The disastrous witchy picture Once upon a time in a small village nestled in the mountains, there lived a young artist named Emily. She had always been fascinated by the world of magic and mystical creatures. Emily had a special talent for capturing their essence on canvas. One stormy night, as lightning cracked across the sky, Emily had a peculiar dream. She saw a magnificent witch with flowing silver hair and eyes that danced with fire. This vision inspired her to create a masterpiece.
The smile I force feels like defeat. There’s nothing he loves more than basking in our gratitude. Never mind that it’s the thirteen of us here who do all the work and ship the profits off neatly to him at the end of every week.
The Last Magician meets The Lady s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy in this spectacular, singular, and spellbinding Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White Royal Blue historical fantasy following a young woman who discovers she has magical powers and is thrust into a battle between witches and wizards. Maxine and Lena s friends are her most incredible support system as they help her figure out the mystery of her brother s death while still looking out for her.
This vision inspired her to create a masterpiece. Determined to bring her dream to life, Emily spent days sketching and painting. Finally, the day arrived when the painting was complete.
Sasha Peyton Smith’s The Witch Haven is strong YA sequel
Return to a world of witches and magic in The Witch Hunt, the sequel to The Witch Haven, a historical YA fantasy by Sasha Peyton Smith.
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. —Synopsis provided by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
The Witch Haven and The Witch Hunt are meant to be read together, so if you haven’t already read the first novel, do that first. And if you have read the first novel, I suggest rereading it before picking up The Witch Hunt.
At the center of The Witch Haven was the theme of female oppression. Author Sasha Peyton Smith’s exploration of it was strong and moving. That theme plays less of a role in The Witch Hunt, which explores atoning for transgressions, trust and extended familial bonds.
There’s less actual magic in The Witch Hunt, too, as Frances is holding back due to the hiccups in her magical powers. But when magic does make an appearance, it flows naturally within the confines of the world Smith has created.
Frances has grown as a character — still flawed — but she has a grounding to her. She pairs well with Maxine and Lena, who balance her well. Frances’ love interest, Oliver, could be more interesting, but he’s strong and steady in the way that she needs him to be.
The Witch Hunt is not as dark as its predecessor, however, there are still themes of death, murder and violence. Smith’s writing is smooth and comfortable and The Witch Hunt feels like a natural progression. It’s a fairly fast and engaging read that transports you straight to the streets of Paris.
Copyright © 2022 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr EmailJessica Harrison is the main reviewer behind Cracking the Cover. Prior to creating Cracking the Cover, Jessica worked as the in-house book critic for the Deseret News, a daily newspaper in Salt Lake City. Jessica also worked as a copy editor and general features writer for the paper. Following that, Jessica spent two years with an international company as a social media specialist. Jessica is currently a freelance writer/editor. In 2023, she was selected to be one of the first-round judges for the Cybils Awards — middle-grade fiction. She is passionate about reading and giving people the tools to make informed decisions in their own book choices.
Or like my school friend Rosie, working in that factory by the river, inhaling sludge, on her feet for twelve hours a day, putting the same button on the same shirt ad infinitum. And that mind-numbing exhaustion is nothing compared to some of the stories she tells me, like the one of the girl who wore her braid too long. It got snatched up by one of the machines, and she died right there on the factory floor.
Emily carefully positioned the canvas on an easel, illuminated by a beam of sunlight streaming through her studio window. As she stepped back to admire her work, a sense of both awe and unease washed over her. The painting depicted the witch exactly as Emily had seen her in her dream. The colors were vibrant, the details were meticulous, and the witch seemed almost alive. However, there was something eerie about the painting that Emily couldn't quite put her finger on. As the days went by, strange occurrences started happening in the village. Crops withered, animals began to act strangely, and a sense of unease settled over the once cheerful community. It wasn't long before rumors spread that Emily's painting was cursed. Although skeptical at first, Emily couldn't ignore the growing evidence. She began to notice odd shadows moving within the painting, shapes that were not supposed to be there. The witch's eyes appeared to follow her every move, and a malevolent energy seemed to emanate from the canvas. Fearful of the consequences, Emily decided to seek the help of a wise old witch who lived deep in the forest. She traveled through the dense woods, clutching the painting tightly, her heart pounding in her chest. As Emily entered the witch's humble cottage, she could feel ancient magic pulsating in the air. The wise old witch examined the painting with a furrowed brow. After a long pause, she spoke in a solemn voice, "This painting has become a vessel for dark energies. It has captured the spirit of a vengeful witch." Emily's heart sank. She had unknowingly brought a terrible curse upon her village with her art. Determined to make amends, she asked the wise old witch how she could break the curse. The old witch explained that Emily needed to channel powerful positive energy into the painting. She advised her to gather the villagers and organize a ritual to infuse the canvas with healing vibrations. This would counteract the dark magic that had taken hold. Emily wasted no time. She spread the word among the villagers, and soon they gathered around the painting, holding hands and chanting incantations. As their energy filled the room, the witch's malevolent presence gradually weakened. Hours passed, and finally, a blinding light erupted from the painting, engulfing the entire room. When the light subsided, the witch in the painting had transformed into a benevolent figure, radiating kindness and warmth. The curse had been broken, and peace restored to the village. Emily learned a valuable lesson that day: art is a powerful force that can both create and destroy. She vowed to use her talent for the betterment of her community, ensuring that her paintings would always bring joy and harmony. From that point forward, Emily's career flourished as she continued to capture the beauty and magic of the world around her. And though she would never forget the disastrous witchy picture, it served as a constant reminder of the importance of wielding her artistic gifts responsibly..
Reviews for "Art as a Medium of Cultural Expression: Decoding Meaning behind the "Disastrous Witchy Picture"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I have to say, "The Disastrous Witchy Picture" was a major disappointment for me. The plot was all over the place, making it difficult to follow along and engage with the story. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to connect or care about their fate. Additionally, the special effects were subpar, making it hard to immerse myself in the mystical world that was portrayed. Overall, I expected much more from this film and it failed to deliver.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found "The Disastrous Witchy Picture" to be a complete waste of time. The storyline was cliche and predictable, lacking any originality or creativity. The acting was subpar, with the lead actress failing to convince me of her role as a powerful witch. The dialogue was laughable and full of cheesy lines that made it impossible to take the movie seriously. The special effects were amateurish and felt like they belonged in a B-rated movie. Overall, I would not recommend this film to anyone looking for a quality magical fantasy experience.
3. Karen - 2/5 stars - "The Disastrous Witchy Picture" had so much potential, but it fell short on many levels. The pacing of the film was uneven, with slow and dragging scenes followed by rushed, chaotic moments. The plot was convoluted and confusing, leaving me with more questions than answers. The character development was lacking, making it hard for me to care about their journey or the outcome of the story. The visuals were lackluster, failing to create a visually stunning world that is expected in the fantasy genre. Overall, this film had promise but failed to deliver an enjoyable experience.