The orphan witch is a concept that explores the life of a young girl who discovers that she has magical powers after the tragic loss of her parents. This trope is often seen in various forms of fiction, including books, movies, and television shows. The orphan witch is characterized by her resilience and determination to overcome the challenges she faces. With no family to guide her, she must navigate the mysterious world of magic on her own. This journey often entails finding a mentor or a group of friends who can help her harness her powers and learn to control them. One of the central themes of the orphan witch trope is the search for identity.
Synopsis: “Abandoned as an infant, Persephone May has been alone her entire life. Uneqxplainable things happen when she’s around – changes in weather, inanimate objects taking flight – and those who seek to bring her into their family quickly cast her out. To cope, she never gets attached, never makes friends, never dates, and is always leaving one town for another.
Persephone things perhaps she was made…wrong. Maybe she’s cursed.
Invited by the one friend she’s managed to keep, Persephone finds herself on the elusive Isle of Wile – a place that may hold the very things she’s been searching for her entire life: family, sisterhood, and a sense of belonging. But will a 100-year-old curse force her to sacrifice her life for the ones she now calls home or will her lineage remain lost forever? Magic always exacts its price.”
The Orphan Witch is dripping with imagery in all the right ways, it feels like drinking a cup of hot tea with honey warm and refreshing and decadent. That s not to say there aren t some rough patches that I expect with an ARC places where a word has been left out or the story doesn t quite add up but it s nothing that a final revision won t take care of and I have no worries that the finalized copy will be anything less than magical.
One of the central themes of the orphan witch trope is the search for identity. The loss of her parents leaves the protagonist feeling adrift and disconnected from the world. Through the discovery of her magical abilities, she embarks on a quest to uncover her true self.
The Orphan Witch by Paige Crutcher
There are some interesting set pieces and arresting imagery in this modern-day tale of witches on a remote southern island, tied by bonds of blood and love. You definitely get the idea that some of these scenes sprang into Paige Crutcher’s head fully formed, so viscerally and lovingly are they depicted.
Alas, that’s about all I can say to recommend this book. Despite the vividness of certain lovely passages, The Orphan Witch falls apart from sheer lack of craft. I spent every few pages muttering, “That’s not what that word means.” I’m all for poetic license, but one does not “don” silverware when setting the table nor, in a moment of fear and panic, have time to think “reverently” about an engine you’re hoping will catch so you can flee, in just two of the most memorably egregious examples. In fairness, I don’t know what stage of editing this book was in when it was sent to me — hopefully, a very early one! — but just the constant estrangement of vocabulary from meaning made me question the author’s experience both with writing and with reading good fiction.
And that’s even before we get into the plotting and characterization. While I did appreciate the plot twists, I felt like most of the writing that was meant to be the connecting tissue between set pieces wasn’t at all well thought out, and almost hurried through as the author shepherded us from one of her preferred scenes to the next, skipping some sorely needed world-building in the process. And the characterizations were absolutely dire, with immature, borderline idiotic dialog, inexplicable motivations and, at the very bottom of the barrel, an extremely unconvincing instalove romance plot. Every single character was paper thin, and my feelings for them verged from mild irritation to deep annoyance.
The main character was especially grating, tho I suppose she had a reason for being so socially awkward. I just didn’t understand how everyone was so accepting of how terrible she was. Having recently thought very much about power fantasies and the catharsis they bring, I can appreciate the motivation behind writing this book in this way, but that doesn’t at all make it enjoyable or interesting to read. For me, at least, I do sincerely hope it brings others joy and a little escape from their every day.
I hate bagging on books, especially by debut authors, but this was excruciating to read and just really poorly done. I wish Ms Crutcher the best for her future endeavors, and am hoping the quality of her writing will (can?) only improve from here on out.
The Orphan Witch by Paige Crutcher was published September 28 2021 by St Martin’s Griffin and is available from all good booksellers, including
I was going to bring this one out to day as a 'Happy Book Birthday' post, but it seems that a pinch of magic had this one coming out a week earlier than predicted. Maybe some of you have already taken a peek at this one?
This journey is often intertwined with a larger conflict or villainous force that the main character must face and ultimately overcome. In many narratives, the orphan witch also faces discrimination or prejudice from the magic community due to her status as an orphan. Some may view her as a threat or an outsider, while others may seek to exploit her powers for their own gain. These obstacles further test the orphan witch's strength and determination. Despite the challenges she faces, the orphan witch often perseveres and uses her powers for good. Through her courage and growing mastery of magic, she becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration for others. This transformation is not only empowering for the protagonist but also serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, one can find strength and purpose. The orphan witch trope has captivated audiences for years due to its relatable themes of loss, self-discovery, and resilience. It allows readers and viewers to escape into a world where anything is possible and reminds them of the importance of embracing their own unique talents and qualities..
Reviews for "The Lost Coven: The Orphan Witch's Search for Belonging"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The Orphan Witch". The story was predictable and the characters were unmemorable. The plot lacked depth and the pacing was incredibly slow. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never did. The whole book felt like a drag and I had to force myself to finish it. Overall, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling or captivating read.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "The Orphan Witch" was a complete letdown. The writing was dull and uninspiring, making it difficult to connect with the story or the characters. The protagonist was one-dimensional and lacked any sort of development. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, and the plot was full of clichés. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat. I ended up skimming through most of it, just to get it over with.
3. Michael - 2/5 - I found "The Orphan Witch" to be quite forgettable. The world-building was weak and lacked detail, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the magic system seemed underdeveloped and inconsistent. The pacing was slow, and the plot twists were predictable. The romance subplot felt forced and unrealistic. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and would not recommend it to others.