What do you think?
Rate this book
What Makes A Witch
Greer is a young rat thrown to a cruel world. Living on the streets, he finds sanctuary with Mistress Addison, a witch and enemy of the Grand Coven. Though only women can control the power of the ley lines, Mistress Addison defies those rules and agrees to take the young rat on as her apprentice. Starting his journey, Greer finds himself learning for more about his own identity than how to cast spells. Follow him and see what his path unfolds in What Makes a Witch!
62 pages, Paperback
Published August 18, 2020
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 16, 2020
The book was quite cute, but too much was happening in too few pages. I understood enough of the world to follow the story, but there were many questions I still had (What size are the animals in relation to other species and to each other? Are different species in different castes?). I also felt that Greer's revelation was rather sudden and came at a very convenient time, creating a conclusion that was too tidy (all the conflicts were very promptly dealt with ). Addison was my favorite character with her snarky comments and no-nonsense attitude. Overall, this is an uplifting story with an intriguing concept that could be benefitted with a couple hundred more pages.
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
July 17, 2020
Advance review
What Makes a Witch is a delightful novella focusing on magic and identity. Linnea Capps weaves a wonderful tale of Greer, a young rat, trying to square their past with the realities of the world after a misstep at home leaves them on the street. When the witch Addison takes them in, they must confront this head on in order to learn to weild the magic, a thing strictly ordained "from birth", they desperately crave.
The book is well written, fun, and perfectly appropriate for midgrade readers that also enjoy books such as the Redwall series. The biggest reasons for the -1 star is that Addison's thick accent, often a joy to read, occasionally acts as stumbling block. Additionally, Neither of these things should stand in the way of a fun, quick read.
A delightful story of growth and transformation, What Makes a Witch had me rooting for the characters and cheering when they come into their own.
What Makes a Witch is a delightful novella focusing on magic and identity. Linnea Capps weaves a wonderful tale of Greer, a young rat, trying to square their past with the realities of the world after a misstep at home leaves them on the street. When the witch Addison takes them in, they must confront this head on in order to learn to weild the magic, a thing strictly ordained "from birth", they desperately crave.
The book is well written, fun, and perfectly appropriate for midgrade readers that also enjoy books such as the Redwall series. The biggest reasons for the -1 star is that Addison's thick accent, often a joy to read, occasionally acts as stumbling block. Additionally, Neither of these things should stand in the way of a fun, quick read.
A delightful story of growth and transformation, What Makes a Witch had me rooting for the characters and cheering when they come into their own.
September 18, 2020
What a read! In just under 50 pages, Linnea Capps sews a cloak I'd wear any day.
At the beginning of the novella, Greer the rat's world is one of a desperation for survival. As Greer's experiences with exiled witch Mistress Addison bring closer a realization of identity, coven politics threaten to cleave Greer from the safety of Mistress Addison's hut in the forest. Following the rat through the trials of poverty and rejection allowed this reader to latch onto & relate to Greer from early on in the novella, and was damn satisfying. I admit to pumping my fist in the air with a whispered "yaaas!" during the climactic battle with Mistress Elizabeth.
I appreciated the clarity and directness of the prose, and quirks like Mistress Addison's accent were handled well. Furthermore, the quick & simple explanations of the world's magic allow readers to focus more on the characters than the land they inhabit, which I quite enjoyed. There's something to be gained from this novella for every age group, but in particular, I think middle grade readers will enjoy the story of found family and self-actualization. Altogether, this is a story that transcends what I expect from furry fiction, and I can only hope there's more in store for Greer and Mistress Addison.
Side note: The content warnings in the back of the book are something I'd love to see in more fiction! I commend the author for her forthrightness in making that available.
At the beginning of the novella, Greer the rat's world is one of a desperation for survival. As Greer's experiences with exiled witch Mistress Addison bring closer a realization of identity, coven politics threaten to cleave Greer from the safety of Mistress Addison's hut in the forest. Following the rat through the trials of poverty and rejection allowed this reader to latch onto & relate to Greer from early on in the novella, and was damn satisfying. I admit to pumping my fist in the air with a whispered "yaaas!" during the climactic battle with Mistress Elizabeth.
I appreciated the clarity and directness of the prose, and quirks like Mistress Addison's accent were handled well. Furthermore, the quick & simple explanations of the world's magic allow readers to focus more on the characters than the land they inhabit, which I quite enjoyed. There's something to be gained from this novella for every age group, but in particular, I think middle grade readers will enjoy the story of found family and self-actualization. Altogether, this is a story that transcends what I expect from furry fiction, and I can only hope there's more in store for Greer and Mistress Addison.
