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Magic in Manhattan #4
Parties & Potions
Perfect hair, cute clothes, healthy tans—life’s a breeze when you’re a witch! Even special witchcraft classes Rachel agrees to attend with Miri turn out to be fun. The sisters meet other teen witches just like them—who knew? Everyone’s preparing for a magical party called a Samsorta—a debutante ball for witches. And it wouldn’t be a ball without warlocks. Cute ones. Like Adam, who wants to slow dance with Rachel, and ski with her in the Rockies—on a school night! Of course, Rachel is madly in love with her boyfriend, Raf. So why can’t she bring herself to tell Adam—funny, charming Adam—that Raf exists?
Rachel knows Raf likes her. Maybe even, gulp, loves her. But Raf doesn’t know her secret. Unlike Adam, Raf doesn’t know who she really is. And she can never tell him. Or can she?
Rachel knows Raf likes her. Maybe even, gulp, loves her. But Raf doesn’t know her secret. Unlike Adam, Raf doesn’t know who she really is. And she can never tell him. Or can she?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Sarah Mlynowski
137 books3,277 followersSarah was born in Montreal, Canada. After graduating with an honors degree in English literature from McGill University, she moved to Toronto to work for Harlequin Enterprises. While she never met Fabio, she used her romance publishing experiences to fuel her first novel Milkrun.
Since then, Sarah has written four additional novels for adults: Fishbowl, As Seen on TV, Monkey Business, and Me vs. Me; the New York Times bestselling middle grade series Whatever After; the middle grade series Upside-Down Magic (with Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins); and the teen novels Bras & Broomsticks, Frogs & French Kisses, Spells & Sleeping Bags, and Parties & Potions (all in the Magic in Manhattan series), as well as Gimme a Call, Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have), Don't Even Think About It, Think Twice, and I See London, I See France. Along with Lauren Myracle and E. Lockhart, Sarah also wrote How to Be Bad, and along with Farrin Jacobs, she wrote See Jane Write, a guide to writing. Sarah also co-edited two bestselling charity collections (Girls' Night In and Girls' Night Out), and has contributed to various anthologies (American Girls About Town, Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday, 21 Proms, First Kiss (Then Tell), Fireworks, and Vacations from Hell).
Sarah is also a co-founder of OMG BookFest, a celebration of books aimed at the early to middle grade reader (ages 7-12) that brings together commercial and award-winning authors with underserved local communities for an exciting experience of books, games and activities.
Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-nine languages and optioned to Hollywood. She now lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
Since then, Sarah has written four additional novels for adults: Fishbowl, As Seen on TV, Monkey Business, and Me vs. Me; the New York Times bestselling middle grade series Whatever After; the middle grade series Upside-Down Magic (with Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins); and the teen novels Bras & Broomsticks, Frogs & French Kisses, Spells & Sleeping Bags, and Parties & Potions (all in the Magic in Manhattan series), as well as Gimme a Call, Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have), Don't Even Think About It, Think Twice, and I See London, I See France. Along with Lauren Myracle and E. Lockhart, Sarah also wrote How to Be Bad, and along with Farrin Jacobs, she wrote See Jane Write, a guide to writing. Sarah also co-edited two bestselling charity collections (Girls' Night In and Girls' Night Out), and has contributed to various anthologies (American Girls About Town, Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday, 21 Proms, First Kiss (Then Tell), Fireworks, and Vacations from Hell).
Sarah is also a co-founder of OMG BookFest, a celebration of books aimed at the early to middle grade reader (ages 7-12) that brings together commercial and award-winning authors with underserved local communities for an exciting experience of books, games and activities.
Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-nine languages and optioned to Hollywood. She now lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
May 28, 2018
It's so hard rating a middle school book you didn't think it would be a middle school book.
And yes, the previous sequels I read in the 7th grade, absolutely loved them, and somehow went though all the following years convinced this was a funny, mature read.
Good job, me.
So what do I think now?
Guess I'm glad I finally finished the series, just that I wish I did it sooner.
Like 10 years sooner.
This way, even though I thought it was a nice story, I didn't enjoy it, but rating it higher simply because "it's me (and my age), not you Sarah Mlynowski".
And yes, the previous sequels I read in the 7th grade, absolutely loved them, and somehow went though all the following years convinced this was a funny, mature read.
Good job, me.
So what do I think now?
Guess I'm glad I finally finished the series, just that I wish I did it sooner.
Like 10 years sooner.
This way, even though I thought it was a nice story, I didn't enjoy it, but rating it higher simply because "it's me (and my age), not you Sarah Mlynowski".
