Not Just a Witch by Eva Ibbotson

Not Just a Witch

A Witch’s Rebellion with Whimsy and Heart

Written byEva Ibbotson
Narrated byPrunella Scales
Length3h35m
Release dateMarch 30, 2009
LanguageEnglish
★★★★★ 5.0 (5 ratings)

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Quick Facts

AuthorEva Ibbotson
NarratorPrunella Scales
Runtime3h35m
PublishedMarch 30, 2009
Rating★★★★★ 5.0 / 5 (5 ratings)
CategoriesChildren's Audiobooks, Literature & Fiction, Humorous Fiction, Scary Stories, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy & Magic
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

*Not Just a Witch* isn’t another broomstick-and-cauldron tale—it’s a sharp, subversive romp about a young witch who’d rather fix the world than hex it. Heckie, our stubborn heroine, teams up with a ragtag crew (a boy with more courage than sense, a few bumbling wizards, and a villain so slick he’d charm the scales off a serpent) to rewrite the rules of magic. Eva Ibbotson’s prose crackles with dry wit and a deep, sneaky kindness, making this a children’s book that adults will steal for themselves. Prunella Scales’ narration is a masterclass in timing: her Heckie is equal parts exasperated and endearing, her Mr. Knapsack oozes false charm like syrup, and even the minor characters—like the perpetually confused wizards—get distinct, memorable voices.

What sets this audiobook apart is its refusal to be *just* anything: not just funny, not just magical, not just for kids. The humor is clever without being cruel, the stakes feel real despite the absurdity, and the message—that kindness is its own kind of power—lands without a whiff of preachiness. At under four hours, it’s tight enough to devour in a single sitting but rich enough to linger in your mind like a well-brewed potion. Perfect for listeners who love their fantasy with a side of mischief and a dash of social conscience.

Tags: witty children's fantasy audiobooksubversive witch stories for kids 8-12humorous British narration (Prunella Scales)short listen under 4 hoursantiheroine leads in middle-grade fictionwhimsical rebellion with heart

Why Listen to Not Just a Witch?

  • Expert narration by Prunella Scales brings every character and scene to life across 3h35m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 5.0 stars by 5 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
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Editor's Review ★★★★★

AudioBook Atlas

I’ll admit, I approached *Not Just a Witch* expecting something sweet but forgettable—another quirky kids’ book with a witch who learns to embrace her sparkly destiny. Instead, I got a story that’s *funny* in the way Roald Dahl is funny: dark around the edges, unafraid to let its villains be truly awful, and packed with moments that made me snort-laugh on my commute. Prunella Scales’ narration is the secret weapon here. She doesn’t just *read* the book; she *performs* it, with a theatrical flair that never tips into overacting. Her Heckie has the weary patience of someone who’s seen too much nonsense, and her Mr. Knapsack? Oh, he’s *delicious*—all silky vowels and false concern, the kind of voice that makes your skin crawl in the best way. The pacing is where this audiobook really shines. At 3.5 hours, there’s no fat on the story. Ibbotson’s plot moves like a runaway broomstick, but she still takes time to let the oddball friendships breathe (the dynamic between Heckie and the boy, Daniel, is particularly lovely—no insta-bonding here, just slow, grudging respect). My only critique? The ending wraps up *almost* too neatly. After such a sharply observed story, the final act’s moral clarity feels a touch abrupt, like Ibbotson suddenly remembered this was meant for children. And while Scales’ narration is stellar, her wizard voices occasionally blur together in crowded scenes. But these are quibbles. What sticks with me is the way the book balances its chaos—how it manages to be both a laugh-out-loud farce and a quiet manifesto for doing good, even when the world’s determined to be rotten. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a saccharine kids’ tale, this is the antidote." "tags": [ "witty children's fantasy audiobook

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Not Just a Witch by Eva Ibbotson is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Prunella Scales with a runtime of 3h35m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.