Status
Available
Call number
Publication
HQ Young Adult (2017), 619 pages
Description
Fantasy. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML:The New York Times bestselling series! "Maximum suspense, unusual magic�??a whole new, thrilling approach to fantasy!" �??Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author Powerful magic. A deadly legacy. A world at the edge of war. Prepare to be spellbound by The Black Witch. Elloren Gardner is the spitting image of her grandmother, who drove back the enemy forces in the last Realm War. But while her people believe she will follow in her grandmother's footsteps and become the next Black Witch of prophecy, Elloren is devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above all else. When she is granted the opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren joins her brothers at Verpax University. But she soon realizes that the university may be the most treacherous place of all for the granddaughter of the Black Witch. As evil looms and the pressure to live up to her heritage builds, Elloren's best hope of survival may be among a secret band of rebels...if only she can find the courage to trust those she's been taught to fear. Critics are raving about Laurie Forest's incredible debut, The Black Witch: "Forest uses a richly imagined magical world to offer an uncompromising condemnation of prejudice and injustice." �??Booklist, starred review "Exquisite character work, an elaborate mythology, and a spectacularly rendered universe make this a noteworthy debut, which argues passionately against fascism and xenophobia." �??Publishers Weekly, starred review "Briskly paced, tightly plotted...set in a rich alternative universe with a complicated history that can help us better understand our own." �??Kirkus Reviews, starred review Books in The Black Witch Chronicles: The Black Witch The Iron Flower The Shadow Wand The Demon Tide Wandfasted (ebook novella)* Light Mage (ebook novella)* * Also available in print in The Rebel M… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member sleahey
This first entry in a future series is compelling and fast-moving in spite of its 600+ pages. It tells the story of Elloren, the grand daughter of a famous Black Witch Elloren has been living in a remote area with her beloved uncle since her parents died. Wanting to work in an apothecary, she is
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thrilled when her famous aunt shows up to take her under her wing and introduce her to city life and the university. The university has promoted diversity among various alien races--Gardnerians, elves, kelts, etc.-- and it isn't long before Elloren learns that her preconceived notions of each race's characteristics have been unduly influenced by pervasive prejudice and misinformation. When the Gardnerian leadership changes, many of the students and faculty Elloren cares about risk deportation or even losing their lives, so she bravely undertakes subversive steps. The message about tolerance and pluralism is all the stronger for being embedded in the plot and characters' actions. The first person voice and present tense action bring immediacy to the narrative. Show Less
LibraryThing member Verkruissen
This was the first book by Laurie Forest that I have ever read and I was absolutely enthralled with it. It had the feel of Hogwarts School of Wizardry mixed with characters from The Lord of the Rings.
Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter of the last Black Witch. She lives in the country with her
Things abruptly change when her aunt shows up to take her to the city to attend university and be hand-fasted with one of the sons of a powerful mage family. As excited as she is to attend school she has no desire to be hand-fasted to anyone and promises her uncle she will wait until after her schooling is complete. In order to drive Elloren to hand-fast sooner, her aunt has placed her lodging with two winged Icarals, demon like creatures whom are despised by everyone and making her work for her school fines. As soon as she is hand-fasted she can immediately live a more luxurious life. But as much as she is attracted to her intended she realizes that there have been things she has grown up not knowing about other races and how much she has been taught to hate without really knowing why. She soon learns that there are others who want to be more accepting of the different races that are represented at the school but that the majority lead by her aunt want to eliminate any culture and races that are not as pure as theirs. Elloren quickly has to decide whose side she is on and will love make her turn her entire world upside down.
I absolutely loved this book and would have happily dived into the next book had it been available. Definitely worth reading!
Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter of the last Black Witch. She lives in the country with her
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uncle who has raised her far away from the politics of the Gardnerian people. All she wants is to learn to be an herbalist and have her own apothecary some day. Her one gift which she has told know one about is her ability to touch any wood and know what kind of tree it is and see it in her mind in its original form. Things abruptly change when her aunt shows up to take her to the city to attend university and be hand-fasted with one of the sons of a powerful mage family. As excited as she is to attend school she has no desire to be hand-fasted to anyone and promises her uncle she will wait until after her schooling is complete. In order to drive Elloren to hand-fast sooner, her aunt has placed her lodging with two winged Icarals, demon like creatures whom are despised by everyone and making her work for her school fines. As soon as she is hand-fasted she can immediately live a more luxurious life. But as much as she is attracted to her intended she realizes that there have been things she has grown up not knowing about other races and how much she has been taught to hate without really knowing why. She soon learns that there are others who want to be more accepting of the different races that are represented at the school but that the majority lead by her aunt want to eliminate any culture and races that are not as pure as theirs. Elloren quickly has to decide whose side she is on and will love make her turn her entire world upside down.
I absolutely loved this book and would have happily dived into the next book had it been available. Definitely worth reading!
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LibraryThing member urph818
4.5 stars
The Black Witch is a strong 'first novel' YA entry by Laurie Forest,which I couldn't put down. It excels at depicting how people react when we confront prejudices, our own and others as Elloren goes off to University leaving the sheltered life she's known with her uncle. Elloren and
I was very impressed with the world building and character developement exhibited in the Black Witch. There were times when I dreamed of harm being done to some of the evil racists in the book but I thought the subject was superbly handled by Laurie Forest. I certainly want to read the next book in the series.
Jack Murphy
The Black Witch is a strong 'first novel' YA entry by Laurie Forest,which I couldn't put down. It excels at depicting how people react when we confront prejudices, our own and others as Elloren goes off to University leaving the sheltered life she's known with her uncle. Elloren and
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various other characters in the book have a 'come to understanding' moment that's both powerful and graphic. Elloren's a completely believable protagonist in her sometimes painful growth towards accepting the truth about her society and other races as seen in their history texts. If you enjoy tales of both magic,coming of age and going off to University, this book will satisfy all three of those tastes.I was very impressed with the world building and character developement exhibited in the Black Witch. There were times when I dreamed of harm being done to some of the evil racists in the book but I thought the subject was superbly handled by Laurie Forest. I certainly want to read the next book in the series.
Jack Murphy
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LibraryThing member ElleGato
This book is incredibly, harmfully, grossly racist.
And teens who pick this up without knowing will be harmed by that racism. Teens who read this book will be shoved into a world where racism is encouraged and uncorrected. Teens...aka children.
We as book readers cannot keep allowing books like this
Don't buy this book. Warn your friends about it. E-mail the publisher.
Stop these books and their unapologetic racism from seeing the light of day.
And teens who pick this up without knowing will be harmed by that racism. Teens who read this book will be shoved into a world where racism is encouraged and uncorrected. Teens...aka children.
We as book readers cannot keep allowing books like this
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to be published. We have to let publishers know that this isn't what we want. These aren't the stories we want. Don't buy this book. Warn your friends about it. E-mail the publisher.
Stop these books and their unapologetic racism from seeing the light of day.
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LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
I originally bought this book because it was considered “problematic”. It was one of a handful of books where readers on social media sites like goodreads and twitter were calling for this book to be banned or canceled. Unlike some other books at the time, the author and the publisher “stood
Ellorean and her two brothers were raised in a small town by her uncle. Her parents died years ago. All Ellorean has known is what was taught to her by her uncle and what her community and religion believe to be true. These are things such as wandfasting (marriage equivalent) is not only accepted but preferred when younger, such as age 13. That her race is the master race, the one that god put on the land to rule. After All they are the pure race. They are the race with magic. You see these beliefs heavily in this book, but more so when Ellorean spends time with her aunt, who is a very high political figure in their land. Her dear uncle tried to hide her away from things, but her aunt wants her in the middle of the intrigue.
Ellorean is seen as important because she is the spitting image of her grandmother the Black Witch. It was the Black Witch that freed her people and brought the prosperity they now have. There is a prophecy that a new Black Witch will rise and bring even better and brighter things to her people. However, Ellorean has no magic. Her wand-testing is failed, and most are disappointed, but that does not keep them from trying to use her for their own political purposes.
