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Good Witch
Some call it the gift, but for others it's a curse.
Magic runs in Jane Howard's family. Her brother hunts werewolves, her sister vanished without trace twenty-five years ago, her mother is the worst witch of all, and her grandmother just might blow up the world - despite having drowned somewhere on the ferry route from Cairnryan to Largs.
Jane wants to be a good witch . . . but that's not all she wants.
Magic runs in Jane Howard's family. Her brother hunts werewolves, her sister vanished without trace twenty-five years ago, her mother is the worst witch of all, and her grandmother just might blow up the world - despite having drowned somewhere on the ferry route from Cairnryan to Largs.
Jane wants to be a good witch . . . but that's not all she wants.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2015
24 people are currently reading
651 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 16, 2016
What did I just read? It was clever; it was confusing; it was funny. I loved this book, and I’m supremely grateful to finally understand why there’s a tortoise on the front cover.
To begin with, this story does not follow conventional formatting, which might bother a lot of impatient readers. Each chapter jumps around between different perspectives and moments in time, which can be confusing. By the middle of the book I was used to the switches and found I was more conflicted over those tidbit chapters that seemed utterly random (until I got to the end and suddenly all the pieces clicked together). The build-up of the characters and their lives is very slow, and for most of the book I was wondering what the point was. Even at the end, I was left with a sense of wanting to know more. But for some reason, I couldn’t help loving what I was reading, even when I was wondering what it was that I was reading. Does that even make sense?
This is definitely a book that will require a reread to understand all those subtle clues that made no sense the first go-around.
The witty dialogue is captivating, especially when Jane is involved. She was definitely my favorite character, perhaps because we get to know her the most out of all the characters we follow around. Also, be warned that some readers may be bothered by Caprice’s undoing: it definitely shocked me at first because it felt like it was coming out of the blue, but then I realized that we had been given ample warning that this would happen. Subtle warnings, yes, but still there. And honestly, once I made the connections, I loved that Porteous had written everything the way he did.
Overall, this was a delightfully witty, humourous, British novel. Porteous’ writing is clever and fun, and I ended up really loving the slow-building of his story with its snippets of clues hidden in plain view. If you’re expecting a lot of magic (wand waving and incantations and general witchiness), you might be in for a bit of a surprise. Porteous’ witches are certainly more than their spells.
To begin with, this story does not follow conventional formatting, which might bother a lot of impatient readers. Each chapter jumps around between different perspectives and moments in time, which can be confusing. By the middle of the book I was used to the switches and found I was more conflicted over those tidbit chapters that seemed utterly random (until I got to the end and suddenly all the pieces clicked together). The build-up of the characters and their lives is very slow, and for most of the book I was wondering what the point was. Even at the end, I was left with a sense of wanting to know more. But for some reason, I couldn’t help loving what I was reading, even when I was wondering what it was that I was reading. Does that even make sense?
This is definitely a book that will require a reread to understand all those subtle clues that made no sense the first go-around.
The witty dialogue is captivating, especially when Jane is involved. She was definitely my favorite character, perhaps because we get to know her the most out of all the characters we follow around. Also, be warned that some readers may be bothered by Caprice’s undoing: it definitely shocked me at first because it felt like it was coming out of the blue, but then I realized that we had been given ample warning that this would happen. Subtle warnings, yes, but still there. And honestly, once I made the connections, I loved that Porteous had written everything the way he did.
Overall, this was a delightfully witty, humourous, British novel. Porteous’ writing is clever and fun, and I ended up really loving the slow-building of his story with its snippets of clues hidden in plain view. If you’re expecting a lot of magic (wand waving and incantations and general witchiness), you might be in for a bit of a surprise. Porteous’ witches are certainly more than their spells.
December 31, 2015
Fantastic stuff. A page turner from start to finish. Well thought out and very funny. This authors latest does not disappoint.
March 21, 2016
Okay, I haven't had that much fun reading a book in a long, loooooong time.
One of my status updates invoked "Tom Dorsey." That should have been Tim Dorsey. My bad. Regardless, if you like Dorsey's humor, dialog, etc., the odds of liking Good Witch are in your favor. I loved just about everything about this book: the story, the fore-mentioned dialog, the characters, you name it. The only thing that detracted from the story was that chapter-to-chapter it occasionally jumped from present day into the past and it was a bit jarring until you realized which time period you were in. After about half of the book was read, this was less of a problem. Even before half of the book was read, it wasn't a huge problem, just a nit.
Books like Good Witch make me glad I'm addicted to Goodreads Giveaways. I probably would not have bought this book if I passed it in a bookstore, but because I got a copy for review (consider this my notice that I got the book in exchange for an honest review) I felt compelled to read it, and in the process I discovered an effin' awesome author. The next Porteous book I read will be paid for, I promise.
Is this book for everyone? Oh, hell no. Some folks will be put off by the sameness of some of the characters, some by the "triggering moment" that I won't go into (it's kind of important to the story so I'm not against it. You'll have to read the book or pissed off reviews [if any pop up] to find out what "it" is), some by the mystery of Norman...speaking of which, I still have questions about that dude. Maybe a re-read is in order.
