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Eva Evergreen #1
Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch
A charming new middle-grade fantasy adventure, about a young witch whose pinch of magic just might be more than enough, perfect for fans of Kiki's Delivery Service and Aru Shah and the End of Time.
Sometimes all you need is a pinch of magic...
Eva Evergreen is determined to earn the rank of Novice Witch before she turns thirteen years old. If she doesn't, she'll lose her magic forever. For most young witches and wizards, it's a simple enough test:
ONE: Help your town, do good all around.
TWO: Live there for one moon, don't leave too soon.
THREE: Fly home by broomstick, the easiest of tricks.
The only problem? Eva only has a pinch of magic. She summons heads of cabbage instead of flowers and gets a sunburn instead of calling down rain. And to add insult to injury, whenever she overuses her magic, she falls asleep.
When she lands on the tranquil coastal town of Auteri, the residents expect a powerful witch, not a semi-magical girl. So Eva comes up with a plan: set up a magical repair shop to aid Auteri and prove she's worthy. She may have more blood than magic, but her "semi-magical fixes" repair the lives of the townspeople in ways they never could have imagined. Only, Eva's bit of magic may not be enough when the biggest magical storm in history threatens the town she's grown to love. Eva must conjure up all of the magic, bravery, and cleverness she can muster or Auteri and her dreams of becoming a witch will wash away with the storm.
Sometimes all you need is a pinch of magic...
Eva Evergreen is determined to earn the rank of Novice Witch before she turns thirteen years old. If she doesn't, she'll lose her magic forever. For most young witches and wizards, it's a simple enough test:
ONE: Help your town, do good all around.
TWO: Live there for one moon, don't leave too soon.
THREE: Fly home by broomstick, the easiest of tricks.
The only problem? Eva only has a pinch of magic. She summons heads of cabbage instead of flowers and gets a sunburn instead of calling down rain. And to add insult to injury, whenever she overuses her magic, she falls asleep.
When she lands on the tranquil coastal town of Auteri, the residents expect a powerful witch, not a semi-magical girl. So Eva comes up with a plan: set up a magical repair shop to aid Auteri and prove she's worthy. She may have more blood than magic, but her "semi-magical fixes" repair the lives of the townspeople in ways they never could have imagined. Only, Eva's bit of magic may not be enough when the biggest magical storm in history threatens the town she's grown to love. Eva must conjure up all of the magic, bravery, and cleverness she can muster or Auteri and her dreams of becoming a witch will wash away with the storm.
387 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2020
227 people are currently reading
12521 people want to read
About the author
Julie Abe
8 books598 followersJulie Abe is the author of the EVA EVERGREEN, SEMI-MAGICAL WITCH middle grade fantasy series; the middle grade fantasy ALLIANA, GIRL OF DRAGONS; and the young adult novel THE CHARMED LIST. She has lived in Silicon Valley, spent many humid summers in Japan, and currently basks in the sunshine of Southern California with never enough books or tea, where she creates stories about magical adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 920 reviews
August 30, 2020
Finished copy provided by the author (thank you so much)!
ownvoices japanese influences + kiki's delivery service inspirations + the power of friendship and having people who will unconditionally love and support you = perfection! <3
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Buddy read with Maëlys! ❤
December 25, 2021
Super cute!!!! This would be a really cute Ghibli film and would 10/10 watch it. Reminds me so much of Kiki's Delivery Service so if you like that book/movie, you'll DEFINITELY love this one!
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September 15, 2020this! was! so! cute!
This book was an absolute ray of sunshine. It took me a little while to get through because of life but everytime I sat down to read it was a delight. It showcases the power of friendship, how much willpower and support can do and that we all have self-doubt that we sometimes need help to overcome.
This book was an absolute ray of sunshine. It took me a little while to get through because of life but everytime I sat down to read it was a delight. It showcases the power of friendship, how much willpower and support can do and that we all have self-doubt that we sometimes need help to overcome.
June 5, 2025
« We remember shooting stars for their shine, not the darkness of the night. Trying to wish away grief extinguishes those memories that glow so bright. » ❤️🩹 just writing this quote makes me tear up all over again. Extremely well said.
Another spot on rec from my twin beauty Krysta 🥺 I wasn’t in a reading mood at all and this snapped me out of it. Honestly didn’t want it to end and I know I’ll be rereading this one. The found family, the found self assurance, Ember the flamefox😭 I loved this one so much.
« Some days - most days - I didn’t understand her. But the corners of my lips tugged up. When we did understand each other, it felt like a special kind of magic. » 💗✨
« To show that I deserved this. That I’d fought for this with my blood, sweat, and tears through the most frightening of storms… To show that someone like me could make her own dreams come true. »
Another spot on rec from my twin beauty Krysta 🥺 I wasn’t in a reading mood at all and this snapped me out of it. Honestly didn’t want it to end and I know I’ll be rereading this one. The found family, the found self assurance, Ember the flamefox😭 I loved this one so much.
« Some days - most days - I didn’t understand her. But the corners of my lips tugged up. When we did understand each other, it felt like a special kind of magic. » 💗✨
« To show that I deserved this. That I’d fought for this with my blood, sweat, and tears through the most frightening of storms… To show that someone like me could make her own dreams come true. »
November 1, 2021
Reads like a sweet Ghibli film! <3
My official blurb: "Eva Evergreen sparkles with magical whimsy that will remind readers of Kiki's Delivery Service! With a delightful cast of characters, Abe creates a rich world filled with intrigue, friendship, and of course magic. Eva is a charming, sometimes bumbling, but always well-intentioned Novice Witch who will have readers rooting for her from page one!"
My official blurb: "Eva Evergreen sparkles with magical whimsy that will remind readers of Kiki's Delivery Service! With a delightful cast of characters, Abe creates a rich world filled with intrigue, friendship, and of course magic. Eva is a charming, sometimes bumbling, but always well-intentioned Novice Witch who will have readers rooting for her from page one!"
October 17, 2021
☆ 4 / 5 ☆
This book is a pure boost of serotonin. This whole story was such a happy experience and everything was so wholesome and sweet, but never faltered from approaching deeper emotional depth with nuance.
Eva Evergreen is the daughter of a very powerful and renowned witch but she herself “only” holds a pinch of magic. Spells don’t come to her as easily as they do to other witches and wizards, they sometimes go awry, and using her magic makes her fall asleep. However, she is determined to go on her Novice Quest to prove herself and help out a town in need. Eva ends up in Auteri and she wonders how much she can help the townspeople before The Culling, an ominous magical storm, reaches them. She is however determined and sets up a semi-magical repair shop and while her techniques might not be 100% magical, doing things her own way might just be what will save them.
Eva is such an easy character to root for! She is determined and passionate, and she just wants to do good. She wants to make life better for the people around her while still being realistically portrayed as a 13 year old with some mood swings and pouty moments. Ultimately she believes in herself and what she’s striving for and she won’t back down no matter how kind and accommodating she can still be to others.
This story goes in a lot of depth when it comes to discussing the weight of expectations. Eva has to wrestle with her own expectations as well as the expectations of others. She looks up to her mother (who is by the way very encouraging, nurturing, and really believes in her daughter’s potential and power) a lot and wishes she could be that powerful. There is also the world’s expectations of what it means to be a witch and Eva does not quite fit in with those preconceived notions. Throughout the book she feels the gaze and judgment of many people but she slowly finds her own way, understanding how to put her magic to the best use possible, how her unique way of doing things works and is not to be dismissed.
Despite the obstacles and naysayers in her way, Eva also finds true and strong friendships along the way. What I liked about all of them is that they were each a little different and the dynamics were distinctive between all these different characters. It made for a heartwarming and wholesome read where all these interactions made me feel a lot of emotions and happiness. I just love good friendships and this was spot on.
The one character that truly stole the show though was Amber, Eva’s new flamefox. Amber is loyal, mischievous and a bit of a troublemaker which makes him into a perfect, very personable and lovable, sidekick. Amber’s and Eva’s bond also felt truly special and there wasn’t a moment where I doubted they loved each other fiercely and his presence brought me a lot of joy.
The book does not shy away from darker topics as The Culling approaches and the townspeople start to worry about what could happen to them. There are also mentions of grief and absent parental figures and how they affect the children concerned.
At the end of the day it was just heartwarming to see the power of everyone coming together, of believing in yourself and your abilities, and of relying on your friends and the people who support you.
I’m honestly very excited for the next book to come out as the ending hints at broader issues in this world and I also just want to spend forever following Eva’s and Amber’s adventures with magic!
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Buddy read with Melanie ♡
This book is a pure boost of serotonin. This whole story was such a happy experience and everything was so wholesome and sweet, but never faltered from approaching deeper emotional depth with nuance.
Eva Evergreen is the daughter of a very powerful and renowned witch but she herself “only” holds a pinch of magic. Spells don’t come to her as easily as they do to other witches and wizards, they sometimes go awry, and using her magic makes her fall asleep. However, she is determined to go on her Novice Quest to prove herself and help out a town in need. Eva ends up in Auteri and she wonders how much she can help the townspeople before The Culling, an ominous magical storm, reaches them. She is however determined and sets up a semi-magical repair shop and while her techniques might not be 100% magical, doing things her own way might just be what will save them.
Eva is such an easy character to root for! She is determined and passionate, and she just wants to do good. She wants to make life better for the people around her while still being realistically portrayed as a 13 year old with some mood swings and pouty moments. Ultimately she believes in herself and what she’s striving for and she won’t back down no matter how kind and accommodating she can still be to others.
This story goes in a lot of depth when it comes to discussing the weight of expectations. Eva has to wrestle with her own expectations as well as the expectations of others. She looks up to her mother (who is by the way very encouraging, nurturing, and really believes in her daughter’s potential and power) a lot and wishes she could be that powerful. There is also the world’s expectations of what it means to be a witch and Eva does not quite fit in with those preconceived notions. Throughout the book she feels the gaze and judgment of many people but she slowly finds her own way, understanding how to put her magic to the best use possible, how her unique way of doing things works and is not to be dismissed.
Despite the obstacles and naysayers in her way, Eva also finds true and strong friendships along the way. What I liked about all of them is that they were each a little different and the dynamics were distinctive between all these different characters. It made for a heartwarming and wholesome read where all these interactions made me feel a lot of emotions and happiness. I just love good friendships and this was spot on.
The one character that truly stole the show though was Amber, Eva’s new flamefox. Amber is loyal, mischievous and a bit of a troublemaker which makes him into a perfect, very personable and lovable, sidekick. Amber’s and Eva’s bond also felt truly special and there wasn’t a moment where I doubted they loved each other fiercely and his presence brought me a lot of joy.
The book does not shy away from darker topics as The Culling approaches and the townspeople start to worry about what could happen to them. There are also mentions of grief and absent parental figures and how they affect the children concerned.
At the end of the day it was just heartwarming to see the power of everyone coming together, of believing in yourself and your abilities, and of relying on your friends and the people who support you.
I’m honestly very excited for the next book to come out as the ending hints at broader issues in this world and I also just want to spend forever following Eva’s and Amber’s adventures with magic!
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Buddy read with Melanie ♡
May 28, 2021
4.5 ⭐️
Just precious
Just precious
November 20, 2022
2022 Reread: I read this aloud to my kids and it really is a great book, though on re-read I think it's a bit slow to start and could be faster paced for this age group. That said, it's still lovely and charming. I look forward to book 2!
I read this for a middle grade fantasy vlog! https://youtu.be/0Daa8kHwbFw
If you're looking for a charming, whimsical middle grade fantasy that you could hand to an advanced reader as young as 8, definitely check this one out! I loved my time with Eva, a young witch with just a pinch of magic going on her Novice quest to prove herself as a witch. Her mother is a powerful witch and Eva questions whether she can live up to that, but she perseveres despite the odds stacked against her!