December 1, 2018
We’ve made it! Together—you, avid review-reader (pfff), and I—finally, to the book that started us on this journey.
To Recap Said “Journey”: (since I doubt anyone has actually been on the edge of their seat and keeping up with my reviews for this series)
Quite the riveting tale, as I’m sure you agree.
So far these books have been on a steady decline: First book got 5 stars, second got 4, and then the third book got 3 stars. What about this infamous fourth book? I actually have no idea as of writing this. It is currently set to 5 stars in accordance to the first times I read this when I was 2 years old and had no standards, but damn if I know what—or if I even want—to change it to. I kind of accidently read the first half in one go, took a four month break, and then read the second half in another go, so I’m feeling really lost here with regards to the first half of this book. (I’m a mood reader to the nth degree, which means I pull this kind of “four month break” shit, sigh. Also why I’m currently in the middle of 33 series; Yes, you read that right: THIRTY THREE SERIES.)
I’m pretty sure I had a decently good time reading this final book, all that said. The events of the book were fun to read about, and lots of new yet enjoyable characters were introduced. I’m pretty sure Miri wasn’t annoying anymore, and let go of her redundant “saving the world” antics, and their Mom became a rational human being again. Rachel was… Well I wouldn’t use the word “smart” to describe her like I did in my review of the first book, but I can at least say that I don’t think she was a complete throthing idiot. Emphasis on complete, as she was still a throthing idiot, and made ME BAWL MY EYES OUT because of one of the decisions she made near the end of the book. However the reason behind it is a major spoiler soooooo…
If you can’t read the spoiler then you can also get a glimpse of how distraught I was if you look at my Reading Notes below this review. I enjoy reading books that elicit an emotional response from me, which is why I enjoy reading horror, comedy, and enjoy it when books manage to make me cry, so to Rachel's ineptitude I say this: No harm, no foul. For a series to have built something up so much that it made me feel so intensely and to such an extreme degree can be nothing but commendable. I must express how surprised I am that this otherwise seemingly random tween book managed to create a stronger emotional bond between be and these characters than any other book I’ve ever read before. Wow.
In regards to the ending: I loved it. It was super cheesy and obvious and a little rushed, but gosh darn it if it wasn't exactly what I needed after having been so thoroughly decimated not more than 50 pages earlier.
Reading/listening to this series was an overall immensely fun and enjoyable experience for me—even now, as a young adult. Hm. Five stars, then? Five stars.
Please consider giving this review a "Like" if you've made it this far, it helps me out a lot! And follow me if you want more!
To Recap Said “Journey”: (since I doubt anyone has actually been on the edge of their seat and keeping up with my reviews for this series)
When I was in grade five or six, someone gifted me Parties and Potions for my birthday. Why they randomly gave me the fourth and final book in a series that I had never read before? We’ll never know. But, I was just a little one back then, and damn if I cared about that whatsoever. I remember rereading this book many times (as I oft used to do with all my books back then… Those were the days) and very much enjoying myself whilst doing so. Yet I was never prompted to read the first three books in this series, I think because I didn’t see the point in doing so since I already knew the ending (also because their titles contained icky words such as “Bras”, and… “French Kisses”—*10 year old me is heard retching in the distance*). Fast forward quite a few years, and not only did I no longer remember much about this series, but I also happed across my copy of this book whilst cleaning out my bookshelves. And now, here we are again.
I’m definitely older—but as to whether or not I’m wiser still begs the question.
Quite the riveting tale, as I’m sure you agree.
So far these books have been on a steady decline: First book got 5 stars, second got 4, and then the third book got 3 stars. What about this infamous fourth book? I actually have no idea as of writing this. It is currently set to 5 stars in accordance to the first times I read this when I was 2 years old and had no standards, but damn if I know what—or if I even want—to change it to. I kind of accidently read the first half in one go, took a four month break, and then read the second half in another go, so I’m feeling really lost here with regards to the first half of this book. (I’m a mood reader to the nth degree, which means I pull this kind of “four month break” shit, sigh. Also why I’m currently in the middle of 33 series; Yes, you read that right: THIRTY THREE SERIES.)
