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Witch Catcher
When her widower father inherits a castlelike estate in the mountains of West Virginia, 12-year-old Jen is thrilled. It seems like a wish come true. But she quickly realizes that not all change is positive. Her dad has a mysterious new girlfriend, Moura, who slowly drives a wedge between Jen and her father. Furthermore, Moura has an unusually strong—almost obsessive—interest in the antiques that fill the mansion, especially a beautiful glass globe that Jen finds hanging in a window. When Jen’s cat accidentally breaks the globe, which Moura calls a “witch catcher,” strange things begin to happen. . . . An odd-looking girl wearing a torn dress appears, seemingly out of nowhere, and Moura’s behavior becomes more sinister, leading Jen to believe that her father is a pawn in an evil scheme. Soon Jen finds herself caught in the midst of a supernatural war, with the fate of an enchanted race—and her family—at stake. Inspired by the age-old legend of witch catchers, Mary Downing Hahn brings a magical cast of characters to life in this compelling fantasy adventure. Author’s note.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published July 24, 2006
67 people are currently reading
1210 people want to read
About the author
Mary Downing Hahn
71 books4,387 followersI grew up in a small shingled house down at the end of Guilford Road in College Park, Maryland. Our block was loaded with kids my age. We spent hours outdoors playing "Kick the Can" and "Mother, May I" as well as cowboy and outlaw games that usually ended in quarrels about who shot whom. In the summer, we went on day long expeditions into forbidden territory -- the woods on the other side of the train tracks, the creek that wound its way through College Park, and the experimental farm run by the University of Maryland.
In elementary school, I was known as the class artist. I loved to read and draw but I hated writing reports. Requirements such as outlines, perfect penmanship, and following directions killed my interest in putting words on paper. All those facts -- who cared what the principal products of Chile were? To me, writing reports was almost as boring as math.
Despite my dislike of writing, I loved to make up stories. Instead of telling them in words, I told them in pictures. My stories were usually about orphans who ran away and had the sort of exciting adventures I would have enjoyed if my mother hadn't always interfered.
When I was in junior high school, I developed an interest in more complex stories. I wanted to show how people felt, what they thought, what they said. For this, I needed words. Although I wasn't sure I was smart enough, I decided to write and illustrate children's books when I grew up. Consequently, at the age of thirteen, I began my first book. Small Town Life was about a girl named Susan, as tall and skinny and freckle faced as I was. Unlike her shy, self conscious creator, however, Susan was a leader who lived the life I wanted to live -- my ideal self, in other words. Although I never finished Small Town Life, it marked the start of a lifelong interest in writing.
In high school, I kept a diary. In college, I wrote poetry and short stories and dreamed of being published in The New Yorker. Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage or the confidence to send anything there.
By the time my first novel was published, I was 41 years old. That's how long it took me to get serious about writing. The Sara Summer took me a year to write, another year to find a publisher, and yet another year of revisions before Clarion accepted it.
Since Sara appeared in 1979, I've written an average of one book a year. If I have a plot firmly in mind when I begin, the writing goes fairly quickly. More typically, I start with a character or a situation and only a vague idea of what's going to happen. Therefore, I spend a lot of time revising and thinking things out. If I'd paid more attention to the craft of outlining back in elementary school, I might be a faster writer, but, on the other hand, if I knew everything that was going to happen in a story, I might be too bored to write it down. Writing is a journey of discovery. That's what makes it so exciting.
In elementary school, I was known as the class artist. I loved to read and draw but I hated writing reports. Requirements such as outlines, perfect penmanship, and following directions killed my interest in putting words on paper. All those facts -- who cared what the principal products of Chile were? To me, writing reports was almost as boring as math.
Despite my dislike of writing, I loved to make up stories. Instead of telling them in words, I told them in pictures. My stories were usually about orphans who ran away and had the sort of exciting adventures I would have enjoyed if my mother hadn't always interfered.
When I was in junior high school, I developed an interest in more complex stories. I wanted to show how people felt, what they thought, what they said. For this, I needed words. Although I wasn't sure I was smart enough, I decided to write and illustrate children's books when I grew up. Consequently, at the age of thirteen, I began my first book. Small Town Life was about a girl named Susan, as tall and skinny and freckle faced as I was. Unlike her shy, self conscious creator, however, Susan was a leader who lived the life I wanted to live -- my ideal self, in other words. Although I never finished Small Town Life, it marked the start of a lifelong interest in writing.
In high school, I kept a diary. In college, I wrote poetry and short stories and dreamed of being published in The New Yorker. Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage or the confidence to send anything there.
By the time my first novel was published, I was 41 years old. That's how long it took me to get serious about writing. The Sara Summer took me a year to write, another year to find a publisher, and yet another year of revisions before Clarion accepted it.
