broom embrace way

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there existed a legendary sword known as the Magic Blade. The Magic Blade was said to possess unimaginable powers and was sought after by many adventurers, knights, and sorcerers. It was believed that whoever wielded the Magic Blade would gain unstoppable strength, invincibility, and the ability to cast powerful spells. Legends surrounding the Magic Blade spoke of its origins being traceable to the ancient gods themselves. It was said that the gods imbued the sword with their divine essence, granting it extraordinary abilities. The Magic Blade was said to be the weapon of choice for the gods and was used to protect the mortal realm from dark forces.

Because I went into this thinking that Sea Witch was just a retelling of the Little Mermaid, I was surprised by the dark and magical elements that strayed from the typical mermaid lore. Sarah’s prose was beautiful and I was hooked from the first sentence ‘The sea is a fickle witch.’ While this was not an epic fantasy that drew you in by the characters, the writing was more than enough to keep you intrigued.

Throughout the book, she is ostracized by all of those around her and has an internal monologue that constantly telling her that she is not good enough, that she does not belong. Over the years, Nik and Evie are allowed to stay friends because of reasons but the community, both members of royalty and commoners, disapprove of Evie, seeing her as an upstart and therefore bullying her.

The Magic Blade was said to be the weapon of choice for the gods and was used to protect the mortal realm from dark forces. Throughout history, tales of heroes who wielded the Magic Blade emerged. These heroes used the sword to vanquish evil, protect the innocent, and restore peace to the land.

Review: Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

There is a new trend in the YA scene – mermaids – and I am obsessed. Who does not love mermaids? They are beautiful, power, magical women who are often deadly and get to spend their days frolicking in the sea. Sign me up! An influx of books with mermaid premises have surfaced (sorry for the terrible pun!) over the last two years – Sea Witch by Sarah Henning being a front runner that garnered a lot of attention. While it debuted in July 2018 and I am a little behind in reading, I recently was ready to dive in (I promise, I will stop).

The Plot

When I picked up this book, I was under the impression it was a retelling of The Little Mermaid, originally pinned by Danish writer, Hans Christian Andersen. I would not say this is completely true, while there are absolutely elements of The Little Mermaids fairytale, I would consider it much more of an origin story of the Sea Witch, or ‘Ursula’ for you Disney fans.

The story begins by introducing us to two young friends, Evelyn (or Evie) and Anna. These girl’s young lives are plagued by misfortune and marred by death. In the opening chapter, Evelyn almost loses her life, but instead loses her mother. We learn that their mutual friend, Nik, slipped while hopping across rocks next to the sea and was poised to hit his head directly on the if Evie had not thrown herself down and absorbed the impact (but she received a fatal injury in the process). Her mother, a witch, sacrifices herself to save her daughter’s life. Finally, we learn that Anna drowned when she was eleven, leaving Nik and Evie alone.

The story picks up five years later and finds Evie still grieving the loss of her best friend. She is mostly an outsider with the exception of Nik, who is the prince of her land and has remained a close friend, as well as his cousin Iker. People view her as trying to overcome her social standing by befriending the royal prince. She is seen as strange and homely. Evie herself separates herself from the village people because she is harboring a secret – she is a witch. While not as powerful as her mother or her aunt, who has stepped up to raise Evie in place of her mother.

Very quickly we are introduced to a girl who looks just like Anna. First, Evie sees her in the water through a porthole. Then, the mysterious girl saves Nik when he is swept overboard (man these people have bad luck!). Finally, she appears directly to Evie and introduces herself as Annamette. Annamette claims she is from a faraway land and a farmer’s daughter but her rouse is quickly demolished and her magic revealed – she is a mermaid. Cue the Little Mermaid retelling.

Essentially, Annamette has a similar conundrum to the Little Mermaid. She must make a man fall in love with her within a few short days to stay human or she will turn to sea foam. However, the plot thickens as Evie questions Annamette’s true motives and whether or not this mysterious girl is Anna. Nothing is as it seems and possible that friendship may not survive the deadly secrets and dark magic that is penetrating the small village.

The Review

Because I went into this thinking that Sea Witch was just a retelling of the Little Mermaid, I was surprised by the dark and magical elements that strayed from the typical mermaid lore. Sarah’s prose was beautiful and I was hooked from the first sentence ‘The sea is a fickle witch.’ While this was not an epic fantasy that drew you in by the characters, the writing was more than enough to keep you intrigued.

I found myself feeling sorry for Evie throughout the whole book. She mostly receives the short end of the stick and continually sacrifices for those she cares about – even when the same courtesy is not extended. Throughout the book, she is ostracized by all of those around her and has an internal monologue that constantly telling her that she is not good enough, that she does not belong. While I do not normally care for characters who are not strong-willed or could be considered closer to a doormat than a heroine – what makes a better villain origin story? Similar to Disney’s origin story for Maleficent – Evie’s transformation into the Sea Witch is marked with tragedy, misbegotten good intentions, and a desire to fit in.

Overall, I enjoyed this fast read – so much so I read it in one sitting. It is magical and beautifully written and while you may know how it turns out, you will find yourself turning pages quickly to see how it gets there.

Rating: / 5 stars

Many stories told of the Magic Blade's transformative powers, where it could change shape and form to adapt to the needs of the wielder. Some claimed that it could glow with a blinding light, capable of striking fear into the hearts of enemies. However, acquiring the Magic Blade was no easy task. Many quests and trials were said to be necessary to prove one's worthiness to wield the weapon. These trials tested the hero's courage, wisdom, and selflessness. Only those who possessed the purest of intentions and were willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good were deemed worthy of wielding the Magic Blade. The Magic Blade became the subject of many legends and stories, passed down through generations. It represented hope, power, and the triumph of good over evil. Its allure attracted many who sought to exploit its powers for personal gain, leading to countless battles and conflicts throughout the ages. The Magic Blade's true whereabouts remained a mystery, as it was believed to be hidden away in a secret location, guarded by powerful enchantments and traps. Some claimed that only a chosen one, destined to be the savior of the realm, would discover the sword and fulfill its ultimate purpose. The Magic Blade serves as a reminder of the eternal struggle between light and darkness and the potential for greatness that lies within every individual. It symbolizes the quest for truth, justice, and the relentless pursuit of a better world. In conclusion, the Magic Blade is a mythical weapon that embodies power, mystique, and the potential to change the course of history. Throughout time, it has captivated the minds and hearts of those who seek adventure, heroism, and the triumph of good over evil. The legend of the Magic Blade continues to inspire and ignite the imaginations of all who yearn for a touch of magic in their lives..

Reviews for "broom embrace way"

broom embrace way