I’m pretty sure I had a decently good time reading this final book, all that said. The events of the book were fun to read about, and lots of new yet enjoyable characters were introduced. I’m pretty sure Miri wasn’t annoying anymore, and let go of her redundant “saving the world” antics, and their Mom became a rational human being again. Rachel was… Well I wouldn’t use the word “smart” to describe her like I did in my review of the first book, but I can at least say that I don’t think she was a complete throthing idiot. Emphasis on complete, as she was still a throthing idiot, and made ME BAWL MY EYES OUT because of one of the decisions she made near the end of the book. However the reason behind it is a major spoiler soooooo…
If you can’t read the spoiler then you can also get a glimpse of how distraught I was if you look at my Reading Notes below this review. I enjoy reading books that elicit an emotional response from me, which is why I enjoy reading horror, comedy, and enjoy it when books manage to make me cry, so to Rachel's ineptitude I say this: No harm, no foul. For a series to have built something up so much that it made me feel so intensely and to such an extreme degree can be nothing but commendable. I must express how surprised I am that this otherwise seemingly random tween book managed to create a stronger emotional bond between be and these characters than any other book I’ve ever read before. Wow.
In regards to the ending: I loved it. It was super cheesy and obvious and a little rushed, but gosh darn it if it wasn't exactly what I needed after having been so thoroughly decimated not more than 50 pages earlier.
Reading/listening to this series was an overall immensely fun and enjoyable experience for me—even now, as a young adult. Hm. Five stars, then? Five stars.
Please consider giving this review a "Like" if you've made it this far, it helps me out a lot! And follow me if you want more!
Click to read my other Magic in Manhattan reviews:
Book 1 | Book 2 | Book 3 | Book 4*
*Current review
December 1, 2020
I will say this again and again, this book was a surprise. After the clean romance in the last 3 books were a bit more pushy from what I remember, this one was perfectly clean.
Warning: Possible spoilers ahead.
I LOVED the characters in this book. It was so easy to connect with them and to put myself in their place. And Marie! (I think that is spelled right, whoops) Oh my gosh, she is getting so adult-like in this book, I am stuck with her being younger in my mind so I am kind of biased but even I noticed it.
And you know what. WHO CARES if I go and get stuck in China or some other country right now. I want to travel so badly. But I understand why she kind of freaked out a bit.
Why do witch (warlock, which they incorrectly put witch on the synopsis so who cares) boys have to be so cute? Ugh I swear... she is so lucky.
Anyways, super short review, sorry everyone!
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 4-5/10 (Check my profile for how I rate)
I hope you enjoyed my review! Follow me for more reviews (hopefully better) than this one! Happy Reading! -Ruby Rose (p.s. if you need any recommendations I would love to give you some. I also love recommendations so feel free to send me some of your favorite books!)
Warning: Possible spoilers ahead.
I LOVED the characters in this book. It was so easy to connect with them and to put myself in their place. And Marie! (I think that is spelled right, whoops) Oh my gosh, she is getting so adult-like in this book, I am stuck with her being younger in my mind so I am kind of biased but even I noticed it.
And you know what. WHO CARES if I go and get stuck in China or some other country right now. I want to travel so badly. But I understand why she kind of freaked out a bit.
Why do witch (warlock, which they incorrectly put witch on the synopsis so who cares) boys have to be so cute? Ugh I swear... she is so lucky.
Anyways, super short review, sorry everyone!
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 4-5/10 (Check my profile for how I rate)
I hope you enjoyed my review! Follow me for more reviews (hopefully better) than this one! Happy Reading! -Ruby Rose (p.s. if you need any recommendations I would love to give you some. I also love recommendations so feel free to send me some of your favorite books!)
January 18, 2020
A good ending to this series though definitely not my favourite of the four books.
November 18, 2012
Reviewed by Tasha for TeensReadToo.com
Rachel's ready to start off her sophomore year of high school with a bang! Now that she's gotten her powers, and learned to semi-control them, there's nothing holding her back from having the best year ever. Except there is one little hindrance - she has to keep her witch life and her "normal" life separated, and the task is proving to be a lot harder then she thought.
First there is her Samsorta, which is pretty much a debutante ball for witches. Miri (her sister) and she have to take classes and learn that there are tons more teen witches out there. Rachel soon meets up with Adam, who is cute, funny, and a witch, but there's also Raf - adorable, sweet, and he doesn't know Rachel's secret.
Then there is Wendalin - Miri's new witch friend who just started high school and doesn't understand why she can't let everyone know that she's a witch. Rachel kind of takes her under her wing and tries to change her into a more "normal" teenager.
And finally she has to deal with the fact that her dad still doesn't know that she and Miri are witches, and she's terrified to tell him.
Even though she's a witch and it takes nothing to hop on over to Paris or to change the color of her shirt, Rachel still has many issues that can't be solved with the snap of her fingers.