Since Sara appeared in 1979, I've written an average of one book a year. If I have a plot firmly in mind when I begin, the writing goes fairly quickly. More typically, I start with a character or a situation and only a vague idea of what's going to happen. Therefore, I spend a lot of time revising and thinking things out. If I'd paid more attention to the craft of outlining back in elementary school, I might be a faster writer, but, on the other hand, if I knew everything that was going to happen in a story, I might be too bored to write it down. Writing is a journey of discovery. That's what makes it so exciting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
April 7, 2024
It would be much too easy to reveal too much about this gem by Mary Downing Hahn. Let’s just say that 12-year-old Jen Mostyn’s instincts are right when she immediately distrusts her widowed father’s new love interest, Moura Winters. Jen and her dad have moved into a castle — a real castle they inherited from Great-Uncle Thaddeus Mostyn — located in remote West Virginia. The place, although in need of repair — would be magical, if it weren’t for the selfish, child-hating Moura. But what if the castle and its grounds were magical indeed?
Hahn knows how to weave in magic and the paranormal in the most entertaining way in her books, and Witch Catcher is no exception. Let his five-star book work its magic on you.
Lastly, avoid reading this book in the Kindle format; it’s riddled with typos. More and more appear until, by the 70 percent point, there’s one on virtually every page. So distracting! At a couple points, the typos were such as to make the sentence unintelligible As that’s not Hahn’s fault, it didn’t affect my five-star rating.
Hahn knows how to weave in magic and the paranormal in the most entertaining way in her books, and Witch Catcher is no exception. Let his five-star book work its magic on you.
Lastly, avoid reading this book in the Kindle format; it’s riddled with typos. More and more appear until, by the 70 percent point, there’s one on virtually every page. So distracting! At a couple points, the typos were such as to make the sentence unintelligible As that’s not Hahn’s fault, it didn’t affect my five-star rating.
September 8, 2017
This book was so cute and fun to read! It was like a child-sized roller coaster. It was a very pleasant book and I am glad I found it at a library book sale. My sister and I have read other Mary Downing Hahn books when we were kids and were excited when we found this one.
I really had no idea who to believe! Kieryn or Moura had me flipping back and forth for a while. Moura was just so dang creepy and scary that I knew she had to be the bad one. I so wanted to slap Jen's dad several times. I was like why are men always so dense? I couldn't believe he fell for her so fast. Like all of a sudden, hey I'm marrying this strange woman and I love her. That's not weird or anything is it? That's when I was pretty set on her being the villain. I loved seeing Kieryn and Jen turn into different animals when trying to make it to Ashbourne's house. It made me think of the movie The Witches, which I now want to watch. Anyway, I thought Jen was actually going to leave with Kieryn and the other fairies. I was trying to telepathically remind her of her father and that she had to go back to him.
Anyway, this was a very enjoyable quick read. Now I'm ready for something a little longer.
I really had no idea who to believe! Kieryn or Moura had me flipping back and forth for a while. Moura was just so dang creepy and scary that I knew she had to be the bad one. I so wanted to slap Jen's dad several times. I was like why are men always so dense? I couldn't believe he fell for her so fast. Like all of a sudden, hey I'm marrying this strange woman and I love her. That's not weird or anything is it? That's when I was pretty set on her being the villain. I loved seeing Kieryn and Jen turn into different animals when trying to make it to Ashbourne's house. It made me think of the movie The Witches, which I now want to watch. Anyway, I thought Jen was actually going to leave with Kieryn and the other fairies. I was trying to telepathically remind her of her father and that she had to go back to him.
Anyway, this was a very enjoyable quick read. Now I'm ready for something a little longer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2011
Hahn is such a wonderful author. A little dark most of the time, but I'm always dying to finish her books. Witch Catcher was so creative and you feel for the characters in their distress. How I wish I could have changed into a bat too! I was a little upset the fairies couldn't be trusted in the end or the human heroine rewarded. It left me sad that the magic was over and gone and a dad that was still missing the evil witch that was using him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 20, 2015It's fun as a story, but really, you should never, ever break a witch catcher. They were invented for a reason. Dangerous things can happen if you accidentally set a witch free, and they're not going to be as friendly as the one in this book. I was playing with one at my Aunt's house when I was younger and she yelled at me for a long time when I almost knocked it off a table. You don't want a witch after you, it's just going to be a pain all around and could result in someone getting killed or turned into something you never realize.
May 20, 2025
Found this cute lil children's book on the sidewalk and decided to give it a read. The vibe it creates is super cute and whimsical, I loved that! Obviously a lot of things didn't make sense and some parts were rushed but I wanted vibes and got the vibes.
November 26, 2017
Eh. Kind of boring? It takes too long for the fairy-girl to show up (where I thought things actually become more interesting); Dad is pretty much brainwashed the entire book (a particular convention I dislike, since it feels like a cheap way to build sympathy for those affected by it, yet at the same time you're not "allowed" to dislike the brainwashed for being an asshole, since it's not actually their fault); I didn't care much for Jen, since she a) didn't feel very much like a 12 year old girl...mainly because other than her being rather whiny and bratty sometimes (no, just these two attributes does not make a full characterization for a young kid), she felt quite bland in personality....on top of her pretty much being right in all her hunches. All in all, boring.
Also, while the fairies are a little more multifaceted in that they're neither simply good or evil, the witches seemed to be nothing more than one-dimensional. We're given a very brief sentence or so possibly explaining their hatred of fairies (a war or something and the witches lost their homeland?) but that's about it. It's a very flimsy attempt at giving them much reason for their actions, otherwise it's mainly just that "witches are bad stuff, and fairies are the lesser evil of the two."
