Witchcraft, Marvel, Queer Witchcraft, Marvel, and Queer representation are all important topics that have gained significant attention in recent years. Each of these topics brings its intricacies and complexities to the forefront, shaping discussions and narratives in their unique ways. Witchcraft has long been a part of human history and culture, with its origins rooted in ancient practices and beliefs. While historically, witchcraft has often been portrayed as dark and evil, popular culture, including Marvel comics, has played a significant role in redefining and rebalancing this perception. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in witchcraft, with many individuals identifying as witches, practicing witchcraft, or exploring its symbolism and spiritual aspects. This increased interest has been partially influenced by the representation of witches in modern media, including Marvel's portrayal of characters like Scarlet Witch.
As a fellow Swiftie, I have to ask — What Taylor Swift era would you associate with the core characters of The Witch Haven?
I was that kid in elementary school library checking out books on the sinking of the Titanic and telling my friends on the playground all the gory details. The Witch Hunt by Sasha Peyton Smith Series The Witch Haven 2 Published on October 11, 2022 by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers Genres Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mystery, YA Pages 352 Add to Goodreads Author Links Website, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram.
This increased interest has been partially influenced by the representation of witches in modern media, including Marvel's portrayal of characters like Scarlet Witch. Marvel, on the other hand, has become a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, producing blockbuster films and comics that attract a massive global audience. Within the Marvel Universe, there has been a push for greater diversity and representation, including queer characters who challenge traditional gender and sexual norms.
Interview with Sasha Peyton Smith, Author of The Witch Hunt
Hello tea party friends! I’m so excited to announce that Sasha Peyton Smith, author of The Witch Haven & The Witch Hunt is joining our tea party today! I absolutely adored The Witch Haven duology, and had the best time with this interview!
Months after the devastating battle between the Sons of St. Druon and the witches of Haxahaven, Frances has built a quiet, safe life for herself, teaching young witches and tending the garden within the walls of Haxahaven Academy. But one thing nags; her magic has begun to act strangely. When an opportunity to visit Paris arises, Frances jumps at the chance to go, longing for adventure and seeking answers about her own power.
Once she and her classmates Maxine and Lena reach the vibrant streets of France, Frances learns that the spell she used to speak to her dead brother has had terrible consequences—the veil between the living and the dead has been torn by her recklessness, and a group of magicians are using the rift for their own gain at a horrifying cost.
To right this wrong, and save lives and her own magical powers, Frances must hunt down answers in the parlors of Parisian secret societies, the halls of the Louvre, and the tunnels of the catacombs. Her only choice is to team up with the person she swore she’d never trust again, risking further betrayal and her own life in the process.
Hi Sasha! Thank you so much for joining our tea party today! We’re so happy you’re here For our tea party guests who are meeting you for the first time, can you tell us a little about yourself, and The Witch Haven duology?
Hello, thank you for having me! My name is Sasha and the Witch Hunt is the sequel to my debut novel The Witch Haven. The Witch Haven takes place at a school for witches disguised as a tuberculosis sanitarium in 1911 New York City and the second book, The Witch Hunt, follows those same witches to Paris the summer of 1913, where they have to face some consequences regarding what they got up to in book one.
I’m from Utah but currently live in Washington DC where I love finding local cocktail bars and getting weepy in front of the impressionist paintings at the National Gallery. When I’m not writing I watch way too much tv, try to keep up with my k-pop group chats, and bake (poorly!)
One of my favorite things about The Witch Haven is the historical background, complex worldbuilding, and the setting. What was your research process like?
I’ve always loved history. I was that kid in elementary school library checking out books on the sinking of the Titanic and telling my friends on the playground all the gory details.
To capture the setting of 1911 New York I started by reading novels that were written in the early 1900s, like the Secret Garden, then I dove into reading historical Newspapers archived at the Library of Congress to get a feel for what daily life and language was like in 1911. Lena’s backstory in particular was important for me to get right, so every thing she shares about her past is backed up directly by a first hand historical document. I tried to set this book in the context of real historical events as much as possible. Things like the suffragette meeting and the political fundraiser are all real historical events that happened in 1911. My favorite things to research were the clothes and the Coney Island theme park rides.
If you could have any of the powers in The Witch Haven, what would they be and why?
I think I’d want to manipulate objects like Frances but I don’t think I’d be a particularly gifted magical user. I’d just use it to like…levitate a diet coke from the fridge.
Without giving too much away, what scene — or quote — was your favorite to write?
I’m a sucker for a classic YA love triangle so any scene that involved putting Frances, Finn and Oliver in the same room was a blast to write. The final chapter was probably the most meaningful to write, it was cathartic to close out this series after working on it since my early 20s. The fundraiser at the Louvre was also a favorite. It’s not a Sasha Peyton Smith book unless there’s a scene of someone committing crimes while wearing a ballgown.
As a fellow Swiftie, I have to ask — What Taylor Swift era would you associate with the core characters of The Witch Haven?
Always love a Taylor Swift Question!
Frances: Frances is a character of such…reluctant vulnerability. She wants so desperately to be loved but fears opening herself up to more heartbreak. But she’s tough, she’s discovering what she wants. Plus The Archer will always be the ultimate Frances song to me, so she is Lover.
Maxine: Maxine is Folklore. She is a mirrorball and that’s all there is to it.
Lena: If Maxine is Folklore, Lena is Evermore. Long story short, she survived (also she would kill a man, a la No Body No Crime.)
Oliver: Sweet baby Oliver is Speak Now! Big feelings, first heartbreaks, plus I can just picture him singing Sparks Fly in his car.
Finn: Finn likes to think he’s in his reputation era, but I think Fearless is Taylor’s most emo album, so to me, he is Fearless. He would absolutely stand outside Frances’s house singing You Belong With Me.
Finally, let’s close with a question that we ask all of our tea party guests: If The Witch Haven was a tea party, what would be the theme of the tea party? What flavor of tea would your main characters be? What tea party treat do you think your characters would bring?
Oooh given that this book takes place in Paris, I think the theme would be very ornate, belle epoque Parisian with lots of little macarons and fancy profiteroles.
Frances would be a cup of chai, Lena is a strong-brewed earl gray, Oliver is lemon ginger, Maxine is rooibos, and Finn is Irish breakfast.
Frances and Oliver would bring scones that they claimed they made together, but Oliver did like 98% of the work on, Lena would bring flowers for the host, Finn would bring a lemon cake that he claims he made himself but secretly bought at Safeway and Maxine would totally forget she’s supposed to bring something, drive through Starbucks on the way and dump a bunch of pastries, still in their bags, on the table.
Up for grabs, Turn the Pages Tour has five (5) finished copies of this book available! Click here to enter!
Sasha Peyton Smith is the New York Times best selling author of The Witch Haven and The Witch Hunt. She’s passionate about well-curated road trip playlists, soup recipes, and stories about complicated girls. Originally from Utah, she now lives in Washington D.C. with her partner and collection of porcelain hands.
photo credit: Marina Williams
Hi Sasha! Thank you so much for joining our tea party today! We’re so happy you’re here For our tea party guests who are meeting you for the first time, can you tell us a little about yourself, and The Witch Haven duology?
This inclusivity has been celebrated by many fans, as it allows for greater representation and visibility for the queer community. One notable example is the character Loki, who in Norse mythology has been portrayed as gender-fluid and has maintained this fluidity in Marvel's depiction. Queer representation in Marvel and other media has been pivotal in normalizing and destigmatizing the queer experience. This representation plays a significant role in breaking down stereotypes and promoting understanding and acceptance. By incorporating queer characters, Marvel has taken steps towards being more inclusive and reflective of its diverse audience. The intersection between witchcraft, Marvel, and queer representation highlights the power of popular culture in shifting societal norms and facilitating conversations around previously marginalized topics. These narratives and characters provide platforms for discussions surrounding spirituality, gender, and sexual identity, allowing for greater representation and understanding. As these discussions continue, it is essential that diverse voices and perspectives are included to ensure that meaningful and accurate representations are reflected in present and future media..
Reviews for "Breaking Stereotypes: Queer Witchcraft in Marvel's Storytelling"
1. Tom - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "Witchcraft marvel queer". The storyline was confusing and lacked depth, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The use of magic in the plot was also poorly executed, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. Additionally, I found the queer representation to be forced and tokenistic, rather than genuinely meaningful. Overall, this film failed to captivate me and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - "Witchcraft marvel queer" had so much potential but fell short in several areas. The pacing was off, with moments that dragged and others that felt rushed. The character development was lacking, especially in relation to the queer aspect. It felt like the filmmakers were ticking off a box rather than genuinely exploring and establishing queer identities in the story. While the visuals were impressive, the overall execution left me underwhelmed and wanting more substance.
3. Michael - 2.5 stars - As a fan of the Marvel universe, I had high hopes for "Witchcraft marvel queer". However, I found the plot to be convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The queer representation seemed forced and superficial, lacking the depth and authenticity I was hoping for. The film also suffered from pacing issues, with certain scenes feeling unnecessary and dragging the overall experience. While the special effects were impressive, they couldn't save the film from its flaws.