Side note: The content warnings in the back of the book are something I'd love to see in more fiction! I commend the author for her forthrightness in making that available.
July 30, 2020
What Makes a Witch is a short, fantasy novella about a down-on-their-luck rat who goes looking for magic and finds their real self along the way. It is a charming tale with the feel of a fable and a wonderful message. The furry characters are delightfully portrayed, and the world comes to life with a sweet undertone despite the harsh situation that the characters face.
The opening is a little slow, mainly due to a tendency to wax into telling instead of showing (especially in the first two chapters), but it picks up quickly and is worth a little effort to get embedded in the story. The plot was fairly linear, and the secrets all easily predictable, but the tone and the sweetness of the characters made up for it. I feel like it added to the fable-ish feel of the tale in a very nice way.
My only real quibble is that the portions that were told or summed up could have been written out as scenes, to give us some depth in the relationships and make a slightly longer, more deeply embedded book.
What Makes a Witch will be a win for most furry fans and fantasy readers who like a fairy tale/fable feel to their worlds.
The opening is a little slow, mainly due to a tendency to wax into telling instead of showing (especially in the first two chapters), but it picks up quickly and is worth a little effort to get embedded in the story. The plot was fairly linear, and the secrets all easily predictable, but the tone and the sweetness of the characters made up for it. I feel like it added to the fable-ish feel of the tale in a very nice way.
My only real quibble is that the portions that were told or summed up could have been written out as scenes, to give us some depth in the relationships and make a slightly longer, more deeply embedded book.
What Makes a Witch will be a win for most furry fans and fantasy readers who like a fairy tale/fable feel to their worlds.
July 20, 2020
This story is much like a box of ornate chocolates, short, sweet, easy to swallow and leaves you wanting more as soon as youv finished it.
With most books you often get a glance in to the writers mind, there experiences, there wants and desires and despite swift read(or for me a listen) it is abundantly clear that this is the case with this story world and inhabitants.
Two minor gripes i have are the fast pacing and that the main antagonist does not hold up to being the cup of water she is made out to be, but with the nature of a short storie that was most likely intended to be a one off story, this is very much understandable and expected.
I eagerly await a future installment as there is much about this world that is lightly teased that i would love to explore, from the city to its people to even its polatics, im left wanting to know so much more.
I can only hope the writer may decided to revisit there world with a sequel.
Just to clarify i did receive a free advanced copy of the audiobook for an honest review, and this is my honest review.
With most books you often get a glance in to the writers mind, there experiences, there wants and desires and despite swift read(or for me a listen) it is abundantly clear that this is the case with this story world and inhabitants.
Two minor gripes i have are the fast pacing and that the main antagonist does not hold up to being the cup of water she is made out to be, but with the nature of a short storie that was most likely intended to be a one off story, this is very much understandable and expected.
I eagerly await a future installment as there is much about this world that is lightly teased that i would love to explore, from the city to its people to even its polatics, im left wanting to know so much more.
I can only hope the writer may decided to revisit there world with a sequel.
Just to clarify i did receive a free advanced copy of the audiobook for an honest review, and this is my honest review.
September 22, 2020
What Makes a Witch is a very quick read coming in at around 60 pages, yet every page and word is made to count. The way the story flows means you wont put it down, you will read the whole thing at once. Greer is an adorable rat who has been shunned by their family and society, at their wits end, desperate, they seeks out Mistress Addison after hearing a local witch bad mouth her. With Mistress Addison they find a kind, understanding, caring woman, a witch with incredible power. A witch who is willing to look past an exterior and try to help them achieve their goals.
Greer goes through a lot in this tale. I enjoyed watching the character development, discovering everything along side Greer. The magic throughout is really cool and Mistress Addison is a wonderful character, I loved her accent. I absolutely loved that the characters were all animals, I thought that was so cool.
This is a book that would appeal to readers of any age, from middle grade through to adults. It's well written and engaging.
Greer goes through a lot in this tale. I enjoyed watching the character development, discovering everything along side Greer. The magic throughout is really cool and Mistress Addison is a wonderful character, I loved her accent. I absolutely loved that the characters were all animals, I thought that was so cool.
This is a book that would appeal to readers of any age, from middle grade through to adults. It's well written and engaging.
December 21, 2020
!SPOILER ALERT!
What Makes A Witch is a novella that was hard for me to put down. Much happens in just under 50 pages, and the pacing was such that it kept me going. The characters Greer and Miss Allison are very lovely, and Linnea gave me enough information about the world for me to understand why certain things happened.
