"Wake of the Red Witch" is a thrilling adventure novel written by Garland Roark. The story is set in the exotic background of the South Pacific during World War II. The book follows the journey of Captain Ralls, a fascinating and complex character who commands the ship, Red Witch. The Red Witch is a sturdy and legendary vessel known for its notorious reputation and intriguing past. Captain Ralls' relentless pursuit for sunken treasures and his deep obsession with vengeance forms the core of the novel's plot. As the story unfolds, readers are taken on an exciting voyage filled with danger, secrets, and unforeseen challenges.

The Magic Castle

Magic has two different definitions: magic as an illusion or sleight of hand, and magic as paranormal phenomenon or an agent of the supernatural. The Magic Castle, located in Hollywood, California, prides itself on being the intersecting point of both these definitions.

Open only to magician members, associate members, and their invited guests, the Castle serves as the headquarters and clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts, devoted to the promotion and development of the art of magic.

On most evenings, visitors can experience a night of dining, drinking, and pretty awesome card tricks – but first, they must get past the foyer, which has no visible doors. A secret password opens a hidden entry to the main building.

Performances include highly produced shows where a very talented magician turns bunnies into doves and doves into mice. Lounge entertainment is provided by Irma, the “invisible ghost” playing any song requested of her on the Castle’s grand piano.

The labyrinthine mansion was originally one of Hollywood’s great chateau-inspired manors, built in 1909. By the 1950s, the once-grand building had passed through many hands and fallen into disrepair. In 1955 magician William Larsen formed the Academy of Magical Arts, and in 1961 William’s son Bill purchased the building and began converting it into a magic-themed clubhouse, which opened two years later as the Magic Castle.

Today the Academy boasts nearly 5000 members, a mix of auditioned magicians and associate members . The building has been expanded and renovated many times over the years creating a decade-spanning pastiche of antiques and vintage collectables colliding with odd, theme-park-style decor in other areas. This peculiar combination and comfortably worn edges give the building a certain charm.

Downstairs in a hallway near the Hat and Hare pub, concept art and objects from Disney’s Haunted Mansion line the wall, including a proof-of-concept diorama of the haunted ballroom scene, which uses a famous illusionist’s trick known as the Pepper’s Ghost illusion.

The castle serves not only as a social gathering place for magicians and magic enthusiasts, but also as an important repository of knowledge on illusions and the history of magic. There is a small museum in a downstairs theater space, dozens – if not hundreds – of historic posters, art and ephemera related to magic and famous magicians, as well as portraits honoring some of the best known. Hidden away downstairs is a research library open to magician members only, dedicated to books on magic.

Over the years, many stories have been told about the building’s alleged resident and visiting specters, including that of former magician-in-residence Dai Vernon. His ashes were once kept on a high shelf outside the Parlour of Prestidigitation, where he watched shows from the front row every night until his death in 1992.

The Castle was badly damaged in a fire that broke out in October 2011 in the attic space of the building. It reopened after repairs in February 2012. Ironically, the Castle’s Halloween theme that year was “Inferno” where, with the use of lighting and projectors, the Castle was made to look like it was engulfed in flames. Unfortunately, on Halloween day, it actually went up in flames.

Know Before You Go

Near the 101, on Franklin Ave, Between Highland and La Brea Ave. It's a giant castle. It can't be missed.

Magic Castle

Do you believe in magic? You will if you spend an evening at Hollywood’s Academy of Magical Arts, and its clubhouse, the Magic Castle. As its website says, “A miracle here, a miracle there, and pretty soon it starts to add up.”

The 1908 mansi, a "what's that up there?" eyecatcher when viewed from downtown Hollywood, houses a warren of rooms where magician members perform their craft in such spaces as The Parlour of Prestidigitation and the Palace of Mystery. See if you can spot the magician’s sleight of hand from just a few feet away in the tiny 22-seat Close-Up Gallery. There are bars and a Victorian-style restaurant, all worthy of a classy night out (jackets and ties required for the men, and dresses or skirts for the ladies). To add an air of exclusivity and mystery, entrance is only allowed to members (various options are detailed on the club’s website). You can also visit if invited by a current member.

Ivy Brown, an art director and designer who lives in downtown Los Angeles, has been to the Magic Castle several times with her fiancé. “There is an air of mystery, and it was all a little bit secretive. It feels like you’ve gone back to a different time,” says Brown, adding that during one visit, “One gentleman performed a sleight of hand with different size marbles that had me completely fooled. I was just blown away!”

As the story unfolds, readers are taken on an exciting voyage filled with danger, secrets, and unforeseen challenges. Roark beautifully captures the essence of life at sea and perfectly paints a vivid picture of the treacherous and unpredictable nature of the ocean. The author's descriptions immerse readers in the exotic beauty of the South Pacific islands, while also highlighting the dangers and threats lurking beneath the surface.

Spotlight: Hollywood

Tinseltown, where starlets are discovered on every street corner (or at least we like to think they are), and the tinted windows of that stretch limo might be hiding a Cruise, Hanks or Anniston. And in the hills, a big sign stretches across with letters as big as your dreams—Hollywood. Visit iconic sites filled with celebrity footprints or wax likenesses—maybe even catch a real one in the flesh at a film premiere or awards show. Anything is possible in Hollywood.

The characters in "Wake of the Red Witch" are complex and multi-dimensional, making the story even more gripping. Captain Ralls' conflicting motivations, haunted past, and the moral dilemmas he faces add depth and intensity to his character. The interactions between Ralls and other crew members, as well as the romance that blossoms between him and his trusted confidante, Angelique, further enrich the narrative. The themes explored in the novel include love, loyalty, redemption, and the pursuit of justice. The quest for treasure becomes a metaphor for the characters' quest for personal growth and meaning in their lives. The story also touches upon the devastating effects of war and the lengths people will go to protect and avenge those they care about. Overall, "Wake of the Red Witch" is a riveting tale of adventure, romance, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of the South Pacific. Garland Roark's masterful storytelling, combined with his meticulous attention to detail, brings the story to life and keeps readers hooked until the very end. This classic novel continues to captivate readers with its timeless themes and thrilling narrative, making it a must-read for fans of adventure fiction..

Reviews for "The Red Witch and the Forgotten Tales of the High Seas"

1. John - 2 stars - I found "Wake of the red witc" to be quite disappointing. The plot was meandering and slow, and I struggled to connect with any of the characters. The writing felt stale and lacked the descriptive language that would have brought the story to life. Overall, I was bored throughout most of the book and wouldn't recommend it to others.

2. Lisa - 1 star - I couldn't wait for "Wake of the red witc" to be over. The story was convoluted and confusing, with too many unnecessary subplots that added nothing to the main narrative. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or development. It was a struggle to stay engaged with the book, and I was left feeling unsatisfied and disinterested by the end.

3. Mike - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Wake of the red witc" based on the rave reviews, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was uneven, with long periods of inaction followed by rushed and unsatisfying conclusions. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to believe in the characters or their motivations. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.

Shipwrecks and Salvage in the Wake of the Red Witch