I recently came across a graphic book called "Witch" and it completely captivated my attention. This book, written and illustrated by an incredibly talented team, explores the fascinating world of witches through stunning visuals and an engaging storyline. The book takes the reader on a journey through different realms, where witches reside and practice their magic. The illustrations are incredibly detailed and breathtaking, bringing the world of witches to life. Each page is filled with vibrant colors and intricate designs, making it difficult to look away. The story itself is equally enchanting.
The story itself is equally enchanting. It follows a young witch named Luna who discovers her true powers and goes on a quest to save her coven from a dark force threatening to destroy them. Along the way, Luna must overcome various challenges, face her fears, and learn to harness her magic.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Despite the fact that books and reading are such a huge part of my job, almost all of the reading I do is for fun, and I read whatever sounds appealing to me at the moment.
At the beginning of the year, I put together a list of books I wanted to read in 2020 and A Curse So Dark and Lonely was one of them.
I had no schedule or plan for reading these books – I just wanted to keep them in mind.
And then, when life shut down, suddenly a Beauty and the Beast re-telling felt like exactly what I wanted to read. I pulled my copy off my shelf and . . . it was the perfect fantasy escape.
I generally love a good fairy tale retelling, and A Curse So Dark and Lonely didn’t let me down.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Rhen is the crown prince of Emberfall. That might have seemed pretty great once, but after a misstep with an enchantress, he’s been cursed to relive the same season (fall) over and over again until he can get a girl to fall in love with him. He’s rich, handsome, and smart, so this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Except for the issue that at the end of every season, he turns into a vicious monster (it’s a different kind every time) and goes on a murderous rampage that he can’t control and has no memory of when the season resets each time. Within a season or two, he’s accidentally killed off all his family and all of the palace servants and guards except for one, the Guard Commander Grey (while everything resets each season, the people who are dead? Stay dead).
Time is moving forward outside the castle walls while it resets within the castle walls, so Rhen’s kingdom has watched five years pass with no word from the silent castle and no idea what’s become of their king (Rhen’s father) and why he’s not protecting them from the monster that keeps attacking them. Rumors of neighboring kingdoms considering marching to overthrow Emberfall and take control of the kingdom aren’t helping moral much either.
Basically, it’s all PRETTTTY bleak in Emberfall.
At the beginning of each season, Rhen sends Grey to find a new girl, although his hope that anyone is ever going to fall in love with him and break the spell is pretty much non-existent at this point. But what other choice does he have?
And then, at the beginning of this season, Grey crosses from Emberfall into our world (Washington DC, to be exact) to retrieve a girl to bring back. And everything goes awry.
Because Grey is spotted by Harper, a teenage girl keeping watch for her older brother while he does the bidding of the thugs that are on the hunt for their missing father. Her life is also in shambles – not only is her dad gone, but her mom is dying of cancer, and her brother is caught up with these criminals. Plus she has cerebral palsy.
But when she spots a strange man (Grey) carrying away another young woman, she’s not going to let that happen and she attacks him, which results in her being the one taken back to Emberfall instead.
Rhen is immediately certain that if there was ever a girl to break the curse, it is NOT Harper who has zero interest in Emberfall and just wants to get back to DC where she knows her brother will be going nuts with worry for her, not to mention that she’s terrified her mother will die while she’s gone.
And then, just to make things extra interesting, the enchantress appears and tells Rhen that this is going to be the final season. Break the curse before winter arrives or it’s over forever.
I just read Beauty (one of my favorite fairy tale retellings) with the girls a few months ago, so it was on my mind when I was reading this and I realized that some retellings are about 80% the original story with 20% of the author’s own twists.
Beauty is definitely one of those. It stays very close to the original with its own spin to it.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely, on the other hand, is only about 20% of the source material and 80% its own spin. The story switches back and forth from Harper to Rhen, so you get to see his point of view of how this whole mess is unfolding, plus you have a serious whole world here.
