James Patterson is a renowned author known for his captivating thrillers and crime novels. However, he has also dabbled in the world of young adult fiction with his Witch and Wizard series. This series takes readers on a journey into a dystopian world where magic is outlawed and a brother-sister duo must fight against an oppressive government. The main idea of the Witch and Wizard series is the exploration of a society where magic is seen as a dangerous threat to those in power. The story revolves around Whit and Wisty Allgood, two siblings who discover they possess magical abilities. As a result, they are seized by the government, known as the New Order, and accused of being a witch and wizard.
In short: A dictatorship has taken over the United States. (It doesn’t explicitly say it’s the United States, but it’s a safe bet.) Whit and Wisty, brother and sister, are rudely awakened by the police and arrested. They don’t know for what. Their parents are arrested too, but they later learn that they have escaped. As Whit and Wisty are put on a trial—a sham of a trial—they are hastily convicted of possessing magical powers. This is news to them, but slowly, the two come into the realization that they do have magical powers, and they are determined to learn how to use them as well as figure out how to escape. I was delighted to see that Svetlana Chmakova was illustrating, because she is one of my favorite OEL manga artists. Her style is crisp and fresh. The artwork is as telling and exciting as the text—in fact, for my reading experience this time, I was more taken by the artwork than the text. The opening pages are in color, which lends to the thrill of the read, as Wisty tells how she, her brother, and parents came to where they are, in a coliseum about to be hung. I look forward to volume 2… I probably should go read the novels so I can just find out what happens. That’s what I’d tell my students to do. In Battle for the Shadowland, IDW wrote a story set between the first novel, Witch and Wizard and the second book in the series, The Gift. Whit and Wisty have now come into their powers and have escaped the evil clutches of “The One Who Is the One.” They have joined a group of other teenagers who are fighting this evil dictatorship. With their magical abilities, they discover, that “The One Who is the One” is planning to conquer the Shadowland, an in-between place where ghosts live. It’s also the main means of travel between Freeland and The City—the city rebuilt in the “ideal image” of “The One Who Is the One.” I originally picked up this title eons ago, but I had a difficult time reading it. I was only successful in getting through the story after reading the manga adaptation by Yen Press, which leads me to believe it was hard to get into because I didn’t know enough about the story. Yet I’ll be the first to say that there is plenty of backstory for a reader unfamiliar with the story. Theoretically, you should not need to know the other story to understand this one. The artwork is in full color, but if you’re trying to compare the artwork of the manga to this title, you’ll only be able to find differences. The people are drawn in an interesting mix of manga and traditional superhero style, giving them an awkward, sometimes even flat, appearance. The action scenes are drawn well, adding a lot of excitement to this fast-paced story. Still, anyone picking this up will do so for the story not the artwork.
The Witch Wizard series by James Patterson has been around for some time in novel form, but it s only this year that the series has become hot something everyone wants to check out. The Witch Wizard series by James Patterson has been around for some time in novel form, but it s only this year that the series has become hot something everyone wants to check out.
As a result, they are seized by the government, known as the New Order, and accused of being a witch and wizard. Throughout the series, the main characters face numerous challenges and obstacles as they try to navigate this new world. They encounter other magical beings, join forces with a rebellion, and develop their own magical abilities to fight against the New Order.
Review: Witch & Wizard
Sometimes, I feel like my students are slow to catch onto fads. The Witch & Wizard series by James Patterson has been around for some time in novel form, but it’s only this year that the series has become hot—something everyone wants to check out. So the addition of two graphic novel series to this franchise will only excite already devoted readers. Witch & Wizard: The Manga V. 1
by James Patterson adapted by Gabrielle Charbonnet
Art by Svetlana Chmakova
Yen Publishing, September 2011, ISBN 9780316119894
256 pp. $12.99 Witch & Wizard: Battle for Shadowland
by James Patterson & Dara Naraghi
Art by Victor Santos
IDW Publishing, October 2010, ISBN 9781600107597
104pp. $17.99 This review is based on a complimentary copy supplied by the publisher. All images copyright © IDW Publishing The manga version is a straight adaptation of the novel. As I didn’t have patience to actually read the first novel, I can’t tell you how accurate the adaptation is, but this was a great intro to the series. (And hey, I might actually go back and read the books now!) I also felt immersed in the story, and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. The adaptation stood alone.
In short: A dictatorship has taken over the United States. (It doesn’t explicitly say it’s the United States, but it’s a safe bet.) Whit and Wisty, brother and sister, are rudely awakened by the police and arrested. They don’t know for what. Their parents are arrested too, but they later learn that they have escaped. As Whit and Wisty are put on a trial—a sham of a trial—they are hastily convicted of possessing magical powers. This is news to them, but slowly, the two come into the realization that they do have magical powers, and they are determined to learn how to use them as well as figure out how to escape. I was delighted to see that Svetlana Chmakova was illustrating, because she is one of my favorite OEL manga artists. Her style is crisp and fresh. The artwork is as telling and exciting as the text—in fact, for my reading experience this time, I was more taken by the artwork than the text. The opening pages are in color, which lends to the thrill of the read, as Wisty tells how she, her brother, and parents came to where they are, in a coliseum about to be hung. I look forward to volume 2… I probably should go read the novels so I can just find out what happens. That’s what I’d tell my students to do. In Battle for the Shadowland, IDW wrote a story set between the first novel, Witch and Wizard and the second book in the series, The Gift. Whit and Wisty have now come into their powers and have escaped the evil clutches of “The One Who Is the One.” They have joined a group of other teenagers who are fighting this evil dictatorship. With their magical abilities, they discover, that “The One Who is the One” is planning to conquer the Shadowland, an in-between place where ghosts live. It’s also the main means of travel between Freeland and The City—the city rebuilt in the “ideal image” of “The One Who Is the One.” I originally picked up this title eons ago, but I had a difficult time reading it. I was only successful in getting through the story after reading the manga adaptation by Yen Press, which leads me to believe it was hard to get into because I didn’t know enough about the story. Yet I’ll be the first to say that there is plenty of backstory for a reader unfamiliar with the story. Theoretically, you should not need to know the other story to understand this one. The artwork is in full color, but if you’re trying to compare the artwork of the manga to this title, you’ll only be able to find differences. The people are drawn in an interesting mix of manga and traditional superhero style, giving them an awkward, sometimes even flat, appearance. The action scenes are drawn well, adding a lot of excitement to this fast-paced story. Still, anyone picking this up will do so for the story not the artwork.
All in all, James Patterson fans (certainly the young ones) will enjoy reading both these comics, especially if they’re already Witch & Wizard fans. Filed under: Graphic Novels, Manga, Reviews
SHARE:About Esther Keller
Esther Keller is the librarian at JHS 278, Marine Park in Brooklyn, NY. There she started the library's first graphic novel collection and strongly advocated for using comics in the classroom. She also curates the Graphic Novel collection for the NYC DOE Citywide Digital Library. She started her career at the Brooklyn Public Library and later jumped ship to the school system so she could have summer vacation and a job that would align with a growing family's schedule. On the side, she is a mother of 4 and regularly reviews for SLJ and School Library Connection (formerly LMC). In her past life, she served on the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee where she solidified her love and dedication to comics.
Sometimes, I feel like my students are slow to catch onto fads. The Witch & Wizard series by James Patterson has been around for some time in novel form, but it’s only this year that the series has become hot—something everyone wants to check out. So the addition of two graphic novel series to this franchise will only excite already devoted readers. Witch & Wizard: The Manga V. 1
by James Patterson adapted by Gabrielle Charbonnet
Art by Svetlana Chmakova
Yen Publishing, September 2011, ISBN 9780316119894
256 pp. $12.99 Witch & Wizard: Battle for Shadowland
by James Patterson & Dara Naraghi
Art by Victor Santos
IDW Publishing, October 2010, ISBN 9781600107597
104pp. $17.99 This review is based on a complimentary copy supplied by the publisher. All images copyright © IDW Publishing The manga version is a straight adaptation of the novel. As I didn’t have patience to actually read the first novel, I can’t tell you how accurate the adaptation is, but this was a great intro to the series. (And hey, I might actually go back and read the books now!) I also felt immersed in the story, and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. The adaptation stood alone.
One of the strengths of the Witch and Wizard series is Patterson's ability to create a fast-paced and action-packed plot. The story is filled with suspenseful moments and unexpected twists, keeping readers engaged and eager to know what happens next. Another notable aspect of the series is Patterson's exploration of themes such as power, freedom, and the importance of individuality. The New Order's oppressive rule serves as a reflection of real-world issues, encouraging readers to question authority and stand up for their beliefs. Additionally, the characters in the Witch and Wizard series are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for readers to become invested in their journey. Whit and Wisty are portrayed as ordinary teenagers who must find the strength within themselves to face adversity and fight for what is right. Overall, James Patterson's Witch and Wizard series offers an exciting and thought-provoking adventure for young adult readers. It combines elements of fantasy, dystopia, and rebellion to create a captivating story that explores themes of power, freedom, and individuality..
Reviews for "The Timely Themes of James Patterson's Witch and Wizard"
1. John - 2 out of 5 stars: I was quite disappointed with the James Patterson Witch and Wizard stories. The concept seemed interesting, but the execution fell flat. The characters lacked depth and development, and the plot felt rushed. The story was confusing and didn't seem to flow smoothly. Overall, I found it difficult to connect with the story and found myself losing interest as I continued reading.
2. Emily - 3 out of 5 stars: I wasn't a big fan of the James Patterson Witch and Wizard stories. While the premise was intriguing, I felt that the books lacked substance and originality. The characters were cliché and predictable, and it was hard to feel invested in their journey. The writing style was also lacking, with choppy dialogue and inconsistent pacing. Overall, I found the series to be mediocre and not as enjoyable as I had hoped.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars: The James Patterson Witch and Wizard stories were a letdown for me. The plotline promised an exciting and magical adventure, but it failed to deliver. The story felt disjointed, and important details were often left unexplained. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked complexity, making it difficult for me to care about their fate. I also found the writing style to be lackluster, with repetitive phrases and excessive use of clichés. Overall, I was disappointed with this series and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 2 out of 5 stars: I personally didn't enjoy the James Patterson Witch and Wizard stories. The concept had potential, but it wasn't executed well. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, and the characters were underdeveloped. The writing style was simplistic and lacked depth, making it hard for me to become fully engrossed in the story. Overall, I found this series to be lackluster and unmemorable.
5. Laura - 3 out of 5 stars: While I didn't hate the James Patterson Witch and Wizard stories, I didn't particularly like them either. The story had some interesting ideas, but it felt rushed and underdeveloped. The characters were forgettable, and the dialogue often felt forced. The series had potential, but it fell short of my expectations. I wouldn't actively discourage others from reading it, but I also wouldn't recommend it as a must-read.