Altogether rather uninspired, which is unfortunate, since I feel there was potential to make it a much more interesting story.
Also, while the fairies are a little more multifaceted in that they're neither simply good or evil, the witches seemed to be nothing more than one-dimensional. We're given a very brief sentence or so possibly explaining their hatred of fairies (a war or something and the witches lost their homeland?) but that's about it. It's a very flimsy attempt at giving them much reason for their actions, otherwise it's mainly just that "witches are bad stuff, and fairies are the lesser evil of the two."
Altogether rather uninspired, which is unfortunate, since I feel there was potential to make it a much more interesting story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2017
Very good
May 9, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. One thing I want to mention is that, when in many of the reviews that show up, they talk about what an idiot the father was, or about how they really hated him, they failed to take note of what a powerful witch Moura was. As Kieryn mentioned, Moura specialized in love charms, and was a twelfth degree witch, twelve times as evil, and twelve times as powerful. Moura was powerful enough to enchant Uncle Thaddeus, even though he knew about magic, so think about how much easier it would be to enchant the father, a man who knows nothing about magic. If you look at it, the longer the father spent in Moura's presence the deeper he enchanted by her spell, until he, in her presence, could not deny her anything, or let his love for anyone else stop him from acting in the ways she wished. With such a powerful spell going, (remember that she had even been living in the house with him) coming from such a powerful witch who SPECIALIZED IN LOVE CHARMS is it really that remarkable that there was a residue of the spell? Eventually it would wear off, but the spell, at the end of the book was still in effect. Another thing, those who severly dislike the father fail to take into account that throughout the WHOLE BOOK the father is more or less under Moura's spell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2019
Jangan pernah percaya pada penyihir dan peri. Walau bagaimanapun, teman dan sahabat terbaik manusia adalah juga dari kalangan manusia itu sendiri.
Pelajaran moral ini yg mungkin hendak disampaikan di novel ini.
Pelajaran moral ini yg mungkin hendak disampaikan di novel ini.
March 27, 2017
This was an awesome book! I would like to read it again!! I would recommend this book to children age 10-13. It was full of suspense that makes you want to keep reading. Definitely a page turner!!
March 22, 2015
Buku tentang anak manusia, peri dan penyihir dengan setting di rumah tua besar di dekat hutan. Hmmm, setting seperti itu memang cocok untuk cerita peri dan penyihir ya. Hampir semua cerita tentang peri yang saya baca mengambil setting seperti itu.
Kali ini ceritanya tentang Jen dan ayahnya yang mendapat warisan rumah tua dari Paman Thaddeus. Jen sangat bersemangat dengan rumah itu dan mulai berkhayal kalau dia akan menemukan harta karun di sana. Benar saja, di menara di dekat rumah, Jen berhasil menemukan sebuah bola kaca indah yang memantulkan cahaya warna-warni.
Sayangnya, ada wanita cantik penjual barang antik bernama Moura yang sangat ingin mendapatkan bola itu. Jen mempunyai firasat kalau Moura mempunyai niat jahat dengan bola kaca itu. Moura pun memikat ayah Jen dan berhasil membuat sang ayah berada di pihaknya. Jen dan ayahnya jadi sering bertengkar.
Untunglah saat Moura dan temannya, Mr. Ashbourne, hampir berhasil mendapatkan bola tersebut, Tink, kucingnya Jen membuat bola itu pecah. Masalah sepertinya selesai karena tidak ada seorang pun yang berhasil memiliki si bola kaca tapi ternyata Jen keliru.
Masalah ternyata bertambah rumit. Jen bertemu dengan seorang gadis peri yang mengaku berasal dari bola kaca. Gadis itu memperingatkan Jen kalau Moura adalah penyihir jahat. Gadis itu juga memohon agar Jen membantunya membebaskan keluarganya yang ditawan oleh Moura. Dilain pihak, Moura yang identitasnya sudah ketahuan mengatakan kalau Jen tidak boleh mempercayai perkataan seorang peri. Bahwa peri yang terkurung dalam bola kaca yang ternyata adalah sebuah perangkap penyihir adalah peri yang jahat.
Nah, siapakah yang harus dipercayai oleh Jen? Tanpa disangka, Jen terjebak di dalam pertarungan kuno antara peri dan penyihir. Dan lebih parah lagi, nyawanya dan ayahnya jadi terancam bahaya.
Lumayan seru, cuma ada sedikit hal yang membingungkan saya. Di awal disebutkan kalau Moura tidak bisa masuk ke menara karena menara itu tersegel. Tapi diakhir Moura bisa masuk ke dalam menara tanpa penjelasan pasti bagaimana caranya membuka segel.
Bagian endingnya cukup membuat tegang dan sedikit mengkhawatirkan karena menurut saya pihak yang jahat belum benar-benar dihancurkan. Dan pihak yang baik ternyata cukup jahat juga.
At last, setting hutannya keren dan saya suka. 3 dari 5 bintang. I liked it.
Kali ini ceritanya tentang Jen dan ayahnya yang mendapat warisan rumah tua dari Paman Thaddeus. Jen sangat bersemangat dengan rumah itu dan mulai berkhayal kalau dia akan menemukan harta karun di sana. Benar saja, di menara di dekat rumah, Jen berhasil menemukan sebuah bola kaca indah yang memantulkan cahaya warna-warni.
Sayangnya, ada wanita cantik penjual barang antik bernama Moura yang sangat ingin mendapatkan bola itu. Jen mempunyai firasat kalau Moura mempunyai niat jahat dengan bola kaca itu. Moura pun memikat ayah Jen dan berhasil membuat sang ayah berada di pihaknya. Jen dan ayahnya jadi sering bertengkar.
Untunglah saat Moura dan temannya, Mr. Ashbourne, hampir berhasil mendapatkan bola tersebut, Tink, kucingnya Jen membuat bola itu pecah. Masalah sepertinya selesai karena tidak ada seorang pun yang berhasil memiliki si bola kaca tapi ternyata Jen keliru.
Masalah ternyata bertambah rumit. Jen bertemu dengan seorang gadis peri yang mengaku berasal dari bola kaca. Gadis itu memperingatkan Jen kalau Moura adalah penyihir jahat. Gadis itu juga memohon agar Jen membantunya membebaskan keluarganya yang ditawan oleh Moura. Dilain pihak, Moura yang identitasnya sudah ketahuan mengatakan kalau Jen tidak boleh mempercayai perkataan seorang peri. Bahwa peri yang terkurung dalam bola kaca yang ternyata adalah sebuah perangkap penyihir adalah peri yang jahat.
Nah, siapakah yang harus dipercayai oleh Jen? Tanpa disangka, Jen terjebak di dalam pertarungan kuno antara peri dan penyihir. Dan lebih parah lagi, nyawanya dan ayahnya jadi terancam bahaya.
Lumayan seru, cuma ada sedikit hal yang membingungkan saya. Di awal disebutkan kalau Moura tidak bisa masuk ke menara karena menara itu tersegel. Tapi diakhir Moura bisa masuk ke dalam menara tanpa penjelasan pasti bagaimana caranya membuka segel.
Bagian endingnya cukup membuat tegang dan sedikit mengkhawatirkan karena menurut saya pihak yang jahat belum benar-benar dihancurkan. Dan pihak yang baik ternyata cukup jahat juga.
At last, setting hutannya keren dan saya suka. 3 dari 5 bintang. I liked it.
Currently reading
March 10, 2009This is a fasinating fiction book that anyone that likes magic, faries and powerful antique objects will love this book! The story begins with a 12 years old girl named Jen and with his widowed father that live in West Virginia, Jen
gets fasinated wen they have to move to their new house that is far from the city, the house is like a casttle and not because is just very big but because its in form of a casttle too! The house was from Jen's great uncle Thaddeusus, the enormus house is full of antiques, this book has great imagery for example "large dark furniture carued with vines and animal heads crowded around me on clawed feet. It was like trying to sleep in a enchanted forest full of strange beasts" It can have a great characterization specially with Moura's character: "a tall, slender woman, stood on the parch, her narrow face paler than the moon a December night. Her long straight, hair was
black, etc... "This book has setting and many word choice like antiques,incarcerated,lingered,earlier,a example of setting is"I followed a narrow path that twisted doenhill in to the woods behind the tower.The shade was dense ,the light greenish .The ground was cool and mossy under my bare feet.The air smelled of old leaves ,wet earth ,and damp,growing things "Another thing is that Jen gets thrilled wen she mets dads new girlfriend Moura, since the first time that Jen saw her she
knew that Moura was not good but the opposite. Moura always forced her smiles and made Jens dad go crazy wen he saw her. Moura was obsesive with great uncle Thaddeusus antiques specially with one, the witch catcher that Jen founded in the tower but Moura does not no that Jen has it.The book starts geting in to a raising action when Jen's cat Tinck breakes the witch catcher and the witch scapes. This book has lots of mistery and suspense, exaitment!A lesson for parents in this book can be to trust more in your children because jhen's dad did not belive in her and belived in a woman he just met. I recomend this book to everybody because it has adventure that will make you love it. I will live you here with the suspense of what happened with the antiques who is Ciril what will happened to Jen and her cat Tinck, what spells Moura has prepared,what magic world is Jen in?
gets fasinated wen they have to move to their new house that is far from the city, the house is like a casttle and not because is just very big but because its in form of a casttle too! The house was from Jen's great uncle Thaddeusus, the enormus house is full of antiques, this book has great imagery for example "large dark furniture carued with vines and animal heads crowded around me on clawed feet. It was like trying to sleep in a enchanted forest full of strange beasts" It can have a great characterization specially with Moura's character: "a tall, slender woman, stood on the parch, her narrow face paler than the moon a December night. Her long straight, hair was
black, etc... "This book has setting and many word choice like antiques,incarcerated,lingered,earlier,a example of setting is"I followed a narrow path that twisted doenhill in to the woods behind the tower.The shade was dense ,the light greenish .The ground was cool and mossy under my bare feet.The air smelled of old leaves ,wet earth ,and damp,growing things "Another thing is that Jen gets thrilled wen she mets dads new girlfriend Moura, since the first time that Jen saw her she
knew that Moura was not good but the opposite. Moura always forced her smiles and made Jens dad go crazy wen he saw her. Moura was obsesive with great uncle Thaddeusus antiques specially with one, the witch catcher that Jen founded in the tower but Moura does not no that Jen has it.The book starts geting in to a raising action when Jen's cat Tinck breakes the witch catcher and the witch scapes. This book has lots of mistery and suspense, exaitment!A lesson for parents in this book can be to trust more in your children because jhen's dad did not belive in her and belived in a woman he just met. I recomend this book to everybody because it has adventure that will make you love it. I will live you here with the suspense of what happened with the antiques who is Ciril what will happened to Jen and her cat Tinck, what spells Moura has prepared,what magic world is Jen in?