Most Beauty and the Beast stories (at least that I have seen) have the Beast’s world as pretty much nothing but the isolated castle. This one has a full, bustling world, with a kingdom full of cities, plus other kingdoms beyond the borders of Emberfall. It’s a completely different feeling.
And while you generally know how a familiar fairy tale is going to play out because you already know the plot and the fun is watching it happen, in this one, I wasn’t at all sure what was going to happen. From the very first pages, the whole Beauty and the Beast storyline was so turned on its head, I couldn’t predict how it might end. But it sure was fun to watch.
And all three of the main characters – Harper, Rhen, and Grey – are TERRIFIC. They’re smart and determined and they’re all very different and three-dimensional.
Plus, there is so much witty dialogue and clever writing, which I LIVE for in a book.
Also, did I mention this is a fantasy book without a map in the front? Basically my dream come true.
And did I buy the sequel within moments of finishing the book? You bet I did (I got the audio version of the second one).
I mentioned this book a few weeks ago because both the paperback and the Kindle version were so inexpensive and I’ve loved that so many of you read it along with me. Every time I mentioned it on Instagram, I’d get a flood of messages from people who had just started it, just finished it, or were halfway through and loving it as much as I did.
It made the whole ride just that much more delightful.
If you’re looking for a truly terrific fairy tale, you can’t do much better than this one.
I always think of the interview in which someone is asked, “How does it feel to be an overnight success?” and the interviewee responds: “To you it’s overnight, for me it took 10 years.” There’s something profound about that. My first book was with a smaller publisher, then I sold Letters to the Lost and More Than We Can Tell to Bloomsbury, which allowed me to reach a broader audience with school placement and state reading lists. But I think there’s something about fantasy, especially fantasy that ties in a contemporary element, that works well. So much of publishing is about timing and luck, so I’m glad A Curse So Dark and Lonely struck a chord with readers.
What sets "Witch" apart from other graphic books is its unique blend of fantasy, adventure, and emotional depth. While the visuals are visually stunning, the story also delves into themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the power of belief. It is a tale that resonates with readers of all ages, reminding us of the strength within ourselves and the importance of staying true to who we are. Overall, "Witch" is an extraordinary graphic book that will immerse you in a world of magic and wonder. Whether you are a fan of graphic novels or simply appreciate beautiful storytelling, this book is a must-read. Prepare to be spellbound!.
Reviews for "From Salem to silent panels: the evolution of witch graphic novels"
1. Jane - 1 star
I found "Witch graphic book" to be extremely boring and poorly written. The story lacked depth and the characters were underdeveloped. The artwork was decent, but it couldn't make up for the lackluster storyline. Overall, I was quite disappointed and would not recommend this graphic book to anyone looking for an engaging and well-crafted story.
2. Mark - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Witch graphic book" based on the positive reviews, but I was left feeling unsatisfied. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The artwork was average at best and failed to capture my attention. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unrealistic. I was hoping for more from this graphic book, but it fell short of my expectations.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I couldn't connect with "Witch graphic book" at all. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest in the story. The characters were one-dimensional, and their actions and motivations were often unclear. The illustrations, while visually appealing, couldn't compensate for the lack of a compelling narrative. Unfortunately, this graphic book just didn't resonate with me.
4. Mike - 3 stars
While I didn't hate "Witch graphic book," I can't say that I loved it either. The story had potential, but it felt rushed and poorly executed. The artwork was vibrant and detailed, but the narrative failed to engage me fully. I think with some improvements in storytelling and character development, this graphic book could have been much better. As it stands, though, I found it to be a mediocre read.
5. Emily - 2 stars
I was not impressed with "Witch graphic book" at all. The writing felt clumsy, and the dialogue was awkward and stilted. The storyline was confusing and lacked coherence, making it difficult for me to follow along. The illustrations were the only redeeming factor, but they weren't enough to rescue the book from its many flaws. I wouldn't recommend this graphic book to anyone unless they have a specific interest in witches and are willing to overlook the other shortcomings.