Anyway, yeah, I loved this book. Perhaps it was timing. I just finished my second round of college so I'm in a much brighter mood than I've been in since 2013. Don't know. All I know is I want to read more of Mr. Porteous' books. I'm accepting graduation presents now. DM me.
One of my status updates invoked "Tom Dorsey." That should have been Tim Dorsey. My bad. Regardless, if you like Dorsey's humor, dialog, etc., the odds of liking Good Witch are in your favor. I loved just about everything about this book: the story, the fore-mentioned dialog, the characters, you name it. The only thing that detracted from the story was that chapter-to-chapter it occasionally jumped from present day into the past and it was a bit jarring until you realized which time period you were in. After about half of the book was read, this was less of a problem. Even before half of the book was read, it wasn't a huge problem, just a nit.
Books like Good Witch make me glad I'm addicted to Goodreads Giveaways. I probably would not have bought this book if I passed it in a bookstore, but because I got a copy for review (consider this my notice that I got the book in exchange for an honest review) I felt compelled to read it, and in the process I discovered an effin' awesome author. The next Porteous book I read will be paid for, I promise.
Is this book for everyone? Oh, hell no. Some folks will be put off by the sameness of some of the characters, some by the "triggering moment" that I won't go into (it's kind of important to the story so I'm not against it. You'll have to read the book or pissed off reviews [if any pop up] to find out what "it" is), some by the mystery of Norman...speaking of which, I still have questions about that dude. Maybe a re-read is in order.
Anyway, yeah, I loved this book. Perhaps it was timing. I just finished my second round of college so I'm in a much brighter mood than I've been in since 2013. Don't know. All I know is I want to read more of Mr. Porteous' books. I'm accepting graduation presents now. DM me.
July 4, 2016
Wonderful and wondrous
The best book that I have read in a long time. The author's skill and imagination are incredible and bring an unexpected and unlooked for conclusion which at the same time is just perfect
The best book that I have read in a long time. The author's skill and imagination are incredible and bring an unexpected and unlooked for conclusion which at the same time is just perfect
February 5, 2016
A brilliant, funny and clever story woven with the city of Edinburgh. 5*
July 2, 2020
Quite an interesting take on witch family life through several generations. Loss of family members, estranged parents, twins with secret separate lifestyles, and curses brought to life again. What happens when a witch denies her magic and allows herself to become self-destructive. Can forgotten memories be resurrected by the twins to change a fatal past of a forgotten sibling? Some of the chapters are viewed as narrative and also from the viewpoint of the characters which allows them to build themselves into interesting but interconnected fates. A Gran who was supposedly suicidal but also the family matriarchal witch who taught the lessons to redeem a lost soul or two. A mother withdrawn from her true self into a caricature of wealthy spousal duties but not an ounce of love. Twins, Jane an animal lover and a fountain of love to redeem traumatized souls. Her brother, Campbell, secret assassin for hire until he is suddenly the prey. Stockton, a wealthy writer of various interests and also a vampire. This was a free book to read and review. I have no connection to anyone involved. I enjoyed the modern Scottish landscape of Edinburgh which held the story perfectly. This was a very good read.
June 2, 2019
Interesting characters, bouts of witty dialogue but no substance. Characters did mundane (ish) things for 320 pages and the “big reveal” happened in the last 50 pages with very little context or explanation. Major things that happened to characters ended up not being a big deal. Book was very difficult to get through but overall felt very rushed towards the end. Would not recommend.
February 19, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It has a lot of British humor that I enjoy, the only thing I didn't like was how it ended, seemed a little rushed and not all of my questions were answered. Maybe the author intends to eventually make this a series? If so the way it ended would make more sense.
November 19, 2016
wowza
this is now my second favorite book. the characterization was excellent, the plot was captivating. i haven't read one like this in a long time.
this is now my second favorite book. the characterization was excellent, the plot was captivating. i haven't read one like this in a long time.
August 10, 2016
Great book. I accused it of starting out a bit slow, but it all came together most satisfyingly at the end. Every step back or change of view contributed to the ending. On top of that, this author simply writes well. The words flow.
Great book. I felt it was a bit slow to start with but every backstop or change of view was required to bring the book to its satisfying ending. Plus this author simply writes well
Great book. I felt it was a bit slow to start with but every backstop or change of view was required to bring the book to its satisfying ending. Plus this author simply writes well
October 15, 2016
Entertaining and inventive; reminded me of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, though not quite as adept with the plotting. Enjoyed the initial worldbuilding and character development but the climax seemed to ramp up awfully fast.
December 18, 2016
A very enjoyable read
This was a fun and unexpected story. Definitely not your average supernatural storyline. And very unpredictable. It kept my attention and interest all of the way through.
This was a fun and unexpected story. Definitely not your average supernatural storyline. And very unpredictable. It kept my attention and interest all of the way through.
November 26, 2016
This is brilliant, funny, and feels very original. Its strands take a long time to converge, so be patient.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews