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Witch High
move over, hogwarts... High school is different for everyone. For some, its a time to shine, and for others, a time to survive. Then there are the students who attend those special schools for the gifted. But what if there was a school that catered to those rarest of studentsthose who can do magic? These fourteen tales explore the challenges that students of the magical arts may face in a high school of their very own. If you think chemistry is tough, try alchemy. If you ever fell victim to a school bully, how would you deal with a bully gifted with powerful magic? And if you needed more time to study, what spell could give you all the time you desired? These are just a few of the magical adventures that will await you when you enter Salem Township Public High School #4 otherwise known as Witch High...
320 pages, ebook
First published October 7, 2008
3 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 23, 2016
This anthology was clearly published in the wake of Harry Potter, and the influence shows, as it basically tries to imagine an American version of Hogwarts. Of course, Witch High is located in Salem, and of course it's based on American tropes about high school rather than British boarding school stories. Things don't really come together well enough to challenge Harry Potter, but there is some fun stuff here. There's one story in which a student tries to earn extra time to prep for an exam, only to send the entire town into a three day Groundhog Day loop. There's another fun story dealing with what happens to the local Dark Lord after he's caught, and Diane Duane (of course) has a story in here about a girl who decides to make the classic giant gingerbread house for her witch science fair. I think my favorite was about the two girls who have to fight the mean girls for control of the fall dance, which is actually a powerful magical ritual. There are also some rather clunky tales, such as the one about the girl who's just so much more powerful than everyone else and the one about the cafeteria lady. Plus, there's the obvious exploration of teen/high school issues, like the magical school shooting that opens the book. Of course, as is common with shared world anthologies, nobody can agree on what the school is like or who works there, though I did enjoy seeing the guidance councillor from one story appear in another (even if a lot of the implications of her story were incredibly creepy). All in all, this wasn't really bad, and it even had some fairly good stories in it, but there just wasn't enough to properly pull me in. Part of that is definitely that I haven't been in high school for half a decade now, so it's possible that an actual teenager would enjoy this a lot more. And I will say that there's potential in the idea of an American Harry Potter - it's just that this isn't it.
November 1, 2008
I finished reading Witch High and, as with most anthologies, there were some stories I really enjoyed and then some that were just . . . meh. I don't like to focus on the meh, so I thought I'd mention the few that I really liked, that either grabbed me or my imagination and took me away for a while. Which is what everyone really wants when they read, right?
I really enjoyed "Chemistry 101" by Pamela Luzier. It wasn't serious, but it was certainly fun. Another fun read (of course) was Esther M. Friesner's "You Got Served." But the best of the "fun" bunch was probably Diane Duane's "The House." Or maybe I just associate with the computer geek kid. *grin*
On a more serious note, I thought "Another Learning Experience" by Jody Lynn Nye was a great piece. But perhaps the best and most serious story in the anthology was Bill McCay's "Remedial Magic." Very touching and heart-breaking, with a cool (if somewhat . . . dark) idea at its heart.
Overall a good anthology, I thought.
I really enjoyed "Chemistry 101" by Pamela Luzier. It wasn't serious, but it was certainly fun. Another fun read (of course) was Esther M. Friesner's "You Got Served." But the best of the "fun" bunch was probably Diane Duane's "The House." Or maybe I just associate with the computer geek kid. *grin*
On a more serious note, I thought "Another Learning Experience" by Jody Lynn Nye was a great piece. But perhaps the best and most serious story in the anthology was Bill McCay's "Remedial Magic." Very touching and heart-breaking, with a cool (if somewhat . . . dark) idea at its heart.
Overall a good anthology, I thought.
December 18, 2014
I'm normally not much for short stories, but this was a fun read! I've never read any of these authors before this, but I enjoyed each and every story. Each story is about a teen witch (or witches) that attend Salem Township Public High School #4 (or that's what the mundanes know it as), known to witchdom as Witch High. Each story was alot of fun and appropriate for teen readers of all ages. No unnecessary foul language or sexual content. In each story you learn that even teens with powers to do amazing things, still have all the same problems that teens today do. I recommend this book to any teen who likes a little fantasy and fun in their reading.
March 31, 2009
Bummer. Maybe I have grown out of some things.
March 20, 2018
I'm generally wary of short stories, but since the last anthology of short stories based around a high school that I read was good I thought I'd give it a shot.
Very little consistency from story to story. The high school has at least 5 principals of different names. It doesn't feel at all like they're about the same place. The rules for magic are vague.
Lots of hetero romance! Not much of any kind of representation!
Very little consistency from story to story. The high school has at least 5 principals of different names. It doesn't feel at all like they're about the same place. The rules for magic are vague.
Lots of hetero romance! Not much of any kind of representation!
November 12, 2017
I was surprise and pleased with the stories in this book! Excellent stories (all of them) short and easy to read with good teen issues and no inappropriate hanky panky. One I will be adding to my classroom shelves.
Want to read
November 15, 2012Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
WITCH HIGH is a fun anthology that takes place at Salem Township Public High School #4, aka Witch High. Using the theme of the high school, each story weaves another piece of the fabric that is the history behind the school. The stories all reveal that even those with magical powers suffer the same struggles in high school as the non-magical kids. There are bullies, there is heartbreak, there are cliques, and so much more.
Containing fourteen different stories, each author takes on a different idea and uses their imagination to create unique situations for their characters. Not reading much paranormal fiction personally, I will admit that none of the authors were known to me. But that did not hinder my enjoyment of the stories. As with most anthologies, I found that some of the stories spoke to me more than some of the others, but overall, they were all a treat to enjoy.
Pick up WITCH HIGH and you will find out what happens when a fire elemental likes someone who is interested in them back...sparks really do fly! Discover the creative punishment that is inflicted on a student who wreaks havoc on the school and has to pay back the guidance counselor in full. And see what sort of hidden magic a girl with seemingly no magical ability at all can grow.
These are just three of the wonderful stories included in the book. I'd wave my wand over everyone and make them read this book as well, but alas, I truly have no special abilities. At least, none of mine have manifested yet!
WITCH HIGH is a fun anthology that takes place at Salem Township Public High School #4, aka Witch High. Using the theme of the high school, each story weaves another piece of the fabric that is the history behind the school. The stories all reveal that even those with magical powers suffer the same struggles in high school as the non-magical kids. There are bullies, there is heartbreak, there are cliques, and so much more.
Containing fourteen different stories, each author takes on a different idea and uses their imagination to create unique situations for their characters. Not reading much paranormal fiction personally, I will admit that none of the authors were known to me. But that did not hinder my enjoyment of the stories. As with most anthologies, I found that some of the stories spoke to me more than some of the others, but overall, they were all a treat to enjoy.
Pick up WITCH HIGH and you will find out what happens when a fire elemental likes someone who is interested in them back...sparks really do fly! Discover the creative punishment that is inflicted on a student who wreaks havoc on the school and has to pay back the guidance counselor in full. And see what sort of hidden magic a girl with seemingly no magical ability at all can grow.
These are just three of the wonderful stories included in the book. I'd wave my wand over everyone and make them read this book as well, but alas, I truly have no special abilities. At least, none of mine have manifested yet!
January 1, 2016
This was a quick read for me for when I'm cooking or in between homework assignments. I enjoyed the anthology, for everything I questioned in the Harry Potter/magical boarding school world there was an answer in one of these stories pretty much. Some fared better then others (I thought the story "Boil and bubble" by Phaedra Wheldon could have benefited from a longer format while Jody Lynn Nye's "A Learning Experience" was perfectly suited to the shorter form), but they all entertained me.
I wouldn't mind if a few even got expanded in some way; Kristine Kathryn Rusch's "Domestic Magic" was well contained, but had little hints at the end that there could be more to the story. Debra Dixon's "Coyote Run" was fascinating in how it approached the traditional role of the witches' familiar and I wouldn't mind if she explored Izzy's life after a bit more.
