The "Black Witch" series is a fantasy novel series written by Laurie Forest. The series is set in a fictional world called Erthia, which is divided by class, race, and magical abilities. The main protagonist of the series is Elloren Gardner, a young woman who comes from a powerful family of magic users. However, Elloren is unable to use magic herself. The series explores themes of prejudice, discrimination, and the abuse of power. Elloren is constantly facing challenges and danger as she tries to navigate a society that wants to control and oppress non-magic users.
The Witch House at Salem, aka the Corwin House, was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin.
Several other Wheaton alumni and students also have ties to the Salem Witch Museum, including Sheila Cran-Barry 58 staff member , Alexander Grover 09 former manager and sophomore Hannah Donovan staff intern. We stopped by VampFangs where my friends looked into getting a new bite, and I spent about twenty minutes talking to an employee that nearly had me eloping before an intervention came.
Elloren is constantly facing challenges and danger as she tries to navigate a society that wants to control and oppress non-magic users. Throughout the series, Elloren finds herself torn between her loyalty to her family and her desire to fight against the injustices of the world she lives in. As the series progresses, Elloren begins to discover hidden powers within herself and becomes involved in a rebellion against the oppressive government.
Wheaton News
At Wheaton, Tina Koutsos Jordan ’82 developed a love of studying the past from professors like Alexander Bloom. Now, every day she gets to relive history and show others the value of not repeating the past.
Jordan, director of the Salem Witch Museum, joined the staff nearly 40 years ago while an undergraduate at Wheaton (she majored in government). The museum’s exhibits focus on a dark chapter in U.S. colonial history, from 1692–93, when mass hysteria and witchcraft accusations resulted in the executions of 20 people (mostly women) and the deaths of five others.
“The thing about witch trials and witch hunting is that fear makes people irrational. We’re trying to make people step outside of themselves. Before making rash judgments, we want them to examine all the evidence,” she said.
Under Jordan’s leadership, Salem Witch Museum guests are immersed in the history of the trials through life-size stage sets, figures, lighting and a narration of the witch hunt.
But the museum also offers programs like “Witches: Evolving Perception,” a supplemental exhibit asking guests to look at and identify how fear and triggering events have led to scapegoating throughout modern history—from Japanese interred in camps during World War II to Muslim-Americans getting physically abused or denied service following the 9/11 attacks.
The museum also keeps the public informed of new discoveries. For example, two years ago, scholars pinpointed the execution site (by hanging, not by burning as some incorrectly believe) of 19 of the accused witches to a Salem lot in a residential neighborhood (behind Walgreens) called Proctor’s Ledge.
“It’s an important piece of the witch trial story. At the memorial’s dedication, it was wonderful to witness how the Salem community commemorated this important chapter in American history and reaffirmed why we need to continue to teach the lessons of the trials,” Jordan said.
What motivates Jordan to stay here? Endless opportunities to learn.
Professors and researchers from local universities, colleges and historical societies partner with her and the museum to impart the latest scholarship on the trials and the continued relevancy.
Several other Wheaton alumni and students also have ties to the Salem Witch Museum, including Sheila Cran-Barry ’58 (staff member), Alexander Grover ’09 (former manager) and sophomore Hannah Donovan (staff intern).
Jordan, who also is vice president of Destination Salem, the board overseeing the city’s tourism and cultural office, is gearing up for a busy fall season—the biggest opportunity to make the past relevant.
In October, when thoughts of ghosts and witches are on the mind, tourism peaks and the museum usually draws 65,000 of its more than 350,000 annual visitors.
She forms alliances with other characters, including a group of rebels and several magical creatures. Together, they work to overthrow the corrupt system and bring equality to Erthia. The "Black Witch" series is known for its complex characters and intricate world-building. Laurie Forest has created a rich and detailed world, complete with its own history, cultures, and mythical creatures. The series delves into topics such as racism, sexism, and the exploration of identity. Overall, the "Black Witch" series offers a captivating and thought-provoking story. It tackles important social issues while providing a thrilling and immersive reading experience. Fans of fantasy novels with strong heroines and intricate world-building will find this series to be a compelling read..
Reviews for "Witches, Magic, and Adventure: A Review of the Black Witch Series"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I was really excited to start the Black Witch series, as I had heard great things about it. However, after reading the first book, I was incredibly disappointed. The main character, Elloren, was completely unlikable and lacked any depth or growth throughout the story. I also found the plot to be predictable and lacking in originality. The world-building was weak, and I couldn't connect with any of the secondary characters either. Overall, I was let down by this book and won't continue with the series.
2. Michael - 1/5
I couldn't even finish the first book in the Black Witch series. It was filled with stereotypes and problematic representation. The author seemed to rely heavily on race and ethnicity as defining characteristics for the characters, which was incredibly insensitive. Additionally, the pacing was slow, and the writing was uninspiring. I had high hopes for this series, but it failed to deliver on every level. I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2/5
I had high expectations for the Black Witch series, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story lacked originality and felt like a recycled version of other fantasy novels. The protagonist was incredibly naive and made frustrating decisions throughout the book. The romance subplot was also underdeveloped and lacked chemistry. The writing style was overly descriptive and slowed down the pace of the story. Overall, I found this series to be unengaging and won't be continuing with it.
4. Daniel - 1/5
I found the Black Witch series to be incredibly problematic and offensive. The author seemed to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and racial biases throughout the story, which was deeply unsettling. It also lacked any sort of nuanced understanding of social issues and diversity. The plot was weak and filled with clichés, and the characters were one-dimensional. I cannot recommend this series at all, and I would advise others to approach it with caution.