The old magician of Christmas Once upon a time, in a small village tucked away in the snowy hills, there was an old magician named Benjamin. He was known throughout the village for his magical abilities and kind heart. Every year, as the holiday season approached, Benjamin would don his red robe and pointy hat and set off on a mission to bring joy to the children of the village. Benjamin had a special gift. He could transform ordinary objects into magical toys that would come to life. The children eagerly awaited his arrival, knowing that he would bring them something extraordinary for Christmas.
The children eagerly awaited his arrival, knowing that he would bring them something extraordinary for Christmas. On a cold winter's day, Benjamin would make his way through the village, his wand in hand, glistening with the promise of enchantment. As he walked, the snowflakes would dance around him, and the air would fill with the scent of hot cocoa and freshly baked gingerbread.
Night of the Witch (Witch and Hunter) (Hardcover)
New York Times bestselling authors Sara Raasch and Beth Revis weave a tale of romance, vengeance, and magic in this start to the Witch and Hunter duology, an epic enemies to lovers fantasy romance.
Fritzi is a witch. The lone survivor of a brutal attack on her coven, she's determined to find her only remaining 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, the merciless and enigmatic Kommandant Dieter Kirch.
Otto is a hexenjäger—but that's just his cover. Years ago, the hexenjägers burned his innocent mother alive, and he has been plotting his revenge against the people who tore apart his family ever since. 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. The reluctant truce fueled by their common enemy takes them from the city at the heart of the hexenjägers' power to the wild and mysterious Black Forest. As old truths come to light and new dangers are revealed, Fritzi and Otto uncover a horrifying magical plot at the center of the hexenjäger attacks that leads back to Kommandant Kirch . . . but their own growing feelings for each other may be the most powerful magic of all.
Praise for Night of the Witch:
"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
"Night of the Witch is an irresistibly compelling page-turner, distinguished by vivid descriptions, a fascinating magic system, and crackling chemistry between the two leads. Best of all? When I finished reading, I wanted more. Bring on the next book!" — Claire Legrand, New York Times bestselling author of Furyborn
"A breathtaking adventure from beginning to end. Full of wild magic, stunning twists, and a romance that burns on the page,Night of the Witch is an addictive read that will leave readers desperate for more." — Rachel Griffin, New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches and Bring Me Your Midnight
"Raasch and Revis have brewed a brilliant novel that combines history and fantasy in the best of ways. Be prepared to stay up late reading this one. If it isn't the action keeping you on the edge of your seat, then it'll be the sizzling romance." — Tricia Levenseller, New York Times bestselling author of Blade of Secrets
About the Author
Sara Raasch has known she was destined for bookish things since the age of five, when her friends had a lemonade stand and she tagged along to sell her hand-drawn picture books too. Not much has changed since then: her friends still cock concerned eyebrows when she attempts to draw things, and her enthusiasm for the written word still drives her to extreme measures. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Snow Like Ashes series, These Rebel Waves, and These Divided Shores. You can visit her online at www.sararaaschbooks.com and @seesarawrite on Twitter.
Beth Revis is a New York Times bestselling author with books available in more than twenty languages. She writes science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary novels, including Across the Universe, Star Wars: Rebel Rising, Give the Dark My Love, and A World Without You. A native of North Carolina, Revis lives in a rural corner of the state with her son and husband.
