The Wayward Witch series is a popular fantasy book series written by Sarah Hollowell. The series follows the adventures of a young witch named Emily Grace Graves, who is just learning how to control her magical powers. Throughout the series, Emily navigates through various trials and tribulations, facing dangerous creatures, evil sorcerers, and the challenges of growing up as a witch. One notable aspect of the Wayward Witch series is its strong focus on representation and diversity. Emily, the main character, is a plus-sized girl, which challenges traditional stereotypes of what a witch should look like. In addition, the series explores themes of body positivity, self-acceptance, and the power of embracing one's unique qualities.
In addition, the series explores themes of body positivity, self-acceptance, and the power of embracing one's unique qualities. The world-building in the Wayward Witch series is also commendable. Hollowell creates a magical universe filled with intricate details and fascinating creatures, such as enchanted forests, talking animals, and hidden realms.
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TC – The inspiration for the story came from the dust jacket cover art. I had just finished my memoir, Roads Over Brown County, which took me two years to write, and I was playing around with a fairy design and thought it would be a fantastic image for a book cover. I keep thinking how nice a fantasy book cover it would make but didn’t know what kind of story it should be, and I didn’t have a title. For some unknown reason, while I was working on the cover art, I was also reading Frank L. Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz again.
After I added tattoos on the fairy’s arm and some glowing orbs behind her, it came to me. I knew exactly who this fairy witch was. It made perfect sense; she was a good fairy witch, Glinda’s daughter, the Good Witch of the South. I instantly knew what I wanted to write.
For reasons I can’t explain, the first chapter I wrote in my journal was the epilogue. Everything else about the plot instantly fell into place.
What were some ideas that you wanted to keep from the classic Wizard of Oz and what were some new ideas you wanted to introduce?
TC – That’s a good question. I decided to combine aspects from Baum’s original book and the 1939 MGM movie with Judy Garland. Not many realize that in Baum’s books, Glinda was the Good Witch of the South, or also known as Glinda the Good, and not the Good Witch of the North. For fun, I decided to give Glinda the last name Glinda Goodwitch. I also decided to have the main characters from Baun’s book and the movie, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion play a part in my book. I also thought it would be fun to add subtle echoes from the movie within my book.
One of my favorite moments in the film is at the end when Dorothy is back home in her own bed, and she is telling her family and friends about Oz. I wanted to capture this iconic moment in the book.
So when the main character, Samantha Goodwitch, Glinda’s daughter, is recuperating from a terrible injury from fighting the vicious red alpha dragon. She wakes up in an unfamiliar bed and looks up at her companions, and tells them about a dream she’d been having. She points a trembling finger at each one and says, “You, and you, and you . . . . . and you were there.” I also had the new Wicked Witch taunt her victims as she did in the movie, using some of the barbs the Wicked Witch of the West used. All of these small touches made the story special and fun for me when I was writing. It made me smile.
I added one piece of imagery at the beginning of the book when Sam is crouched on the roof of the castle looking out across the land of Oz that has been with me since I was a child. I am almost sure it started from the very first time I watched the movie. It happens when the Munchkins escort Dorothy to the center of Munchkin City to show her the Yellow Brick Road. Where the Yellow Brick Road spirals out from the center of the city, there is another spiraling brick road, but the bricks are red. That always fascinated me, and I have ever wondered what kind of adventures one would find following the Red Brick Road. To this day, when I watch the movie, I whisper, “Dorothy, take the Red Brick Road.”
Sam is an intriguing character that I enjoyed watching develop. What were some obstacles you felt were important to the characters development?
Mainly believing in herself and proving herself to her mother, to her sister, and to everyone she loved. Every time I start a new book project, I struggle with it, from my children’s picture books to my novels – especially my novels. So, I say to everyone, “Believe!”
Do you plan to write other stories within the land of Oz?
When I first started writing this Ozarian tale, I said to myself, “What am I think writing a book based on a classic like Oz!” Doing another book? Well, I will tell you this: I have already written an outline. But to be honest, the two years it took me to write The Good Witch of the South knocked the breath out of me. I am not sure I have it in me to write another adventure in the Land of Oz. But one never knows.
I have to admit. Now that this Good Witch story is finished, I find myself genuinely missing my daily visits to the Oz.
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There is a darkness brewing in the west and alarming rumors of dragons and an evil enchantress building an army to overthrow the Great Head of Oz. A demon fairy witch the Land of Oz hasn’t seen since Dorothy Gale destroyed the Wicked Witch of the West.
Soon to be sixteen-year-old Samantha Goodwitch, the daughter of Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, knows she is disobeying her mother’s wishes when she leaves the castle to search for dragons, but she’d rather have an adventure than follow her mother’s command. When one of the Shadow Mountain Cats, Akasha, unexpectedly saves her life, the adventure turns deadly and a friendship grows between them.
But the rumors soon become real, and the freedom that had captured the hearts of the citizens of Oz is quickly unraveling. As the tensions mount and battles begin, Sam and Akasha find others who join them in the last Great War of Oz, to fight against the darkness that is devouring a once peaceful land.
*** A spectacular Ozarian adventure in the land of Oz ***
*** A spectacular Ozarian adventure in the land of Oz ***
The author's vivid descriptions bring the magical elements to life, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in the fantastical world. Furthermore, the Wayward Witch series is known for its engaging and well-developed characters. From the quirky and lovable Emily to her diverse group of friends and allies, each character brings something unique and interesting to the story. Hollowell excels in showing the complexities and growth of her characters, making them feel relatable and human. One of the strengths of the Wayward Witch series is its exploration of themes related to identity and finding one's place in the world. Emily wrestles with questions of what it means to be a witch, how to balance her magical abilities with her responsibilities, and how to navigate relationships with her family and friends. These themes resonate with readers of all ages, making the series highly accessible and relatable. Overall, the Wayward Witch series is a captivating and empowering series that combines magic, adventure, and important social themes. Hollowell's writing style and unique world-building make it a must-read for fans of fantasy and those looking for stories that showcase diverse and inclusive characters. The series has garnered critical acclaim and a strong fan base, cementing its place as a beloved staple in the fantasy genre..
Reviews for "The Mythical Creatures of the Wayward Witch Series: A Guide"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to start reading the Wayward Witch series, but I found it to be incredibly disappointing. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, and the story felt rushed and disjointed. The world-building was also weak and left me wanting more. Overall, I just couldn't get into this series and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 1 star - I couldn't even finish the first book of the Wayward Witch series. The writing was mediocre at best, and the plot felt unoriginal and predictable. The protagonist was unlikable and made irrational decisions, which made it difficult for me to connect with the story. I found myself getting bored and frustrated, and decided to put it down for good. Definitely not my cup of tea.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Wayward Witch series, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was off, with too much filler and not enough substance. The romance aspect felt forced and lacked chemistry. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, which made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the story. I really wanted to enjoy this series, but it just didn't live up to my expectations.
4. Jason - 2 stars - As a fan of fantasy series, I was excited to dive into the Wayward Witch series. However, I found the magic system to be poorly explained and confusing. The plot was also lacking in originality and failed to hold my interest. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to care about their fates. Overall, I was disappointed with this series and wouldn't recommend it to fellow fantasy lovers.