From School Library JournalGrade 59Wisty and Whit Allgood have magical powers, but they don't know it. At least they don't know until they are arrested by the guards of the New Order, which has just come to power. Their parents have always been into herbs and plants and predictions; they don't send their kids to typical schools, and when the teens are allowed to take only one item each to jail with them, they send a drumstick and a book with no words that are visible to the naked eye. The kids start to get an inkling of what they can do when Wisty bursts into flames when she gets angry, and before long she is turning people into creatures and conjuring tornadoes, and lightning bolts shoot from her hands. The bulk of the book takes place when Whit and Wisty are locked up in a reformatory where they are bullied by the guards. The chapters are only one to three pages in length and alternate between the two main characters' points of view. The action doesn't really pick up until the last third of the book, when the siblings make their escape. Readers expecting something akin to Patterson's "Maximum Ride" series (Little, Brown) are bound to be disappointed, but the groundwork is set for subsequent volumes that might make wading through the first one worthwhile.Jake Pettit, Thompson Valley High School, Loveland, CO Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.From BooklistAlthough marketing muscle might make this book a hit, its hard to believe too many readers will be satisfied with the confusing blend of sorcery and political dystopia. Fifteen-year-old Wisty and her 18-year-old brother Whit are awoken one night by troops from the newly elected N.O. (New Order) regime. The siblings are chained, tossed into a prison, and accused of being a witch and wizarda charge that seems preposterous until Wisty envelops her body in flames and is no worse for wear. With the help of Whits dead girlfriend (who exists in a limbo known as the Shadowland), the teens escape to a bombed-out department store where a teen resistance movement fights the dastardly N.O. Wisty and Whit are standard-issue teen smart alecks, the baddies are stock villains who use phrases like dangerous fiends, and the meandering plot seems to make up the rules as it goes along. Its got an enticing prologue, though, and Pattersons trademark bite-size chapters at least keep things zippy. Grades 6-9. --Daniel Kraus RAVES FOR THE PAGETURNERS!"Fights and flights are non-stop in Maximum Ride. The writing is visual and cinematic--things that kids expect from their video games, TV cartoon shows and action movies." USA Today"Patterson is not just for adults anymore. With the Maximum Ride series he has created edgy, taut thrillers that teens won't be able to put down. The characters are easy to identify with and I can't wait to see what happens to Max and her family next!"Cathy, Bookseller, Blue Willow Bookshop what is the number one selling book Witch Wizard
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. What a great bookBy musicmommaI have not read many James Patterson's books but this one was very very good. I read it in about 2 days. The story keeps you interested and you do not want to put the book down.The book is about a brother and sister who know and do magic.I bought this book on a whim because I say the 4th one is due to come out in February. So I thouht, I might as well get the first one and see what it is like.The book is easy to follow and keeps your interest. It some times back tracks to explain something but not very often. I am not an YA but do like reading some of the books that are targeted to that age group.So now off to the second book. Happy reading everyone.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The good thing is that Patterson writes in short little chapters ...By PhysiuxThe good thing is that Patterson writes in short little chapters which makes the reading very quick. The story is told in the first person alternately in chapters by Wisty and Whit, sister and brother, witch and wizard. This should appeal to both male and female YA readers, as will the idea of kids living on their own in a big department store and doing a better job of running things than the grownups.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wow, lots of excitement!!By Valley GirlI enjoyed this series very much. It's fast paced, exciting and adventurous, I highly recommend for children to encourage the love of reading! I highly recommend for anyone who just loves to read!!