Once upon a time, in a small village nestled deep in the heart of a dense forest, there lived an infamous sorceress known as the Sra Witch. She was a mysterious figure, feared and respected by the villagers who believed in her supernatural powers. The Sra Witch was said to possess an ancient book of spells that gave her immense power and control over the forces of nature. Legends spoke of her ability to summon storms, heal the sick, and even shape-shift into different animals. Many villagers sought her assistance whenever they found themselves in desperate situations. However, the Sra Witch’s powers came at a high price.
However, the Sra Witch’s powers came at a high price. She demanded rare herbs and precious gems from those who sought her help, leaving many of the villagers impoverished. Rumors spread that she used her magic for personal gain, causing disillusionment among the villagers.
Poor Unfortunate Soul: A Tale of the Sea Witch – Book Review
Author Serena Valentino has taken the world by storm with her best-selling Disney Villains novels published by Disney Press. Not only do Valentino’s stories give readers the opportunity to explore villains they know and love, readers are also introduced to new characters that operate behind the scenes of classic Disney plots, giving tales-as-old-as-time a bewitching new twist.
The books in the series are as follows and are best enjoyed if read in this order:
- Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen
- The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty’s Prince
- Poor Unfortunate Soul: A Tale of the Sea Witch
- Mistress of All Evil: A Tale of the Dark Fairy
- Mother Knows Best: A Tale of the Old Witch; and
- The Odd Sisters: A Tale of Three Witches
- TBA
With the long-awaited release of The Odd Sisters: A Tale of Three Witches – the first of Valentino’s characters to have a book of their own – set to hit shelves this summer, I decided to re-read and review Books 1-4. (See my book review of Fairest of All and The Beast Within.) If that’s not a countdown celebration, I don’t know what is.
Please note: this review CONTAINS SPOILERS. Do NOT read ahead if you have not read Books 1, 2 and 3.
Poor Unfortunate Soul – the third book in the Valentino Villains series – gives Ursula her very own voice with which to tell her very own story. The tale of the cheeky sea witch, maker of deals, and uncrowned queen of the Unprotected Waters challenges the reader to think about what he or she values and how those values might manifest. It also advances readers to the next level of villainy: detestation for human failings, vengeful destruction and “divine hatred.”
In many respects the lessons in this book go against the grain of traditional fairytales, advocating instead for being true to oneself and embracing what others might perceive as imperfections. Ursula is most comfortable in her octopus-like skin rather than her human Vanessa form or any other form bestowed upon her by others. Tulip has learned a lot from her first romantic ordeal and strives to be stronger, less generically physically attractive, and less giggly.
These self-love lessons, however, come at a cost. Ursula is forced to balance the power she feels in her true tentacled form with the dark power arising from her “deep, penetrating sorrow” that seeks to possess her. She is comfortable in herself and in her nightmarish revenge. It is strangely comforting to know that achieving balance, whether in the world of mortals or magic, is not particularly easy (and not always successful).
I thoroughly enjoyed my immersion into magic in this book. Valentino invites the reader to begin exploring the many different levels of magic and power possessed by the characters in a way that we had not seen in books one and two. Circe has great power and great control over her power; [SPOILER] Pflanze has more of a slowburn magic requiring lengthy recuperation time; [SPOILER] Nanny’s power is gradually coming back to her after a considerable hiatus and is delicately juxtaposed with the power wielded by Circe and Pflanze. The Odd Sisters’ reminders that “fire and water don’t mix” also give the reader some insight into the likely clash of curses between Ursula and Maleficent. Magic is not a simple, straightforward business.
While playing out Ursula’s “Poor Unfortunate Souls” scene from The Little Mermaid was not, in my view, necessary (I felt that it detracted from Valentino’s creative prowess), it did provide continuity for the film and story plots. The lyrics are irrefutably fabulous and denying Valentino’s Ursula her debut might have pulled her too far away from The Little Mermaid for young readers. This scene was also a challenge for Valentino who did not have to contend with musical numbers for the Wicked Queen or the Beast.
In any event, I love the more subdued tie-ins – [SPOILER] like Circe as one of Ursula’s minions, eventually set free to rise out of the skeleton garden as the minions did in one of the final scenes of the film. I always wondered what some of the minions’ stories were beyond “this one longs to be thinner, that one wants to get the girl.” Such execution is also suggestive of the Valentino story playing out right before your very eyes in the film, not just behind the scenes where the real (Odd Sisters’) magic happens.
I also have a soft spot for the backstories of famous objects from the Disney films. In Fairest of All, I loved the story of the pierced-heart box. In this story, Ursula’s shell necklace carries more baggage than just Ariel’s voice. I have probably spoiled too much already, so to uncover these and other nifty histories, snag yourself a copy of Poor Unfortunate Soul! In the meantime, I leave you with my favorite quote from Book 3:
“I’d rather spend my days reading and learning something of the world! Not trapped away in some man’s castle, at his beck and call!” – Tulip
Share this:
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
- More
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
- Click to print (Opens in new window)
In any event, I love the more subdued tie-ins – [SPOILER] like Circe as one of Ursula’s minions, eventually set free to rise out of the skeleton garden as the minions did in one of the final scenes of the film. I always wondered what some of the minions’ stories were beyond “this one longs to be thinner, that one wants to get the girl.” Such execution is also suggestive of the Valentino story playing out right before your very eyes in the film, not just behind the scenes where the real (Odd Sisters’) magic happens.
One day, a young orphan named Lucas found himself drawn to the aura of magic surrounding the Sra Witch's cottage. Curiosity consumed him, and he decided to venture into the depths of the forest to seek answers. As he approached the cottage, fear gripped his heart, but he pressed onward. To Lucas' surprise, the Sra Witch welcomed him with a kind smile. She sensed his longing for knowledge and took him under her wing as an apprentice. Lucas learned the ancient ways of magic, discovering that the Sra Witch's intentions were not as malevolent as believed. She had used her powers to protect the forest and its magical inhabitants, ensuring harmony among them. As Lucas grew in knowledge and skill, he began to dwell on the Sra Witch's true purpose. He realized that she was merely a misunderstood guardian of the forest, protecting its magic from those who sought to exploit it. The precious herbs and gems she demanded were in fact resources needed to maintain the delicate balance of nature. With newfound clarity, Lucas set out to change the villagers' perception of the Sra Witch. He shared his experiences and knowledge with them, revealing the truth behind her actions. Slowly, the villagers began to understand and appreciate the Sra Witch's role as a protector of the forest. Over time, harmony was restored between the Sra Witch and the villagers. They began to work together, using their collective magic to heal the sick, mend shattered relationships, and enhance the beauty of the village. The Sra Witch's reputation was no longer tainted, and her true role as a guardian of the forest was honored. And so, the tale of the Sra Witch serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving. Sometimes, what we fear and condemn may hold great wisdom and protect what we hold dear. It is crucial to seek understanding and look beyond the surface before passing judgment..
Reviews for "The Sra Witch as a Symbol of Female Empowerment and Liberation"
1. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars
I found "A Tale of the Sea Witch" to be quite disappointing. The plot seemed promising, but the execution fell flat. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them or care about their fates. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with moments of slow and tedious storytelling followed by abrupt jumps in the narrative. Overall, I had high hopes for this book, but it didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Robert - 2.5 out of 5 stars
I have mixed feelings about "A Tale of the Sea Witch." While I appreciated the author's attempt to create a dark and enchanting atmosphere, the story lacked originality. The plot felt like a mash-up of other well-known fantasy tales, and the twists and turns were predictable. Furthermore, the dialogue was cliché and lacked authenticity. I was hoping for a fresh and innovative take on the genre, but this book didn't deliver.
3. Emily - 1 out of 5 stars
I regret picking up "A Tale of the Sea Witch." The writing was mediocre at best, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. The world-building was lacking, leaving many unanswered questions about the setting and its rules. The characters were forgettable, and their motivations were unclear. Overall, this book felt like a wasted opportunity for a captivating story and left me thoroughly disappointed. I cannot recommend it to anyone.