The Black Witch Chronicles is a fantasy book series written by Laurie Forest. The series is set in a world where discrimination and prejudice are prevalent, particularly against magical beings. The story follows the journey of Elloren Gardner, who comes from a powerful magical lineage but is unable to cast spells herself. Elloren attends the prestigious Verpax University, where she faces constant scrutiny and suspicion due to her heritage. However, as she interacts with different individuals, including those from marginalized communities, she starts questioning the beliefs instilled in her since childhood. Throughout the series, Elloren grapples with her own identity, challenges societal norms, and learns to use her power and privilege to fight against injustice.
As evil looms on the horizon and the pressure to live up to her heritage builds, everything Elloren thought she knew will be challenged and torn away. Her best hope of survival may be among the most unlikely band of rebels… if only she can find the courage to trust those she’s been taught to fear.
Fourteen years before the start of our story, a three-year old Elloren Gardner, who has a special affinity for trees and wood, is wandtested by her Uncle Edwin. Elloren refuses for her uncle s sake and attends the university, where integration policies expose her to Kelts, Elves, Urisks, the shapeshifting Lupine and the dreaded winged Icaral ethnic groups believed by most of her people to be inferior to Gardnerians.
Throughout the series, Elloren grapples with her own identity, challenges societal norms, and learns to use her power and privilege to fight against injustice. The Black Witch Chronicles address various themes, such as racism, discrimination, and the power of education. It explores how preconceived notions and stereotypes can be dismantled through compassion, empathy, and understanding.
The Black Witch - (Black Witch Chronicles) by Laurie Forest
Debut author Forest brings a vividly imagined new fantasy realm to life in The Black Witch Chronicles, in which a fiercely determined heroine must embrace a power she never knew she had in order to protect everyone she loves from the darkness sweeping across their world.
Book Synopsis
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)*
Review Quotes
"Forest uses a richly imagined magical world to offer an uncompromising condemnation of prejudice and injustice."
--Booklist, starred review
"Exquisite character work, an elaborate mythology, and a spectacularly rendered universe make this a noteworthy debut, which argues passionately against fascism and xenophobia."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Briskly paced, tightly plotted. set in a rich alternative universe with a complicated history that can help us better understand our own."
--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"We fell under the spell of this rich, diverse, Potter-worthy university world!"
--Justine magazine
"We fell under the spell of this rich, diverse, Potter-worthy university world!"
--Justine magazine
The series also delves into the complexity of moral choices, as Elloren confronts her own privilege and attempts to make amends for the injustices perpetuated by her family. Forest's writing style is immersive and full of vivid imagery, bringing the world of The Black Witch Chronicles to life. The characters are well-developed and undergo significant growth throughout the series. Supporting characters from different backgrounds and cultures play important roles, offering diverse perspectives and challenging the protagonist's worldview. The Black Witch Chronicles has gained a large following and has been praised for its portrayal of social issues and complex characters. However, it has also faced criticism for initial allegations of racial insensitivity and cultural appropriation, which the author addressed and acknowledged in subsequent editions of the first book. In conclusion, The Black Witch Chronicles is a thought-provoking and engaging fantasy series that tackles important societal issues. It invites readers to question their own biases and prejudices while presenting a captivating story filled with magic, adventure, and personal growth..
Reviews for "The Black Witch Chronicles: A Game-Changing Fantasy Series"
1. Emily - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "The Black Witch Chronicles" to be extremely disappointing. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it challenging to connect with any of them. The world-building was overly complex and confusing, leaving me feeling lost throughout the entire book. Moreover, the plot was slow-paced and predictable, with no surprising twists or turns. Overall, this book failed to capture my attention and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. James - ★★☆☆☆
I had high expectations for "The Black Witch Chronicles," but unfortunately, it fell short in many ways. The writing style was mediocre at best, with clumsy sentences and repetitive phrases. The story itself lacked substance and originality, following the typical young adult fantasy formula without bringing anything new to the table. Additionally, the romance subplot felt forced and cliché, adding nothing of value to the overall narrative. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-executed fantasy read.
3. Jessica - ★★☆☆☆
"The Black Witch Chronicles" had potential, but it ultimately failed to deliver an engaging story. The protagonist was unrelatable and lacked any significant growth throughout the book. The dialogue was often stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to immerse myself in the narrative. Additionally, the pacing felt off, with long stretches of plodding plot development and sudden bursts of action that didn't seem to fit. While I appreciate the author's attempt to tackle important themes, such as racism and discrimination, the execution felt heavy-handed and at times shallow. Overall, this book wasn't worth the hype it received.