Once upon a time in a dark and mysterious forest, there lived a powerful witch and a fearsome vampire. Both creatures were known for their dark magic and supernatural abilities. They had a long history of rivalry and were constantly trying to outdo each other with their dark deeds. The witch, with her flowing black robes and pointed hat, resided in a decrepit old cottage hidden deep within the heart of the forest. She was wise and cunning, possessing an extensive knowledge of potions, spells, and charms. Her cauldron always bubbled with enchanted concoctions, which she used to carry out her wicked plans.
“Is Mother almost ready for her trip?” I ask, keeping a friendly tone to my voice so he won’t suspect me of anything.
Until one night two years ago, vampires broke through the magical barrier protecting their town, and in the ensuing attack, Kaye s mother was killed, and Ava was turned into a vampire. Every witch s powers grow strongest once she turns fifteen; those are the hardest years of training for witches in Arborren, when our regular schooling ends, and we re trained to master our magical skills before the potency lessens to a steadier level one that can still be incredibly strong, if we re trained enough in our youth.
Her cauldron always bubbled with enchanted concoctions, which she used to carry out her wicked plans. The vampire, on the other hand, had taken up residence in a grand castle that stood on a hill overlooking the village nearby. He was elegant and mysterious, with pale skin and sharp fangs that gleamed in the moonlight.
The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores
The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores is a young adult, queer Rapunzel retelling set in a fantasy world where witches and vampires coexist. The novel follows Ava and Kaye, who used to be best friends until the fateful night when Kaye’s mother was murdered and Ava was turned into a vampire against her will. Struggling to overcome their own personal traumas, their relationship is tested when they must put aside their differences to confront a looming threat against their community. With its blend of romance, adventure, and suspense, this novel delves into a supernatural realm of magic made thorny by the prickly complexities of family loyalties.
I can’t accept it as coincidence that Ava disappeared that same day, and I saw her with blood on her chin a few days later.
Francesca Flores, The Witch and the Vampire
While the premise is compelling, the pacing and worldbuilding is where this novel falls short. The story feels rushed and formulaic at times, with pivotal events unfolding too quickly, and plot twists being entirely too predictable. The combining of vampire and witch lore was initially intriguing, but I was constantly confused as to why only Ava was a vampire who retained her witch powers. Her mother keeps it a secret to use for her own benefit, but it’s never quite clear if Ava’s an anomaly, or if it’s common knowledge that she would have retained her powers due to how she was turned into a vampire.
I often found myself craving more details, especially when it came to why vampires and witches hate each other. I was looking for nuanced conversations or metaphors about the racial and species prejudices in this world, but all I got was a “fantasy” where those prejudices just get to exist without question. For instance, Kaye, who was told her mother was murdered by a vampire but has no other evidence to prove it, sees her best friend Ava in a tower with blood on her face a few days later and somehow decides Ava did it. She…allegedly murdered her best friend’s mother and just didn’t wash her face for days. And that’s all it takes to rewire Kaye’s entire personality. Uh…what? Make it make sense!
And speaking of Ava’s mother — the woman murders her own daughter and turns her into a vampire against her will, keeps her imprisoned, siphons off her power, and emotionally manipulates her. All that sounds incredibly traumatizing, especially since Ava makes the brave decision to run away and rescue herself from this life; however, Flores’ treatment of this storyline is flippant. It’s simply a passing detail, and is yet another aspect of the novel that I really would have liked to see fleshed out. What was her mother’s motive? Were there no warning signs for the first sixteen years of Ava’s life?
Had she stared at the same moon those long nights and wished to be with me too?
Francesca Flores, The Witch and the Vampire
On a positive note, I enjoyed Flores’ accessible writing, and particularly the beautiful prose as Ava and Kaye pine for one another. Whether it be for their lost friendship or their budding romance, it’s easy for readers to relate to the yearning and inner turmoil each girl experiences. Flores excels at illustrating this sapphic romance, and I especially enjoyed the parts in the first half of the book when the girls travel through the forest and skirt around each other after two years apart. However, I constantly had trouble telling Ava and Kaye apart! Maybe it’s just me, but I felt their personalities and voices often blended together, and the girls lacked the depth needed to truly resonate as fully developed characters.
The Witch and the Vampire is a one-dimensional, predictable sapphic romance, and the worldbuilding and pacing leaves much to be desired. I really wanted to love this book, but it was a letdown in almost every way. So much potential was left on the table, and the Rapunzel foundation of this retelling is almost an afterthought! (Honestly, it seems more like a Tangled retelling, though just barely.) A standalone novel simply doesn’t have the room Flores required to successfully weave the rich tapestry of the world she created. The potential for something truly immersive and captivating is there, but the execution simply is not.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for sharing an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
His powers included the ability to transform into a bat and control lesser vampires to do his bidding. Their constant battle for dominance made the forest a dangerous place for anyone who dared to enter. They engaged in battles of dark magic, creating thunderstorms and conjuring creatures of the night to fight on their behalf. The villagers lived in fear of their powers, never knowing who would come out on top in this never-ending contest. However, amidst their rivalry, an unlikely bond began to form between the witch and the vampire. They discovered a shared love for dark arts and a deep respect for each other's abilities. Slowly, they started to collaborate on their magical endeavors, combining their powers to create spells of immense power. The forest soon became a haven for dark magic, with their joint efforts transforming it into a realm filled with enchanted creatures and mystical phenomena. The trees whispered ancient secrets, and the rivers ran black with magical energy. The witch and vampire reveled in their newfound synergy, using their combined powers to create an aura of terror and fascination in the forest. As time went on, the witch and the vampire became the stuff of legends. Stories of their power and influence were whispered among the villagers, who saw them as mythical figures protecting the forest from outsiders. The once fearful villagers started to revere them, sending offerings of blood and herbs to appease the powerful duo. Although they were still rivals deep down, the witch and the vampire reveled in their shared dominion over the forest. They knew that their relationship was an unusual one, but it worked for both of them. Together, they had achieved a level of power and influence that neither could have attained alone. And so, the witch and the vampire continued their dance of dark magic, forever entwined in their eternal rivalry and unlikely partnership. The forest remained their kingdom, a place where their combined powers could grow and thrive. It was a tale of two creatures, united by their darkness and their quest for dominance in a world filled with mystique and enchantment..
Reviews for "The Witch and the Vampire: Unlikely Allies"
1. Name: Sarah
Rating: 1/5
Review: I was really disappointed with "The Witch and the Vampire". The story was predictable and cliché, with absolutely no originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with any of them. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed, confusing action scenes. Overall, I found the book to be poorly written and uninteresting. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and unique vampire story.
2. Name: John
Rating: 2/5
Review: "The Witch and the Vampire" had promise but failed to deliver. The concept was intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with too many unnecessary twists and turns. The dialogue was awkward and unnatural, making it difficult to engage with the characters. Additionally, the romance between the witch and the vampire felt forced and lacked chemistry. While the book had some interesting ideas, it ultimately fell short of being a compelling read.
3. Name: Michelle
Rating: 2/5
Review: I had high hopes for "The Witch and the Vampire", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The writing style was overdescriptive and repetitive, at times slowing down the pace of the story. The world-building was underdeveloped, leaving many unanswered questions and inconsistencies throughout. The main characters lacked depth and seemed to make irrational decisions solely for the sake of advancing the plot. Overall, the book had potential, but it needed stronger writing and more refined storytelling to be truly enjoyable.