The Witch Hunter series is a captivating collection of books written by debut author Virginia Boecker. It revolves around the character of Elizabeth Grey, a witch hunter in a world where magic is considered a threat. Set in an alternate version of 16th century England, the series combines elements of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance to create a unique and enthralling storyline. In the first book, "The Witch Hunter," readers are introduced to Elizabeth, a young woman who serves as a witch hunter for the king. Raised in a society where witches are seen as evil and dangerous, Elizabeth believes wholeheartedly in her mission to rid the world of magic. However, everything she knows is challenged when she is accused of being a witch herself.
There are currently 143 single-family homes for sale in the area, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $39.9 million. The $2.195 million storybook home is on the lower end of the price spectrum.
The home is available to rent between October 27-29, a two-night stay which includes breakfast in the morning you guessed it, Donkey s making waffles. The house, built in 1904, sits at the end of SW Bancroft Street before it dips into SW Homestead Drive, on a sloped, treed lot with peekaboo views of the city, river, and SW Terwilliger Blvd below.
However, everything she knows is challenged when she is accused of being a witch herself. Forced to go on the run, Elizabeth must confront her own beliefs while navigating a world filled with sorcery, treachery, and unexpected allies. The second book in the series, "The King Slayer," continues Elizabeth's journey as she becomes entangled in a web of political intrigue and rebellion.
Property Watch: In SW Homestead, Baker Ken Forkish’s Cozy Cottage For Sale
Editor’s Note: Portland Monthly’s “Property Watch” column takes a weekly look at an interesting home in Portland’s super-competitive real estate market (with periodic ventures to the burbs and points beyond, for good measure). This week: the house that an iconic Portland baker built. Got a home you think would work for this column? Get in touch at [email protected] .
The story goes that the people visiting Ken Forkish’s house never entered through the front door, but rather a bright blue door that leads directly into the kitchen. That tracks. After all, Forkish was one of Portland’s well-known restauranteurs—a baker and author famous for Ken’s Artisan Pizza, Ken’s Artisan Bakery, and the cookbook Flour Water Salt Yeast—before selling the businesses and retiring this year. Now, Forkish’s house in the Homestead neighborhood near OHSU is up for grabs, too, making it possible for the next owner to cook in his footsteps.
The house, built in 1904, sits at the end of SW Bancroft Street before it dips into SW Homestead Drive, on a sloped, treed lot with peekaboo views of the city, river, and SW Terwilliger Blvd below. The front façade does indeed have two doors, the main entry and the aforementioned bright blue kitchen door. Inside the main door, there’s a nice-sized foyer that feeds into the living room: a comfy spot with fireplace, wood floors, bookshelves, sunny window seat, and wood beams crisscrossing overhead. Large windows look into the trees, and there’s a generous covered side porch accessed through a glass door.
The living room segues easily into the dining room, which has the piece de resistance of the main floor: a wood-fired Le Panyol oven built by local mason Timothy Seaton, that’s a smaller version of what can be found at Ken’s Artisan Pizza. According to a 2019 Oregon Home article, Forkish added on to the house in order to make space for the oven, and used it often, cooking for lucky guests, or himself. It’s banked on either side by more windows looking into the trees, with a bookshelf lining the top of the casework, and a bright blue ceiling, making for more cozy appeal.
The kitchen, of course, is no slouch either: it looks good, and it’s super functional, as you might expect. There, simple white cabinets are topped with thick marble counters—a baker’s favorite for working with dough—and open shelves ensure essentials are within an easy grab. A large copper sink pairs well with the copper cabinet knobs and old-school light fixtures above, their shades decked with a thick red stripe. In the corner, a red banquette and pedestal table are tucked under a window, making for a comfortable spot to chat with the cook.
Upstairs there are three bedrooms and two baths, with some unexpected details like the curving window seat nook in the primary en-suite, a hot tub on an upper deck, and clawfoot tub in the hall bath. The lower level is a bonus, as it has its own entrance, kitchenette, and bathroom, giving it future rental potential.
Listing Fast Facts
Address: 348 SW Bancroft St, Portland, OR 97239
Size: 2,896 square feet, 4 bedroom/3.5 bath
List Date: 2/26/2022
List Price: $795,000
Listing Agent: Sarah Knight, Scout Realty Co.
Melissa Dalton is a freelance writer who has focused on Pacific Northwest design and lifestyle since 2008. She is based in Portland, Oregon. Contact Dalton here.
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Now known as a traitor, Elizabeth must navigate the dangers of court life while trying to uncover the truth about her past. Along the way, she must make difficult choices and face the consequences of her actions. The Witch Hunter series is known for its complex characters, rich world-building, and fast-paced plot. Virginia Boecker expertly weaves together historical elements with fantastical elements to create a world that is both familiar and mysterious. The series explores themes of power, belief, and identity, and poses thought-provoking questions about the nature of good and evil. Fans of young adult fantasy and historical fiction will be drawn to the Witch Hunter series. With its strong protagonist, intricate plot, and beautifully crafted world, it is a series that will keep readers captivated from beginning to end. Whether you're a fan of magic or just love a good adventure, the Witch Hunter series is definitely worth picking up..
Reviews for "The Witch Hunter Series: A celebration of strong female characters"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading the Witch Hunter series, but I was ultimately disappointed. The plot was predictable and lacked any real substance. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. Additionally, the writing style felt forced and didn't flow well. Overall, I found this series to be underwhelming and it didn't live up to the hype.
2. Mark - 1 star - I couldn't even finish the first book in the Witch Hunter series. The story was slow and dragged on without any real suspense or excitement. The main character was unlikeable and made irrational decisions throughout. The world-building felt half-hearted and wasn't fully developed, leaving me confused and uninterested. I wouldn't recommend this series to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy read.
3. Jessica - 2 stars - The Witch Hunter series had an interesting concept, but the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and confusing action scenes. The romance felt forced and lacking chemistry between the characters. The dialogue and character development were also weak, making it hard to invest in the story. Overall, this series didn't live up to my expectations and I was left feeling unsatisfied.
4. Ryan - 1 star - I found the Witch Hunter series to be extremely cliche and unoriginal. The plot followed the same predictable formula of many other fantasy books, with no unique twist or surprise. The writing style was bland and lacked any real depth. The character motivations were unclear and their actions didn't always make sense. I was hoping for a fresh and engaging fantasy series, but unfortunately, this wasn't it.
5. Emily - 2 stars - The Witch Hunter series had potential, but it fell short in several areas. The pacing was off, with the story dragging in some parts and speeding through others. The world-building felt shallow and not fully explored, leaving me wanting more. The main character lacked agency and seemed to rely on others to drive the plot forward. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend this series to avid fantasy readers.