A nautical witch book is a genre of literature that combines elements of nautical adventure and witchcraft. These books typically revolve around a main character, often a young woman or girl, who possesses magical powers derived from witchcraft and finds herself embarking on a seafaring journey. In a nautical witch book, the protagonist often discovers her magical abilities and sets sail on a ship, encountering various maritime obstacles and challenges along the way. These challenges may include treacherous storms, mythical sea creatures, and encounters with otherworldly beings. The blend of nautical adventure and witchcraft creates a unique and captivating storyline that appeals to readers of all ages. These books often explore themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and overcoming adversity.
These books often explore themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and overcoming adversity. The nautical setting adds an extra layer of intrigue and danger to the story, as the main character must navigate the open ocean while harnessing her magical abilities. The author may incorporate historical elements of sailing and nautical terminology to enrich the authenticity of the setting.
Nautical witch book
Today, as part of our Mermaids & Myths event I have the pleasure of sharing with you a fabulous guest post by Kendall Kulper! Kendall wrote such a fascinating post about sea witches, I really hope you guys will take a minute to read it - I absolutely love it and I know you will, too! And if you're just as excited for Salt & Storm as I am, head over to the grand prize / schedule post and enter our giveaway - we have an ARC of Salt & Storm to give away to one lucky winner! :)
Guest Post:
Sea Witches, Sailors, and SALT & STORMI think I'd like to be a witch. I'd churn the sea, I'd tether the winds, As suited my fancy best. I'd wreck great ships, if they crossed my path, With all the souls on board. Old Cornish Song
One of my favorite parts of writing SALT & STORM was researching stories of sea witches and water magic and diving into the world of superstition and legend that surrounds sailing. I was careful to make the details of SALT & STORM as historically accurate as possible, so that my main character, Avery, wears the kinds of things a real girl in 1869 would wear and that the island on which she lives had the look, feel, smells, and sounds of a real New England whaling town, but I also drew on historical research to help build and develop the magical aspects of the book.
In the first chapter, Avery sits down with her grandmother, a famous water witch, and learns the secrets of tying the winds in three knots of a piece of rope. It sounds like pure fantasy, but I actually based it on a real practice described by a sixteenth century Swedish historian:
“The Finlanders … knit three magical knots, … and they gave them to the merchants, observing this rule, that when they unloosed the first, they should have a good gale of wind; when the second, a stronger wind; but when they untied the third, they should have such cruel tempests that they should not be able to look out of the forecastle to avoid the rocks, nor move a foot to pull down the sails, nor stand at the helm to go/ern the ship; and they made an unhappy trial of the truth of it, who denied that there was any such power in the knots”
Sailors have always been extremely superstitious, with a complicated understanding of rules and omens designed to keep them safe at sea (for example: never set sail on Friday). In SALT & STORM, the characters use tattoos to give themselves special abilities and magical powers, which I based on real sailing traditions. You can still see sailors wearing tattoos that are supposed to give them magical protection, like “HOLD FAST” written across the knuckles (meant to keep a sailor secure in the rigging) or images of a rooster and pig (said to protect against drowning).
As the home of the Salem witch trials and the birthplace of the American whaling industry, New England has a complicated history with magic and sailing. Stories of witch trials are full of women accused of cursing ships or raising storms out of retribution, like these examples from seventeenth century Scottish accounts:
Margaret Barclay caused the wreck of a ship by molding a figure of it in wax and casting it into the sea. She sank her husband's brother's ship, in sight of land.
Violet Leys, because of her husband's discharge from a ship, so haunted it with storms that it was near being lost, and much cargo was thrown overboard.
A Dunrosses witch, becoming vexed at a boat's crew, put a wooden cup into a bowl of water, and sang to the devil. The water became agitated, the cup overturned, and the boat never came in.
Many women accused of witchcraft were often just independent or eccentric women, living alone in a time when women were expected to marry, remarry, or live with family. A woman with special knowledge of healing or midwifery might get a reputation as a witch, but she would often be tolerated or even respected for her skills—until a shipwreck or a bad storm hit. These women, already alone and vulnerable, lived at the mercy of the changing opinions of the communities in which they lived, something that the witches in SALT & STORM also have to learn to navigate. Avery’s grandmother often warns her that, despite their importance to the islanders, she has to be careful not to upset them or they’ll turn on the Roes.
In the end, a lot of these stories came back to one thing: the sea is a wild, unpredictable, dangerous place. From the endless lists of sailing superstitions to the witch trials that tried to punish innocent people for devastating storms, people will do anything to believe they have some way to control what happens to them on the ocean—and in their lives. I loved taking those feelings and bringing them into a world where magic exists and where, as Avery learns, not even magic can give you control over your fate.
“The Finlanders … knit three magical knots, … and they gave them to the merchants, observing this rule, that when they unloosed the first, they should have a good gale of wind; when the second, a stronger wind; but when they untied the third, they should have such cruel tempests that they should not be able to look out of the forecastle to avoid the rocks, nor move a foot to pull down the sails, nor stand at the helm to go/ern the ship; and they made an unhappy trial of the truth of it, who denied that there was any such power in the knots”
Nautical witch books often contain rich descriptions of life at sea, including the sights, sounds, and smells of the maritime environment. The author may also delve into the mythologies and folklore associated with the sea and witchcraft, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. Throughout the course of the story, the main character undergoes personal growth and development, honing her magical skills and learning important life lessons. She may form alliances with other sailors or encounter fellow witches along her journey, further expanding the world of the book. Overall, a nautical witch book offers an intriguing blend of adventure, magic, and seafaring lore. It combines the elements of witchcraft and nautical exploration to create a captivating and fantastical world that captivates readers from start to finish..
Reviews for "The Pirate's Grimoire: Spells and Charms for Nautical Witchcraft"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I found the "Nautical witch book" to be quite disappointing. The storyline seemed promising, but it fell short in execution. The characters lacked depth, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The pacing was uneven, with slow passages that made it hard to stay engaged. Additionally, the world-building wasn't well-developed, leaving me feeling confused about the rules and mythology of the magical elements. Overall, I was hoping for more from this book, and it left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. James - 1/5 stars - I really disliked the "Nautical witch book". The writing style was repetitive and stale, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The plot felt convoluted and poorly constructed, with random twists and turns that didn't add anything meaningful to the narrative. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, further contributing to my disengagement. I was highly disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for the "Nautical witch book", but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The writing was average at best, making it hard to fully invest in the story. The conflicts and resolutions were predictable, leaving little room for surprises or genuine suspense. The world-building was also lacking, as I couldn't fully grasp the magic system and how it functioned within the story. Overall, I found this book to be mediocre and forgettable.
4. Michael - 1/5 stars - I couldn't get into the "Nautical witch book" at all. The characters were uninteresting, and I struggled to care about their fates. The author's writing style didn't resonate with me, as it lacked depth and nuance. In addition, the pacing was incredibly slow, making it a chore to push through the chapters. The plot itself lacked originality and failed to captivate my attention. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and well-crafted story.
5. Rachel - 2/5 stars - Unfortunately, the "Nautical witch book" didn't live up to its promising premise. The characters felt shallow and underdeveloped, making it difficult to form any emotional connection with them. The storytelling lacked cohesion, and the pacing was inconsistent, leading to a disjointed reading experience. The world-building was weak, with a lack of descriptive detail that prevented me from fully immersing myself in the setting. Overall, I was left unimpressed by this book and wouldn't recommend it.