Ellorean is on her way to the university. There she would have every creature comfort if she obeys her aunt and marries the handsome Lucas, the catch of the school. But she has promised her uncle, who is now sick and not able to communicate, that she would wait til she graduated. And so, she must work for her tuition. And live in what she considers hell, with races inferior to her own. She could have everything she ever wanted, be the queen of the school, if she wandfasts.
Ellorean’s uncle taught her to somewhat think for herself. It will take some dastardly deeds, and a bit of hazing for Ellorean to lean that what she grew up believing is only part of the story. Her history and beliefs are the Disney movie of actual history.
This book is a bit long, but most good fantasy is. It takes time to build the world and set everything in place. And for the first time in a long time of this readers history, there are no major gaps in world building. Yes there are cliffhangers and stories untold, but there are also more books to come. I have my suspicions, but no spoilers in this review.
As for the “problematic” parts. I do see the “white savior” narrative. It is definitely there. Ellorean is the pale skinned woman with the long black hair. The rest of the races are every color under the sun, pink, purple, blue, brown, black. Some have wings, some are a bit furry, etc. As myself a white woman, I draw a parallel to what modern culture needs to learn and see. The world I currently live in has a growing white supremist faction, which is echoed in this story. The “right” race is building power to take over and destroy, but it will be those who can see beyond skin and race, to actual people and actions who will move a land forward. It’s the children and the young adults who will help abolish the beliefs of the past.
This is a story about growth. That books, even history and holy books, are prejudiced by the writers. That nothing is black and white, and that even the best of enemies can become the best of friends. When closing this book, the reader needs the next one.
#MountTBR
#LittleLoveBing #free
#nancyDrewChallange #BlackCover
#BNFantasyChallenge #EpicFantasy
#KillYourTBR #fictionallanguage
#BFC
#SFFTBRchallenge #includesaprophsey
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up” for this work saying the reasons some find it problematic is the entire purpose of the book. Having read it, I now understand.Ellorean and her two brothers were raised in a small town by her uncle. Her parents died years ago. All Ellorean has known is what was taught to her by her uncle and what her community and religion believe to be true. These are things such as wandfasting (marriage equivalent) is not only accepted but preferred when younger, such as age 13. That her race is the master race, the one that god put on the land to rule. After All they are the pure race. They are the race with magic. You see these beliefs heavily in this book, but more so when Ellorean spends time with her aunt, who is a very high political figure in their land. Her dear uncle tried to hide her away from things, but her aunt wants her in the middle of the intrigue.
Ellorean is seen as important because she is the spitting image of her grandmother the Black Witch. It was the Black Witch that freed her people and brought the prosperity they now have. There is a prophecy that a new Black Witch will rise and bring even better and brighter things to her people. However, Ellorean has no magic. Her wand-testing is failed, and most are disappointed, but that does not keep them from trying to use her for their own political purposes.
Ellorean is on her way to the university. There she would have every creature comfort if she obeys her aunt and marries the handsome Lucas, the catch of the school. But she has promised her uncle, who is now sick and not able to communicate, that she would wait til she graduated. And so, she must work for her tuition. And live in what she considers hell, with races inferior to her own. She could have everything she ever wanted, be the queen of the school, if she wandfasts.
Ellorean’s uncle taught her to somewhat think for herself. It will take some dastardly deeds, and a bit of hazing for Ellorean to lean that what she grew up believing is only part of the story. Her history and beliefs are the Disney movie of actual history.
This book is a bit long, but most good fantasy is. It takes time to build the world and set everything in place. And for the first time in a long time of this readers history, there are no major gaps in world building. Yes there are cliffhangers and stories untold, but there are also more books to come. I have my suspicions, but no spoilers in this review.
As for the “problematic” parts. I do see the “white savior” narrative. It is definitely there. Ellorean is the pale skinned woman with the long black hair. The rest of the races are every color under the sun, pink, purple, blue, brown, black. Some have wings, some are a bit furry, etc. As myself a white woman, I draw a parallel to what modern culture needs to learn and see. The world I currently live in has a growing white supremist faction, which is echoed in this story. The “right” race is building power to take over and destroy, but it will be those who can see beyond skin and race, to actual people and actions who will move a land forward. It’s the children and the young adults who will help abolish the beliefs of the past.