September 21, 2014
Jen and her dad Hugh are the only heirs to an eccentric uncle's estate and find themselves moving to an old, crumbling mansion in the mountains of West Virginia. They are both thrilled...Jen has always dreamed of living in a castle and her dad now has time to devote to his artistic talents. Jen's mom died when she was only a baby, so the two have always been close and been the only family they knew.
All that changes when Hugh introduces Jen to Moura, a beautiful, yet eerily creepy woman who only wears her stylish clothes in black and red. She owns an antique store in town and had been interested in the furnishings, paintings, and other bric-a-brac left behind. It soon becomes evident that there is more than a business relationship between the two. Clearly, Jen thinks that her dad is under some sort of spell. Dismayed and nearly heart-broken, Jen escapes to a rickety tower in the woods behind the mansion and disobeying her dad's requests, she investigates what is inside. There she finds a beautiful globe, iridescent and glowing, almost lifelike. She snatches it for herself and keeps it hidden away as a remembrance of her uncle, or so she thinks.
Moura brings Mr. Ashbourne, a rich collector of rare finds, to the estate. Soon it becomes clear that he is after the globe. Jen will not part with it. It accidentally breaks and out pops a fairy, Kieryn, who had been imprisoned by Moura and Mr. Ashbourne many years ago. A feud between the witch and fairy world had made them enemies. Because, yes, you may have guessed that Moura and Mr. Ashbourne belong to the witch world. Jen has to side with one, as her father is under Moura's deep spell and cannot be trusted with making wise decisions. Both magical realms have been known to be dishonest, but only one is cruel and evil. Will Jen pick the right side to assist? And, save her father? And, send the magical beings back to their own world? Whew! So much for a twelve-year-old girl to do!
Witch Catcher is a delightfully creepy story (just right for elementary school) with colorful fairy characters who speak jibberish and use comical phrases. Yet, the story is full of danger and mistrust as the human world collides with magical forces. A quick read with lively characters and supernatural elements.
All that changes when Hugh introduces Jen to Moura, a beautiful, yet eerily creepy woman who only wears her stylish clothes in black and red. She owns an antique store in town and had been interested in the furnishings, paintings, and other bric-a-brac left behind. It soon becomes evident that there is more than a business relationship between the two. Clearly, Jen thinks that her dad is under some sort of spell. Dismayed and nearly heart-broken, Jen escapes to a rickety tower in the woods behind the mansion and disobeying her dad's requests, she investigates what is inside. There she finds a beautiful globe, iridescent and glowing, almost lifelike. She snatches it for herself and keeps it hidden away as a remembrance of her uncle, or so she thinks.
Moura brings Mr. Ashbourne, a rich collector of rare finds, to the estate. Soon it becomes clear that he is after the globe. Jen will not part with it. It accidentally breaks and out pops a fairy, Kieryn, who had been imprisoned by Moura and Mr. Ashbourne many years ago. A feud between the witch and fairy world had made them enemies. Because, yes, you may have guessed that Moura and Mr. Ashbourne belong to the witch world. Jen has to side with one, as her father is under Moura's deep spell and cannot be trusted with making wise decisions. Both magical realms have been known to be dishonest, but only one is cruel and evil. Will Jen pick the right side to assist? And, save her father? And, send the magical beings back to their own world? Whew! So much for a twelve-year-old girl to do!
Witch Catcher is a delightfully creepy story (just right for elementary school) with colorful fairy characters who speak jibberish and use comical phrases. Yet, the story is full of danger and mistrust as the human world collides with magical forces. A quick read with lively characters and supernatural elements.
June 26, 2008
The best thing about his book is its cover. It depicts a picture of a shiny globe with light emitting off some corners of is micro angular surface. And inside this globe is a tiny green girl in rags. What really captivated my attention was her facial expression; her hand were pressed tight against the glass of the globe and on her face, was this sorrowful mask with a tint of desperateness. She looks directed at the reader as if pleading the reader to free her from the globe. Ah… So beautiful.
First and foremost, I have to admit that I am a sucker for medieval stuff such as witches, and potions and fantasy stuff like that. The story starts of as Jen and her father inherits this “castle-like estate in the mountains of west Virginia. Jen finds a beautiful glass globe that her father’s mysterious new girlfriend, Moura calls a “witch catcher.” Inside, Jen discovers a fairy in need of serious help; family members has been captured by Moura and her companion, witches who seek to bring an end to the fairies. Basically, the story continues with Jen getting the rest of the glass globes and freeing the other fairies and destroying the evil witches. It was really pointless after the point in which Jen finds the globe in her great uncle’s stone tower (you know, like the rupunzel towel) I love the description of his paintings and different myths about fairies and witches. Other than that, the book was a boring read.