This whole series is seriously cute! The books always pick up right where the last left off with nothing missing. That said, though, the story can definitely hold its own, and it would be just as enjoyable to read if no other book in the series had been read. Rachel kind of retells her past adventures throughout the story in a way that sparks your memory if it has been a while since you read the previous books, or will catch you up if you haven't read any of the others.
One of the best parts of the book for me was the creativity of the plot. In all the types of realistic fantasy books I've read, I've never come across anything with a plot even remotely similar to this series. I feel that in PARTIES & POTIONS, Sarah Mlynowski's creativity is exemplified more then it ever has been before. Having a witch debutante ball and popping to Arizona to attend Samsorta classes at a witch community center! I felt like the book was something out of my wildest dreams! It was truly a blast to read this book.
The characters were fairly well-developed. There were some times when I got frustrated because Rachel would act the same way in a multitude of different situations. When this happened the book dragged a little, but then it quickly picked up again and was great. I also enjoyed the author's writing style. She made it really easy to see through Rachel's eyes and I felt like I was walking down the hallway with her or zapping off to Paris and standing on top of the Eiffel tower.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and think it was a great addition to a fun series. It's a great story for all, that provides a great adventure and some fun magic. I absolutely can't wait for more from Sarah Mlynowski, and urge you all to pick up this book, or at least one of the books in the series!
Rachel's ready to start off her sophomore year of high school with a bang! Now that she's gotten her powers, and learned to semi-control them, there's nothing holding her back from having the best year ever. Except there is one little hindrance - she has to keep her witch life and her "normal" life separated, and the task is proving to be a lot harder then she thought.
First there is her Samsorta, which is pretty much a debutante ball for witches. Miri (her sister) and she have to take classes and learn that there are tons more teen witches out there. Rachel soon meets up with Adam, who is cute, funny, and a witch, but there's also Raf - adorable, sweet, and he doesn't know Rachel's secret.
Then there is Wendalin - Miri's new witch friend who just started high school and doesn't understand why she can't let everyone know that she's a witch. Rachel kind of takes her under her wing and tries to change her into a more "normal" teenager.
And finally she has to deal with the fact that her dad still doesn't know that she and Miri are witches, and she's terrified to tell him.
Even though she's a witch and it takes nothing to hop on over to Paris or to change the color of her shirt, Rachel still has many issues that can't be solved with the snap of her fingers.
This whole series is seriously cute! The books always pick up right where the last left off with nothing missing. That said, though, the story can definitely hold its own, and it would be just as enjoyable to read if no other book in the series had been read. Rachel kind of retells her past adventures throughout the story in a way that sparks your memory if it has been a while since you read the previous books, or will catch you up if you haven't read any of the others.
One of the best parts of the book for me was the creativity of the plot. In all the types of realistic fantasy books I've read, I've never come across anything with a plot even remotely similar to this series. I feel that in PARTIES & POTIONS, Sarah Mlynowski's creativity is exemplified more then it ever has been before. Having a witch debutante ball and popping to Arizona to attend Samsorta classes at a witch community center! I felt like the book was something out of my wildest dreams! It was truly a blast to read this book.
The characters were fairly well-developed. There were some times when I got frustrated because Rachel would act the same way in a multitude of different situations. When this happened the book dragged a little, but then it quickly picked up again and was great. I also enjoyed the author's writing style. She made it really easy to see through Rachel's eyes and I felt like I was walking down the hallway with her or zapping off to Paris and standing on top of the Eiffel tower.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and think it was a great addition to a fun series. It's a great story for all, that provides a great adventure and some fun magic. I absolutely can't wait for more from Sarah Mlynowski, and urge you all to pick up this book, or at least one of the books in the series!
August 29, 2014
I started the series last year and read the last book over the summer, and I have to say it was actually really nice. I'm not a very big fan of super girly books, or like witch craft and stuff, but Sarah Mlynowski really knew how to connect with teenage girls in this series. Everything she mentioned in the book was something that an average, everyday teenage girl would experience in her life. From high school crushes, to where to sit at lunch, to what to wear everyday, Mlynowski basically covered everything a high school girl would experience. I really felt that I could connect to this book. It's filled with comedy and romance and some magic. So BASICALLY, it's a MAGICAL ROMCOM. A normal girl would be able to connect to this book easily. Every girl has a crush on some cute boy sometime in their life, has problems with parents (whether the parents are divorced or not), has a hard time fitting in or finding the right "clique" at school, or has some type of big secret. I personally thought that this was a great book. Sarah Mlynowski has definitely made it to my list of "great authors."
