Manufactured Witches

This was good story but I kept hoping for just a little bit more through out it. A little more depth to the characters, a little more visuals, etc. However I did enjoy the book overall and would be interested in the continuation of the story.

A quick read. I typically prefer realistic fiction, so this was a bit fantastical for my tastes, but a diverting read all the same.

I thought all of the good ideas for books were already taken; and that good authors could write well about the same old subjects. However this author, Michelle Rene, has proven this wrong in the best way. I LOVED this book from the beginning. It was extremely fresh material and very well-written. Many books have reviews or comments that say surprising twist, etc. However I felt that was very true about this book. It wasn't predictable in any way.

I could see how Manufactured Witches would appeal to a very wide range of audience as well. I haven't liked a book as much as this one in a very long time. I absolutely recommend a person of any age to buy the book.

This was an interesting book and turned out not quite how I expected. It takes place during the Dustbowl era out west in the US, following this kid Nat. There is magic and mythology and a girl who escaped from a cult who I thought was like ten but turned out to be fifteen but still read like ten, and on the whole it was pretty interesting. The end was quite abrupt and I think I might have enjoyed it a little more if there had been a few more chapters? On the whole though it was an fine three star read, entertaining enough and a quick read!

Manufactured Witches was a heartwarming book about discovering inner gifts and standing up for what's right. Nat "Galahad" is homeless and travelling on boxcars when he stumbles into the town of Tanglewood. He tries to help a poor girl accused of witchcraft and winds up invited along with her to Miss Camille's Home for Wayward Children. Nat asks endless questions but still can't quite wrap his head around the magic of his new home and its quirky inhabitants.

The book has a nice rhythm to it that makes you want to keep reading, steady and direct, just like the story's hero. It felt short, and we only get a glimpse of the characters, but one look is more than enough to impress. Each character has their own brand of magic to them, and the different mythologies weave together harmoniously. Nat's voice and perspective really draw you in. There is a story to be told here, and Michelle Rene tells it well. Like Nat, I was eager to know more, and if there is more story to be told I will listen gladly.

There were many typos and I didn’t keep track of them all and tried not to let it retract from the story. But I really liked this book so much more than I expected to. When I started it I had no idea what it was going to be about. But when Polly and nat were brought to Camille’s house and we learned how wondrous it was I was instantly hooked. I wanted to learn more just like nat and I wanted to know what great things would come while they were there. It sort of reminded me of miss peregrines home for peculiar children but less creepy and sci fi. I really like this world. Of course it ended on a cliff hanger so I guess there will be a sequel? Need to get my hands on that.

This book was a bit of an odd duck. I really enjoyed reading it, but it really could have used some more flesh in the story. I enjoyed Nat's precept of being a railrider, his connection with Polly and Camille was loads of fun. I just thought there could have been so much more. Maybe it is just me wishing there were. Jacob, Crow and Nan were also fun characters. The home they lived in was a bit too far, but all in all I really enjoyed the book. It was a little predictable and probably better for teen readers, but I have fun with it and I am sure if another book comes along to make this a series, I will be all in to read it. I would recommend this book as a "fun read". I hope there is more to it.

I enjoyed the story. It was based on an interesting idea of magic. The reason I didn't give four stars was because the book needed a good proofreader. There were several times when the wrong word was used or extra words added. My brain can't just skip over that and it draws me out of the story.

I received a copy in exchange for a review.

This was a fun and easy to read story that kept me entertained throughout. I liked the characters and the setting: a home for wayward children with special abilities in 1930s dust bowl Texas. That kind of grabs your attention. The magical elements were interesting, though maybe a bit too mysterious.

The ending caught me off guard. I don't know why you would reveal that at the very end of the story. It didn't add anything to the experience for me because the experience was over.

So besides the random ending, this book was basically what I expected it to be: a fun little adventure/fantasy book.

This was a surprising read. Set in Texas and mostly around the beginning of motor transportation the main character himself riding a boxcar till he gets to Tanglewood. Masterfully written in America's wilder West days makes the scenarios that occur grip your heart. The easy way the author has written this story makles it simple to follow Nat as he comes to terms with who he is in a story of witchcraft, illusion, and believing that all children are special when we are tolerant and kind.

