Black Magic Cafe is a popular cafe located on James Island in South Carolina. Known for its unique and eclectic atmosphere, the cafe is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The cafe blends a mix of dark and whimsical decor, creating an ambiance that is both mysterious and inviting. With dim lighting, exposed brick walls, and vintage furniture, Black Magic Cafe creates a cozy and intimate setting for its customers. One of the highlights of the cafe is its menu, which features a range of delicious and innovative dishes. From hearty breakfast options like stuffed French toast and breakfast burritos to flavorful lunch and dinner options like sandwiches, salads, and burgers, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
"Set against the backdrop of the Medieval German Witch Trials, Raasch and Revis weave a fantasy and heart-pounding tale full of history, love, witchcraft, and war that will have you gripping your book, waiting for the next shocking twist." — #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout
Yes, they experience many of the same events, but their motivations, choices, and priorities are very much built up on the many years of life they bring to the current situation, lives that were very different from one another. A survivor of a brutal attack on her coven, she s determined to find her only surviving family member and bring the hexenjägers zealot witch hunters to justice for the lives they ended.
From hearty breakfast options like stuffed French toast and breakfast burritos to flavorful lunch and dinner options like sandwiches, salads, and burgers, there is something for everyone to enjoy. In addition to its impressive food menu, Black Magic Cafe also offers a wide selection of beverages. From gourmet coffees and teas to specialty cocktails, there is no shortage of options when it comes to satisfying your thirst.
Serena’s Review: “Night of the Witch”
Where Did I Get this Book: ARC from the publisher!
Where Can You Get this Book: WorldCat.org | Amazon | IndieBound
Book Description: A witch and a hunter. Vengeance is their mission. Love is their destiny.
Fritzi is a witch. A survivor of a brutal attack on her coven, she’s determined to find her only surviving family member and bring the hexenjägers—zealot witch hunters—to justice for the lives they ended. To do this, she will need to take down their leader—Kommandant Dieter Kirch.
Otto is a hexenjäger and a captain, the second in command to Dieter Kirch—but that’s just his cover. Years ago, the hexenjagers burned his innocent mother alive and since then, he has been planning a move against the witch hunters that tore his family apart. And now the time has come for them to pay for what they’ve done.
When Fritzi and Otto are unexpectedly thrown together, neither is sure they can trust the other, despite their common enemy. But all they have is one another, and they both crave revenge. As truths come to light and trust shifts, Fritzi and Otto uncover a far more horrifying plot at the center of the hexenjäger attacks . . . but their own growing feelings for each other may be the most powerful magic of all.
Review: I was able to meet the authors and snag a signed ARC of this way back at the ALA convention in June. Since then, I’ve been regularly pulling it out and trying to decide how early is too early to start reading a book that doesn’t release until October. But the day finally arrived, and this book, while not exactly what I was expecting, definitely lived up to my wildest dreams!
I don’t know why I had this in my head, but I definitely thought this was going to be a single POV book. Now, reading the book description, it seems pretty obvious that it was not going to be that. Honestly, I probably went in with a more optimistic attitude because of this misconception, as dual POV YA fantasy books rarely really work for me. But I’m happy to always be reminded that there are exceptions to that rule! Here, we see the proper equation to creating a dynamic dual POV book.
First, it starts with voice. It was supremely easy to tell the difference in narrative style between Fritzi and Otto. This doesn’t come down to any quirks in dialect or anything like that, but more the clearly different ways the two characters observe and relate to the world around them. Their senses of humor, levels of cynicism, and the various weights of emotional baggage are clearly different from one another, allowing readers to feel fully immersed both characters’ head.
Second, they each have a distinctive arc from one another, without one over-shadowing the other or their combined arcs turning out to be essentially the same story. Yes, they experience many of the same events, but their motivations, choices, and priorities are very much built up on the many years of life they bring to the current situation, lives that were very different from one another. While they find themselves with common enemies, they each have been coming at the problem from unique perspectives. What’s more, they have very, VERY, different relationships with the players involved, affecting how they each process and respond to certain situations.
