Malevolent witch Nardo is a popular character in folklore. She is often depicted as an old, haggard woman with long gray hair and a crooked nose. Nardo is known for her malicious and wicked nature, with the ability to cast spells and curses on unsuspecting victims. Legend has it that Nardo was once a powerful sorceress who used her dark magic for personal gain and to cause harm to others. She would often create potions and enchantments to manipulate and control those around her, using her powers to get whatever she desired. Nardo was feared by both humans and creatures alike, as her spells were said to be irreversible and her curses were known to bring great suffering to those unfortunate enough to cross her path.
When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she’s a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community. But Tea finds solace and guidance with an older, wiser bone witch, who takes Tea and her brother to another land for training.
Most of the book focuses on Tea discovering her affinity for the dark while training to become an asha and the trouble politics that come with that responsibility. I have to say the present day Tea is very dark and mysterious and I found her to be the most interesting I want to know what happened to her to make her this way.
Nardo was feared by both humans and creatures alike, as her spells were said to be irreversible and her curses were known to bring great suffering to those unfortunate enough to cross her path. Many believed that her powers came from a pact she made with the devil himself, giving her an endless source of dark magic. Over time, Nardo's evil deeds caught up with her, and the villagers grew tired of living in fear.
Review: The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco || Slow, but why am I so excited?
The beast raged; it punctured the air with its spite. But the girl was fiercer.
Tea is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy makes her a bone witch, who are feared and ostracized in the kingdom. For theirs is a powerful, elemental magic that can reach beyond the boundaries of the living—and of the human.
Great power comes at a price, forcing Tea to leave her homeland to train under the guidance of an older, wiser bone witch. There, Tea puts all of her energy into becoming an asha, learning to control her elemental magic and those beasts who will submit by no other force. And Tea must be strong—stronger than she even believes possible. Because war is brewing in the eight kingdoms, war that will threaten the sovereignty of her homeland…and threaten the very survival of those she loves.
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Published: March 7th 2017
“Let me be clear: I never intended to raise my brother from his grave, though he may claim otherwise.”
I won’t lie, this books’ cover is a major factor for me picking up this book. I didn’t really know what it was about, which is rare since I do copious amounts of research before I read most things, but I was of course pleasantly surprised. It was a bit slow, but Tea’s story and character arc was what kept me entertained . It didn’t hurt purple prose is my thing… and that food was constantly mentioned…
After raising her brother from the dead at his funeral (I can absolutely imagine the chaos that ensued hehe) Tea is whisked away to train as a bone witch. Since the line of bone witches are dwindling, she needs to train fast, because Daeva’s are popping up left and right.
I did have a somewhat difficult time getting a grasp of the world building, the majority of the story is constricted to one area for Tea’s training, but that lead to limited information given and when information was given, it ended up being infodumped . And I can be lenient of the lack of information, this is a series, but it was something that did snag my interest. However, it’s fine, because I was completely interested in the characters.
“You can be the most powerful witch in the land, but you will always have a weakness, and that will always make you believe you have no power when someone exploits it. There is no greater strength than the ability to understand and accept your own flaws.”
Told in alternating past/ present chapters, I can’t say I was bored . I liked seeing what made present day Tea the person she was while seeing what she was up to in present day. And Tea herself was likable . She was a special snowflake though, which I thought would bother me more I won’t lie it still managed to bothered me .
Her bond with her brother Fox, both familial and other, was really sweet. The way he supported and believed in her was so nice and definitely what she need— he was by far the lighter part of the story . There was also Likh, who is such a great friend. Wanting to be an asha, but can’t because boys aren’t allowed to, being ostracized for his feminine qualities just broke my heart. I thought the was she handled he way she handled masculinity and different kinds of strength was nicely done— I need to know he’s doing fine in the next book.
“Never give your heartglass away to anyone. Anyone else versed in magic can do you harm with it. People will never be what you make of them, but at least your own heart stays yours and true.”
There were so many things in this book interested me. The concept of the heartglasses, people literally wearing their hearts on their chest, the dangers of giving your heartglass to someone you love… it both scared and fascinated me. It also didn’t hurt that Chupeco’s prose led nothing to the imagination. Descriptions were vivid and her prose is seriously beautiful.
The romance in this book is non existent, but Tea does have a little crush… which got on my nerves . Said love interest was just so clueless and ignorant on so many things, I kept thinking you can do better Tea. It also didn’t help that I couldn’t separate their name with another characters name… who I also wasn’t feeling. I know thta’s such a petty thing to be upset over, but on a brighter note— yes I’m excited for book two and I need it now.
I’m happy to say that the romance did not play a HUGE factor in this story, it didn’t take center stage and didn’t take precedence over the plot. Apart from that it wasn’t really developed either, once again I’m assuming it will be explored more in the next book.
They banded together and devised a plan to rid their town of the malevolent witch once and for all. It is said that on the night of the full moon, when Nardo was at her most powerful, the villagers surrounded her cottage and set it ablaze. As the flames consumed the witch's home, Nardo's powers weakened, and she was unable to escape her fiery fate. Although Nardo was believed to have perished in the fire, some say her spirit still lingers, seeking revenge on those who wronged her. It is said that those who encounter her ghost will face her wrath, as she continues to cast curses on the living. The legend of the malevolent witch Nardo serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of using dark magic for personal gain and the consequences that can come from harming others. Her story also highlights the power of unity and the strength of a community when they come together to defeat evil..
Reviews for "Malevolent Witch Nardo: The Wickedness Within"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Malevolent Witch Nardo". The storyline was confusing and didn't make much sense. The characters were also poorly developed, and I found it hard to connect with any of them. The film lacked depth and failed to keep my attention throughout. I was hoping for a thrilling witch-themed movie, but it fell flat for me. I would not recommend this to anyone looking for a good horror film.
2. Mark - 1 star
"Malevolent Witch Nardo" was a complete waste of time. The acting was terrible, and the special effects were laughable. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, and it felt like the entire movie was poorly written. I couldn't wait for it to end, and I regretted spending money on a ticket. Save yourself the trouble and skip this one.
3. Jessica - 2 stars
I was really excited to see "Malevolent Witch Nardo" as I love horror movies, but this one was a letdown. The pacing was incredibly slow, and there were long stretches of boredom. The scares were predictable and lacked creativity. It had the potential to be a good movie, but it fell short. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're desperate for a witch-themed movie to watch.