The Sea Witch book is a captivating narrative that delves into the magical world beneath the ocean's surface. Written by Sarah Henning, it offers a unique twist on the well-known fairy tale, "The Little Mermaid." Through its vivid descriptions and compelling characters, the book transports readers into a world of enchantment and dark magic. The story centers around Evie, a young girl with a mysterious past. As the protagonist, she navigates through a complex web of secrets and betrayal, ultimately uncovering her true identity as the infamous Sea Witch. This revelation propels her on a journey of self-discovery, as she grapples with her powers and the consequences they carry.
Then a girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears on the shore, and the two girls catch the eyes of two charming princes. Suddenly Evie feels like she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.
Evie is untaught, so her use of magic is irresponsible, and it s being used by a teenager who feels powerless in other ways, so it s often motivated by pride. Throughout the book, she is ostracized by all of those around her and has an internal monologue that constantly telling her that she is not good enough, that she does not belong.
This revelation propels her on a journey of self-discovery, as she grapples with her powers and the consequences they carry. Henning's writing is atmospheric and immersive, painting a vivid picture of the underwater kingdom and its inhabitants. The book effortlessly blends fantasy and folklore, weaving in elements of mythology and witchcraft that add depth to the narrative.
Review: Sea Witch by Sarah Henning
There is a new trend in the YA scene – mermaids – and I am obsessed. Who does not love mermaids? They are beautiful, power, magical women who are often deadly and get to spend their days frolicking in the sea. Sign me up! An influx of books with mermaid premises have surfaced (sorry for the terrible pun!) over the last two years – Sea Witch by Sarah Henning being a front runner that garnered a lot of attention. While it debuted in July 2018 and I am a little behind in reading, I recently was ready to dive in (I promise, I will stop).
The Plot
When I picked up this book, I was under the impression it was a retelling of The Little Mermaid, originally pinned by Danish writer, Hans Christian Andersen. I would not say this is completely true, while there are absolutely elements of The Little Mermaids fairytale, I would consider it much more of an origin story of the Sea Witch, or ‘Ursula’ for you Disney fans.
The story begins by introducing us to two young friends, Evelyn (or Evie) and Anna. These girl’s young lives are plagued by misfortune and marred by death. In the opening chapter, Evelyn almost loses her life, but instead loses her mother. We learn that their mutual friend, Nik, slipped while hopping across rocks next to the sea and was poised to hit his head directly on the if Evie had not thrown herself down and absorbed the impact (but she received a fatal injury in the process). Her mother, a witch, sacrifices herself to save her daughter’s life. Finally, we learn that Anna drowned when she was eleven, leaving Nik and Evie alone.
The story picks up five years later and finds Evie still grieving the loss of her best friend. She is mostly an outsider with the exception of Nik, who is the prince of her land and has remained a close friend, as well as his cousin Iker. People view her as trying to overcome her social standing by befriending the royal prince. She is seen as strange and homely. Evie herself separates herself from the village people because she is harboring a secret – she is a witch. While not as powerful as her mother or her aunt, who has stepped up to raise Evie in place of her mother.
Very quickly we are introduced to a girl who looks just like Anna. First, Evie sees her in the water through a porthole. Then, the mysterious girl saves Nik when he is swept overboard (man these people have bad luck!). Finally, she appears directly to Evie and introduces herself as Annamette. Annamette claims she is from a faraway land and a farmer’s daughter but her rouse is quickly demolished and her magic revealed – she is a mermaid. Cue the Little Mermaid retelling.
Essentially, Annamette has a similar conundrum to the Little Mermaid. She must make a man fall in love with her within a few short days to stay human or she will turn to sea foam. However, the plot thickens as Evie questions Annamette’s true motives and whether or not this mysterious girl is Anna. Nothing is as it seems and possible that friendship may not survive the deadly secrets and dark magic that is penetrating the small village.
The Review
Because I went into this thinking that Sea Witch was just a retelling of the Little Mermaid, I was surprised by the dark and magical elements that strayed from the typical mermaid lore. Sarah’s prose was beautiful and I was hooked from the first sentence ‘The sea is a fickle witch.’ While this was not an epic fantasy that drew you in by the characters, the writing was more than enough to keep you intrigued.
I found myself feeling sorry for Evie throughout the whole book. She mostly receives the short end of the stick and continually sacrifices for those she cares about – even when the same courtesy is not extended. Throughout the book, she is ostracized by all of those around her and has an internal monologue that constantly telling her that she is not good enough, that she does not belong. While I do not normally care for characters who are not strong-willed or could be considered closer to a doormat than a heroine – what makes a better villain origin story? Similar to Disney’s origin story for Maleficent – Evie’s transformation into the Sea Witch is marked with tragedy, misbegotten good intentions, and a desire to fit in.
Overall, I enjoyed this fast read – so much so I read it in one sitting. It is magical and beautifully written and while you may know how it turns out, you will find yourself turning pages quickly to see how it gets there.
Rating: / 5 stars
The story takes place in Havenestad, a small fishing community. Most of the story is told by Evie, in first-person, present tense narration, but some is told in flashback from third-person point of view.
From sea creatures to witches, every character is intricately crafted, with their own motivations and hidden agendas. The Sea Witch book explores themes of identity, love, and sacrifice. It delves into the complexities of human emotions and desires, exploring the depths of grief and revenge. As Evie navigates her path, she must confront her own choices and face the consequences of her actions, forcing readers to question the blurred lines between right and wrong. The book's plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. From dramatic rescues to unexpected alliances, every chapter reveals new layers of the story. Henning's expert pacing ensures that the narrative never loses momentum, keeping readers hooked until the very end. Overall, the Sea Witch book is a spellbinding tale that transports readers into a world of magic and intrigue. With its compelling characters, rich mythology, and expert storytelling, it is a must-read for fans of fantasy and fairy tales. It is a testament to the enduring allure of myths and legends, offering a fresh perspective on a beloved story..
Reviews for "Confronting the Tempest: The Heroine's Journey in Sea Witch Books"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I found "Sea Witch" to be incredibly slow-paced and lacking in excitement. The characters were shallow and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them or care about their struggles. The plot was predictable and lacked any surprising twists or turns. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Benjamin - 1/5 stars - "Sea Witch" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was juvenile and overly simplistic, leaving no room for any depth or complexity. The story felt disjointed and confusing, making it hard to follow along. Additionally, the romantic subplot was forced and felt out of place. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Olivia - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Sea Witch" but ultimately found it to be underwhelming. The pacing was too slow, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story. The characters lacked development and the relationships between them felt forced. I also felt that the world-building was lacking and failed to capture my interest. Overall, I found this book to be disappointing and didn't live up to my expectations.
4. Daniel - 3/5 stars - While I didn't hate "Sea Witch," I can't say that I enjoyed it either. The story felt flat and lacked excitement. The characters were forgettable and their motivations were unclear. I found myself getting bored and having to push through to finish the book. Unfortunately, "Sea Witch" didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
5. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "Sea Witch" had potential, but it fell short in execution. The plot was slow-moving and lacked tension, dragging on unnecessarily. The main character felt one-dimensional and I found it hard to root for her. The book also lacked the atmospheric elements that I had hoped for in a story set by the sea. Overall, "Sea Witch" failed to capture my interest and I was left wanting more.