Witch & Wizard

This is the first book I've ever read by James Patterson. I wasn't entirely impressed with it. The story was interesting but the writing really took a toll on it.

It was written in first person and present tense, which is kind of a hit or miss with me. So the writing just rubbed me the wrong way to begin with. Sometimes the scene didn't transition very well, which made me have to stop and straighten everything out. To me, some of writing seemed really disjointed. And then on top on it all, Mr. Patterson did the one thing I really don't like. He wrote the way you talk and that made some things a little confusing.

Wisty and Whit took turns narrating; and I don't mind have different POVs, but this on top of Patterson's writing made it that much more of an effort to read. Wisty and Whit had similar voices. The chapter heading lets you know who's POV it is but if you're like me, you don't always read them. Sometimes I knew who was narrating and other times the main character's narratives were so similar there was no way to know without the chapter heading. I just wish Patterson had made a bigger distinction between Wisty and Whit's voices. If that makes sense.

When all is said and done, Witch & Wizard wasn't the best piece of write I've ever read. But it was a quick, easy read and Patterson did pull me into the story from the very beginning. I'll give him credit for that and a great story. But his writing has basically chased me off. Sorry to any Patterson fans out there. This just wasn't my piece of pie.

Reader reviewed by Kelsey

Witch and Wizard is the first book in a new series by James Patterson. I didn't like this book as well as his popular Maximum Ride series. The plot moved fast and it wasn't completely boring, but it just didn't have enough spark and oomph to push it over the line from "okay" to "great."

One thing I was wondering throughout the book was....why didn't Whit develop any powers? I think he might've had a few, I can't remember. But Wisty had so many and Whit had none compared to her.

Also, a chapter was every few pages. While I know this is typical James Patterson style because he wrote the same way in Maximum Ride, it's a little distracting.