Frozen Hearts and Death Magic Frozen hearts and death magic are intertwined in the realm of fantasy and mythology, representing the darkest aspects of human nature and the supernatural. A frozen heart symbolizes emotional detachment and a lack of empathy, typified by characters like the Snow Queen from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale. Such characters are often driven by bitterness, resentment, or a desire for power and control. Their hearts have become numb and devoid of warmth, leading them to inflict harm on others or isolate themselves from society. Death magic, on the other hand, is a form of dark sorcery that harnesses the power of death and the afterlife. It is often associated with necromancy, the ability to control or communicate with the dead.
Above everything else, the book shines as character study, exploring Ursule as a woman, a daughter, a mother, and a legend. Despite being known as one of the greatest witches to have ever lived, this is the true story of Ursule which shows that she was not always wise, nor was she always responsible with her powers. As a young woman, she was more often than not driven by selfish desires, though in many cases, you could also hardly fault her for wanting so desperately to protect her loved ones. On her journey to self-discovery, she weathers through many mistakes and suffers terrible losses, but somehow always manages to overcome these challenges, emerging stronger and more confident of herself on the other side.
Getting the full story from a single perspective also led to more stability and coherence, which could be why I also found this novel so much easier to get into. As a young woman, she was more often than not driven by selfish desires, though in many cases, you could also hardly fault her for wanting so desperately to protect her loved ones.
It is often associated with necromancy, the ability to control or communicate with the dead. Necromancers, in various mythologies and fictional works, possess the ability to raise the deceased and use them as instruments of their own bidding. The combination of frozen hearts and death magic portrays a formidable force, capable of causing destruction and spreading fear.
The great witch of brittany
27 January 2022
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Beautifully told story of origins
This was my first Louisa Morgan book and what I can say is that I really enjoyed it, and it certainly won’t be my last. In fact, in that respect I have a question about this author’s other books – do I need to read them in a certain order? I think all the books are standalone stories but just thought I’d check.
Anyway, this book tells the story of Ursule Orchiere, how she came to know magic, her ability to read the ancient Grimoire passed down by the Orchiere women and the tenacious way she holds together her family.
The story starts when Ursule is a young girl and we get a feel for the life she lives. Her mother tells fortunes and Ursule collects the coins. Ursule has been fed stories of the Orchiere women and their magic and longs to inherit magic of her own and be part of the story. These are difficult times for women. Witch hunters obsessively search for their next victim to feed the flames and women with knowledge of herb lore are persecuted.
I loved the way Ursule tells her story. The scene is set really well and I just found myself sinking into the tale with ease. There is a palpable sense of fear and a genuine feeling of helplessness amongst the travellers. Gangs of men literally swoop indiscriminately through the camps snatching up women to terrorise and torture. Ursule’s mother finds herself accused and from here things take a different turn but I won’t go further into the story.
What really appealed to me with this story is that it was so easy to get into. The sense of period is beautifully evoked. The hard lives that people led really comes across well and the strong family ties also simply ooze off the page. If you put the witching elements to one side this feels like an impressively rendered historic piece and the descriptions and writing just pulled me in. It just felt like an incredibly comforting read somehow – which, given the darker elements of the story, is an impressive achievement.
On top of this I really liked Ursule and her familiar Drom. I’m not sure that any of the other characters were as well drawn but given that Ursule is the central figure I didn’t have any issues with this. In fact, the other characters felt almost greyed out which felt somehow appropriate given the lonely way Ursule lives. She is a loner, not necessarily by choice, and in fact even though she eventually feels as though she’s surrounded herself with loved ones she still very much comes across as a lone figure.
In terms of criticisms I don’t have any. I can say that this is not a book that you can read quickly and to be honest I don’t think you should try to wolf this down in a couple of sittings. This is a book to be savoured and enjoyed. So, if you fancy a piece, very female centric, focusing on witchcraft and strong family ties, that actually has a kind of payback for the magic used, then give this a go. It really is a delicious morsel.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this. It felt like the right book at the right time and it worked really well for me. A lovely story of inherited magic and one woman’s life and struggles.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
For more from Louisa Morgan, check out:
Characters who wield such power are often depicted as formidable villains, capable of manipulating both the living and the dead to serve their sinister purposes. The link between frozen hearts and death magic extends beyond individual characters or stories. It reflects deeper themes and cultural archetypes. It speaks to the human capacity for darkness and cruelty, as well as our fascination with the unknown and supernatural. In literature and popular culture, the concept of frozen hearts and death magic has been explored in various forms. From the ice powers of Elsa in Disney's "Frozen" to the icy demeanor of the White Witch in C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia," these themes continue to captivate our imagination and remind us of the frailty and complexity of the human psyche. In conclusion, frozen hearts and death magic represent the darker aspects of human nature and the supernatural. These themes offer a glimpse into the depths of human emotion and the mysterious forces that exist beyond our understanding. Whether used to create compelling villains or explore the human condition, the intertwining of these concepts adds depth and intrigue to the realm of fantasy and myth..
Reviews for "The ethereal beauty of frozen hearts revealed through death magic"
1. Jane - 2/5 - I have to say, I was really disappointed with "Frozen Hearts and Death Magic". The plot was incredibly predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth. The writing style was also lackluster and failed to engage me as a reader. Overall, I found the book to be quite boring and lacking in originality.
2. Mark - 1/5 - I couldn't even finish "Frozen Hearts and Death Magic" because it was so poorly written. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, and the pacing was all over the place. I really wanted to enjoy this book, but it just didn't live up to my expectations. I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - While the concept of "Frozen Hearts and Death Magic" seemed interesting, I found the execution to be underwhelming. The world-building was weak, leaving many unanswered questions, and the magic system felt disjointed and poorly explained. The characters lacked depth and the romance felt forced. Overall, I was left unsatisfied with this book.
4. David - 2/5 - "Frozen Hearts and Death Magic" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver. The story felt rushed and the plot twists were predictable. Additionally, the writing style was uninspiring and lacked the descriptive detail needed to truly immerse the reader in the world being presented. Overall, I found the book to be forgettable and not worth recommending.
5. Emily - 3/5 - I had high expectations for "Frozen Hearts and Death Magic", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was slow, and I found myself losing interest in the story. The characters lacked development and felt cliché. However, I will admit that some aspects of the book, such as the magic elements, were intriguing. Overall, I wouldn't say it was the worst book I've ever read, but it definitely didn't live up to my expectations.