I recently came across a truly creepy witch lantern at a Cracker Barrel store, and it has been haunting my thoughts ever since. When I first stumbled upon this lantern, I couldn't help but be drawn to its eerie design. The witch's face, carved into the side, was twisted into a wicked grin, complete with crooked teeth and sunken eyes. Her long black hair seemed to flow down the sides, giving her an ethereal and unsettling appearance. What really sets this lantern apart from others is its lighting feature. Instead of a traditional candle, this lantern has a small LED light that flickers, casting an eerie glow on the witch's face.
Instead of a traditional candle, this lantern has a small LED light that flickers, casting an eerie glow on the witch's face. This light, combined with the lantern's already menacing design, creates an incredibly spooky ambiance. As I continued to examine the lantern, I noticed the intricate details that had gone into its creation.
REVIEW: the Witch King by H.E. Edgmon
In Asalin, fae rule and witches like Wyatt Croft…don’t. Wyatt’s betrothal to his best friend, fae prince Emyr North, was supposed to change that. But when Wyatt lost control of his magic one devastating night, he fled to the human world.
Now a coldly distant Emyr has hunted him down. Despite transgender Wyatt’s newfound identity and troubling past, Emyr has no intention of dissolving their engagement. In fact, he claims they must marry now or risk losing the throne. Jaded, Wyatt strikes a deal with the enemy, hoping to escape Asalin forever. But as he gets to know Emyr, Wyatt realizes the boy he once loved may still exist. And as the witches face worsening conditions, he must decide once and for all what’s more important—his people or his freedom.
Tran MC, diverse supporting characters, queer fantasy, past trauma, some language/ dialogue may be upsetting to some readers.
I was excited when I became aware of this book. This is the debut novel of H.E. Edgmon and I will be looking forward to more of his writing. While “The Witch King” is well-written and creative but I didn’t really connect with it. I respect the fact that the author wrote in an introduction that the novel was a part of his own self-discovery process so I don’t doubt the authenticity of the voice. I think it’s wonderful for such a relevant “own-voice” novel to be on the horizon.
Wyatt is an interesting character. He has been born a “witch” in the Fae world which means that he is not only discriminated against but he has been committed to an arranged marriage by his parents. Wyatt was to marry Emry – the Prince heir to the throne. Unable to deal with the possibilities of his upcoming life, Wyatt fled to the human world and his new family (complete with lovely best friend, Briar). In the human world Wyatt is able to live as the man he has always been.
I did enjoy the way that the author wrote about Wyatt’s transness. He is accepted by his family of choice lovingly and without judgment. When Emry comes to find him and basically forces Wyatt back into the contract he has fled… that was when I began to lose my connection to some of the characters.
Emyr I was intrigued by. I enjoyed that as the Prince of the Fae, he wanted to become a uniting influence over the world. He definitely loves Wyatt and immediately requests his pronouns and never misgenders or deadnames him. Sadly, I didn’t feel like I really understood the relationship between Emry and Wyatt. I’ve never been much of a fan of stories in which a characters is in a “forced” or “contracted” relationship which progresses to love. I find that type of relationship problematic at best as I think that it glosses over the rights of individuals to choose their own fates.
This novel also has a huge component of bigotry and “racism” in terms of a large portion of the Fae people being discriminatory towards witches and humans (to a much lesser degree). It was portrayed as very simple and lacking a lot of nuance. Then again, that’s only part of what is going on in the story and this is a YA novel.
Wyatt’s voice was a bit difficult for me to connect with. I found that there were some really casual phrases/words that made their way into Wyatt’s thoughts repetitively, and some of it just felt really awkward or a bit off-putting. For instance, Wyatt repeatedly adds confirmation that he’s gay as a way of describing his attraction to another male character. Another book reviewer suggested that some of this may change in the final edit of the story. As I read an ARC, I’m not sure how much editing is left to be done on this book.
The author’s writing style is great and I would gladly pick up another title. I will always support own-voices authors.
Things You May Want To Know: Please be aware, I’m by no means an expert on what may or may not have the potential to disturb people. I simply list things that I think a reader might want to be aware of. In this book: (SPOILERS) Violence, violent attacks, blood/gore/murder, character’s parents died, misgendering of character (both by accident and intentionally), deadnaming off-page, severe anxiety, trauma (PTSD?), abuse both physical and emotional, racism/ bigotry in the context of a fantasy world, deceit in a friendship.
Goodreads I received an ARC of The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon from Inkyard Press via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
The author’s writing style is great and I would gladly pick up another title. I will always support own-voices authors.
The wrinkles on the witch's face were so lifelike that it almost seemed as if she could come to life at any moment. The lantern's body, adorned with spider webs and bats, added to its overall spookiness. The lantern's craftsmanship also impressed me. The materials used were of high quality, with a sturdy construction that made the lantern feel durable and long-lasting. The attention to detail and the dedication put into creating this piece was evident. While the lantern itself is undeniably creepy, I couldn't help but appreciate its uniqueness and artistry. It would make a perfect addition to any Halloween decor or for anyone who appreciates the macabre. In conclusion, the creepy witch lantern from Cracker Barrel is an incredible piece that manages to both creep out and captivate its viewers. Its design, lighting feature, and craftsmanship all contribute to its haunting appeal. Whether you love all things spooky or are simply looking for a standout Halloween decoration, this lantern is sure to make a lasting impression..
Reviews for "Why We Are Drawn to the Creepy Witch Lantern from a Cracker Barrel: The Psychology Behind Its Appeal"
- Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to get this creepy witch lantern from Cracker Barrel because I love Halloween decorations. However, I was really disappointed with the quality of this item. The lantern itself felt really flimsy and cheap, and the witch figure inside looked like something straight out of a dollar store. The lights inside were also really dim and barely lit up the lantern. Overall, I felt like I wasted my money on a subpar decoration that doesn't live up to Cracker Barrel's usual quality.
- Mike - 1 star - I don't usually leave negative reviews, but I had to share my thoughts on this creepy witch lantern from Cracker Barrel. First of all, the lantern arrived already damaged with scratches and scuffs. It was supposed to have a spooky glow, but the lights inside were so weak that you could barely see them. The witch figure inside also looked nothing like the picture and was poorly painted. I was really disappointed with this purchase and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a quality Halloween decoration.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I bought this creepy witch lantern from Cracker Barrel thinking it would be a fun addition to my Halloween decor. However, I was not impressed with the overall design and quality of this product. The lantern felt flimsy and the witch figure inside was poorly made and looked more silly than spooky. The lights inside were also not very bright, which really took away from the effect I was hoping to achieve. Overall, I regretted purchasing this lantern and wish I had chosen a different Halloween decoration.