It's a beautiful story about friendship, found family, hard work, and creativity. Absolutely loved it! Also she has an adorably mischievous fire fox companion. Definitely check it out.
I read this for a middle grade fantasy vlog! https://youtu.be/0Daa8kHwbFw
If you're looking for a charming, whimsical middle grade fantasy that you could hand to an advanced reader as young as 8, definitely check this one out! I loved my time with Eva, a young witch with just a pinch of magic going on her Novice quest to prove herself as a witch. Her mother is a powerful witch and Eva questions whether she can live up to that, but she perseveres despite the odds stacked against her!
It's a beautiful story about friendship, found family, hard work, and creativity. Absolutely loved it! Also she has an adorably mischievous fire fox companion. Definitely check it out.
February 18, 2020
Wow, what a spectacular debut! Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch is a wholesome witchy middle-grade and I adored it!
- Follows Evalithimus "Eva" Evergreen, a young witch who only has a pinch of magic. To earn her rank as a 'Novice Witch', Eva must travel to a distant town, help its townpeople, and 'do good'.
- The world of this book is wonderfully realised and has a hint of Japanese influence. Readers will delight in how imaginative, charming, and visual the storytelling is.
- Eva Evergreen is such a wonderful character and I loved her. She faces many adversaries, doubts herself, and has many vulnerable moments, but I loved how the story embraces the validity of these doubts while also being incredibly empowering and heart-warming.
- Though this story is incredibly wholesome, I was also excited by the ever-present threat of 'The Culling', a powerful and magical storm that threatens Eva's world every year, and how this tied into the overarching story, Eva's development, and the book's sequel.
- I went into this book expecting this book to be heavily influenced by Kiki's Delivery Service - and I was wrong! Though superficial elements of both stories have similarities, the heart of both stories are very different. While Kiki is a coming-of-age about a girl who grapples with change and growing up, Eva Evergreen is more about fighting people's expectations of you and doing your best anyway and celebrates the friendships that empower us.
Trigger/content warning:
- Follows Evalithimus "Eva" Evergreen, a young witch who only has a pinch of magic. To earn her rank as a 'Novice Witch', Eva must travel to a distant town, help its townpeople, and 'do good'.
- The world of this book is wonderfully realised and has a hint of Japanese influence. Readers will delight in how imaginative, charming, and visual the storytelling is.
- Eva Evergreen is such a wonderful character and I loved her. She faces many adversaries, doubts herself, and has many vulnerable moments, but I loved how the story embraces the validity of these doubts while also being incredibly empowering and heart-warming.
- Though this story is incredibly wholesome, I was also excited by the ever-present threat of 'The Culling', a powerful and magical storm that threatens Eva's world every year, and how this tied into the overarching story, Eva's development, and the book's sequel.
- I went into this book expecting this book to be heavily influenced by Kiki's Delivery Service - and I was wrong! Though superficial elements of both stories have similarities, the heart of both stories are very different. While Kiki is a coming-of-age about a girl who grapples with change and growing up, Eva Evergreen is more about fighting people's expectations of you and doing your best anyway and celebrates the friendships that empower us.
Trigger/content warning:
December 31, 2021
I did a cosy 48-hour reading vlog where I read the first and second Eva Evergreen books, you can check it out here: https://youtu.be/5Gv214Dm2MQ
September 27, 2021
I received a copy of this book for free as part of an Instagram book tour (Storygram Tours) I did to promote the book.
This was the cutest book ever! Seriously. It was like a Studio Ghibli movie in book form.
First off, the world building in this book was incredible. I could easily picture the quaint seaside town of Auteri with all its little shops and its Festival of Lights. I wish it was a real place!
The characters were another highlight. They were all so lovable. I loved Eva’s friends, Davy and Charlotte. Watching their bond and friendship grow throughout the story was so heartwarming. The townspeople were also charming. I loved how they came together and helped Eva.
The book also had cute illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. The art style is similar to the cover art, very Japanese inspired. The pictures added to the whimsical nature of the book.
The only thing that this book needed was a map. The world wasn’t overly complicated that it needed a map to be comprehensible, but maps in fantasy books are always so helpful, so I prefer them.
Overall, this was a feel good, wholesome, witchy read, perfect for spooky season. Readers of all ages will love reading about Eva and her adventures. I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel!
This was the cutest book ever! Seriously. It was like a Studio Ghibli movie in book form.
First off, the world building in this book was incredible. I could easily picture the quaint seaside town of Auteri with all its little shops and its Festival of Lights. I wish it was a real place!
The characters were another highlight. They were all so lovable. I loved Eva’s friends, Davy and Charlotte. Watching their bond and friendship grow throughout the story was so heartwarming. The townspeople were also charming. I loved how they came together and helped Eva.
The book also had cute illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. The art style is similar to the cover art, very Japanese inspired. The pictures added to the whimsical nature of the book.
The only thing that this book needed was a map. The world wasn’t overly complicated that it needed a map to be comprehensible, but maps in fantasy books are always so helpful, so I prefer them.
Overall, this was a feel good, wholesome, witchy read, perfect for spooky season. Readers of all ages will love reading about Eva and her adventures. I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel!
August 6, 2020
Harry Potter meets Kiki's Delivery Service in this magical debut novel for young readers.
I imagine the folks who grew up on a diet of Harry Potter probably have young readers tearing around their home now. This is one of the books you should be buying for them.
I imagine the folks who grew up on a diet of Harry Potter probably have young readers tearing around their home now. This is one of the books you should be buying for them.
April 27, 2021
bye this was so cute !!! i can’t wait to read about more adventures of our semi-magical witch eva :”)
December 17, 2021
My kid loved it. I had mixed feelings about the obvious Kiki's Delivery Service elements, which are cool but also intentionally derivative. Anyway, it's its own thing and overall a lovely experience. There are some very tense scenes that had my kid begging me to keep reading!
March 17, 2024
So cute! Lots of elements of Kiki's Delivery Service, but it had more magical world-building and some very distinctive magical elements, as well as tons of very different creatures and plants. The food had my mouth watering! Also, I want a flame fox so bad! SO BAD.
I was a little startled by how mean so many of the people were to her! SHE'S A CHILD, and there were grown adults treating her really badly! Sir, you are picking a fight with a child, you need therapy!
And seriously, need to get the second one, because WHAT was up with that ending?!
I was a little startled by how mean so many of the people were to her! SHE'S A CHILD, and there were grown adults treating her really badly! Sir, you are picking a fight with a child, you need therapy!
And seriously, need to get the second one, because WHAT was up with that ending?!
August 3, 2021
I was so excited to pick up and read EVA EVERGREEN, SEMI-MAGICAL WITCH, and it was wonderful to have this middle grade fantasy be just as excellent as I’d hoped! With hallmarks that brought to mind its comp title Kiki’s Delivery Service, Julie Abe has truly written a charming story about a semi-magical witch trying to make a way for herself and falling in love with a small town and its residents (and a flamefox) along the way! Cannot wait for the sequel.
June 5, 2022
this was my 150th book of 2022, and what a heartwarming story to mark this milestone!
immersive magic, budding friendships, beautiful miyazaki-esque world-building and illustrations, and finding one's footing all feature in eva evergreen, semi-magical witch.
i truly can't wait to continue this series.
immersive magic, budding friendships, beautiful miyazaki-esque world-building and illustrations, and finding one's footing all feature in eva evergreen, semi-magical witch.
i truly can't wait to continue this series.
September 10, 2024
I got the book because I saw really great reviews from people I follow. However I just didn't really like it.
I did like the images created of the sceneries. I also appreciate what the author wanted to do and what emotions they wanted to invoke. Unfortunately it just felt quite forced and the writing in general came across as amateur. I noticed it early on in the book and figured I would just ignore it and have fun with the story, but I felt like I was breaking immersion all the time.
I think this works well as a children's book as the writing is simple and the reader is led along. It is also nice and lighthearted, with good messages for younger readers.
I did like the images created of the sceneries. I also appreciate what the author wanted to do and what emotions they wanted to invoke. Unfortunately it just felt quite forced and the writing in general came across as amateur. I noticed it early on in the book and figured I would just ignore it and have fun with the story, but I felt like I was breaking immersion all the time.
I think this works well as a children's book as the writing is simple and the reader is led along. It is also nice and lighthearted, with good messages for younger readers.
May 31, 2022
This is definitely a middle grade but this was so cute and wholesome😭🥹❤️
February 8, 2022
4.5/5 Well this was so heartwarming and the ending definitely made me cry a little bit. Where's book 2!?!
Eva Evergreen: Semi-magical witch is about young Eva who is getting ready to take her novice quest. She must pass this quest in order to begin her witch training or she'll have her magic taken away forever. Normally this is very easy, but Eva only has a pinch of magic. When she arrives at the town of Auteri, they're expecting a powerful witch, not a semi-magical girl. But Eva is determined to prove her worth. She opens a repair shop and her semi-magical fixes repair the town in ways they never expected.
I loved this book so much. It's a magical book about a girl determined to prove her worth and finding the friends who help her make it family. The friendships Eva makes while in Auteri made me so happy. I really hope we get to see her come back to Auteri one day.
I loved seeing Eva come up with her semi-magical fixes. She tries so hard and I love how clever she is. I can't wait to see her continue to grow her magical powers and her intellect. I have several theories about the Culling (mysterious and disastrous storms) and who is behind them. Can't wait to see if book 2 has answers!
Rep: Japanese inspired cast and setting. female side character uses a wheelchair.
CWs: Bullying and intimidation, natural disasters specifically storms and flooding. Moderate: Grief, presumed death of parent (they are missing), medical content (healing a deep gash with magic), injury/injury detail, fainting (from overworking herself).
Eva Evergreen: Semi-magical witch is about young Eva who is getting ready to take her novice quest. She must pass this quest in order to begin her witch training or she'll have her magic taken away forever. Normally this is very easy, but Eva only has a pinch of magic. When she arrives at the town of Auteri, they're expecting a powerful witch, not a semi-magical girl. But Eva is determined to prove her worth. She opens a repair shop and her semi-magical fixes repair the town in ways they never expected.
I loved this book so much. It's a magical book about a girl determined to prove her worth and finding the friends who help her make it family. The friendships Eva makes while in Auteri made me so happy. I really hope we get to see her come back to Auteri one day.
I loved seeing Eva come up with her semi-magical fixes. She tries so hard and I love how clever she is. I can't wait to see her continue to grow her magical powers and her intellect. I have several theories about the Culling (mysterious and disastrous storms) and who is behind them. Can't wait to see if book 2 has answers!
Rep: Japanese inspired cast and setting. female side character uses a wheelchair.
CWs: Bullying and intimidation, natural disasters specifically storms and flooding. Moderate: Grief, presumed death of parent (they are missing), medical content (healing a deep gash with magic), injury/injury detail, fainting (from overworking herself).
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August 10, 2023a middlegrade promising kiki's delivery service?? i am over the moon <3
December 30, 2023
(i read this in November and just updated something, that's why it's showing on my feed rn)
*4.5*
fun, cozy, and atmospheric! i loved when she did spells, it felt so satisfying when they turned out right 💫
*4.5*
fun, cozy, and atmospheric! i loved when she did spells, it felt so satisfying when they turned out right 💫
May 25, 2021
2.5 stars. I hate to rate it so low :(
Stunning cover, but unfortunately the inside didn't live up to my expectation.
Things I loved:
-Japanese inspired world
-Natural disasters (tho poorly executed, interesting concept)
-Eva's mother was a girl boss, loved her
-There's a school in this realm for potential queens! how cool
However, everything else was lacking.
-I kept being told the Culling was terrible, killed of tons of people, but ... when it actually hit, we weren't even there... because Eva fainted, and it was resolved so easily (and unconvincingly). But then, to be fair, the targeted audience of this book is def not a 20 years old, so can't be too critical about the practicality behind the resolution.
-Eva's development was sudden and stilted. Never had I once thought Eva won't be able to figure out her magical abilities, so there were really no stakes.
-Overall pacing of the story was off. The plot in the middle portion was extremely repetitive (i.e. Eva gets up, no repair orders from customers, found something else to do, chat with a few friends, going back home very tired, fell asleep while talking to her fox), and the action did not kick in until 250 pages in.
-The side characters were ok, i'd say better written than Eva, but the reconciliations between characters was unnatural and seemingly out of nowhere.
Stunning cover, but unfortunately the inside didn't live up to my expectation.
Things I loved:
-Japanese inspired world
-Natural disasters (tho poorly executed, interesting concept)
-Eva's mother was a girl boss, loved her
-There's a school in this realm for potential queens! how cool
However, everything else was lacking.
-I kept being told the Culling was terrible, killed of tons of people, but ... when it actually hit, we weren't even there... because Eva fainted, and it was resolved so easily (and unconvincingly). But then, to be fair, the targeted audience of this book is def not a 20 years old, so can't be too critical about the practicality behind the resolution.
-Eva's development was sudden and stilted. Never had I once thought Eva won't be able to figure out her magical abilities, so there were really no stakes.
-Overall pacing of the story was off. The plot in the middle portion was extremely repetitive (i.e. Eva gets up, no repair orders from customers, found something else to do, chat with a few friends, going back home very tired, fell asleep while talking to her fox), and the action did not kick in until 250 pages in.
-The side characters were ok, i'd say better written than Eva, but the reconciliations between characters was unnatural and seemingly out of nowhere.
June 27, 2022
#2) Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch ★★★☆☆
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: Japanese-inspired setting & cast.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
February 6, 2022
"I've learned that sometimes it takes time to make friends, but those friendships feel stronger than anything I've found in the realm, I've learned that magic takes so many forms"
Its an adventure filled story of an apprentice witch Eva, daughter of a grandmaster witch and one of the most powerful witch in the realm, who is going on a quest to become a novice witch by helping a town to safety from the Culling. The only obstacle is that she has very little to no magic which often does more harm than help.
We go alongside Eva on a journey of self discovery and forge friendships along the way.
A very nice, comfy, magical read.
Its an adventure filled story of an apprentice witch Eva, daughter of a grandmaster witch and one of the most powerful witch in the realm, who is going on a quest to become a novice witch by helping a town to safety from the Culling. The only obstacle is that she has very little to no magic which often does more harm than help.
We go alongside Eva on a journey of self discovery and forge friendships along the way.
A very nice, comfy, magical read.
December 2, 2021
So freaking cute and heartwarming and just everything I love about middle grade 🤧
April 4, 2025
A lovely, heartwarming story of a young witch who struggles with her magical abilities.
"...hope was a cruel sorcery of its own; the power of hope was always tainted with the sharp sorrow of unfulfillment."
“Each time, I try something new. Even if I fail or mess up, each attempt is one step closer toward my dream of a perfect, waterproof watch. Each one is a step closer to adventure.”
“The end of a journey is bittersweet. Yet to start anew, let this be complete.”
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book and it touched my heart.
"...hope was a cruel sorcery of its own; the power of hope was always tainted with the sharp sorrow of unfulfillment."
“Each time, I try something new. Even if I fail or mess up, each attempt is one step closer toward my dream of a perfect, waterproof watch. Each one is a step closer to adventure.”
“The end of a journey is bittersweet. Yet to start anew, let this be complete.”
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book and it touched my heart.
March 11, 2022
Wow! What an absolutely charming middle grade novel. With a beautiful, Ghibli-esque world, whimsical magic, and a protagonist who you can't help but root for, EVA EVERGREEN, SEMI-MAGICAL WITCH will grab readers and keep them hooked the whole way through.
I have oodles of praise, and middle school me would have adored this (adult me adores it too!). It's an absolute romp with charming animal sidekicks, fun rhyming spells, and clever solutions to problems. I'd highly recommend to give to young people you know, or enjoy it yourself!
The audiobook is perfect for a drive with family. I listened on CloudLibrary at 2x speed. Caitlin Kelly does a great job with the narration, and sometimes pulls out some fun voices, especially for children or a passing side character.
Content Warnings:
I have oodles of praise, and middle school me would have adored this (adult me adores it too!). It's an absolute romp with charming animal sidekicks, fun rhyming spells, and clever solutions to problems. I'd highly recommend to give to young people you know, or enjoy it yourself!
The audiobook is perfect for a drive with family. I listened on CloudLibrary at 2x speed. Caitlin Kelly does a great job with the narration, and sometimes pulls out some fun voices, especially for children or a passing side character.
Content Warnings:
October 6, 2021
Absolutely adored the magical fantasy adventure for middle graders!
Reminiscent of Kiki's delivery service, Eva Evergreen is a witch with only a pinch of magic, and her worries and insecurities will resonate with people of all ages. I loved her growth and courage, and her animal companion is so cute!
Reminiscent of Kiki's delivery service, Eva Evergreen is a witch with only a pinch of magic, and her worries and insecurities will resonate with people of all ages. I loved her growth and courage, and her animal companion is so cute!
November 19, 2019
For such a long time I wished that someone would write a book sorta like Kiki's Delivery Service; a book similar to the magic I felt watching it for the first time, but not so close as to be a carbon copy. THIS IS THE BOOK, EVERYONE!!!
Eva is semi-magical which causes a ton of problems. She's almost not even let in the Novice Witch trial and to top it off, she ends up in a town she may not even know is hers. Because you see, to complete her quest to become a Novice, she ust stay in a town for one full moon and prove that she can do good there. When Eva lands in Auteri, she discovers more than just a pretty coastal town. She finds heartbreak and loss that even her repair affinity magic cannot fix. Along with her newfound friends, she preps the town for a storm that could cause major damage is left to its own devices. Will her small magic be enough to stop it?
Reading this book put me right into a Ghibli film. If you follow my review you know that when I say that, I am probably going to give the book a high rating because of GHIBLI. The world that Julia Abe created took her child in me and brought her back to a time in her life where everything was magical and fun and amazing. I won't compare this to Kiki anymore than I have to because it does Eva Evergreen a disservice. This book has set its self apart and in all the right ways.
The writing was easy to follow and super descriptive enough for us to fall into Eva's magical world. The side characters who help her along the way hold their own. I'd rec this book to anyone looking for a Ghibli inspired middle-grade or anyone looking for a witch book with heart.
The only thing I did not like was the ending and that probably brought it down a star. But shoot, you know I'll pick up the second book in a heartbeat.
Eva is semi-magical which causes a ton of problems. She's almost not even let in the Novice Witch trial and to top it off, she ends up in a town she may not even know is hers. Because you see, to complete her quest to become a Novice, she ust stay in a town for one full moon and prove that she can do good there. When Eva lands in Auteri, she discovers more than just a pretty coastal town. She finds heartbreak and loss that even her repair affinity magic cannot fix. Along with her newfound friends, she preps the town for a storm that could cause major damage is left to its own devices. Will her small magic be enough to stop it?
Reading this book put me right into a Ghibli film. If you follow my review you know that when I say that, I am probably going to give the book a high rating because of GHIBLI. The world that Julia Abe created took her child in me and brought her back to a time in her life where everything was magical and fun and amazing. I won't compare this to Kiki anymore than I have to because it does Eva Evergreen a disservice. This book has set its self apart and in all the right ways.
The writing was easy to follow and super descriptive enough for us to fall into Eva's magical world. The side characters who help her along the way hold their own. I'd rec this book to anyone looking for a Ghibli inspired middle-grade or anyone looking for a witch book with heart.
The only thing I did not like was the ending and that probably brought it down a star. But shoot, you know I'll pick up the second book in a heartbeat.
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