This is a story about growth. That books, even history and holy books, are prejudiced by the writers. That nothing is black and white, and that even the best of enemies can become the best of friends. When closing this book, the reader needs the next one.
#MountTBR
#LittleLoveBing #free
#nancyDrewChallange #BlackCover
#BNFantasyChallenge #EpicFantasy
#KillYourTBR #fictionallanguage
#BFC
#SFFTBRchallenge #includesaprophsey
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LibraryThing member MrNattania72
Oh My God, though it was a slow beginning - the wicked are truly wicked and the good, well not so good. This is an awesome story ( though the beginning was slower than a snail on a turtle and it’s ending was a huge “HELL YEAH “! My favorite individual is the dean of the university.
LibraryThing member Linyarai
I started out unsure how I felt about this, but I really ended up loving it. I enjoy the different characters and their races, and I am really looking forward to their adventures in the next book!
LibraryThing member krau0098
Series Info/Source: This is the first book in The Black Witch Chronicles. It looks like there are going to be at least five books in this series, with the fifth book to be published June 2022. I got this as an audiobook from Audible.com.
Audiobook Quality (4/5): I have no complaints about the
Story (2/5): I stopped reading this book about 25% of the way in, it was just completely not for me. This is a dark world where women are forced to be wandfasted to men to help them control themselves. Our main character, Elloren, ends up at University where she is expected to find someone to be wandfast to. In the beginning of the book a main plot line is Elloren and another powerful female mage basically fighting over a guy...yuck.
Characters (2/5): All of the characters in this story just felt wrong and slimy and left me with a bad taste in my mouth. They just weren’t people I wanted to read about. I am sure some of this is the point of the story but I didn’t like it and felt no reason to read something that makes me feel so awful.
Setting (3/5): There is definitely world-building here and, while I didn’t enjoy the world at all, you can tell a lot of effort went into creating the society and magic system.
Writing Style (2/5): I was also not a fan of the writing style. The writing is very descriptive and moves very slow. It took nearly 25% of the book just to get Elloren from her home to University and I am not really sure why. This book was just so far from being something I liked. I don’t DNF audiobooks very often but I just couldn’t keep listening to this one.
My Summary (2/5): Overall I did not like this. I disliked pretty much everything about it; the story, the characters, the world and the writing style. I will be steering clear of Forest in the future and checking to see if I can get my Audible credit back.
Audiobook Quality (4/5): I have no complaints about the
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audiobook quality, it was fine.Story (2/5): I stopped reading this book about 25% of the way in, it was just completely not for me. This is a dark world where women are forced to be wandfasted to men to help them control themselves. Our main character, Elloren, ends up at University where she is expected to find someone to be wandfast to. In the beginning of the book a main plot line is Elloren and another powerful female mage basically fighting over a guy...yuck.
Characters (2/5): All of the characters in this story just felt wrong and slimy and left me with a bad taste in my mouth. They just weren’t people I wanted to read about. I am sure some of this is the point of the story but I didn’t like it and felt no reason to read something that makes me feel so awful.
Setting (3/5): There is definitely world-building here and, while I didn’t enjoy the world at all, you can tell a lot of effort went into creating the society and magic system.
Writing Style (2/5): I was also not a fan of the writing style. The writing is very descriptive and moves very slow. It took nearly 25% of the book just to get Elloren from her home to University and I am not really sure why. This book was just so far from being something I liked. I don’t DNF audiobooks very often but I just couldn’t keep listening to this one.
My Summary (2/5): Overall I did not like this. I disliked pretty much everything about it; the story, the characters, the world and the writing style. I will be steering clear of Forest in the future and checking to see if I can get my Audible credit back.
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LibraryThing member Pascale1812
Raised by an eccentric uncle in the backwoods, Elloren is swept away by her aunt to meet high society and begin her studies at the reputable University. True to any college experience, it forces her to look beyond her narrow racial and religious prejudices to critically approach history and take an
Characters fall into traditional roles: the steadfast friend, the spiteful enemy, and the forbidden love, to name a few. This makes their development and the general plot pretty predictable. Still, Elloren's newfound friends are so genuine and open in supporting or criticizing one another that one can't help loving them.
