The grizzled witch is a character rooted in folklore and mythology. Often depicted as an elderly woman with long, tangled hair and a crooked nose, she embodies the archetype of a powerful and wise female figure. Despite her unattractive appearance, the grizzled witch possesses a wealth of knowledge and spiritual abilities. In many stories, the grizzled witch is seen as an outcast or recluse, residing in the depths of a dark and mysterious forest or cave. She is often feared and misunderstood by the local community, who view her as an evil sorceress or practitioner of dark magic. However, those who dare to venture into her realm may discover a different side to this enigmatic figure.
Together with Aleister Crowley, the self-proclaimed “Most Evil Man in the World” Valiente recruits a hard-nosed white witch Dion Fortune, the grizzled and gray-bearded founder of Wicca Gerald Gardner, and exorcist and con man in a turban Rollo Ahmed. Together this coven of witches will travel deep into the heart of Nazi-occupied Europe and gamble their lives, their beliefs, and their powers on a mission to help capture Rudolf Hess, fervent occultist, and second in command to Adolf Hitler himself.
In the darkest hours of World War 2, Doreen Valiente, a junior intelligence officer, twenty years old and already a war widow, is approached by a British General who tells her he knows she s a witch and that s how she can best serve her country. Paul Cornell has foraged some highly-charged elements from the historical record - Aleister Crowley s espionage claims and Dion Fortune s psychic civil defense project - and brewed up something magickal.
However, those who dare to venture into her realm may discover a different side to this enigmatic figure. The grizzled witch is said to possess magical powers, her skills ranging from divination and herbalism to shape-shifting and spellcasting. She is believed to have a deep connection with nature and the spiritual world, capable of communing with animals and tapping into the mystical energies of the elements.
The grizzled witch
“Vengefully imaginative occult rewrite of wartime history, full of sharp knife twists, proving yet again that Cornell is a storyteller to cherish.” — Chuck Wendig
Inspired by a true story, The Witches of World War II follows a coven of witches as they embark on a mission to help capture Adolf Hitler's second-in-command, Rudolf Hess.
This magic kills fascists! In the darkest hours of World War 2, Doreen Valiente, a junior intelligence officer, twenty years old and already a war widow, is approached by a British General who tells her he knows she’s a witch… and that’s how she can best serve her country.
Valiente, an expert on British folklore and the occult, is to use her connections in this peculiar community to recruit a group of British ‘magicians’ and use their “skills” to gain some advantage over the Nazi high command, who believe fervently “in all this occult rubbish.”
Together with Aleister Crowley, the self-proclaimed “Most Evil Man in the World” Valiente recruits a hard-nosed white witch Dion Fortune, the grizzled and gray-bearded founder of Wicca Gerald Gardner, and exorcist and con man in a turban Rollo Ahmed. Together this coven of witches will travel deep into the heart of Nazi-occupied Europe and gamble their lives, their beliefs, and their powers on a mission to help capture Rudolf Hess, fervent occultist, and second in command to Adolf Hitler himself.
Inspired by the incredible true story of the New Forest coven and Operation Cone of Power.
About the Author
Paul Cornell has written episodes of Elementary, Doctor Who, Primeval, Robin Hood, and many other TV series, including his own children’s show, Wavelength. He’s worked for every major comics company, including his creator-owned series SAUCER STATE for IDW and THIS DAMNED BAND for Dark Horse. He has also done runs for Marvel and DC on BATMAN AND ROBIN, WOLVERINE, and YOUNG AVENGERS. He’s the writer of the Lychford rural fantasy novellas from Tor.com Publishing. He’s won the BSFA Award for his short fiction, an Eagle Award for his comics, a Hugo Award for his podcast, and shares in a Writer’s Guild Award for his work on Doctor Who.
Valeria Burzo is an Italian comic book artist and illustrator. After graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples, she attended the Italian School of Comix, graduating in 2014 ith honors. Since then she has collaborated with numerous Italian and European comic publications, including La Repubblica di Napoli, Novel Comics, and Glenat.
Jordie Bellaire is an American comic book colorist who currently lives in Ireland and works for DC, Marvel, Valiant, and Image comic book publishers. She has colored Pretty Deadly, The Manhattan Projects, Moon Knight, The Vision, Magneto, Nowhere Men, Hawkeye, Batman, among other titles.
SIMON BOWLAND has been lettering comics since 2004 and continues to work for publishers such as 2000AD, Marvel, DC, Image, Valiant, Dark Horse, and now TKO Studios. He lives in England with his colourist wife, Pippa, and their laid-back tabby cat, Jess.”
Praise For…
“Vengefully imaginative occult rewrite of wartime history, full of sharp knife twists, proving yet again that Cornell is a storyteller to cherish.”
— Chuck Wendig
"Paul Cornell has foraged some highly-charged elements from the historical record - Aleister Crowley’s espionage claims and Dion Fortune’s psychic civil defense project - and brewed up something magickal.”
— Matthew Sweet (BBC Journalist and author of The West End Front)
- Comics & Graphic Novels / Historical Fiction
- Fiction / Historical / World War II
- Fiction / Occult & Supernatural
Despite her powers, the grizzled witch is rarely portrayed as a villain but rather as an enigmatic force that operates outside the norms of society. In folklore, the grizzled witch often serves as a mentor or guide to the hero or heroine on their journey. Her wisdom and insights provide the key to overcoming obstacles and fulfilling quests. Although her methods may be unconventional or seemingly harsh, the grizzled witch ultimately aims to empower and educate those who seek her help. The grizzled witch is a complex and multi-faceted character, embodying both light and dark. She challenges societal norms and represents the power of the feminine, free from the constraints of traditional beauty and societal expectations. Through her presence, she offers a glimpse into the mysteries of the world, reminding us of the hidden depths and untamed magic that exist beyond the confines of our everyday lives..
Reviews for "The Grizzled Witch in Folklore and Mythology"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Grizzled Witch". The story felt all over the place and lacked a coherent plot. The characters were also poorly developed, and I found it hard to connect with any of them. The writing style was dull and unengaging, making it difficult to stay interested in the story. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable reading experience.
2. Emily - 1 star - "The Grizzled Witch" was a complete letdown for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself forcing through each chapter in hopes that it would get better. Unfortunately, it never did. The magic system was convoluted and poorly explained, leaving me confused and frustrated. The dialogue was also lackluster and unnatural, making it hard for me to become invested in the story. I struggled to finish this book and regret wasting my time on it.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Grizzled Witch," but it ended up falling flat for me. The world-building was underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The pacing was inconsistent, jumping from slow and boring to rushed and confusing. The main character was poorly written and lacked complexity, making it hard to root for her. Overall, I found "The Grizzled Witch" to be a forgettable and uninspiring read.
4. Mark - 1 star - "The Grizzled Witch" was an absolute mess. The plot was confusing and all over the place, with unnecessary side stories that added nothing to the overall narrative. The writing was clumsy and filled with clichés, making it hard to take the story seriously. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or growth throughout the book. I found myself skimming through pages just to finish it and move on to something better. Definitely not a book I would recommend.
5. Laura - 2 stars - I was extremely disappointed with "The Grizzled Witch". The world-building was half-baked, leaving me with unanswered questions and a lack of understanding of the magical elements in the story. The pacing was slow and dragged on unnecessarily, making it difficult to stay engaged. The plot twists felt forced and predictable, and the ending was unsatisfying. Overall, I found "The Grizzled Witch" to be an underwhelming read that failed to live up to its potential.