Witch & Wizard: The Gift

By: James Patterson, Ned Rust

Narrated by: Elijah Wood, Spencer Locke, Peter Giles

Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

When Whit and Wisty were imprisoned by the wicked forces of the totalitarian regime known as the New Order, they were barely able to escape with their lives. Now part of a hidden community of teens like themselves, Whit and Wisty have established themselves as leaders of the Resistance, willing to sacrifice anything to save kids kidnapped and brutally imprisoned by the New Order.

But the One has other plans in store for them: He needs Wisty, for she is "The One Who Has the Gift". While trying to figure out what that means, Whit and Wisty's suspenseful adventures through Overworld and Shadowland lead to a jaw-dropping climax and conclusion: The highly-anticipated fulfillment of the heart-pounding opening prologue of book one...The Execution of the Allgoods.

©2010 James Patterson (P)2010 Hachette

This book tries too hard

What disappointed you about Witch & Wizard: The Gift?

I read the first book and thought it was a little cheesy at times but the story was good enough. I was looking forward to listening to the second installment, but it felt like it was going nowhere fast and getting less relatable the more it went on.

What was most disappointing about James Patterson and Ned Rust ’s story?

The perspective of Wisteria sounds more like a character from a tween Disney show than a powerful rebel.

What aspect of the narrators’s performance would you have changed?

A little tougher or more serious tone for Wisteria.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Annoyance, I couldn't believe these were people fighting for their lives. It sounded more like a campout.

Horribly Disappointed

I really wanted to like this book but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t. I love a good adventure but while this book has lots of events, it didn’t add up to an adventure. After thinking long and hard about why I couldn’t like the book, I realized that the characters were never developed. Stuff happens to them but we never find out who they are other than on a very superficial level. It was very much about how much bad stuff can we have happen to two teenagers but not much about who there are. Without this characterization, it’s hard to really care too much. I won’t be getting any more books in this series.

WItch & Wiazrd: the Gift

I have been a fan of James Patterson for years and have enjoyed his books immensely. This book was positively awful. Definitely not worth the time or energy to read hoping something worthwhile will transpire. I couldn't wait to finish the book as it was one of the worst I have listened to.

This was written for young teens.

What would have made Witch & Wizard: The Gift better?

There is not a strong story line for adults

What could James Patterson and Ned Rust have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Nothing

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The narrators performances were fine. They did not have quality to work with

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Will not listen to others in this series

Any additional comments?

James Patterson is normally a great author but he certainly missed on this one

I couldn't even finish it

I listened to the first one and hoped it would get better, but it only got worse. I couldn't even finish this 2nd book and deleted the rest of the series from my collection.

Couldn't finish it

Without realizing it at first, I listened to the Witch & Wizard series in the wrong order, listening to books 3 and 4 before The Gift. I liked the other books all right, but did not like this one. I enjoy Elijah Wood as a reader, but I didn't care for the female reader at all. I also found parts of this book silly and unbelievable; didn't even like much of the dialog. The book may have gotten better later on, but part way through the third CD, I quit listening.

Ehhhhhhh

NO story...NO storyline...Impossible to follow...never any idea whats going on....
Tried 4 solid times...kept thinking it MUST get better... uhh NOPE