The sea witch booj is a mythical creature that is said to reside in the depths of the ocean. It is often depicted as a combination of a human and a sea creature, with a sinister and mysterious appearance. The sea witch booj is known for its dark powers and ability to manipulate the sea and its inhabitants. Legend has it that the sea witch booj possesses an uncanny ability to control the tides and waves, causing havoc and destruction to those who venture too close to its domain. It is said to have the power to create treacherous storms and shipwrecks, luring unsuspecting sailors to their doom. The sea witch booj is often associated with enchantment and sorcery.
SEA WITCH is set in 1800s Denmark (the home of Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote the tale we’re all familiar with), and as this is the olden days and people were a tad more superstitious than they are now, Evie (our future Sea Witch) is forced to hide her own witch powers. She is the daughter of the Royal Fisherman and a close friend of Prince Niklas, and she’s also having a sort-of fling with Niklas’ charmingly roguish cousin, Prince Iker.
However, Evie is holding on to a lot of pain years before the story s events, her best friend Anna drowned while she, Evie and Niklas were at the beach. 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.
The sea witch booj is often associated with enchantment and sorcery. According to folklore, it has the ability to cast spells and curses upon those who cross its path. It is believed to have the power to transform humans into sea creatures or bind them to serve its will.
[Review] Sea Witch – Sarah Henning
How I read it: I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Get it at Amazon UK: Sea Witch
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 villainness is a heart-wrenching story of friendship, betrayal, and a girl pushed beyond her limits—to become a monster.
I love fairytale retellings that make you feel like you’re reading something completely fresh and new, and SEA WITCH does just that – it’s a gorgeous re-imagining of The Little Mermaid, from the point of view of the sea witch that cursed her.
If you’ve read my other reviews you’ll have noticed that I also read (and loved) Alexandra Christo’s TO KILL A KINGDOM, which is another YA retelling of this fairytale. My initial worry with SEA WITCH was that it would be too similar, but it’s not at all – however, if you loved TO KILL A KINGDOM, I would definitely recommend this too. MERMAIDS! DEATH! DANGEROUS GIRLS!
The Little Mermaid was my favourite Disney Princess movie as a kid. I have not changed a bit.
SEA WITCH is set in 1800s Denmark (the home of Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote the tale we’re all familiar with), and as this is the olden days and people were a tad more superstitious than they are now, Evie (our future Sea Witch) is forced to hide her own witch powers. She is the daughter of the Royal Fisherman and a close friend of Prince Niklas, and she’s also having a sort-of fling with Niklas’ charmingly roguish cousin, Prince Iker.
Sounds like a nice cosy set-up, right? However, Evie is holding on to a lot of pain – years before the story’s events, her best friend Anna drowned while she, Evie and Niklas were at the beach. Anna’s body was never recovered, and Evie still mourns the loss of her friend, believing her to be gone forever – until one day she sees a familiar face through a porthole…
I loved the twisting mystery of this book – is Annemette really Anna, returned from the dead? Is she all that she appears to be? How does Evie turn from a quiet, witchy girl who dearly loves her friends into the powerful sea sorceress who steals the voice of a mermaid? All these questions are answered, but not quite in the way you might expect. SEA WITCH keeps the reader on their toes – several times I felt like I could predict what was going to happen next, only to be proved wrong. I was glad to see that I was proved wrong in some cases – I was initially worried that Evie and Annemette would be pitted against each other for Niklas’ attention, but was relieved to see that the drama came from elsewhere, and that the girls’ friendship was given just as much attention (if not more) than the romantic threads. It’s their story that is the focus, which I loved.
Did I mention there are mermaids? MERMAIDS ARE GREAT. Reading this book was like sinking into a warm bath of childhood nostalgia – I loved the Disney franchise and Saban’s Adventures of the Little Mermaid. I need more deadly mermaids. Sassy mermaids. Kick-ass mermaids. They don’t have to be romantic and cutesy and drippy. Books like this prove that, and take me back to watching Ariel and Marina go on adventures and get into trouble.
More of this, please.
Magic is carefully woven into the historical setting, and I loved the idea that witches and mermaids exist in SEA WITCH’s Denmark, but are hidden away – even Evie, who knows magic exists, isn’t sure if mermaids are real. I also liked that the romance was a bit messy (even more so than the original story!) with a bit of a love square going on between Annemette, Niklas, Evie and Iker – this may be a fairytale retelling, but this isn’t a fairytale romance…
If you love mermaid stories with a bit of darkness, or historical fantasy with witches, or doomed romances with death and danger, then SEA WITCH is for you. If this and TO KILL A KINGDOM are anything to go by, then mermaid YA is very much in, and I can’t wait for my next mermaid read!
For fans of: TO KILL A KINGDOM by Alexandra Christo, LORALI by Laura Dockrill, HEARTLESS by Marissa Meyer
Sounds like a nice cosy set-up, right? However, Evie is holding on to a lot of pain – years before the story’s events, her best friend Anna drowned while she, Evie and Niklas were at the beach. Anna’s body was never recovered, and Evie still mourns the loss of her friend, believing her to be gone forever – until one day she sees a familiar face through a porthole…
Despite its dark nature, the sea witch booj is also said to possess great wisdom and knowledge. It is rumored to have insights into the mysteries of the ocean and is sought after by those who seek guidance or fortune. However, making a deal with the sea witch booj is said to come with a hefty price, as it demands sacrifice and often leaves those who seek its assistance worse off than before. The sea witch booj has been a popular subject in mythology, literature, and art throughout history. Its presence in tales and legends serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers and power of the ocean. It represents the untamed and unpredictable forces of nature that humans must always respect and fear. In modern culture, the sea witch booj has also made appearances in popular media, such as movies, books, and video games. These depictions often portray it as a mysterious and alluring figure, tempting protagonists with promises of power and knowledge. However, they also emphasize the consequences and dangers associated with dealing with such a dark and formidable entity. Overall, the sea witch booj remains a captivating and formidable figure in folklore and mythology. Its combination of beauty, power, and danger continues to captivate the imagination and serves as a reminder of the vast and mysterious depths of the ocean..
Reviews for "Summoning the Storm: How Sea Witch Booj Can Influence Weather Patterns"
1. Emma - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Sea Witch Booj" after hearing such great things about it, but I was ultimately disappointed. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. The plot also felt predictable and didn't offer any real surprises. Overall, I found the book to be mediocre and it didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Mike - 3 stars - "Sea Witch Booj" had an interesting concept, but I felt that the execution fell flat. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The writing style also didn't resonate with me, as I found it to be overly verbose and lacking in clarity. While there were some elements of the story that kept me engaged, overall it just wasn't a memorable read for me.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Sea Witch Booj" but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, with too many unnecessary subplots that didn't add much to the overall story. The characters were forgettable and I struggled to stay invested in their journeys. Additionally, the world-building was lacking, leaving me wanting more details and descriptions. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it.