January 5, 2009
I loooooooved this book so much!!!!!!!! Best series ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 24, 2011
Parties and Potions is about a girl called Rachel that has a sister called Miri, they grew up not knowing they are witches. Rachel attend school like a normal girl and she goes to a school that normal girls go. She don't know anything about the witch world and she don't plan to tell anyone that she is a witch. Wendaline, Miri's online friend is a total witcholic. She knows a lot about being a witch, she tells the people in the same shes in (same school as Rachel) that she is a witch. Rachel got scared that she might be revealed also, so she stayed away from Wendaline. Miri, on the other hand is into witch stuff. She is making Rachel join all kind of stuff that connects to witchs. Forex. the charm school is a school for witchs. Rachel really do not like the idea of being so witcholic with her sister. Especially when her boyfriend, Raf doesn't know that she is a witch.
I would recommand this book because this book is really fun to read and its a good book to get you entertained. This book contains a lot of witch stuff, because this is a witch book. This book is like a mix of the normal life and the witch life of Rachel, and it is a total worth of time to try this book out.
I would recommand this book because this book is really fun to read and its a good book to get you entertained. This book contains a lot of witch stuff, because this is a witch book. This book is like a mix of the normal life and the witch life of Rachel, and it is a total worth of time to try this book out.
March 28, 2009
Those superficial and total teen oblivion/self obsessed moments really bugged me. You kind of have to hate the protagonist when she's being such a pain in the ass. Well, Rachel has her moments, but I feel like she hasn't changed at all. Her progress is lacking, but she's only aged one year; I can't expect too much.
February 7, 2009
Now that Rachel has powers the story isn't as interesting. Miri is just whiny instead of being the little sis being manipulated by the big sis. Hope the next is better.
January 18, 2022
REVIEW: Parties & Potions (Magic in Manhattan, #4), Sarah Mlynowski
RATING: 3/5 stars
I don't have too much to say about this novel outside of the fact that it makes a sweet and perfect conclusion to the series! The writing style is definitely still off-putting and quite colloquial for the mid 2000's era, but I truly believe that this concluding book has literary improvement and a big jump in Rachel's maturity. She's obviously not a shining star of a protagonist here, but particularly with the ending and Wendaline's reversion, we see a new side of our leading heroine that expresses a lot of growth. If I were Raf, I definitely would not want to be dating Rachel after multiple breakups and blowoffs, but this is teen witch drama I suppose & I can't argue with that.
The most powerful part of the book for me was definitely when the girls told their dad that they were witches and his side of the family acted quite poorly to the affair. Obviously it was sad to read, but I've been there for nonwitchy circumstances and it stings. I like how Mlynowski didn't hold back in portraying a range of reactions to Rachel and Miri's secret; it made the setting and dynamics a lot more real, especially as some people adapted and some did not.
I wish me and my besties could zap ourselves to Romania for a fun coming-of-age ceremony. Do they have things for nonbinary witches? Sxmsortas? That'd be sweet. Sarah Mlynowski, I want answers.
RATING: 3/5 stars
I don't have too much to say about this novel outside of the fact that it makes a sweet and perfect conclusion to the series! The writing style is definitely still off-putting and quite colloquial for the mid 2000's era, but I truly believe that this concluding book has literary improvement and a big jump in Rachel's maturity. She's obviously not a shining star of a protagonist here, but particularly with the ending and Wendaline's reversion, we see a new side of our leading heroine that expresses a lot of growth. If I were Raf, I definitely would not want to be dating Rachel after multiple breakups and blowoffs, but this is teen witch drama I suppose & I can't argue with that.
The most powerful part of the book for me was definitely when the girls told their dad that they were witches and his side of the family acted quite poorly to the affair. Obviously it was sad to read, but I've been there for nonwitchy circumstances and it stings. I like how Mlynowski didn't hold back in portraying a range of reactions to Rachel and Miri's secret; it made the setting and dynamics a lot more real, especially as some people adapted and some did not.
I wish me and my besties could zap ourselves to Romania for a fun coming-of-age ceremony. Do they have things for nonbinary witches? Sxmsortas? That'd be sweet. Sarah Mlynowski, I want answers.
August 6, 2018
cute series
July 18, 2023
Chef d'oeuvre.