Praise For…
"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
"Night of the Witch is an irresistibly compelling page-turner, distinguished by vivid descriptions, a fascinating magic system, and crackling chemistry between the two leads. Best of all? When I finished reading, I wanted more. Bring on the next book!" — Claire Legrand, New York Times bestselling author of Furyborn
"A breathtaking adventure from beginning to end. Full of wild magic, stunning twists, and a romance that burns on the page, Night of the Witch is an addictive read that will leave readers desperate for more." — Rachel Griffin, New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches and Bring Me Your Midnight
"Raasch and Revis have brewed a brilliant novel that combines history and fantasy in the best of ways. Be prepared to stay up late reading this one. If it isn’t the action keeping you on the edge of your seat, then it’ll be the sizzling romance." — Tricia Levenseller, New York Times bestselling author of Blade of Secrets
"Night of the Witch is the most original fantasy I've read in a long while, full of stunning worldbuilding, fierce heroes, and bewitching romance. I am not exaggerating when I say it's a knockout, unputdownable story by two of the best YA authors today. " — Evelyn Skye, New York Times Bestselling author of Crown’s Game and Damsel
"The authors sustain tension via Fritzi and Otto’s alternating perspectives, and harrowing descriptions of body horror and trauma alongside quiet, tender moments of connection round out this beguiling series opener" - Publishers Weekly, STARRED review
- Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Romance
- Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Wizards & Witches
- Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Historical
The themes of keeping secrets versus being honest were full of nuance and emotion, and I enjoyed watching the slow crumbling of Iris’s walls. Revealing the truth felt pretty inevitable, and the way Griffin intertwined it with the quest to find the owl was clever. And the final climactic moments, full of both action and drama, were exciting to see from both a plot and a thematic standpoint. The resolution was also well-paced and didn’t feel too sappy.
The children would gather around him, their eyes filled with wonder and excitement. Benjamin would wave his wand, and a wooden toy soldier would transform into a real-life guardian, ready to protect them from any danger. A raggedy doll would come alive, ready to be a friend to any lonely child. And a plain old sled would turn into a magnificent flying machine, whisking children away on magical adventures. The old magician would spend hours with the children, telling stories of his own childhood and the wonders of the world. He would share his wisdom and teach them the importance of kindness and love. The children would listen intently, hanging on to his every word, knowing that they were in the presence of someone truly special. But as the years went by, Benjamin grew older. The villagers also grew older, and the number of children dwindled. The magic of Christmas seemed to fade away, replaced by the noise and busyness of modern life. One year, Benjamin realized that he was the last remaining link to the old traditions. The children had lost interest in his magical toys, preferring instead the latest gadgets and gizmos. Benjamin's heart was heavy with sadness, but he refused to give up. He decided to make one final journey through the village, spreading the magic of Christmas for one more time. As he walked, the snow fell softly around him, and the stars twinkled brightly in the night sky. Benjamin approached a small cottage, where a lonely girl sat by the window, her eyes filled with tears. He gently knocked on the door and presented her with a small, wooden box. The girl opened it to find a beautiful snow globe, with a tiny winter scene inside. "Shake it," Benjamin whispered to the girl. She did as she was told, and to her amazement, the snowflakes inside began to dance and twirl. The girl's face lit up with joy, and Benjamin knew that his mission was complete. From that day forward, the villagers remembered the old magician of Christmas and the magic he had brought. The children once again believed in the power of imagination and the joy of giving. And Benjamin, though no longer with them, continued to live on in their hearts, forever the old magician of Christmas..
Reviews for "The Legacy of Wonder: How the Old Xmas Magician Inspires the New Generations"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The old magician kf xmas". The story was overly predictable and lacked any originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. The writing style was quite amateurish and the dialogue felt forced. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious read and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "The old magician kf xmas" was one of the most boring books I have ever read. The plot was incredibly slow-paced and nothing really happened until the last few pages. The main character was unlikeable and his motivations were unclear. The writing was also very dry and lacked any sort of charm or liveliness. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Robert - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "The old magician kf xmas" as much as I had hoped. The storyline seemed promising at first, but it quickly lost its intrigue and became repetitive. The author's writing style was also quite simplistic and lacked depth. The characters were poorly developed and their actions often felt unrealistic. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I found "The old magician kf xmas" to be underwhelming. The narrative was disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to follow the plot. The pacing was also uneven, with long stretches of monotony followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. The characters were uninteresting and lacked any real depth or complexity. I was hoping for a magical and captivating story, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
5. David - 1 star - "The old magician kf xmas" was a complete waste of time. The writing was terribly repetitive, with the same phrases and descriptions appearing throughout the book. The characters were forgettable and had no redeeming qualities. The plot was predictable and lacked any sort of originality. I was hoping for a magical holiday read, but this book failed to deliver. I would not recommend it to anyone.