I received a copy early to review. When I read the description, I knew it was a book that I would be interested in. I was very excited when I was selected and given a copy. That feeling did not last. I was quickly turned off by the spelling mistakes (maybe because it was an early edition?) and the rushed dialogue/story. I didn't feel for the characters, the back stories were poorly described and was lacking in content. The main character was very inquisitive and none of his questions were ever really answered. Why ask the question if you're not able to explain it? It just left me with questions I may not have asked in the first place. It had a lot of great ideas, but in the end it was not a well-rounded story. I want to say more but I don't want to give any spoilers, but the ending- I was just thinking WHAT??? Not in a good way. It was not a plot twist and it added no value. Why wasn't, what was revealed about Nat, more of a theme throughout the book? Caused more internal struggle or something that was hinted or linked to an issue? It could have given Nat more character development; instead it was thrown in at the end for no purpose. It felt like an after thought that was just added in to be relevant with today's society. To get some award or to be thought of as progressive. Was I supposed to be shocked? Was it because it was in the 30s? If it was, then it should have been added throughout the story to add to it. That could have been a great theme throughout, but nope, show more just plunked in at the end.
I felt like I was reading a high school students creative writing story. There were elements that were great, maybe a longer story would have helped, instead of always saying, "don't try to fit everything into a box" or "it's not my story to tell" or "you'll figure it out as you go." So much was left without explanation. show less

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from LibraryThing in return for an honest review.

Nat has been riding the train from town to town looking for work and food since his grandmother died orphaning the teenager. However work is hard to come by due to famine and dust storms. When he comes across a young girl, Polly, chained to a post and accused of witchcraft. While helping her they come across a woman named Camille. She runs a house for wayward children. But this is not your normal house. Here magic is real and Camille helps you to unleash your hidden power. When her home comes under attack after helping on of her former wards it is up to Nat to protect his new home.

In the beginning I thought this book was just ok. I was not sure where the plot was going however I found the last fourth of this book sucked me in. It was full of twists and turns. I really enjoyed the ending. Overall I liked the book.

The premise behind Manufactured Witches was interesting, but the plot did not hold my attention. I liked Nat and the other characters, but I felt like they never really did anything. All of them were very flat characters. I just keeping hoping for more, and sadly, this one didn't get there.

A warm story with lovable characters full of surprises and mysteries.
For me this story is dedicated to all children.
A good read for a young reader. Of course also older ones.

I enjoyed it book from the beginning to end. I was immersed in the story quite fast.
It starts in a train somewhere in Texas with Nat the main character. Nat will cross the way of Camille. Camille would simply say that she is in the witchin’ business. The reality is of course a bit more complicated.
The end is not predictable, at least easily, and is quite exciting. In fact the book starts to be really exciting at the middle.

I definitely recommend it.

This is an interesting story with a good premise and engaging characters. I enjoyed it for the most part. It kept my interest. Good for a quick easy read if you don't have a lot of time.

Interesting story, and the plot twist I didn’t expect so that’s nice. It’s not greatly written, and there’s typos. But the story itself is intriguing enough to keep going until the end (although I read this in small chunks at a time)

It was an enjoyable read, fairly easy in terms of following the story. No big surprises or complicated plots. Not really deep either. Good for a casual read on a beach or snuggled up by the fire.

Period of the Dust Bowl in the United States: the thirties of the 20th century. A young boy finds an oasis of magic and the strenght to fight for it. After helping a young girl who is accused of witchcraft, Nat meets Camille who helps children who have been thrown away and learns them to tap into their magic. But Camille and her home for wayward children get attacked by people who fear them.
A nice book with a speedy style of writing, which I liked very much. I liked the personas, especially Nat and Camille. But I absolutely didn't like the ending. First is everything possible for somebody with magic, then something essential has to be turned around, because???? The book loses a star for that ending.
Disclaimer: I got this book in the Librarything Early Reviewers.