August 26, 2012
Alright, well, this series has finally jumped the shark for me. While I loved the first 3 books, this 4th one is just... meh. Many of the aspects that were so enjoyable to me in the beginning of the series weren't present in this final volume. Like the humor. I didn't giggle once while reading this book! Mlynowsky was a little too heavy-handed on the message (love yourself for who you are, don't change to fit in, you're special just like everybody else... blah blah blah...) and far too light on lightheartedness. Which made this book moot in my view. The whole point of me even reading and liking this series was because it didn't take itself seriously at all. There are gaping plot holes all over the place throughout all 4 books, the protagonist is a shallow drama queen, the whole witchcraft concept is done in a kinda silly way, but it was fun to read because there was no serious message. Fluff is fun! But this 4th installment fell very very very flat in entertainment value. It borrowed too much from other witch/wizard stories (that are better written, better developed and just... BETTER!), it presented a very confused and convoluted story line which didn't go with the other 3 books and it made me not care about the world Mlynowski spent 3 other books developing because I didn't like where it went. The general concept of the witching/wizarding community fitting into modern culture is an interesting one and COULD have been done well, but Mlynowski didn't achieve that with this book. I recommend that readers who enjoy this series stop at book 3 because it rounds out the story just fine and the 4th book isn't even necessary.
February 25, 2009
I hope this is not the last book in this series because I really loved reading these stories. And especially now that everyone in Rachel's life knows about her being a witch and are okay with it, the books are just getting good. I loved the concept of Rachel and Miri having to go to "witch chool." It reminded me of those first years Harry went to Hogwarts. Since he knew nothing about the magical world everything was new and special to him and us as the readers. It was the same for Rachel and Miri and a lot fo fun for them to explore this new world. Based on their experiences I would love to be a witch. Being able to po over to Hawaii to surf and Paris for a party on the top of the Effiel Tower, how cool!
I really enjoy the character of Rachel and have loved seeing her grow into a responsible young woman throughout these books. Even her breaking up with Raf because it would probably be best for him was very mature. The wrong choice, but mature. Of course he understood when she finally told him, just like I knew he would. They are soul mates after all, just with their own brand of magic. :)
Can't wait for more!
I really enjoy the character of Rachel and have loved seeing her grow into a responsible young woman throughout these books. Even her breaking up with Raf because it would probably be best for him was very mature. The wrong choice, but mature. Of course he understood when she finally told him, just like I knew he would. They are soul mates after all, just with their own brand of magic. :)
Can't wait for more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2010
These books are so fun and light - a new take on modern day witches. This is much more realistic and shows the issues of being a witch among non witches. A lovely end? to the series- though it is left open for more. I love how the characters have grown and evolved. A great just before summer read.
April 26, 2020
This might be my favourite of the series, though I found that Miri was still annoying (but not as annoyingly so) and rather self-centered, despite the fact that everyone claimed she wasn't, but that Rachel was. What I really appreciated with this one, was that all of Rachel's decisions (smart or otherwise) made sense. They were all in character, and she had a motive for each of them. One of my favourite parts actually involved their father, and how that decision led to the following ones.
This book had a lot of character development for Rachel, and though she'd developed so much more than Miri ever did in the previous books, she still managed to grow so much more in this one. I really liked that Rachel at no point felt like a completely developed character. There was always something else for her to learn, and since Rachel is only 15 years old in this one, I really appreciated that even at the end, she didn't feel fully developed. She has so much growing up to do, so I liked that she acted her age. I've read so many YA books with characters that are older than Rachel. It was almost strange to start this series with a main character as young as Rachel was. (Also, the way they talked about their cell phones, I had to check the release date of the book, since it was old technology.)
This book had a lot of character development for Rachel, and though she'd developed so much more than Miri ever did in the previous books, she still managed to grow so much more in this one. I really liked that Rachel at no point felt like a completely developed character. There was always something else for her to learn, and since Rachel is only 15 years old in this one, I really appreciated that even at the end, she didn't feel fully developed. She has so much growing up to do, so I liked that she acted her age. I've read so many YA books with characters that are older than Rachel. It was almost strange to start this series with a main character as young as Rachel was. (Also, the way they talked about their cell phones, I had to check the release date of the book, since it was old technology.)
May 5, 2019
Pařby a lektvary, kniha o teenagerke - čarodejníčke, ktorá sa musí potýkať nielen s jej nie tak dávno objavenými čarodejníckymi schopnosťami, ale aj s problémami obyčajných smrteľníkov ako sú chlapci a škola.
Knihu som dostala na Vianoce a vtedy som vôbec nevedela o čom je. Bolo to už 4. pokračovanie danej série, čo ma trochu od jej prečítania odrádzalo. Nečakala som od toho nič svetoborné, ale kniha nakoniec prekvapila. Neurobila síce veľkú dieru do sveta, bolo tam dosť klišé momentov, ale autorkin štýl písania ma zaujal.
