Reviewed by Kara B. (age 10)
I think that this book made me feel excited, like I was there in the story. It was so detailed and descriptive that I felt like one of the witches! Once I started it, I couldn't put the book down because there was always something interesting happening. It's either a dad who doesn't want to leave the tree a witch put him in, or a sister who's trapped falling down a never ending hole. In all of the book though, my favorite part was when Arriman had to choose which witch to be his wife. He was nervous that the masked witch he chose would have big warts or pimples on her face. I also thought that the pictures were very good because they showed exactly what was in that part of the story. So if a witch were trying to raise a kraken, it'd show a witch by the sea with waves thrashing about, and a big hurricane like object made of water. What I like about Eva Ibbotson, is that in every story she writes there is always something or someone magical or unusual. It could be an enchanted island with mermaids and maybe even a magic worm.
I'd recommend this book especially to age eight through thirteen. But it is a book that everybody would understand, and it's never boring in any parts, especially when the witches compete for Arriman. This is a really wonderfull book that everybody should read if they like a zestful adventure!