First and foremost, I have to admit that I am a sucker for medieval stuff such as witches, and potions and fantasy stuff like that. The story starts of as Jen and her father inherits this “castle-like estate in the mountains of west Virginia. Jen finds a beautiful glass globe that her father’s mysterious new girlfriend, Moura calls a “witch catcher.” Inside, Jen discovers a fairy in need of serious help; family members has been captured by Moura and her companion, witches who seek to bring an end to the fairies. Basically, the story continues with Jen getting the rest of the glass globes and freeing the other fairies and destroying the evil witches. It was really pointless after the point in which Jen finds the globe in her great uncle’s stone tower (you know, like the rupunzel towel) I love the description of his paintings and different myths about fairies and witches. Other than that, the book was a boring read.
October 28, 2010
Honestly, I did not think I would enjoy reading this book very much, specifically because I've never been interested in books that dealt with witches and fairies. Contrary to my initial reaction, this book had me sitting on the edge of my seat throughout much of the plot! This fantasy book takes readers into them lives of Jen & her dad who have moved into the house where their now deceased Great Uncle Thaddeus lived. Moura enters the story as an antique shop owner. Jen's dad has fallen in love with her after she has come over a few times to look at the "treasures" in their new home, the castle. Strange things start to happen--Jen finds a beautiful "witch catcher" in the locked up tower behind their home, Moura seems to be someone completely different in front of Jen's dad and awfully mean to Jen when they are alone, her dad's personality changes as he starts to regard Jen almost as a servant, and after the witch catcher breaks, a complicated fairy and witch world is revealed. Jen has to come to the rescue of her dad and the good fairies, before everyone is destroyed by Moura and her accomplice.
Although not all of the characters are complex, Jen plays a strong and independent heroine. It is great to see a female take a lead in saving her family and friends. With a story that looks at friendship and trust, this would be an enchanting read for intermediate level elementary school students.
Although not all of the characters are complex, Jen plays a strong and independent heroine. It is great to see a female take a lead in saving her family and friends. With a story that looks at friendship and trust, this would be an enchanting read for intermediate level elementary school students.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2013
The cover drew me in. I was searching for a particular book, but was unable to find it. The picture captured my interest, and when I read the description I was only more unbelievably hooked. Unfortunately, I had gathered many books at the library, and had very little time to read. Two weeks went by, and I hadn't read a single book. So, I re-checked them all. Today, I had decided to take most of them back, but when I picked up the "Witch Catcher", I decided to keep it out. I thought I'd read for a little while first. A little while turned into hours, only pausing to fix something to eat, before retuning to this enchanting tale.
I would recommend it to those 12 years or older that have an open mind for magic and silly talk. I greatly enjoyed the story.
I would recommend it to those 12 years or older that have an open mind for magic and silly talk. I greatly enjoyed the story.
April 10, 2013
Witch Catcher was another of those books that tells a classic fairytale, emphasis on the fairy. Like with Witch Hill by Marcus Sedgwick that I reviewed a few weeks ago, Witch Catcher gives us a story that is embedded in our collective psyche. It feels familiar, reaching back into oral tradition. The intrepid heroine faced with danger to her family and a new friend in need of help, rising above herself and becoming more than she ever thought she could have been. This is the story where magic invades everyday life and those are the best fairytales.
I adore the characters, especially the aunts. The fairies are well done and I liked how even they weren’t completely good. I’ve studied some Fae lore, and that little fact right there made the whole book for me. Witch Catcher by Mary Downing Hahn was a pleasure to read. It’s simple and the plot is as old as time, but it’s a good book for the nostalgia factor. Don’t expect to be wowed but it’s a solid story with likeable characters. It’s a story you’ve heard before but still speaks to the place deep inside that still believes in magic. I’d recommend it for a lazy evening read.
I adore the characters, especially the aunts. The fairies are well done and I liked how even they weren’t completely good. I’ve studied some Fae lore, and that little fact right there made the whole book for me. Witch Catcher by Mary Downing Hahn was a pleasure to read. It’s simple and the plot is as old as time, but it’s a good book for the nostalgia factor. Don’t expect to be wowed but it’s a solid story with likeable characters. It’s a story you’ve heard before but still speaks to the place deep inside that still believes in magic. I’d recommend it for a lazy evening read.
December 14, 2015
This is an interesting fantasy story involving witches and fairies that also involve themes such as friendship and family matters. Jen moves into a new house, which is actually a castle, with her widowed father and cat, Tink. However, her father has a new girlfriend named Moura, who is interested in all the antiques that are in the house, particularly a glass globe called a witch catcher which Jen finds in a nearby tower. Tink breaks the witch catcher, setting free an odd-looking girl who turns out to be a fairy and tells Jen about how Moura is a witch who plans to rule the fairy realm. Moura acts even more sinister and seems to be possessing Jen's father as well. Now Jen has to help her new friend as well as free her father from Moura's manipulation. I gave it this rating due to the fact that it is a fun, fascinating story and is highly recommended to those who like fantasy. This would be more for those in middle school as it has some moments that would be inappropriate towards younger readers.