Názov a obálka
Názov zodpovedá takmer presne obsahu knihy, takže mu nemám čo vytknúť. Obálke musím dať plusové body za jej žltú farbu, ktorú úplne zbožňujem. Ale tie ilustrácie na knihe sa mi vôbec nepáčia. Prídu mi veľmi jednoduché, neprepracované a také detské.
3,5*/5*
Anotácia
Anotácia sedí ku knihe, aj keď podľa môjho názoru, je až príliš podrobná.
4*/5*
Dej
Ako som už spomínala, dej bol plný klišé, ale pri autorkinom štýle písania, mi to nejako neprekážalo. Príbeh obsahoval plno vtipných , úsmevných momentov ale aj nejakú tú romantiku a štipku akcie. Bol to zlatý, príjemný príbeh, ale nevyvolal žiadny wau efekt.
4*/5*
Postavy
Skoro všetky postavy som si hneď obľúbila, nerobilo mi to žiadny problém. Občas som mala síce problém s hlavnou hrdinkou Rachel, v niektorých situáciach by prišla ako strašná "drama queen". Ale najradšej som aj tak mala Miri, do ktorej som sa asi najviac vedela vžiť a Coreyho, a to nielen kvôli mojej obľube ryšavých vlasoch xd
5*/5*
Celkovo ju hodnotím pozitívne, ako príjemnú oddychovku. Veľmi neprekvapila, nevyvolala wau efekt, ale som to od nej ani nečakala. Príjemné, oddychové čítanie
Knihu som dostala na Vianoce a vtedy som vôbec nevedela o čom je. Bolo to už 4. pokračovanie danej série, čo ma trochu od jej prečítania odrádzalo. Nečakala som od toho nič svetoborné, ale kniha nakoniec prekvapila. Neurobila síce veľkú dieru do sveta, bolo tam dosť klišé momentov, ale autorkin štýl písania ma zaujal.
Názov a obálka
Názov zodpovedá takmer presne obsahu knihy, takže mu nemám čo vytknúť. Obálke musím dať plusové body za jej žltú farbu, ktorú úplne zbožňujem. Ale tie ilustrácie na knihe sa mi vôbec nepáčia. Prídu mi veľmi jednoduché, neprepracované a také detské.
3,5*/5*
Anotácia
Anotácia sedí ku knihe, aj keď podľa môjho názoru, je až príliš podrobná.
4*/5*
Dej
Ako som už spomínala, dej bol plný klišé, ale pri autorkinom štýle písania, mi to nejako neprekážalo. Príbeh obsahoval plno vtipných , úsmevných momentov ale aj nejakú tú romantiku a štipku akcie. Bol to zlatý, príjemný príbeh, ale nevyvolal žiadny wau efekt.
4*/5*
Postavy
Skoro všetky postavy som si hneď obľúbila, nerobilo mi to žiadny problém. Občas som mala síce problém s hlavnou hrdinkou Rachel, v niektorých situáciach by prišla ako strašná "drama queen". Ale najradšej som aj tak mala Miri, do ktorej som sa asi najviac vedela vžiť a Coreyho, a to nielen kvôli mojej obľube ryšavých vlasoch xd
5*/5*
Celkovo ju hodnotím pozitívne, ako príjemnú oddychovku. Veľmi neprekvapila, nevyvolala wau efekt, ale som to od nej ani nečakala. Príjemné, oddychové čítanie
April 18, 2019
Rachel is all set to start her sophomore year in JKF. With her magical powers, an amazing family, an awesome boyfriend and an 'always there for you' best friend, her life is going great.
Except Miri comes up with a very crazy idea.
Miri somehow manages to sign in an website called Mywitchbook where she meets different witches and wizards online.
More secrets? Obviously.
Apparently, their mom hid the fact that she attended a samsorta (an event where all the witches, wizards and warlocks meet and greet).
The worse part?
Their mom didn't tell them, they knew about it by another witch whom they met on the online website.
Then Miri gets all excited about samsorta and persuades Rachel to join her.
There, Rachel meets another boy, who's a complete flirt.
Rachel, on the other hand, likes him as a friend.
Things start to go really wild but I suppose I shouldn't tell you the rest of it.
It won't be interesting.
It's really sad that this series ended. It really makes you laugh out loud and things are so relatable (except magic, right?)
Except Miri comes up with a very crazy idea.
Miri somehow manages to sign in an website called Mywitchbook where she meets different witches and wizards online.
More secrets? Obviously.
Apparently, their mom hid the fact that she attended a samsorta (an event where all the witches, wizards and warlocks meet and greet).
The worse part?
Their mom didn't tell them, they knew about it by another witch whom they met on the online website.
Then Miri gets all excited about samsorta and persuades Rachel to join her.
There, Rachel meets another boy, who's a complete flirt.
Rachel, on the other hand, likes him as a friend.
Things start to go really wild but I suppose I shouldn't tell you the rest of it.
It won't be interesting.
It's really sad that this series ended. It really makes you laugh out loud and things are so relatable (except magic, right?)
April 30, 2023
I was happy to discover that Book 3 was not the last book in the series, for there is more to tell about Rachel and Miri! Now the two sisters are discovering a wider community of witches and warlocks and Rachel is struggling to figure out how to divide her time between her ordinary life with her school friends, her dad and stepmother, and the magic life she shares with her sister, her mom and their new magical friends. Rachel is now considering whether she wants to keep her ordinary boyfriend or be with someone magical like her. All the pros and cons of "coming out" as a witch are mentioned and weighed, her class is reading The Crucible, one classmate is mocked for openly identifying as a witch, Rachel doesn't want to ruin her relationships if they all believe the "wicked witch" stereotype, some hard choices must be made, but Rachel is now discovering herself and what she needs in her future.
January 20, 2024
THE LAST ONE! This one makes me want to shed a tear as it is an end of an era for the Weinstein sisters. The term trouble in paradise would seem to fit for this review but it’s not exactly what happens. Rachel and a new crush on a wizard boy? What about Raf? All this comes to tell when Rachel and Miri go to magical school! As the girls get ready for the Samsorta ball (a debutant for witches) we get into the details of their experience in the magical school as well as their double life back in the real world. Rachel gets a new witch friend that joins her human world school and she shows her the ropes of how to fit in:)
September 7, 2022
Love the series as always! I gave this one a four star mostly because it dives deeper into Rachel romantic emotional journey and is a bit more serious than her previous adventures. As sister Miri and Rachel attend their new Witch school, they are thrown into the lives of witches and wizards who have had experience all of their life. Rachel finds an attraction to someone, but what about Raf? Love a good ole "who is she going to pick?" book:) Five out of five for the book as a whole though, the ending was a perfect way to end the Magic in Manhattan Series.
October 26, 2016
The book I read was a girl who liked to do a party for the whole school.One day she found a secret passage in the school.It led her to a world of witches.When she came back from the world she became a witch.She wants no one to know her identity of what she is.Mostly she wants to keep this secret from friends and family.But when a boy founds about her identity.She has nothing to do but go back to the world.
December 20, 2019
Last book in the series.... sigh....
Such a cute series - I enjoyed books 1 and 4 the most. This one had a lot going on and I loved it. I only wish there were another few chapters to give a glimpse into life at school now that we know about Melissa, Raf knows about Rachel and Cassandra knows about Wendeline.
Such a cute series - I enjoyed books 1 and 4 the most. This one had a lot going on and I loved it. I only wish there were another few chapters to give a glimpse into life at school now that we know about Melissa, Raf knows about Rachel and Cassandra knows about Wendeline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2022
Ya audiobook, listened in car with Fran. Fourth and final in magic in Manhattan series. Our favorite out of all four. Rachel agrees to become a witch debutante because Miri wants to meet other witches. Fun description of the witch community and customs. Rachel has a hard time keeping real life and witch life separated.
January 1, 2024
This series is great. Keeps you interested and wanting more. I feel like throughout the book, readers always wonder what it would be like if Rachel had powers too. There were a lot of plot twists that I never expected and even know I still wish to read more. I would definitely recommend this book and I loved how it carried a sense of nostalgia for me due to reading it in 2023.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2024
So fun for the sisters to find other witches in the world and even in New York! Loved seeing the interaction between the other teen witches AND warlocks. This is currently the last in the series of my date of reading. The author didn't make a firm cut off so there is the opportunity for future installments. Highly recommend the series for all ages.
July 13, 2017
fun and lovable. all these stories could easily stand alone. but together makes for a more entertaining and captivating read. definitely the type of series to recommend to those who love magic and the "drama" of growing up.
August 14, 2017
More of the same goofy, silly, angsty teenage girl stuff here. I think the series is fun and funny. This time the drama and unfounded fears were a little too much for me. I did still like it though. I am a little surprised the series ended here.
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