Once upon a time, there was a witch named Hazel. Unlike other witches, Hazel was not particularly interested in casting spells or engaging in mischief. Instead, she found joy in helping others and making their lives better. Although she had a reputation for being a "good witch," she often doubted her abilities and questioned whether she was truly making a difference. Hazel's spells were never flashy or elaborate. She didn't possess the power to conjure great storms or transform people into animals.
Review Quotes
Even when I can do better, even when i cannot conceive of good enough I can take the stance and choose to believe that all I do and all I am is good enough. But when he goes to arrest Hilde and put their plan into action, Hilde vanishes, leaving Fritzi in her place, threatening their plans - unless Otto is able to convince Fritizi to help him.
She didn't possess the power to conjure great storms or transform people into animals. Instead, she focused on small, everyday acts of kindness. She would brew soothing potions for sick children, mend torn clothes for the poor, and offer words of comfort and encouragement to those in need.
3 witchy books for fall that offer fright and delight
Witches have become ubiquitous in fiction these days, whether they're being unjustly persecuted in a historical setting, selling love potions in some charming seaside town, or enchanting unsuspecting princesses in a fairytale forest.
Whether the witches are good, misunderstood, or just plain wicked doesn't even matter — there are lots of great options coming out this fall. Here are few:
The Witches of Bone Hill
Cordelia Bone is dead broke and drowning in the debts her ex-husband left behind when he skipped town, so it seems like a miracle when she finds out that she and her sister have inherited a massive Victorian house and the estate of a great aunt they didn't even know they had. Upon arriving at Bone Hill, the sisters discover that the inheritance may be more trouble than it's worth. From crazed bats to mysteriously sexy groundskeepers to creepy family crypts, everything seems to be telling Cordelia to run in the opposite direction. But in order to claim the fortune she so desperately needs, she must follow her great aunt's wishes and remain at the ancestral seat of the Bone family.
The longer Cordelia stays in the house, the worse her chronic headaches get, and the more she begins to sense that there is some sinister presence seeking to do her harm. But perhaps, if she can get to the bottom of the mystery of why her mother fled Bone Hill and was subsequently murdered years before, she can finally right the wrongs that are haunting her family.
Part family epic, part supernatural thriller, and part gothic romance, Ava Morgyn's The Witches of Bone Hill is a haunted house book with a witchy twist. Cordelia is an interesting character, because initially she comes across as very distant and self-absorbed, but as she opens herself to her family history and her magical abilities, she also opens up to the reader and becomes someone compelling to root for. The Bone's magic itself is not warm and fuzzy either, often manifesting in a rather grisly fashion. It reminds me of Practical Magic -- the novel, not the movie — as there is a bite and a bitterness to this family magic and a strength and coldness to the characters that creates a vivid, if sometimes uncomfortable, world where witches commune with the dead and untangle generations of disfunction.
It's worth noting that this book does have some pretty gruesome moments, and the animals in it do not fare well. This is definitely a gothy, edgy witch book, not a cozy one!
After the Forest
Greta and her brother Hans survived being abandoned by their father and almost eaten by a wicked witch, but the village has never forgotten that there is something a bit uncanny about them. People whisper that Greta herself is a witch – and the truth is, they aren't wrong. Greta took a book of spells from the witch when they fled, and now she uses it to bake enchanted gingerbread that even the most suspicious of villagers can't resist buying.
When people begin to disappear and end up torn to pieces, the village blames a rogue bear that Greta encountered in the forest. Greta protects the bear, at first because she feels sorry for it, and then because she realizes that it is not a simple beast at all. Soon the villagers turn on her, and she'll need all the witchery she can conjure to survive.
Fairytale enthusiasts will find many familiar stories woven throughout this book. While it might seem at first like a retelling of Hansel and Gretel, it quickly departs from that origin and hints at other tales, from the sisters of Snow White and Rose Red to the bear husband of East of the Sun, West of the Moon. It's very easy to get lost in the whimsy, romance, and transformative magic as Greta navigates the different ways of being a witch and determines which choices might make her wicked.
The various tropes of fairytales are retold here more than they are subverted, and in some instances, that feels a bit uncomfortable. Specifically, there is an evil dwarf character in the book, which feels notable because he is the only dwarf character. While I understand that the inclusion of this character type is in keeping with the source material, I think it would have been more interesting to examine (and perhaps subvert) this trope and its origins rather than reinforcing it.
That said, the love for and understanding of fairytales runs deep in Kell Woods' book, and it's sure to interest anyone who has an appreciation for dark forests, enchanted princes, and clever witches.
Night of the Witch
When Fritzi's village is destroyed by witch hunters and her cousin is taken, she follows after them, intent on saving her only surviving family and bringing justice for the dead. When she accidentally catches up with the wrong group of witch hunters, she disappears a witch they've captured with her magic, but is then arrested herself by the group's captain, Otto.
Otto is deep undercover. After his mother was burned by witch hunters, he joined their ranks and became a captain to break them from the inside. He and his sister Hilde have been working on a complex plan to free over 100 people doomed for the pyres. But when he goes to arrest Hilde and put their plan into action, Hilde vanishes, leaving Fritzi in her place, threatening their plans - unless Otto is able to convince Fritizi to help him.
Together, they may just be strong enough to take down the witch hunters and their evil commander for good. But first, they're going to have to learn to trust each other.
This historical fantasy, by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis, is technically YA, but it works as a crossover into adult fantasy romance. The main focus is definitely on the relationship that builds between Fritzi and Otto, and they have some very charming moments that makes the romantic plotline feel earnest and satisfying. The connections to actual history and Germanic folk beliefs feel fairly tenuous, and there's no attempt to make the characters think or talk like anything other than modern teens so, at times, reference to actual historical elements feels a bit jarring. But as long as I kept it in my head that this was full-on fantasy, it clipped along very satisfyingly, delivering on the witch vs. witch hunter trope that is the reason to read it in the first place.
Caitlyn Paxson is a writer and performer. She is a regular reviewer for NPR Books and Quill & Quire.
Witches have become ubiquitous in fiction these days, whether they're being unjustly persecuted in a historical setting, selling love potions in some charming seaside town, or enchanting unsuspecting princesses in a fairytale forest.
Despite her efforts, Hazel often felt inadequate compared to her fellow witches who were praised for their powerful magic. The people looked up to them and revered their abilities to solve problems with a flick of a wand. Hazel, however, felt invisible most of the time, as her help went unnoticed or unappreciated. One day, a young boy named Oliver sought Hazel's assistance. He had a dream of becoming a great wizard, but his magic skills were mediocre at best. Feeling frustrated and hopeless, Oliver turned to Hazel for guidance. She listened attentively to his concerns and shared her own experiences of feeling "not good enough." Hazel explained to Oliver that being a "good enough witch" doesn't mean being the most powerful or the most skilled. It means using one's abilities to the best of their capacity to bring happiness and make the world a better place. She told him that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a profound impact on others. As Oliver listened to Hazel's words of wisdom, a newfound determination sparked within him. He realized that he didn't need to be the most powerful wizard to make a difference; he just needed to use his skills to help others in his own way. With Hazel's guidance, Oliver started using his magic to assist those in need. He helped elderly people to find lost items, created beautiful flowers for lonely individuals, and even performed simple tricks to bring smiles to people's faces. Each act of kindness brought new confidence and joy to Oliver's life. Together, Hazel and Oliver became a powerful team, proving that being a "good enough witch" was more than enough to bring happiness and make a positive impact on the world. They taught others that a little bit of kindness and compassion could go a long way, even without flashy spells or incredible powers. And so, the story of Hazel, the "good enough witch," spread far and wide, inspiring others to embrace their own abilities and make a difference in their own unique way. It served as a reminder that sometimes, being good enough is more than enough..
Reviews for "Embracing Self-Compassion: Lessons from the Good Enough Witch"
- Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I found "The good enough witch" to be quite underwhelming. The story felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. The plot seemed predictable and there were no surprises or twists to keep me engaged. Overall, I was just not impressed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
- Mark - 1 out of 5 stars - "The good enough witch" was a complete disappointment. The writing was lackluster and the story felt rushed. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The humor fell flat and the attempts at wit were forced. It was a struggle to finish this book and I regret wasting my time on it.
- Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for "The good enough witch" but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The pacing was slow, and the plot lacked originality. The romance felt forced and the dialogue was often cringe-worthy. I wanted to like this book, but it just didn't resonate with me. I won't be recommending it to others.
- James - 2.5 out of 5 stars - "The good enough witch" had potential, but it fell short in execution. The world-building was weak and the magical elements were not well-developed. The main character lacked agency and the supporting characters were forgettable. The writing style did not engage me, and I found myself skimming through parts of the book. Overall, it was a mediocre read that didn't leave a lasting impression.