April 8, 2015
I read this when my reading addiction was first really strong (so back in fourth grade. It later died down sadly. Then was revived in 7th Grade by *Annie* <3).Wow I'm getting way too far into my personal life which I'm sure you have no interest in. Back to the book. I'm think back *echo* back...back..back.. Oh yeah. This book absolutely mesmerized me and was the first hard read I tried out. Remember: I was in fourth grade when I read this. But yes, this book took me away on a grand adventure of a risky girl and her single father. I barely read back then, so this was, like, really good (I hope you can forgive me for using like). It's hard to review this just by memory. So I'm not gonna go into depth with this review like I do with other books. Not because of the book; More so my own idiocy. It's a great book really. Hope I didn't waste too much of your time. I'm probably sick (again) and I ran out of tea @_@.
-A Fellow Reader on Our Great Journey.
-A Fellow Reader on Our Great Journey.
July 18, 2014
Judul: Witch Catcher
Penulis: Mary Downing Hahn (United States, 9 Desember)
Publikasi: United States, 24 Juli 2006
Hal yang menarik minat saya terhadap novel ini adalah benda magis yang bernama Penangkap Penyihir. Menurut saya, namanya lebih cocok disebut Penangkap Sihir, karena benda ini bukan hanya menangkap penyihir, tapi juga peri.
Bagi anak-anak yang mulai menginjak masa remaja, novel ini patut dibaca. Tokoh utama yang masih dua belas tahun sudah tidak mau dianggap anak-anak lagi. Hidupnya menjadi kacau dengan kedatangan seorang calon ibu tiri. Ayahnya pun terhipnotis oleh wanita itu, sehingga menutup telinga dari peringatan anak tentang jati tiri wanita itu yang sebenarnya.
Novel ini benar-benar memainkan emosi, kepercayaan, dan keberanian sang tokoh. Novel ini juga akan mengubah persepsi kita tentang dunia peri.
Penulis: Mary Downing Hahn (United States, 9 Desember)
Publikasi: United States, 24 Juli 2006
Hal yang menarik minat saya terhadap novel ini adalah benda magis yang bernama Penangkap Penyihir. Menurut saya, namanya lebih cocok disebut Penangkap Sihir, karena benda ini bukan hanya menangkap penyihir, tapi juga peri.
Bagi anak-anak yang mulai menginjak masa remaja, novel ini patut dibaca. Tokoh utama yang masih dua belas tahun sudah tidak mau dianggap anak-anak lagi. Hidupnya menjadi kacau dengan kedatangan seorang calon ibu tiri. Ayahnya pun terhipnotis oleh wanita itu, sehingga menutup telinga dari peringatan anak tentang jati tiri wanita itu yang sebenarnya.
Novel ini benar-benar memainkan emosi, kepercayaan, dan keberanian sang tokoh. Novel ini juga akan mengubah persepsi kita tentang dunia peri.
May 2, 2016
The book I read was called The Witch Catcher by Mary Downing Hahn. This book was very interesting to read, it is about a little girl that has just moved to a new town, a very lonely one with no on in it, and the house, more like palace that she lived in was for her uncle which had passed away a long time ago. Really no one in her family is alive it’s just her, her dad, and her cat. When her dad forbids her from going into the building right in front of her house, she still goes and finds a globe, and that is where the adventure starts. I really like this book because its very different that any other books and its very creative. The author keeps you so interested you can’t ever close the book. I also really like how as soon as you think all the problems are solved there is a new one. I really enjoyed this book, and I recommend you to read it as well.
December 29, 2011
according to the book jacket, where i get 97% of my information, this is mary downing hahn's first "fantasy" novel.
right.
so all those other books about supernatural ghosts were ventures into realism.
sigh.
here be the story of jen, her rich great uncle thaddeus, a castle for a home, and a dad with no backbone.
the premise is pretty typical of these things: girl with no mom moves to new house, dad "falls in love" with evil lady after dad's treasures (literal, here, not figurative), girl unleashes fairy spirit who helps save them all from a fate that eerily resembles death.
it's fine, precious at times, infuriating at others. if you don't think too hard, you won't have any trouble digesting it, but it lacks the usual heart of hahn's work.
i don' t know; i'd stick to the ghosties.
right.
so all those other books about supernatural ghosts were ventures into realism.
sigh.
here be the story of jen, her rich great uncle thaddeus, a castle for a home, and a dad with no backbone.
the premise is pretty typical of these things: girl with no mom moves to new house, dad "falls in love" with evil lady after dad's treasures (literal, here, not figurative), girl unleashes fairy spirit who helps save them all from a fate that eerily resembles death.
it's fine, precious at times, infuriating at others. if you don't think too hard, you won't have any trouble digesting it, but it lacks the usual heart of hahn's work.
i don' t know; i'd stick to the ghosties.
