customers. With the help of a new friend, Elijah starts to unravel mysteries about his family history. With other better books about witches and magic out there, this one didn't stand out for me, but the story's somewhat entertaining and the characters are amusing.
February 1, 2015
A Nice Fairytale
The Witches of Dredmoore Hollow is a nice fantasy told in a fairytale setting. The hero, Elijah, is a young boy who is sensitive and scared of everything. His two aunts come to visit and take him away on a visit which will change him forever. After more and more unbelievable things begin to happen, Elijah realizes to his horror that his aunts are witches and that, as their nephew, he and the rest of his family also have witch blood. How he escapes his aunts' clutches and restores "balance to the universe" follows. The book is a fun, quick read but is nothing exceptional. The plot is predictable, although the situations in which Elijah finds himself are unique. The book, in sum, is interesting but not fascinating.
The Witches of Dredmoore Hollow is a nice fantasy told in a fairytale setting. The hero, Elijah, is a young boy who is sensitive and scared of everything. His two aunts come to visit and take him away on a visit which will change him forever. After more and more unbelievable things begin to happen, Elijah realizes to his horror that his aunts are witches and that, as their nephew, he and the rest of his family also have witch blood. How he escapes his aunts' clutches and restores "balance to the universe" follows. The book is a fun, quick read but is nothing exceptional. The plot is predictable, although the situations in which Elijah finds himself are unique. The book, in sum, is interesting but not fascinating.
January 8, 2016
I would say that the most creative parts of the books are also hard to understand and confusing. They get lost in the frenzy of the action. I don't have a clear image of what just happened.
I can see it made into a Tim Burton/ Coraline/Boxtrolls movie.
The boy ends up with his aunts in dreadful place being the core of their plans. He tries to escape several times. This slows down the book a bit, but then the addition of other characters makes it better, such as Dez. Again there are parts and chapters that flow very well, but others that I would like to visualize better, such as the maids attacks.
June 17, 2014
Witches and cauldrons
Witches and cauldrons
A cute book set in the early 20th century. The setting of the early days of cars is played well, eventually plays as a part of the plot.
These are witches of the broom riding kind. Evil and ugly. Obviously the beginning of a series, a neat story for students or readers interested in a witch story that isn't romantic in nature.
Witches and cauldrons
A cute book set in the early 20th century. The setting of the early days of cars is played well, eventually plays as a part of the plot.
These are witches of the broom riding kind. Evil and ugly. Obviously the beginning of a series, a neat story for students or readers interested in a witch story that isn't romantic in nature.
March 24, 2011
It started out with way too much historical info (the kind that is too obvious in historical fiction)- annoyingly so. But that went away and then it seemed rather Harry Potter copycat-like, but overall, other than the overboard historical crap in the beginning, it was well written, and a cute story.
August 8, 2014
The book was fantastic! A lot of people complained the since the character was cowardly the book wasn't fast pace enough. I thought it was a refreshing change from the classic brave hero who is faced with insurmountable odds but pulls through and becomes a hero. The character was unique, like real people. This book is sure to become a family favorite for generations.
March 1, 2009
This was not what I thought it would be. Lots of interesting turns and twists. I would be willing to read this to my kids and not worry about them having nightmares (dark themes) because it didn't seem completely believable - a little over the top, in other words. But cute. Very quick read.
May 11, 2009
The witches in the book are the bad, dark-magic sort, but the book itself isn't dark. The story maintains an optimistic feeling even while the witches are doing awful things. For that reason, I think kids will not be overly scared, but will find the story just scary enough.
July 25, 2009
This book has a nice mix of humor and horror. There is nothing too gruesome and it is easy to distinguish good and evil. The author takes a lot of rears kids have and gives them to "our hero" in this story.
September 2, 2014
A fun adventure for 5th-7th graders about finding your courage, even in the face of the worst aunties a 12-year-old could ever have. While fantasy, it also incorporates some neat slice-of-life elements of growing up on a farm in the early 20th Century. A great read as Halloween approaches...
November 2, 2016
What a wonderful read - it would be great for boys and girls! There is imagination galore in this tale - descriptions painted such a vivid picture of all the happenings. There's spookiness, wickedness, goodness, friendship and a whole lot more goin' on in this book!!!
June 6, 2009
Elijah, a timid boy, is suddenly wisked away by two strange aunts and discoveres his family holds a terrible secret.
October 26, 2009
I read this to Maryn and Luke and gave it five stars because we all loved it. It is a very fun book to read out loud and the kids would beg me every night to read "just one more chapter!"
December 10, 2009
I read this to my girls and it was a very fun, somewhat creepy, suspenseful book. good times!
July 9, 2010
Very slow to start, as in half the book before it gets remotely interesting but once it does it is a good read. Funny characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews