Once upon a time, in a forgotten village deep in the heart of the enchanted forest, there lived an orphan witch named Luna. She was an outcast in the village, feared and shunned by the villagers due to her magical abilities. Luna was abandoned at birth by her unknown parents, and ever since she could remember, she had been raised by the wise old witch, Elara. Elara was one of the most powerful witches in the land, known for her kind heart and magical prowess. She took Luna under her wing and taught her everything she knew about the mystical arts. Despite her best efforts, Luna struggled to control her powers and often caused unintentional havoc with her spells.
About the Book
The loner nephew of one of the guardians at the group home Persephone was residing in, Devon was beautiful in a clumsy way, and spent most of the afternoons on the creaking brown sofa drawing in a battered gray notebook. Crutcher, in her bio, mentions that she s a yoga lover and it s easy to pick that up throughout the book as she throws little yoga philosophies in here and there almost with a wink and a nod to the yoga-loving reader.
Despite her best efforts, Luna struggled to control her powers and often caused unintentional havoc with her spells. This only intensified the fear and mistrust the villagers had towards her. Luna yearned for acceptance and love.
The Orphan Witch: A Novel (Paperback)
"Mystical, magical, and wildly original. If Alice Hoffman and Sara Addison Allen had a witchy love child, she would be Paige Crutcher. Do not miss this beautifully realized debut!"--- JT Ellison, New York Times bestselling author of Her Dark Lies on The Orphan Witch.
A deeper magic. A stronger curse. A family lost. and found.
Persephone May has been alone her entire life. Abandoned as an infant and dragged through the foster care system, she wants nothing more than to belong somewhere. To someone. However, Persephone is as strange as she is lonely. Unexplainable 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. And she certainly never dates. Working odd jobs and always keeping her suitcases half-packed, Persephone is used to moving around, leaving one town for another when curiosity over her eccentric behavior inevitably draws unwanted attention.
After an accidental and very public display of power, Persephone knows it’s time to move on once again. It’s lucky, then, when she receives an email from the one friend she’s managed to keep, inviting her to the elusive Wile Isle. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. However, upon arrival, Persephone quickly discovers that Wile is no ordinary island. In fact, it just might hold the very things she’s been searching for her entire life.
Answers. Family. Home.
And some things she did not want. Like 100-year-old curses and an even older family feud. With the clock running out, love might be the magic that saves them all.
PAIGE CRUTCHER is the author of The Orphan Witch and The Lost Witch. She is a former journalist, and her work appears in multiple anthologies and online publications. She is an artist and yogi, and when not writing, she prefers to spend her time trekking through the forest with her children, hunting for portals to new worlds.
- Fiction / Fantasy / Paranormal
- Fiction / Women
"Impressive." - Publishers Weekly
"The novel's intricate Western European-inspired worldbuilding and layered character make it a fit for fans of Alice Hoffman and Deborah Harkness." - Library Journal
"Enthralling and lyrical, The Orphan Witch weaves a story of a haunting curse and a homecoming that is so well deserved. I love this book!" -J.R. Ward, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Paige Crutcher’s debut The Orphan Witch is an enthralling and mystical journey into the heart of her wildly inventive characters. A page-turning story that transports and bewitches, Crutcher knows her magic well. For fans of Alice Hoffman and Deborah Harkness, this debut is imbued with the beauty of myth, lore and legend. Crutcher is a dazzling new voice in fantasy.” --Patti Callahan, New York Times bestselling author of Once Upon a Wardrobe
"Mystical, magical, and wildly original, The Orphan Witch is a great story from an exciting new voice in fantasy. Persephone May is a witch for the ages, a tough, uncompromising, powerful time walker with a wicked gaze and a heart of gold. Her journey to find her family and herself and the lost witches of Wile Ilse is both rollicking adventure and intimate exploration. If Alice Hoffman and Sara Addison Allen had a witchy love child, she would be Paige Crutcher. Do not miss this beautifully realized debut!"--- JT Ellison, New York Times bestselling author of Her Dark Lies
"Cozy and alluring as a magic cup of tea or a magic library, you'll want to adopt The Orphan Witch even if she is dangerous." --Sarah Rees Brennan, New York Times bestselling author of the Demon Lexicon Trilogy
“The Orphan Witch is a well-crafted, magical tale about finding out who you really are—and discovering the true meaning of home. Paige Crutcher’s enchanting debut will charm you from the first page to the last!” --Julianne Maclean, USA Today bestselling author of A Fire Sparkling
they sounded kind and full of loves in the pleasant weather.”
She desired to use her powers for good and bring peace to the village. One day, when a terrible plague struck the village, Luna saw this as an opportunity to prove herself and earn the trust of the villagers. She tirelessly worked day and night to concoct a powerful healing spell. With great determination, Luna gathered the necessary ingredients and performed the spell in the village square. As the magical incantation enveloped the air, Luna's heart swelled with hope. To her surprise, the plague began to subside, and the villagers who had been suffering started to recover. News of Luna's miraculous healing spread throughout the village, reaching every ear and melting every heart. The villagers realized that they had misjudged and mistreated Luna all along. They came to understand that her powers were a gift, not something to be feared. From that day forward, Luna became the beloved witch of the village. People sought her magical expertise for various problems, and she used her powers to bring happiness and prosperity to everyone she encountered. Luna finally found the acceptance and love she had longed for. The orphan witch became a symbol of hope and unity in the village. She never forgot the lessons her mentor, Elara, had taught her about using magic responsibly and for the greater good. Luna dedicated her life to using her powers to protect and uplift others, proving that even an orphan with a troubled past could overcome adversity and make a difference in the world. And so, Luna's story became a legend that transcended time, reminding everyone that it's not our origins or powers that define us, but rather the choices we make and the goodness we bring into the world. The orphan witch had transformed her own life, as well as the lives of those around her, through her unwavering compassion and the magic that resided within her..
Reviews for "The Orphan Witch: A Glimpse Into Her Day-to-Day Life"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really excited to read "The Orphan Witch" based on the summary and the positive reviews I had read. However, I was left disappointed and underwhelmed. The story was predictable and lacked depth; it felt like I was reading a watered-down version of a much better book. Additionally, the characters were one-dimensional and lacked development. Overall, "The Orphan Witch" didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Mike - 1 star
"The Orphan Witch" was a complete letdown. The plot was slow-moving and uneventful, with no real surprises or twists. The writing style was dull and lacked creativity, making it hard to stay engaged with the story. The world-building was also lacking; I didn't feel immersed in the magical realm like I had hoped. The characters were forgettable and lacked complexity. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting or well-crafted fantasy novel.
3. Amanda - 2 stars
As a fan of fantasy novels, I was excited to dive into "The Orphan Witch." However, the book fell flat for me. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening and then sudden rushed action scenes that felt forced. The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The main character was frustratingly naive and made poor choices throughout the book, which made it hard for me to root for her. Overall, "The Orphan Witch" didn't live up to my expectations and left me feeling disappointed.
4. John - 2 stars
I found "The Orphan Witch" to be a mediocre fantasy read. The world-building was lackluster, and the magic system felt underdeveloped. The plot was predictable and lacked complexity, making it hard to stay engaged. The dialogue between characters was often cliché and unrealistic. Despite the potentially interesting premise, the execution fell short for me. I wouldn't recommend "The Orphan Witch" to avid fantasy readers who are looking for a well-crafted and immersive story.