The Witcher series, created by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski, has gained immense popularity and has captivated readers with its unique characters. These characters are multi-dimensional, complex, and have fascinating backstories that add depth to the overall narrative. Geralt of Rivia, often referred to as the White Wolf, is the protagonist of the series. He is a witcher, a monster hunter trained to fight supernatural creatures. Geralt is known for his silver hair, cat-like eyes, and various witcher mutations that give him enhanced speed, strength, and the ability to wield magic. Beneath his stoic exterior, Geralt possesses a deep sense of morality and often finds himself caught in moral dilemmas.
Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev’s sophomore novel is a literary, character-driven fantasy with themes of family, identity, belonging, and resilience. A truly extraordinary coming-of-age story for readers of Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon, Lauren Wolk’s Beyond the Bright Sea, and Laurel Snyder’s Orphan Island.
After a dangerous mission leads to Yakaka and Red s falling from a great height and into the roiling ocean, Red wakes up alone on a seemingly deserted island. Yakaka carries Red between the wings on her back during these journeys, teaching her skills of witchcraft, storytelling, and healing skills Red can never seem to master.
Beneath his stoic exterior, Geralt possesses a deep sense of morality and often finds himself caught in moral dilemmas. Despite his tough exterior, he shows moments of vulnerability and is driven by a strong sense of love and loyalty. Yennefer of Vengerberg is a sorceress and Geralt's love interest.
There Flies the Witch (Hardcover)
Red may not know who her true family is, but she’s determined to find out where she belongs, in this story about magic, nature, family, love, and betrayal. There Flies the Witch will enchant fans of Erin Entrada Kelly, Tae Keller, and Grace Lin.
Red doesn’t remember who she is or where she came from. In fact, her only memory is a terrifying, repeating dream of a threatening shadow and a foggy field. But after many years, she wonders if that’s just something she made up.
Red does know that she now belongs with Yakaka, the witch who rescued Red when she was a little girl. Full of power and magic, Yakaka travels the world, healing the planet when it calls for her help. Yakaka carries Red between the wings on her back during these journeys, teaching her the skills of witchcraft, storytelling, and healing—skills Red can never seem to master.
After a dangerous mission leads to Yakaka and Red’s falling from a great height and into the stormy ocean, Red wakes up alone on a seemingly deserted island. Days later, a young boy and his mother find Red and help her recover. For the first time, Red has a friend her own age to play with, and a chance to live a different kind of life. But what happened to Yakaka?
Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev explores themes of family, identity, belonging, and resilience in this truly extraordinary coming-of-age story for readers of Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon, Lauren Wolk’s Beyond the Bright Sea, and Laurel Snyder’s Orphan Island.
About the Author
Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev was born in Liberia, where she was exposed to a culture of oral storytelling at a young age. She lived in the Netherlands for several years, where she learned to stuff her klompen (wooden shoes) with carrots and developed a love for reading stories—especially tales written by Roald Dahl and Astrid Lindgren. She is the author of The Leopard Behind the Moon and a junior novel retelling of Marvel’s Black Panther. She lives in Washington, DC, with her family.
Praise For…
“The cadenced storyteller’s voice and short, propulsive sentences render every moment of the deceptively simple plot urgently alive. A wealth of earthy, quotidian detail provides some needed distance from the roiling emotional dynamics; beneath an exquisitely poetic skin, the novel brims with tensions between abandonment and isolation, fault and forgiveness, empowerment and self-realization. . . . This is absolutely not to be missed.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
“A girl seeks a sense of belonging and the truth about her identity. . . . The descriptions of the setting evoke a faraway land, both idyllic in its natural beauty and containing lurking dangers and existing outside of time in a way reminiscent of folklore. Red’s story expands on themes of family, love, self-identity, forgiveness, and growth in this novel that will appeal to sophisticated readers. A dreamy story that reads like an extended folktale.” — Kirkus Reviews
“This is a powerful story about forgiveness and healing. The grand adventure is found not in finding a mystical purpose nor defeating an evil king, but in a girl who learns to write her story. . . . For readers who are fans of quiet adventures and (literal) magical storytelling, this is one to hold near your heart.” — Booklist
“[Red] seeks to uncover the origins of her past in this literary read by Paasewe-Valchev. . . . Through Red’s mesmeric narration, rendered in lilting prose, Paasewe-Valchev crafts an imaginative story that feels at once otherworldly and inherently grounded in familiar themes of family, forgiveness, and self-discovery.” — Publishers Weekly
- Juvenile Fiction / Fantasy & Magic
- Juvenile Fiction / Family / Orphans & Foster Homes
- Juvenile Fiction / People & Places / Africa
- Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
- Juvenile Fiction / Science & Nature / Environment
- Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Emigration & Immigration
- Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
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She has a complicated past and her own motivations, often portrayed as a powerful and independent character. Yennefer is known for her beauty, sharp wit, and formidable magical abilities. However, she struggles with her own inner demons and desires, making her a complex and intriguing character. Ciri, also known as Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, is a princess and the adopted daughter of Geralt. Like Geralt, she is also a witcher with unique powers. Ciri's story arc is central to the Witcher series, as she possesses the Elder Blood, which grants her immense power and makes her the object of desire for various factions. Ciri is portrayed as a strong and determined character who undergoes tremendous growth and learns to embrace her destiny. Other notable characters include Dandelion, Geralt's best friend and a bard; Triss Merigold, a powerful sorceress and Geralt's former love interest; and Vesemir, Geralt's respected mentor at the School of the Wolf. These characters, along with many others, contribute to the rich and immersive world of The Witcher series. In conclusion, The Witcher series is defined by its captivating and intriguing characters. From Geralt's stoic nature and moral complexity to Yennefer's fierce independence, and Ciri's transformative journey, each character adds their unique flavor to the overarching narrative. These characters have become iconic in the world of fantasy literature and continue to fascinate readers with their depth and humanity..
Reviews for "The Witch Characters in Mythology: Uncovering their Origins and Legends"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I found "The Witch Characters" to be quite disappointing. The story felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. I couldn't connect with any of them on an emotional level, and their actions seemed illogical at times. The pacing was also off, with certain scenes dragging on and others feeling rushed. Overall, I felt let down by this book and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mark - 1 star - "The Witch Characters" was a complete waste of my time. The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow the story. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear. I also found the dialogue to be forced and unnatural. This book simply did not deliver on its promises and I was left frustrated and unsatisfied.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "The Witch Characters", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was hard to get into, with overly descriptive passages that slowed down the pacing. The characters felt underdeveloped and lacked complexity. The storyline felt predictable and clichéd, without any surprises or twists. I was left feeling underwhelmed and would not recommend this book to others.
4. Daniel - 3 stars - "The Witch Characters" had an interesting premise, but it failed to fully deliver. The concept of the story was intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The characters were not well fleshed out, and I had a hard time caring about their fates. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with certain sections dragging on and others feeling rushed. Though there were some enjoyable moments, overall, the book left much to be desired.