The debut chapter of The Witch and the Beast sets the stage for an intriguing and dark fantasy story. From the first page, readers are introduced to a mysterious world where witches and beasts coexist, but not without tension. The main character, Liselotte, is a witch with a troubled past, haunted by a traumatic event. She now seeks revenge on those who wronged her, including a powerful beast named Leeper. The chapter begins with a gripping prologue that immediately captures the reader's attention. It depicts a gruesome scene where Liselotte's village is attacked and destroyed by the very beasts she seeks to destroy.
Dates: December
This is an exceedingly rare opportunity to drive across the bridge it has not been open to daily traffic since a large fire partially destroyed the park in 2013. Download a free map for directions to the towns historic headframes towers erected above mine shafts many of which are adorned with giant lighted decorations to celebrate the season.
It depicts a gruesome scene where Liselotte's village is attacked and destroyed by the very beasts she seeks to destroy. This sets the tone for the dark and violent nature of the story. As the chapter unfolds, it becomes clear that Liselotte is not an ordinary witch.
Lighting the way to the holidays: A roundup of displays and trains in Colorado
Santa waves as the new Santa Express Train locomotive pulls into the Cañon City Santa Fe Depot this month. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad’s new holiday-themed locomotive will lead passengers through the canyon to the North Pole throughout the holiday season.
Parker Seibold, The Gazette
Colorado looks good no matter what season you catch her, but the holidays are when she really shines — like Hollywood and Hallmark created the perfect set for a feel-good Christmas flick and transported it to our backyards.
Nathaniel Hibbs, left, sits on a bench and enjoys the snowflake lights over a water feature with his parents Cheryl and Larry Hibbs at Blossoms of Light, Dec. 21, 2021, at Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver.
Timothy Hurst, The Gazette
One of the few upsides of an earlier sunset is more time to enjoy the region’s seasonal man-made spectacles, from professional lights displays that can be savored on foot or from your car (while sipping cocoa), to twinkling adventures where someone else does the driving.
Here’s a roundup of holiday lights events and train trips kicking off this month, for those who want to get a jump on the spirit (and the tickets):
Nov. 18-Jan. 1: Magic of Lights — Drive-thru holiday lights at Pikes Peak International Raceway, 16650 Midway Ranch Rd, Fountain.
More than a mile of lights and dozens of displays, including life-sized dinosaurs, an animated. 32-foot-tall Barbie doll and super-sized Bigfoot Monster Truck, greet cruisers through the seasonally bedazzled raceway south of the Springs. Nightly shows start Friday and run through New Year’s Day.
Nov. 18-Dec. 31: Santa Express Train and Holiday Rides — Royal Gorge Route Railroad, 401 Water St., Cañon City.
A lead engineer and Santa Claus take the helm of the historic railroad’s Santa Express Train, which this year chugs to the North Pole and back in a newly remodeled and overhauled 1969 engine. The railroad’s Holiday Train taps the same spirit, sans Santa, with a round- trip jaunt through the Royal Gorge in decorated railcars.
Nov. 18-Nov. 27, Dec. 1-4, 8-11 and 15-31: Bridge of Lights Christmas Drive-Thru — Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, 4218 Colorado Road 3A, Cañon City.
The Royal Gorge Bridge launches its inaugural lights event starting Friday and running (mostly consistently) through New Year’s Eve. Visitors can check out the lit-up park, then roll on to an illuminated America’s Bridge for breathtaking views of the nighttime gorge and the moonlit Arkansas River almost 1000 feet below.
Nov. 18-Jan. 1: The Polar Express Train Ride — Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, 479 Main Ave., Durango.
From America’s Bridge to America’s Railroad, for a themed ride on a vintage steam train inspired by the holiday classic book and movie. Riders of all ages get an immersive experience, with chef-created hot chocolates, treats and more, as they head to the North Pole to collect Santa and see a light show set to holiday tunes.
Nov. 18-Jan. 7: Blossoms of Light — Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver.
More than 1 million eco-conscious LED lights transform the Gardens’ York Street location into a “twinkling winter wonderland of holiday blooms,” an annual extravaganza that’s been cultivating seasonal spirit in the Mile High City since the ‘80s.
Nov. 25-Jan. 1: Trails of Light — Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton.
Wander a winding path edged with lights on a walking tour through this vast historic property-turned-glimmering garden of delights in the Colorado countryside. The route, just under a mile, twists through the former Hildebrand Ranch to the 1880s homestead and a children’s play area-turned-Christmas village.
Nov. 25-Jan. 1: Luminova Holidays — Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver.
This second-annual light fest at the downtown Denver theme park features millions of bulbs strewn over 200,000 square feet of “immersive outdoor entertainment,” with a 65-foot Christmas tree, 300-foot candy cane tunnel and ornamented rides.
Nov. 26-Jan. 14: Holiday Headframe lights — Various locations, Victor and Cripple Creek
Starting at sundown on the 26th, drivers can take a self-guided tour through the “greatest gold camp in U.S. history” and site of the last great American mining boom in the 1890s. Download a free map for directions to the towns’ historic headframes — towers erected above mine shafts — many of which are adorned with giant lighted decorations to celebrate the season. Displays are lit weekend evenings, Nov. 26-Jan. 14, and nightly Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.
From America’s Bridge to America’s Railroad, for a themed ride on a vintage steam train inspired by the holiday classic book and movie. Riders of all ages get an immersive experience, with chef-created hot chocolates, treats and more, as they head to the North Pole to collect Santa and see a light show set to holiday tunes.
She possesses a unique power that allows her to control and manipulate objects with her mind. This power, known as telekinesis, is both a source of strength and danger for Liselotte. It adds an element of mystery and intrigue to her character. Throughout the chapter, the author skillfully weaves together elements of fantasy, suspense, and action. The world-building is rich and detailed, giving readers a sense of the complexity and depth of this fictional universe. The descriptions of the different witches and beasts, as well as their abilities, are vivid and captivating. One of the standout features of this chapter is the artwork. The illustrations perfectly complement the dark and gritty nature of the story, adding depth and emotion to the narrative. The use of color, shading, and perspective adds to the overall atmosphere and helps bring the characters and world to life. Overall, the debut chapter of The Witch and the Beast is an engaging and intriguing introduction to this fantasy series. With its dark and complex storyline, compelling characters, and stunning artwork, it sets the stage for an epic tale of revenge, survival, and redemption. Whether you're a fan of fantasy or just looking for an exciting new read, The Witch and the Beast is definitely worth checking out..
Reviews for "The Witch and the Beast's first chapter: An exploration of the power dynamics between witches and beasts"
1. Jane - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "The debut chapter of the witch and the beast". The story was slow and lacked any real excitement. The characters were also quite bland and I found it hard to connect with them. The world-building was weak and the author didn't do a good job of explaining the magical elements of the story. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and won't be continuing with the series.
2. Mike - 1 star
"The debut chapter of the witch and the beast" was a complete letdown. The plot was thin and unoriginal, with predictable twists and turns. The dialogue was also awkward and unnatural, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the pacing was off, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed action scenes. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat in every aspect.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I found "The debut chapter of the witch and the beast" to be a tedious read. The writing style was overly descriptive, to the point where it became exhausting to read. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry. Overall, the book failed to grab my attention and left me uninterested in continuing the series.
4. Tom - 2 stars
"The debut chapter of the witch and the beast" was a forgettable read for me. The story lacked originality and felt like a rehash of other fantasy novels I've read before. The pacing was slow, and there were too many unnecessary subplots that didn't add anything to the main story. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with more questions than answers. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and unique fantasy read.