April 28, 2015
I have re-read this book and I still want to read it again! It is by one of my all time favorite authors Mary Downing Hahn. This book is in the fantasy genre and I would recommend it for grades 5+. This book is about 12 year old Jen whose life changes when her father inherits a castle like estate from his great uncle. Behind the house is a tower and when Jen sneaks up there without her fathers knowing she finds a beautiful glass globe also known as a "witch catcher". Shortly after moving Jen finds out her dad has been dating a mysterious woman named Moura who doesn't seem to like Jen or the fact that Jen has the globe. When Jen's cat later breaks the globe her life turns from normal to magical.
December 14, 2015
This book is very appealing at first glance. The title at first is questionable. Lots of questions pop in my brain. Who is she? What is she doing in that globe? What is that globe? It takes you into the book from the start. The book is about a girl who lost her mother at two years old and now is 12. Her and her father move to a mansion fit for gods. Her father had inherited the mansion from his Uncle Thaddeus. Witches and Fairies fight off in the book. You feel like you are watching a movie. I love this book. Jen (the girl) also fights in this book with Moura (an evil witch). It is appealing to all audiences. I was not interested in witchcraft and fairy-tale fiction before I read this book. Overall it is a five out of five.
April 14, 2009
Mary Downing Hahn writes a good ghost story, and in her first foray into fantasy, she proves she can write fantasy just as well. A 12 year old girl and her widowed father move into an inherited honest-to-goodness castle. Her father becomes entranced with a local antique store owner, whom the girl distrusts on sight. She finds a mysterious glass ball in an old tower, which leads her into a mystery. It's not just a run-of-the-mill mystery, however, it's one that involves a supernatural battle between two ancient groups. Well developed characters, and a story that's intriguing, but not too scary. Enjoyed it, and I think most kids would too.
September 18, 2013
Hahn trades her usual ghosts for fairies and witches in this upper-elementary gothic.
Pros: Brave and likable protagonist. Clever cat. Lines between good and evil not always clear.
Cons: Too much fairy "jargon" could distract readers not used to dialect.
This, like the other stories Hahn writes for grades 3-5 is an easy recommendation to kids who like fantasy or scary books. Hahn is great at creating families and settings that kids accept (what 10-year-olds haven't felt their parents were ignoring them or not giving them enough liberty?) never goes too far in the gore, violence, or language departments, and always has a satisfying ending.
Pros: Brave and likable protagonist. Clever cat. Lines between good and evil not always clear.
Cons: Too much fairy "jargon" could distract readers not used to dialect.
This, like the other stories Hahn writes for grades 3-5 is an easy recommendation to kids who like fantasy or scary books. Hahn is great at creating families and settings that kids accept (what 10-year-olds haven't felt their parents were ignoring them or not giving them enough liberty?) never goes too far in the gore, violence, or language departments, and always has a satisfying ending.
November 8, 2016
This book is so good...I really and truly enjoyed this book...
Jen's Father remarries and he marries this lady by the name of Moura. From day one Jen knows that there is something wrong with her step mother Moura. As time goes on Jen discovers that her step mother is actually a Witch. Than the fun begins.
That is all I am going to say. This is a Middle Grade Suspense Story and I love it. What happens in this story will keep you on your toes and you will keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. Its a really cute story.
I give this Book 5/5 Stars here on Goodreads.
Jen's Father remarries and he marries this lady by the name of Moura. From day one Jen knows that there is something wrong with her step mother Moura. As time goes on Jen discovers that her step mother is actually a Witch. Than the fun begins.
That is all I am going to say. This is a Middle Grade Suspense Story and I love it. What happens in this story will keep you on your toes and you will keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. Its a really cute story.
I give this Book 5/5 Stars here on Goodreads.
December 26, 2008
J A current Blackeyed Susan nominee. Spirited 12 year old Jen moves into an old mansion, inherited by her father. Two events are disturbing right off the bat..her father has been dating a local antiques dealer that Jen cannot warm up to. Then this dealer becomes nasty when she insists that Jen hand over the glass globe "witch catcher" that she unearthed in a tower on the grounds. It becomes quite a mysterious and exciting story pitting fairies against witches and Jen has to show a good bit of pluck to help her new friends and her dad. I think most girls would love this book.
April 20, 2013
When a little girl and her father move to a new town, she becomes curious about many things. Barely anyone lives in this town and the house they are in is quite old. In this house she dicovers a glass orb. Upon breaking the orb, a kind little witch comes out and warns her that the realestate agent is an evil witch that has captured her family and will put the girl's father under a spell. Can this girl protect her father and set the kind witch's family free? Can she bring her father to see the truth? Can she save them all?
October 15, 2014
For readers who love fairies - great suspense as Jen finds her life going in the wrong direction as her father falls under the spell of a witch - masquerading as an antiques dealer. The witch tells Jen not to trust fairies - and she turns out to be right and wrong at the same time. Fairies are fey as Jen discovers towards the end of the book - that part, though, seemed at odds with how the fairies had treated her up to that point.
What I wish - Dad never does come around to recognizing how unfair he was to Jen - not even at the end of the book. I wish he came out from the spell.
What I wish - Dad never does come around to recognizing how unfair he was to Jen - not even at the end of the book. I wish he came out from the spell.
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