The ensemble of the Good Witch series is a diverse and talented group of actors who bring magic and charm to the screen. Led by the brilliant Catherine Bell as Cassie Nightingale, this ensemble creates a captivating and heartwarming world in Middleton. **Catherine Bell** is the heart and soul of the series, portraying the kind-hearted and enchanting Cassie with grace and poise. Her character brings a sense of wisdom and empathy to the show as the town's resident magical expert. **James Denton** plays Dr. Sam Radford, Cassie's love interest and a warm presence in Middleton.
Dark Night of the Soul: The elves catch up and overpower Emily and her team. The Amulet tries to take control while Emily is weak and Luger prepares to kill her on the spot.
Bad Guys Close In As Navin and the Resistance regain possession of the house, and as Luger separates from Trellis who had been showing signs of compassion to go after Emily alone, intent on killing her, Leon informs Emily that if she gave control to the Amulet she would become like the Elf King evil and capable of transforming into a monster. Choosing Act Two A Fox named Leon who has been warding elves off their tail since their arrival leads the team and the hospital patients into the underway railway system.
Sam Radford, Cassie's love interest and a warm presence in Middleton. Denton's portrayal of Sam brings a level of sincerity and compassion to the role, making his character a beloved addition to the ensemble. **Bailee Madison** portrays Grace Russell, Cassie's daughter, with a delightful mix of teenage rebellion and wisdom beyond her years.
Review: Amulet. Book Two: The Stonekeeper’s Curse
Emily and her brother Navin are heading to Kanalis to find a cure for their mother, in this continuation to Amulet: The Stonekeeper. Amulet. Book Two: The Stonekeeper’s Curse
Kazu Kibuishi
Publisher’s Age Recommendation 9-12
My Suggested Age Recommendation 8-14
Graphix, September 2009, 978-0439-84682-0 (hc) 978-0-439-84683-7 (pbk)
224 pp, $21.99 (hc) $10.99 (pbk) Navin and Emily are in race against time. The poison is seeping into their mom’s system and she is getting sicker and sicker. Kanalis is being overtaken by the elves and the antidote is hard to get – at the top of Demon’s Head Mountain. Emily sets out to find the antidote, but in her quest must struggle against the power of the amulet. It is begging her to submit to it and to let the amulet rule over her. Emily must use her tremendous will to maintain her power over the amulet. While Emily is searching for the antidote, Navin learns that Emily is supposed to die and he chases after her to change the course of her future.
While many of the loveable characters from volume 1 return, there are many new characters introduced in this volume. There is Leon, a brusque warrior, who is supposed to help Emily control her powers. The cursed citizens of Kanalis and some of the evil elves. Kbuishi has drawn a vivid story, but for those readers stumbling onto this series late in the game, or for those readers, like me, who read volume one ages ago, there is little to help catch readers up. It might take a while for readers to get into the story as they try to figure out what came before. Even so, it will only be a matter of time before readers are rooting for Emily and her brother. Emily remains an exceptionally strong woman. Readers can’t help rooting for her as she uses her tremendous will to harness the power of the amulet to save her mother and Alledia. There is a rich sense of adventure and intrigue in this story.
The artwork is superb. There are many fantastical creatures, and yet, readers will discern the different emotions – sadness, fear, strength – giving these characters a human-like feel. The country of Alledia and its characters come alive. Readers will eagerly line up for volume 3 to see if Emily, her brother and their new found friends will be able to save Alledia. This review is based on an advanced reading copy supplied by the publisher. All images copyright © Scholastic. Filed under: Reviews, Uncategorized
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.
Catalyst: They arrive in Kanalis. Luger, Trellis and a band of elves are nearby, ready to execute their plan and capture the children.
Madison's performance brings a youthful energy to the show, and her character's growth and development throughout the series is a joy to watch. **Catherine Disher** brings a touch of humor and quirkiness to the ensemble as Martha Tinsdale, the town's mayor. Disher's comedic timing adds a delightful layer to the show, creating moments of levity amidst the magical happenings in Middleton. **Sarah Power** plays Abigail Pershing, a complex and compelling character who starts off as one of Cassie's adversaries but ultimately becomes a trusted friend. Power's portrayal of Abigail showcases her talent for portraying complex emotions and character growth. **Peter MacNeill** appears as George O'Hanrahan, Middleton's police chief, with a gruff exterior hiding a heart of gold. MacNeill's portrayal of George is endearing and his character's relationship with Cassie adds depth and warmth to the series. **Kylee Evans** portrays Stephanie Borden, Cassie's best friend and owner of the local bistro. Evans brings a down-to-earth charm to the role, and her character's unwavering loyalty to Cassie is a testament to their enduring friendship. **Marc Bendavid** joins the ensemble as Donovan Davenport, a new addition to Middleton who quickly becomes a love interest for Abigail. Bendavid's portrayal of Donovan brings a fresh energy to the show and adds an intriguing dynamic to the ensemble. Together, this ensemble of talented actors creates a world filled with magic, romance, and heartfelt connections in the Good Witch series. Their performances are a testament to their skill and dedication, capturing the hearts of viewers and making Middleton a place we all want to visit..
Reviews for "Magic in Action: The Incredible Ensemble Performances in the Good Witch Series"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Ensemble of the Good Witch Series" to be quite underwhelming. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult for me to connect with them. The storylines were predictable and lacked originality. Additionally, the show relied heavily on clichés and supernatural elements, which became tiresome as the series progressed. Overall, I was disappointed with the lack of substance and creativity in this series.
2. Emily - 1 star - "Ensemble of the Good Witch Series" was incredibly disappointing. The plot was slow-moving and failed to capture my interest. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked complexity, which made it difficult for me to invest in their stories. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, detracting from the overall viewing experience. I would not recommend this series to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging watch.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Ensemble of the Good Witch Series," but it ultimately fell short of my expectations. The pacing was uneven, with certain episodes feeling unnecessarily dragged out while others were rushed. The storyline was predictable and failed to surprise me, which made the viewing experience quite monotonous. Additionally, the acting felt stiff and wooden at times, making it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the show. Unfortunately, this series did not live up to the hype for me.
4. Michael - 3 stars - "Ensemble of the Good Witch Series" had its moments, but it overall failed to captivate me. The concept was interesting, but the execution was lacking. The writing felt inconsistent, with some episodes delivering strong character development and meaningful storylines, while others fell flat. The show had potential, but it failed to live up to it. I would recommend it for those who enjoy light-hearted and easy-to-watch series, but for someone looking for a more thought-provoking and engaging show, this may not be the best choice.