Overall, the Black Witch is a fun introduction to what promises to be an intense adventure. It was interesting to read, and some scenes were powerful in their emotion and riveting in detail. Looking back at the end of the book, it all felt like the lead up to something more, not a story in itself.
If you are frustrated by wishy-washy or emotional protagonists, Elloren might be hard to handle.
Fun fact: Rafe is my hero, hands down favorite. I would want him as a bro.
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interest in the tense political climate. Characters fall into traditional roles: the steadfast friend, the spiteful enemy, and the forbidden love, to name a few. This makes their development and the general plot pretty predictable. Still, Elloren's newfound friends are so genuine and open in supporting or criticizing one another that one can't help loving them.
Overall, the Black Witch is a fun introduction to what promises to be an intense adventure. It was interesting to read, and some scenes were powerful in their emotion and riveting in detail. Looking back at the end of the book, it all felt like the lead up to something more, not a story in itself.
If you are frustrated by wishy-washy or emotional protagonists, Elloren might be hard to handle.
Fun fact: Rafe is my hero, hands down favorite. I would want him as a bro.
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LibraryThing member vishae
Quickie summary.
No, I don’t find this book racist; it’s about racism, but it doesn’t condone it. There are many other reviews who does a better job at pointing this out - I have other things I want to point out.
There are some timeline/urgency issues; certain world-moving-political events
I was really interested in learning more about the world, the different cultures, the magic system or even the university itself, but instead we get a lot of the MC mooning over the colour of somebody’s eyes.
I did give a high rating though (4-stars), because I did enjoy the book, even with it‘s confusing mix of serious themes (racism and how we are taught it) and fluffy scenes (mean girls and gorgeous guys).
No, I don’t find this book racist; it’s about racism, but it doesn’t condone it. There are many other reviews who does a better job at pointing this out - I have other things I want to point out.
There are some timeline/urgency issues; certain world-moving-political events
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are made to sound very important/devastating, but they are only sparsely mentioned in between the much more “important” YA love interest through-line, and thus the “urgency” is diluted.I was really interested in learning more about the world, the different cultures, the magic system or even the university itself, but instead we get a lot of the MC mooning over the colour of somebody’s eyes.
I did give a high rating though (4-stars), because I did enjoy the book, even with it‘s confusing mix of serious themes (racism and how we are taught it) and fluffy scenes (mean girls and gorgeous guys).
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LibraryThing member jennybeast
Pretty standard YA fantasy -- a little over-dramatic at times, some entertaining new worlds, and a giant dark chosen-one kind of secret hanging over the main character. I'm being unfair to review this now, because I didn't get the chance to do it right after I read it and I can't recall all of it
Apparently there's a controversy about racist beliefs in the books -- yep, there's a lot of racial tension and a whole lot of mean talk and Elloren is kind of an idiot about it at first, but figures out that she wants no part of that kind of behavior and creates a group of friends. Too bad about the chicken -- that part was horrible, but it certainly illustrated a lesson.
Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
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that well. It's not terrible, there are kittens, Elloren learns a whole lot real fast about the world not being the sheltered place she grew up, and sometimes her naivete is grating.Apparently there's a controversy about racist beliefs in the books -- yep, there's a lot of racial tension and a whole lot of mean talk and Elloren is kind of an idiot about it at first, but figures out that she wants no part of that kind of behavior and creates a group of friends. Too bad about the chicken -- that part was horrible, but it certainly illustrated a lesson.
Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
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LibraryThing member acargile
I saw a lot of people write reviews on another site saying they didn't like the comments about racism because it's overdone in the book. It didn't bother me because I think it's fairly accurate to what life is like. Is it a bit heavy-handed--yes, but it was fine. I read more for the story.
Awards
Evergreen Teen Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2020)
Language
Original publication date
2017-05-02
Local notes
Elloren Gardnermust embrace a power she never knew she had in order to protect everyone she loves from the darkness sweeping across their world.