It may have been a bit much to make Greer instantly more powerful than the leader of the coven, but that may have been done to stress just how important it is to embrace your true self, no matter what that form is. I personally feel it might've been better to insert a different character there, or have the hare return with reinforcements.
All in all, I think this is a wonderful novella that delivers an important message, and I can't wait to read what else this world has in store for these characters.
What Makes A Witch is a novella that was hard for me to put down. Much happens in just under 50 pages, and the pacing was such that it kept me going. The characters Greer and Miss Allison are very lovely, and Linnea gave me enough information about the world for me to understand why certain things happened.
It may have been a bit much to make Greer instantly more powerful than the leader of the coven, but that may have been done to stress just how important it is to embrace your true self, no matter what that form is. I personally feel it might've been better to insert a different character there, or have the hare return with reinforcements.
All in all, I think this is a wonderful novella that delivers an important message, and I can't wait to read what else this world has in store for these characters.
August 1, 2020
I liked it. It was a quick fun read that I truly wish was longer. I didn't know, prior to reading as I hadn't seen the cover, that the characters were animals which was a really fun take. I also felt there were true personalities for the characters, though Addison's accent was difficult at times and I feel didn't fit the reading level of the rest of the book. I did feel like there were many things I wish had been explained more, but they weren't foundational to the story so I was okay with it.
Jumping from scene to scene, rather than transitions is probably my biggest critique. You could tell that you just jumped, and footing took a few sentences, but then I was back in grasp.
**Spoilers**
------->
---->
I loved the LGBTQ tones and messages and can't wait to see more in books.
Jumping from scene to scene, rather than transitions is probably my biggest critique. You could tell that you just jumped, and footing took a few sentences, but then I was back in grasp.
**Spoilers**
------->
---->
I loved the LGBTQ tones and messages and can't wait to see more in books.
November 3, 2020
This is a fantastic novella.
It has very good pacing. The novel starts out strong and never slackens. The descriptions cut to the core of the character without becoming verbose—so essential in a novella.
The characters are well-developed in the space available.
Their interactions are heartwarming and genuine. I felt for both of them, cheering for them.
There were a few typos and sentences with loose construction, the central character's personal growth is telegraphed a bit too much, and the climax is a bit unbelievable.
But these are small issues that did little to mar my enjoyment of this intensely readable and affirming book.
It has very good pacing. The novel starts out strong and never slackens. The descriptions cut to the core of the character without becoming verbose—so essential in a novella.
The characters are well-developed in the space available.
Their interactions are heartwarming and genuine. I felt for both of them, cheering for them.
There were a few typos and sentences with loose construction, the central character's personal growth is telegraphed a bit too much, and the climax is a bit unbelievable.
But these are small issues that did little to mar my enjoyment of this intensely readable and affirming book.
July 31, 2020
What makes a witch by Linnea Capps is a fast paced novel surrounding magic and indentity for a rat named Greer. He is living on the streets trying to scrounge for money for his next feed in desperation he hears a story about an outcast witch and goes on an adventure. Mistress Addison finds Greer and saves him from starvation in the woods. Addison takes Greer on as her apprentice and teaches him what she knows and also looks after him. I really enjoyed the storyline and would have loved exploring more of the novel if it was a bigger book.
Thank you Linnea Capps for sending me a advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Linnea Capps for sending me a advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2020
I didn't see anywhere what age this book is targeted at but I feel like it's a very good MIddle Grade book : it's short, simple and teaches one simple lesson. The lesson is that you are what you believe and feel like you are in the inside, your truth is THE truth when it comes to yourself. I liked the worldbuilding and the characters. It didn't take me too long to understand the heavy accent of Mistress Addison.
Now the story and the writing are obviously very simple so it's something to be aware of !
Now the story and the writing are obviously very simple so it's something to be aware of !
December 20, 2020
First thing I want to mention about this book is that I appreciated the content warnings. It's a small thing but I know it helps folks out a lot and it was cool to see that being thought of for a novella like this one. I found the systems and perceptions of witches in this story to be one of the more interesting aspects. Witches are seen as protectors of the sick and weak, often healing those in trouble. This however, doesn't keep them from perpetuating harm in other ways and I'm glad the book tackled that kind of dynamic. Greer and Mistress Addison are both lovely characters and their dynamic was a joy to read. I did notice some pacing issues during my read, but it wasn't enough to pull me out of the experience. Glad to see more positive trans representation and hope Linnea has more in store for this setting.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews