The Magic Emperor novel is a popular fantasy novel series that has captivated readers all around the world. Written by renowned author Zhang Yichen, the series tells the story of a young protagonist who rises from obscurity to become a powerful sorcerer in a world filled with magic and danger. The novel introduces us to the fictional land of Astria, where magic is an integral part of everyday life. In this mystical realm, magical creatures and sorcerers coexist, but not everyone has the innate ability to wield magic. The main character, Leon, is an ordinary boy who discovers he possesses a rare and extraordinary talent for magic. As he embarks on his journey to become the Magic Emperor, Leon encounters numerous challenges, battles, and mysterious lands, all while unraveling his own past and discovering his true destiny.
Sea Witch is an origin story for Ursula, the villain of Disney’s The Little Mermaid (though she has a different name). Perversely, I’m going to start at the end of the novel, as really, only the epilogue, set 50 years after the main story, has anything to do with the film: once we get there, the nods are strong, with dialogue very close to the Disney film, if not directly lifted from it. Even down to the polyps on the floor of the cave.
However, it is a lovely and well-crafted homage to a brilliant film, and it s really cool to see that scene from another perspective I just didn t feel it was necessary. After Nik nearly drowns too, four years later, things begin to take a turn for the weird, and we end up playing out the Little Mermaid story we all know the arrival of a mysterious girl, who must gain the love of a prince within three days.
As he embarks on his journey to become the Magic Emperor, Leon encounters numerous challenges, battles, and mysterious lands, all while unraveling his own past and discovering his true destiny. Throughout the series, the author incorporates elements of adventure, romance, and complex character development, which adds depth to the overall narrative. The Magic Emperor novel delves into themes of power, friendship, sacrifice, and the importance of self-discovery.
Sea Witch, Sarah Henning – Book Review
Hello Humans! Today I am reviewing Sarah Henning’s Sea Witch, that’s right – it’s time to add to the year of ALL THE RETELLINGS. I read multiple Little Mermaid retellings in June and (because I am a useless human who can’t immediately write book reviews) it took me a moment to tease them all apart! What makes this retelling different is that this is The Little Mermaid from the perspective of a friend of the prince, and with a dark undercurrent (pun intended).
Goodreads Summary:
Everyone knows what happens in the end.
A mermaid, a prince, a true love’s kiss.
But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends.
One feared, one royal, and one already dead.~~~~~~~~~~
Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. A freak. A curse. A witch.
A girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears offshore and, though the girl denies it, Evie is convinced that her best friend actually survived. That her own magic wasn’t so powerless after all. And, as the two girls catch the eyes—and hearts—of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.
But her new friend has secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad, or on two legs, unless Evie finds a way to help her. Now Evie will do anything to save her friend’s humanity, along with her prince’s heart—harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love until she discovers, too late, the truth of her bargain.
The rise of Hans Christian Andersen’s iconic villainess is a heart-wrenching story of friendship, betrayal, and a girl pushed beyond her limits—to become a monster.
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What I liked about this version of this story is that it felt very different from the original. Sometimes it can feel like a retelling is just a kind of mad-libs version of a story, where certain words have been swapped out for others but other than that the story continues as normal. In this case, the sense is more of a story rooted in the ideas in The Little Mermaid but with a more of a human perspective. I feel like I’ve read alternative Mermaid stories from the perspectives of princes, and mermaids but I’ve not read one that brought in a whole new character as this one does. I say new character, it’s a little more complex than that, but to reveal it would be spoilers.
It’s an interesting angle to take. So often in Little Mermaid retellings, once the mermaid is out of the water not only has she lost her voice but she also has no allies, there are no characters who truly relate to her – beyond the odd kindly servant. I thought the idea of creating almost a friendship between Evie and the Little Mermaid was a powerful tool through which to tell the story. I am always here for connections forged between women, but it feels particularly poignant in a story where the original has a voiceless woman in it.
I cannot speak to the accuracy or research done into the magic system in this book, but it feels fairly generic ‘villagers and long lines of witches’ without too many specific details. I didn’t mind that too much in this instance as part of the point is that Evie hasn’t studied her magic, that raw and uncontrollable aspect is a key part of her character.
I thought that the various relationships (other than that between the witch and the little mermaid) were interesting. I appreciated that Evie and the Prince were set up to be just friends, I am always a supporter of platonic love in books and I don’t read enough of it. There is also a romance in this story, wouldn’t be a retelling without a bit of romance, but I thought it was well handled and didn’t overtake the plot.
And what a plot. As I say this is a Little Mermaid retelling and then some. I think the easiest comparison I can draw is to The Wicked Deep. I had that same feeling of something being a little off but still being shocked when the reveal came. Obviously, I won’t spoil that here but I do think it’s an exceptional way of making changes to the original story while still retaining the melancholy nature of Hans Christian Anderson’s original story.
I read this book in one day, essentially, I thought it was paced well, it’s not a difficult read but it also doesn’t feel patronising or overly simplified. I enjoyed it hugely and will be adding it to my list of ‘mermaid books that don’t suck’.
My rating: 4/5 stars
I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
What say you? Which mermaid books are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below!
As the story progresses, the readers are drawn into a world where struggles between good and evil, prophecies, and ancient secrets intertwine to create an epic tale. What sets the Magic Emperor novel apart is its vividly descriptive writing style, which allows readers to visualize the enchanting world of Astria. The author's attention to detail ensures that every magical creature, spell, and location is meticulously portrayed, immersing readers into the fantastical universe he has created. The novel has garnered a massive following, with fans eagerly anticipating each new installment. Its popularity has led to various adaptations, including graphic novels, animes, and even a video game, further expanding the Magic Emperor universe and captivating audiences in different mediums. In conclusion, the Magic Emperor novel is a captivating work of fantasy that transports readers to a world full of magic, adventure, and intrigue. With its well-developed characters, intricate plot, and immersive writing style, it continues to enthrall readers worldwide. It is no wonder that this series has become a favorite among fantasy enthusiasts and continues to leave a lasting impression on all who embark on Leon's magical journey..
Reviews for "The Emperor's Curse: Confronting Magic in a Novel"
1. Rebecca - 2/5 stars - I have to say, I was quite disappointed with "Magic Emperor Novel". The plot was not well-developed, the characters felt flat and lacked depth, and the writing style was mediocre at best. I found myself bored and uninterested throughout most of the book, struggling to connect with any of the characters or their journeys. There were also several inconsistencies and plot holes that left me confused and frustrated. Overall, I would not recommend this novel to anyone looking for an engaging and well-crafted fantasy story.
2. Jamie - 1/5 stars - I really struggled to get through "Magic Emperor Novel". The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story felt aimless and uninteresting. The main character was unrelatable and lacked any real motivation or personality. The world-building was also very weak, leaving me with a lack of understanding and connection to the fantasy realm the author was trying to create. The overall writing quality was poor, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Unfortunately, this novel did not live up to the hype for me, and I would not recommend it to others.
3. Alex - 2/5 stars - "Magic Emperor Novel" had potential, but it ultimately fell flat for me. The premise was intriguing, but the execution left much to be desired. The writing felt disjointed and lacked coherence, making it difficult to follow the storyline. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to connect or care about their fates. The author also relied heavily on cliches and predictable plot twists, making the overall reading experience quite underwhelming. While I can see how some readers may enjoy this novel, it just wasn't for me.