The Black Witch Series is a fantasy book series written by author Laurie Forest. It follows the story of a young girl named Elloren Gardner who comes from a prestigious, yet prejudiced, mage family. In this world, there is a strict division between different magical races, with discrimination against those who are different. **The main idea of the Black Witch Series revolves around the themes of prejudice, power, and the fight for equality.** Elloren, the main protagonist, initially holds many biased beliefs ingrained in her by her family and society. However, as she enters the university and interacts with different magical races, her perspective begins to change.
"A noteworthy debut."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review
This isn t a book where the orcs are secretly code for black people like in Bright either, even if the Gardnerians are halfway between Southern Gentry and British snobs. To give a short explanation of what I mean, hard racism is the Death Eaters and Daleks while soft racism is a Muggleborn kid being denied an invitation to Hogwarts so it could go to a Pureblood candidate.
However, as she enters the university and interacts with different magical races, her perspective begins to change. Throughout the series, Elloren learns to question the beliefs and teachings she has grown up with, as she witnesses the oppression and mistreatment of non-human races. She gradually begins to understand the importance of empathy, understanding, and fighting against discrimination.
The Black Witch (Black Witch Chronicles #1) (Hardcover)
This is book number 1 in the Black Witch Chronicles series.
- #2: The Iron Flower (Black Witch Chronicles #2) (Hardcover): $22.99
- #3: The Shadow Wand (Black Witch Chronicles #3) (Hardcover): $20.99
- #4: The Demon Tide (Black Witch Chronicles #4) (Hardcover): $22.99
- #5: The Dryad Storm (Black Witch Chronicles #5) (Hardcover): $22.99
Description
The New York Times bestselling series
"Maximum suspense, unusual magic--a whole new, thrilling approach to fantasy "
--Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Powerful magic. A deadly legacy. A world at the edge of war. Prepare to be spellbound by fantasy series, The Black Witch Chronicles.
Elloren Gardner is the spitting image of her grandmother, who drove back the enemy forces in the last Realm War. But while her people believe she will follow in her grandmother's footsteps and become the next Black Witch of prophecy, Elloren is devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above all else.
When she is granted the opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren joins her brothers at Verpax University. But she soon realizes that the university may be the most treacherous place of all for the granddaughter of the Black Witch.
As evil looms and the pressure to live up to her heritage builds, Elloren's best hope of survival may be among a secret band of rebels. if only she can find the courage to trust those she's been taught to fear.
Critics are raving about Laurie Forest's incredible debut, The Black Witch:
"Forest uses a richly imagined magical world to offer an uncompromising condemnation of prejudice and injustice."
--Booklist, starred review
"A noteworthy debut."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Briskly paced, tightly plotted."
--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
- The Black Witch
- The Iron Flower
- The Shadow Wand
- The Demon Tide
- The Dryad Storm
- Wandfasted (ebook novella)*
- Light Mage (ebook novella)*
- Fantasy - Epic
- Fantasy - Dark Fantasy
- School & Education - Boarding School & Prep School
- Paperback (August 7th, 2018): $12.99
- MP3 CD (May 2nd, 2017): $55.99
- Compact Disc (May 2nd, 2017): $79.99
- Compact Disc (May 2nd, 2017): $55.99
The prejudice element actually isn't the focus of the book, I should note. The majority of the book is a story about a prophecy, a Chosen One, whether the Chosen One prophecy is made up, as well as a young woman coming into her own with her magical abilities. It's stuff that I've seen before but is handled well enough. Indeed, if not for the fact it dealt extensively with overcoming prejudice, it would be a fairly typical urban fantasy novel. The fact it did, however, is a point in its favor rather than against it. At least in my humble opinion.
The Black Witch Series also explores the theme of power and its corrupting influence. Elloren discovers that she possesses immense magical abilities, which can be used for both good and evil. As she struggles to understand and control her powers, she also faces challenges from those who seek to exploit her potential for their own gain. The series delves into the dynamics of power and the moral responsibilities that come with it. It examines how power can be used to either perpetuate discrimination or fight for justice. Overall, the Black Witch Series tackles important socio-political themes through a rich fantasy world. It encourages readers to challenge their own biases, question societal norms, and fight against discrimination..
Reviews for "The Controversy Surrounding the Black Witch Series"
1. Sara Thompson - 2/5 stars - I really didn't enjoy the Black Witch series. The main character, Elloren, was extremely unlikable and didn't seem to grow or change throughout the entire series. The writing was also overly descriptive and repetitive, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story. Additionally, I found the world-building to be lacking, as the magical elements were not explained well and left me feeling confused. Overall, I was disappointed with the series and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mark Johnson - 1/5 stars - The Black Witch series was a huge letdown for me. The plot was slow-moving and lacked any real excitement. The characters were poorly developed and felt one-dimensional, making it hard to care about their fates. Furthermore, the book relied heavily on clichés and outdated tropes, which made the story feel unoriginal and predictable. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this series if you're looking for something truly captivating and unique.
3. Emily Miller - 2/5 stars - I found the Black Witch series to be quite underwhelming. While the concept of the story was promising, the execution fell flat. The pacing was off, with long stretches of tedious exposition and action that felt forced. The dialogue was also cringe-worthy at times, filled with cheesy lines and unrealistic interactions. Additionally, the relationships between characters felt forced and lacked depth. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this series and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Alex Davis - 3/5 stars - Although I had high expectations for the Black Witch series, it ultimately fell short for me. The world-building was intriguing, but the plot became convoluted and hard to follow as the series progressed. The pacing was inconsistent, with moments of excitement followed by long periods of stagnation. Additionally, some of the characters were poorly developed and their motivations were unclear. While there were elements of the story that I enjoyed, overall, it was a disappointing read.
5. Samantha Johnson - 2/5 stars - I was disappointed with the Black Witch series. The main character, Elloren, lacked agency and seemed to rely on others to make decisions for her throughout the series. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry, making it difficult to become invested in the relationships. The writing style was also repetitive and often dragged down the story. While there were elements of the series that had potential, they were ultimately overshadowed by the shortcomings of the plot and characters.