The Night of the Witch is a mysterious occasion that evokes legends and folklore across cultures. It is commonly associated with witchcraft, dark magic, and the supernatural. This mystifying night is believed to occur annually, often on specific dates like Halloween or during the winter solstice. Throughout history, the Night of the Witch has been portrayed in various forms of literature, art, and media. It is often depicted as a time when witches and other supernatural beings gather to perform rituals, cast spells, or seek out unsuspecting victims. These portrayals vary depending on cultural beliefs and interpretations.
"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.
These portrayals vary depending on cultural beliefs and interpretations. In some traditions, the Night of the Witch is believed to be a time when the power of witches is at its peak. It is said that they can harness the energy of the full moon, unlock ancient knowledge, and communicate with spirits and otherworldly entities.
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.
This notion has further perpetuated the image of the witch as a powerful and mystical figure. While the Night of the Witch is often associated with fear and danger, it also holds a significant place in modern celebrations and festivities. Halloween, for example, has become a beloved holiday where people don costumes inspired by witches, participate in parties, and engage in playful activities related to witchcraft. Despite its widespread popularity, it is crucial to recognize that the Night of the Witch is steeped in myth and legend, and it does not reflect the reality of witchcraft in contemporary times. Modern witches, also known as Wiccans or pagans, follow a nature-based spirituality and do not engage in harmful practices associated with dark magic or supernatural powers. In conclusion, the Night of the Witch is a captivating concept that has fascinated people for centuries. From ancient folklore to modern celebrations, this event continues to capture the imagination and perpetuate the mystique surrounding witches and their supposed powers. However, it is important to separate the truth from fiction and understand the cultural context in which these beliefs originated..
Reviews for "From Witch Trials to Witchcraft Revival: The Night of the Witch in History"
1. Alice - 2/5
I found "Night of the Witch" to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The pacing was inconsistent, with moments of intense action followed by long stretches of boredom. Additionally, the plot was predictable, and I guessed the ending way before it was revealed. Overall, I couldn't connect with the story or the characters, and it failed to keep me engaged.
2. Mark - 1/5
I regret reading "Night of the Witch." The writing was subpar, filled with clichés and lacking any originality. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the interactions between characters were cringe-worthy. The plot was weak and unoriginal, and I found myself uninterested in what was happening. The book failed to deliver any scares or thrills, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a genuinely creepy read.
3. Sarah - 2/5
"Night of the Witch" didn't live up to my expectations. The narrative felt disjointed, and it was difficult to follow the timeline of events. The pacing was slow, with very few moments of real excitement. The characters lacked development, and their actions and motivations were often unclear. The book had potential, but it fell short in execution, leaving me feeling unsatisfied.
4. John - 3/5
While "Night of the Witch" had its moments, overall, I found it to be a mediocre read. The story had potential, but the execution was lacking. The writing style was average, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The characters were forgettable, and I had a hard time connecting with them. The book had some creepy moments, but they were overshadowed by the book's other shortcomings. It's not terrible, but there are certainly better options in the horror genre.