The Orphic Witch is a mythical character from ancient Greek folklore. She is often portrayed as a powerful sorceress with the ability to control the forces of nature and manipulate the elements. The Orphic Witch is believed to possess immense knowledge of herbs, spells, and incantations, and is said to be able to communicate with spirits and divine the future. Legend has it that the Orphic Witch was a mysterious figure, often dwelling in secluded places such as caves or deep forests. She is said to possess a deep understanding of the natural world and the interconnectedness of all things. It is believed that she used this knowledge to harness the powers of the earth and channel them for her own purposes.
And that’s even before we get into the plotting and characterization. While I did appreciate the plot twists, I felt like most of the writing that was meant to be the connecting tissue between set pieces wasn’t at all well thought out, and almost hurried through as the author shepherded us from one of her preferred scenes to the next, skipping some sorely needed world-building in the process. And the characterizations were absolutely dire, with immature, borderline idiotic dialog, inexplicable motivations and, at the very bottom of the barrel, an extremely unconvincing instalove romance plot. Every single character was paper thin, and my feelings for them verged from mild irritation to deep annoyance.
I m all for poetic license, but one does not don silverware when setting the table nor, in a moment of fear and panic, have time to think reverently about an engine you re hoping will catch so you can flee, in just two of the most memorably egregious examples. but just the constant estrangement of vocabulary from meaning made me question the author s experience both with writing and with reading good fiction.
It is believed that she used this knowledge to harness the powers of the earth and channel them for her own purposes. The Orphic Witch was often invoked for her abilities to heal the sick, protect against evil spirits, and bring good fortune. She was seen as a wise and benevolent figure, offering guidance and assistance to those who sought her help.
The Orphan Witch by Paige Crutcher
There are some interesting set pieces and arresting imagery in this modern-day tale of witches on a remote southern island, tied by bonds of blood and love. You definitely get the idea that some of these scenes sprang into Paige Crutcher’s head fully formed, so viscerally and lovingly are they depicted.
Alas, that’s about all I can say to recommend this book. Despite the vividness of certain lovely passages, The Orphan Witch falls apart from sheer lack of craft. I spent every few pages muttering, “That’s not what that word means.” I’m all for poetic license, but one does not “don” silverware when setting the table nor, in a moment of fear and panic, have time to think “reverently” about an engine you’re hoping will catch so you can flee, in just two of the most memorably egregious examples. In fairness, I don’t know what stage of editing this book was in when it was sent to me — hopefully, a very early one! — but just the constant estrangement of vocabulary from meaning made me question the author’s experience both with writing and with reading good fiction.
And that’s even before we get into the plotting and characterization. While I did appreciate the plot twists, I felt like most of the writing that was meant to be the connecting tissue between set pieces wasn’t at all well thought out, and almost hurried through as the author shepherded us from one of her preferred scenes to the next, skipping some sorely needed world-building in the process. And the characterizations were absolutely dire, with immature, borderline idiotic dialog, inexplicable motivations and, at the very bottom of the barrel, an extremely unconvincing instalove romance plot. Every single character was paper thin, and my feelings for them verged from mild irritation to deep annoyance.
The main character was especially grating, tho I suppose she had a reason for being so socially awkward. I just didn’t understand how everyone was so accepting of how terrible she was. Having recently thought very much about power fantasies and the catharsis they bring, I can appreciate the motivation behind writing this book in this way, but that doesn’t at all make it enjoyable or interesting to read. For me, at least, I do sincerely hope it brings others joy and a little escape from their every day.
I hate bagging on books, especially by debut authors, but this was excruciating to read and just really poorly done. I wish Ms Crutcher the best for her future endeavors, and am hoping the quality of her writing will (can?) only improve from here on out.
The Orphan Witch by Paige Crutcher was published September 28 2021 by St Martin’s Griffin and is available from all good booksellers, including
However, she also had a reputation for being unpredictable and could easily be angered if her powers were misused or disrespected. In Greek mythology, the Orphic Witch is often associated with the Orphic tradition, a mystical and spiritual movement that focused on the purification of the soul and achieving a state of higher consciousness. Followers of the Orphic tradition believed in the transmigration of the soul and sought to attain spiritual liberation through rituals and spiritual practices. The Orphic Witch is a captivating character in Greek mythology, embodying both the power and mystery of magic. Her abilities and knowledge are seen as a source of fascination and wonder, and her presence continues to inspire tales and legends to this day. Whether she is seen as a figure of reverence or caution, the Orphic Witch is a reminder of the enduring allure of magic and the mystical in human culture..
Reviews for "The Orohrn Witch's Familiars: Creatures of the Night"
1. John - 2 stars
"The Orohrn Witch was a huge disappointment for me. The story started off promising with the introduction of an intriguing magical world, but it quickly became confusing and convoluted. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. The pacing was also off, with several slow and boring sections that made it hard to stay engaged. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious read that failed to live up to its potential."
2. Emma - 1 star
"I couldn't finish The Orohrn Witch, it was just too dull for my taste. The plot felt sluggish and uninteresting, lacking any real excitement or suspense. The writing was lackluster, with flat dialogue and uninspired descriptions. The characters were forgettable and their motivations were unclear. I found myself constantly waiting for something to grab my attention, but unfortunately, it never happened. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read."
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"The Orohrn Witch had an intriguing premise, but it fell short in execution. The world-building was confusing and inconsistent, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The pacing was uneven, with long periods of inaction followed by rushed and chaotic events. The characters lacked development and their actions often felt contrived. While there were a few interesting moments, they were overshadowed by the overall disarray of the plot. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations."
4. Michael - 1 star
"I regret picking up The Orohrn Witch. The story was unoriginal and predictable, following the typical cliches of the fantasy genre. The characters were one-dimensional and poorly written, with no growth or depth throughout the book. The dialogue was stilted and lacked authenticity. The pacing was also a major issue, as the story dragged on in some parts and rushed through important moments in others. Overall, this book failed to captivate me or offer anything new to the genre."