Third, they have a joint arc that perfectly ties together their separate story lines and weaves a greater overarching plot line. I really appreciated the slow-burn nature of the romance, with each having to slowly come to trust and rely on the other. It’s never believable when I read these “enemy to lovers” stories where the pair immediately seems to get over whatever made them “enemies” to begin with and then just jump easily to “lovers” with no stumbling blocks of distrust, betrayal, or misunderstanding to be found. Here, these characters must quite naturally, over time, come to understand what makes up the other, and thus grow to love and respect them. It also helps that the “enemy” portion of their storyline is largely built on a misunderstanding, albeit it a natural and, in fact, necessary one. It would be truly hard to buy any story that saw a witch fall in love with an actual witch hunter. Instead, the authors found a clever way of side-stepping the issue while still getting at the juicy drama of it all.
I also am really enjoying this current trend towards Germanic fantasy and folklore. (Spoilers, I’ll be reading another Germanic fantasy here in another few weeks!) This book, specifically, included a lot of references to the historical and religious influences that played a role in the region, as well as a good dose of actual German words and phrases. While much of this was on the periphery of the main story, I appreciated these small touches.
I also liked the magic, fantasy, and witchy-ness of this story. While I was able to guess a few of the major reveals about this magic and the players involved, it was all interesting enough to keep me fully engaged with the story throughout. My one major complaint comes down to the ending of the book. It felt like the story had come to a nice, natural conclusion, leaving us with the rare, unicorn of a stand-alone YA fantasy. But alas, at the very last minute, and I mean very last minute, we get a reveal that effectively undoes this resolution. While I’m happy to return to these characters and this world, I’m not sure this ending actually benefited this book on its own merit.
Rating 8: Stellar! Full of danger, intrigue, and forbidden romance, this is how you do enemies-to-lovers stories right!
Reader’s Advisory:
“Night of the Witch” isn’t on any good Goodreads books, really, but it should be on Witchy YA.
When Fritzi and Otto are unexpectedly thrown together, neither is sure they can trust the other, despite their common enemy. But all they have is one another, and they both crave revenge. As truths come to light and trust shifts, Fritzi and Otto uncover a far more horrifying plot at the center of the hexenjäger attacks . . . but their own growing feelings for each other may be the most powerful magic of all.
What sets Black Magic Cafe apart from other cafes is its commitment to using high-quality ingredients. The cafe prides itself on sourcing locally whenever possible, ensuring that the food and drinks served are not only delicious but also sustainable. The cafe also plays host to a variety of events and live music performances, adding to its vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. Whether you're looking to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with a cup of coffee or seeking a lively night out with friends, Black Magic Cafe has something for everyone. Overall, Black Magic Cafe on James Island is a must-visit destination for coffee lovers, food enthusiasts, and those seeking an unforgettable dining experience. With its unique atmosphere, delicious menu, and commitment to quality, it's no wonder why this cafe has become a local favorite..
Reviews for "A Trip to the Dark Side: Black Magic Cafe on James Island"
1. Name: Sarah - Rating: 1/5 stars
Review: I had a terrible experience at Black Magic Cafe James Island. The service was extremely slow, and it took forever for our food to arrive. When it did finally come, it was cold and tasted awful. The staff seemed disinterested and unapologetic about our dissatisfaction. I will not be returning to this cafe again.
2. Name: John - Rating: 2/5 stars
Review: I was disappointed with my visit to Black Magic Cafe James Island. The coffee was mediocre at best, and the prices were quite high for what you get. The atmosphere was also lacking; it felt cramped and uninviting. I wouldn't recommend this place to others looking for a good coffee experience.
3. Name: Emma - Rating: 2/5 stars
Review: My friends and I decided to try out Black Magic Cafe James Island, but we were left unimpressed. The food was subpar and overpriced. The customer service was also lacking; the staff seemed too busy to give us adequate attention. Overall, it was a forgettable experience, and I won't be returning anytime soon.
4. Name: Ryan - Rating: 1/5 stars
Review: Black Magic Cafe James Island was a disappointment. The coffee tasted burnt and the pastries were stale. The overall cleanliness of the cafe was also questionable. I didn't feel comfortable eating or drinking there. I regretted my decision to visit this cafe and would not recommend it to others.