The Witch Hat House is a unique architectural marvel that has gained popularity in recent years. This distinctive house design features a roof that resembles a witch's hat, hence the name. The Witch Hat House originated in the late 19th century during the Victorian era. It was a period characterized by elaborate and unconventional architectural designs, and the Witch Hat House perfectly epitomizes this style. The steep, conical roof is the standout feature of this house, which adds a touch of whimsy and enchantment to the overall design. The roof of the Witch Hat House is typically made of shingles or tiles and is often adorned with intricate patterns or decorative elements.
But the curse isn’t the only unusual thing about the Widdershins. Each of them possesses a magical object that’s been passed down the family. A scruffy carpet bag, a set of wooden nesting dolls and a gilt-framed mirror . . . none of them is what they seem.
I think one of my favourite parts of this book was to see the sisters relationship evolve and for them to accept one another and love one another more as at the start of the book, their relationship was slightly strained. If you like stories with complex characters and some cute ones with animals too , a fun but also high-stakes adventure, a unique plot and mysterious curse, then this is the book for you just make sure to check the trigger warnings first.
The roof of the Witch Hat House is typically made of shingles or tiles and is often adorned with intricate patterns or decorative elements. This attention to detail enhances the magical and mystical appeal of the house, making it a true spectacle to behold. One of the advantages of the Witch Hat House is its efficient use of space.
Book Review – A Pinch of Magic (#1 A Pinch of Magic) by Michelle Harrison (4 stars)
I’m so glad that I have finally found time to post my review of A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison because it was such a great book and I can’t stop thinking about this. I read this book in January with the Middle Grade Marvels book club and we all had a great time reading and discussing it together. We had lots of theories and I’m sure you will too if you decide to pick up this book, so keep on reading for my thoughts!
GOODREADS SYNOPSIS
All Betty Widdershins wants is an adventure–one that takes her far away from Crowstone, the gloomy island where she’s always lived. But instead of an adventure, Betty and her sisters, Fliss and Charlie, are given of a set of magical objects, each with its own powers: a scruffy carpet bag, a set of wooden nesting dolls, and a gilt-framed mirror. And these magical objects come with their own terrible secret: the sisters’ family is haunted by a generations-long curse that prevents them from ever leaving their island–at the cost of death.
The sisters set out to break the curse and free their family forever. But after stumbling upon a mysterious prisoner who claims to be able to help them, they find themselves in great danger. And in order to break the curse–and stay alive–they must unravel a mystery that goes back centuries, one that involves shipwrecks, smugglers, and sorcery of the most perilous kind.
MY REVIEW
Trigger Warnings: prison, theft, suicide (mentioned and slightly depicted), attempted suicide, betrayal, secrets and lies, crime, a dark atmosphere.
A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison is the first book in the Middle Grade fantasy series of the same name. I read this one all the way back in January and I am still thinking about it. I’m glad it’s a series because it means I can continue reading about these great characters soon.
I saw this book in Waterstones last year and I fell in love with the cover, but when I went back to get it, lockdown was in full swing and therefore, the shops were closed, so I never got around to it. When this book was chosen as the January BOTM, I was so happy!
SETTING
This book is set in Crowstone, in what I presume is an imaginary setting, so of course, as a fantasy lover, this was perfect for me. Crowstone is a small town that can be found in one of the three isles in the land that this book is set and it was a really intriguing place.
The curse in this book has something to do with the setting, and at first glance, you would think this book would be sweet, whimsical and fun, but it is actually quite dark. I was so surprised by how dark and atmospheric the setting was, you could totally get the spooky vibes from the curse and the place the girls lived.
I really liked this setting and I’m so glad this is a series because I get to travel back to this world. I quite liked the Inn where the girls live with their grandmother, I also found the prison to be really dark and haunting, but my favourite places were when the sisters were walking about on the islands and trying to break the curse, as well as the setting we get in the past (in Sorsha’s chapters). I probably don’t make much sense, but the setting was really immersive.
CHARACTERS
Betty: Betty is the middle sister and she is basically the ring leader of shenanigans and she is the one that gets the girls into the latest scrape. I liked Betty from page one because she is feisty, she believes that she can break the curse and she wants to travel, to see the world, to live. She is so determined and I was rooting for her the whole time.
Charlie: I have to admit that I actually did not really like Charlie at the start as she was a little whiny and I don’t know, I just didn’t get on with her character. But as the book went along, she really grew on me and she might actually be my favourite character because she is so cute but also spunky, and she has her priorities straight – that’s to say, food and her beloved animals (I’m definitely team Charlie now that I’ve finished the book). She is the youngest of the 3 sisters.
Fliss: Fliss, also Felicity, is the oldest sister and is 16, so she helps Bunny deal with the customers in the Inn the most and is the one basically trying to keep the sisters together and out of trouble. I did like Fliss, but Charlie and Betty were just that little bit more complex, believable and more enjoyable to read about. I did enjoy her character, but not as much as the other girls.
Colton: Colton is a character who only appears around 1/3 to halfway through the book and I wasn’t sure about him to start with because I was very suspicious, rightfully, might I add, but in the end, he turned out to be nothing like I expected. I really like seeing character development and I think the author did a great job of showing this for most of her characters.
Sorsha: We get a few chapters from Sorsha’s perspective which is from the past, and I can’t say more because it will be a spoiler, but I loved her chapters and I also really liked Sorsha. I don’t really know why, but I immediately rooted for her and was on the edge of my seat learning about her story.
Bunny: I’m only going to quickly mention this character, but she is the girls’ grandmother, called Betty but everyone knows her as Bunny. I had a bit of a hate/love relationship with her for some reason. I do completely understand her motives for *things*, but sometimes I didn’t really, if that makes sense. I am looking forward to seeing more of her in the next books though as she seemed to mellow a little at the end and became a bit nicer in my opinion.
THEMES
Family: This is one of the most important themes in this book, and for reasons I won’t explain, this is kind of the reason for the curse. I am not that big a fan of family relationships in books, however, in middle grade, I seem to get on much better with them. Family is important and especially the relationship and bond between sisters. I think one of my favourite parts of this book was to see the sisters’ relationship evolve and for them to accept one another and love one another more as at the start of the book, their relationship was slightly strained.
Mysterious curse: This was what made me want to pick up the book at first and then drew me completely into the story and I have to say that the way this was explained really took me by surprise – but in a good way. I really enjoyed reading this book and finding out about the curse, where it came from, why, how, etc, it was just such a great plot point!
Determined and complex characters: If there is something I love in a good fantasy book, for whatever audience, it’s complex and determined characters who go on an adventure or have to face something, and in the face of adversity, they pull through and they grow. We get all of this in this book and I really enjoyed seeing how far the girls and even Colton came, even Bunny actually. I think that this story made all the characters shift their attitudes and their personalities during their experiences, and I’m really looking forward to seeing more of them for this reason. I wonder where they will go and what they will become next!
A darker plot that you would expect: Now, I just want to mention this quickly because at least once, all of us in the Middle Grade Marvels chat said how dark the plot and story was compared to that beautiful cover. I was not expecting it to get so dark, so I just want to warn you that first impressions can be deceptive and this is not necessarily a cute story. It gets dark, the characters get in really tough situations, they are afraid and fear for their lives, there is a mention and depiction of suicide, and I was so anxious for all of them, so maybe this is a book for the older side of MG.
MY THOUGHTS AND RATING
Overall, this was such a great story and I’m so glad that I got the chance to read it with the Middle Grade Marvels members. As I said before, there is so much going on in this book and the thing I liked the most was the setting, the fact that the story is so unique and you never see anything coming, the characters are complex and have nicely developed character arcs. This was just a great read.
The writing style and the pacing were also perfect, in my opinion. I was sucked into this world and only let go of when I came to the end of each section I had to read for that week. It’s on the longer side for an MG book, and it is a series, so it might be a tad long for younger MG readers, but it is definitely worth the reading time. I loved the author’s prose so much, it was beautiful but also fairly dark, and I will be picking up all her other books because I am just a little bit obsessed.
I gave this book 4 stars, and you can find my full ASPECTS rating below. This is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed, just some little moments where the story lagged or the characters annoyed me, and I’m missing my special 5-star spark, but to tell you the truth, I’m holding out for the next books in the series! I recommend this book to MG readers and all readers older than 9-10, as it is a bit more on the dark side. If you like stories with complex characters (and some cute ones with animals too), a fun but also high-stakes adventure, a unique plot and mysterious curse, then this is the book for you (just make sure to check the trigger warnings first)!
That’s all for now, I hope you enjoyed reading this post, see you soon, stay safe,
In this darkly believable world of magic and myth, Betty is a likeable, funny and feisty protagonist, full of courage and determination. This riveting tale of witchcraft, love and betrayal will have readers on the edge of their seats, as the sisters race against time to try to break the curse.
The conical roof design allows for additional headroom on the top floor, making it suitable for tall individuals or providing extra storage space. The unique shape also improves airflow, helping to keep the house cool during hot summers and minimizing heating costs during winter. The interior of the Witch Hat House often echoes the Victorian-era charm with ornate moldings, detailed millwork, and quaint features. Each room is designed to maximize functionality while maintaining the overall aesthetic appeal. From cozy bedrooms to cozy reading nooks and whimsical bathrooms, the interior of the Witch Hat House is as enchanting as its exterior. While the Witch Hat House may not be for everyone, it has found a niche among those seeking a distinctive and whimsical home. Each Witch Hat House is one-of-a-kind, reflecting the personality and imagination of its owner. Some even incorporate additional magical elements such as secret passageways, hidden rooms, and other surprises. In conclusion, the Witch Hat House is a unique architectural gem that captivates the imagination with its whimsical design and Victorian-era charm. Whether you're a fan of the magical or simply appreciate unconventional architecture, the Witch Hat House is sure to leave a lasting impression..
Reviews for "The Witch Hat House: A Historical Relic or a Portal to Another World?"
1. Samantha - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to reading "The Witch Hat House" as I am a huge fan of supernatural fiction. However, I found the story to be rather predictable and lacking in depth. The characters were one-dimensional and the plot didn't offer any surprises or twists. Moreover, the writing style was quite simplistic and didn't engage me as a reader. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others who are seeking a compelling and immersive supernatural read.
2. Michael - 1 star
"The Witch Hat House" was a complete letdown for me. The story had so much potential, but it fell flat in execution. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest quickly. The main character was dull and unlikable, making it difficult to root for her or care about her journey. Additionally, the world-building was lacking, leaving me feeling disconnected from the supposed magical elements of the story. Overall, I was unimpressed and wouldn't recommend this book to anyone in search of an engaging supernatural adventure.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Witch Hat House" as the premise seemed intriguing. Unfortunately, I found the execution to be lacking. The writing style was overly simplistic and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The plot lacked depth and the conflicts were resolved too easily, leaving me unsatisfied as a reader. Additionally, I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters, making it difficult to become invested in their story. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a captivating and well-written supernatural tale.