If you enjoy anthologies this is a solid one. Some of the authors are well known for their anthology works and others have longer novels that their shorter stories don't tie in with and thus don't do those longer works any great justice. In the end its not a bad way to pass some in between free time when a longer novel isn't possible.
I wouldn't mind if a few even got expanded in some way; Kristine Kathryn Rusch's "Domestic Magic" was well contained, but had little hints at the end that there could be more to the story. Debra Dixon's "Coyote Run" was fascinating in how it approached the traditional role of the witches' familiar and I wouldn't mind if she explored Izzy's life after a bit more.
If you enjoy anthologies this is a solid one. Some of the authors are well known for their anthology works and others have longer novels that their shorter stories don't tie in with and thus don't do those longer works any great justice. In the end its not a bad way to pass some in between free time when a longer novel isn't possible.
October 7, 2009
Witch High has fourteen short stories in the book, all about the high school life of a witch. I enjoyed reading these stories, although I felt that it was slightly lacking in some areas. I didn't feel like any of the stories were funny, and I missed the humor that I was looking for. I also felt that the authors in the story should have come up with a way to connect the stories, other than just the name of the school. Maybe the characters from one story could show up in another story, or even a class could be the same.
I had two favorite stories: Remedial Magic by Bill McCay and Late Bloomer by Karen. Remedial Magic is about a Saranne, a young girl whose mother was sick and dying and how she tried to help save her mother's life. Late Bloomer is about Addi, a high schooler whose magic hadn't shown up yet and how the group she was welcomed into helped her find her magic.
I had two favorite stories: Remedial Magic by Bill McCay and Late Bloomer by Karen. Remedial Magic is about a Saranne, a young girl whose mother was sick and dying and how she tried to help save her mother's life. Late Bloomer is about Addi, a high schooler whose magic hadn't shown up yet and how the group she was welcomed into helped her find her magic.
December 22, 2008
For a story collection, this wasn't bad. The book imagines a sort of Hogwarts-type high school set in (where else?) Salem, Massachusetts. The stories are mostly about teenage students at the high school and include some romance here and there. Kind of a fun read, with a few moments of real emotion. The stories I liked best were "Remedial Magic," "The Price of Gold," and "The House." My biggest complaint is probably that there are too many stereotypical mean girls used as antagonists in these tales.
December 25, 2015
Overall, fun anthology of stories that take place in Salem Township Public High School #4 (aka Witch High). While there were inconsistencies from story to story -- a weakness of shared worlds that probably could have been avoided with more world building by Little -- they were easily overlooked if each story was taken separate from the others. Though... I don't quite remember high schoolers being quite so catty.
October 28, 2013
Its a collection of short stories. As usual, I did not love all of them. However none of these stories were boooorrrring to me. They all kept my attention and were easy to read. Not a lot of extra information or knowledge needed to enjoy them.
Anyone who has experienced high school could understand, empathise, or sympathise with the characters.
All in all its enjoyable.
Anyone who has experienced high school could understand, empathise, or sympathise with the characters.
All in all its enjoyable.
March 5, 2009
These little short stories were good on the most part. I was exposed to quite a few new authors I really enjoyed. I think I would actually enjoy having some of those domestic witch genes to make cleaning easier.
December 3, 2020
I haven't enjoyed an anthology in so long. Who wouldn't rather learn Alchemy, Spell Theory, or How To Write A Grimoire, instead of Economics, Trig or Chemistry? Each story is someone high school experience made real, with a magical twist.
Want to read
October 19, 2008Looks like fun, and it has a Diane Duane story.
Want to read
October 19, 2008How interesting! Denise is a lovely friend I completely lost touch with after she left New York. I will be very excited to read this anthology.
January 11, 2010
A good bunch of stories about a magical high school. No duds, and most were a lot of fun.
May 12, 2011
Much better than lots of fantasy anthology I've read but still...
Guess I'm not for fantasy shorts.
July 6, 2013
It's an all right collection of stories to pass the time, but they don't really inspire me to seek out the authors' other works.
April 3, 2017
Cute anthology of short stories by popular fantasy authors that follow the theme of Salem High School #4 known as 'Witch High'. Fun read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews