The Worst Witch is a British children's book series written and illustrated by Jill Murphy. The first book in the series, also titled The Worst Witch, was published in 1974. It tells the story of Mildred Hubble, a young witch who attends Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. Mildred is known for being the worst witch at the academy, always getting into trouble and causing mishaps with her magic. Despite her shortcomings, Mildred is kind-hearted and determined to prove herself. The series follows Mildred's adventures and misadventures as she navigates through her magical education.
“Is astounding, yes.” She fixed the man with an unwavering stare. “Goodbye.”
Still, the job offers stability, which no-nonsense Aurelie values highly, so she keeps her head down and doesn t dare to dream big until a stranger walks in and hands her a set of Seeking stones. I was just thinking that I would much more readily trust a baker to handle my gustatory experience than a she assessed the man for a moment moderately successful apothecary.
The series follows Mildred's adventures and misadventures as she navigates through her magical education. From accidentally turning her teacher into a pig to causing chaos on the broomstick flying lesson, Mildred's spells often backfire. However, she always manages to find a solution to the problems she creates.
REVIEW: Something Close to Magic by Emma Mills
Summary: A baker’s apprentice reluctantly embarks on an adventure full of magic, new friendships, and a prince in distress in this deliciously romantic young adult fantasy that’s perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Gail Carson Levine.
It’s not all sugar and spice at Basil’s Bakery, where seventeen-year-old Aurelie is an overworked, underappreciated apprentice. Still, the job offers stability, which no-nonsense Aurelie values highly, so she keeps her head down and doesn’t dare to dream big—until a stranger walks in and hands her a set of Seeking stones. In a country where Seeking was old-fashioned even before magic went out of style, it’s a rare skill, but Aurelie has it.
The stranger, who turns out to be a remarkably bothersome bounty hunter named Iliana, asks for Aurelie’s help rescuing someone from the dangerous Underwood—which sounds suspiciously like an adventure. When the someone turns out to be Prince Hapless, the charming-but-aptly-named prince, Aurelie’s careful life is upended. Suddenly, she finds herself on a quest filled with magic portals, a troll older than many trees (and a few rocks), and dangerous palace intrigue.
Even more dangerous are the feelings she’s starting to have for Hapless. The more time Aurelie spends with him, the less she can stand the thought of going back to her solitary but dependable life at the bakery. Must she choose between losing her apprenticeship—or her heart?
Read my reviews of other books by the same author:
“I’ll think of you if that day arrives.”
The smile turned brighter. “I do hope you’ll think of me before then.”
I am the biggest Emma Mills fan ever, so I have been desperately counting down the days once she finally announced a new book. And! This is a fantasy, which was an interesting departure from her contemporary books but I knew it was going to be good. With the same heart and wit of Mills’s other works, Something Close to Magic was an adorably cozy fantasy with a lovable cast of characters.
A baker’s apprentice, Aurelie is resigned to a mundane life. When Iliana walks into her shop one day looking for a seeker—someone who can do the rare act of magic of finding—Aurelie agrees to help her with her bounties. Soon enough, she finds herself dragged along for a quest to find someone, alongside Iliana and Quad, an Uncommonfolk troll. They run into Prince Hapless after he was ambushed and detour to take him back to the capital. There’s a plan afoot though, and he might be in more danger than they originally anticipated.
Much like in my reviews of this author’s other books, I don’t know how to properly express my love for this book in words. I had to reread it just to put my thoughts in order, and even then, I’m still at a loss for how to capture what I loved about this book but I’ll give it a try.
If you’ve read Lucky Caller, you’ll probably recognize these characters’ names. While I don’t remember everything about the game in that book, I believe some of the basic characterizations took inspiration from the personas the characters in Lucky Caller played as. This was just such a fun connection to Mills’s other book and made me want to reread Lucky Caller all over again.
I loved the characters in this book, as well! Aurelie can do magic, which is more-or-less unfashionable in the kingdom now; she’s trained in seeking, which is even more rare since it’s so out-of-date. She very much just wants to live her quiet life until she meets Iliana. Once the quest to help Hapless sets off, how can she return back to her apprenticeship?
Iliana, meanwhile, is very different from Aurelie, in ways that sometimes frustrates her. She’s mysterious and keeps her secrets close to her chest, yet incredibly perceptive and helpful. Quad brought even more humor to this book with her acerbic asides about mortal inventions (including age, since trolls track their age by what rocks they’re older than). I laughed so much throughout this book! And then we have Hapless, a lovably clumsy and kind-hearted prince. He’s forever characterized by his penchant for being absent-minded, but he learns to stand up for himself.
The plot was fun to follow, and this book is a pretty fast read too. I just love Emma Mills’s writing so much that I flew through this both times I read it. There’s also a letter-writing interlude by the way, and Aurelie’s and Hapless’s voices shine through these letters. Mills is such a strong character writer, and I always love seeing how she builds up characterizations.
Something Close to Magic was such a sweet, soft fantasy with a new cast of characters that I adored. I genuinely couldn’t stop smiling and laughing while reading this book, and I need everyone to read it immediately. I can’t recommend Something Close to Magic enough, especially if you like cozy, light-hearted fantasies with a lovable found family and great writing!
* This is an affiliate link. I will earn a commission if you click through and purchase from Bookshop.
About the Author: Emma Mills is the author of five YA contemporary romances, including First & Then and Foolish Hearts, and one YA fantasy, Something Close to Magic. When she is not writing, Emma can be found editing scientific manuscripts, tending to her large collection of succulents, and deep-diving into various fandoms. Emma lives in St. Louis with her dog Teddy, who is best described as a big personality in a tiny package.
The stranger, who turns out to be a remarkably bothersome bounty hunter named Iliana, asks for Aurelie’s help rescuing someone from the dangerous Underwood—which sounds suspiciously like an adventure. When the someone turns out to be Prince Hapless, the charming-but-aptly-named prince, Aurelie’s careful life is upended. Suddenly, she finds herself on a quest filled with magic portals, a troll older than many trees (and a few rocks), and dangerous palace intrigue.
One of the standout aspects of The Worst Witch series is its focus on friendship and teamwork. Mildred forms close bonds with her best friends, Maud and Enid, as they support each other through their magical mishaps. Together, they face various challenges and learn valuable lessons about loyalty, forgiveness, and acceptance. The Worst Witch books have been immensely popular among young readers for decades. The relatable protagonist, humorous situations, and themes of friendship resonate with children. The books have been adapted into a television series, movies, and even a musical, further increasing their popularity and reach. The Worst Witch is a timeless series that continues to captivate young readers. It teaches important lessons about embracing one's flaws, embracing others' differences, and never giving up, no matter how many mistakes one makes. The legacy of The Worst Witch lives on, inspiring generations of children to embrace their uniqueness and navigate their own magical journeys..
Reviews for "The Worst Witch Original Series: A Forgotten Gem?"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Worst Witch Original". I was a big fan of the books growing up, and this adaptation just didn't live up to my expectations. The acting felt forced and the plot seemed rushed. The magic elements that made the books so charming were diluted in this version, and the humor fell flat. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster adaptation of a beloved series.
2. Jason - 1/5 stars - I have to say, "The Worst Witch Original" was a complete waste of time. The acting was atrocious, and it felt like the entire cast was just going through the motions. The storyline was predictable and lacked any depth or originality. It was supposed to be a fun and magical experience, but instead, it felt dull and uninspiring. I would recommend skipping this one and instead read the books or watch a different adaptation.
3. Emma - 2/5 stars - As a fan of the original books, I was really excited to watch "The Worst Witch Original". However, I found it to be a major disappointment. The characters lacked the depth and charm that made them so endearing in the books. The special effects were lackluster and felt cheap. The pacing was all over the place, making it hard to become invested in the story. Overall, I felt let down by this adaptation and wouldn't recommend it to fellow fans of the books.
4. Mark - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Worst Witch Original", but unfortunately, it fell short. The acting was subpar, with many of the characters feeling one-dimensional and underdeveloped. The script felt clunky and forced, making it hard to connect with the story. The jokes were cheesy and felt out of place. Overall, it lacked the magic and charm of the books, making it a forgettable adaptation.