“Maximum suspense, unusual magic—a whole new, thrilling approach to fantasy!”—Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling authorPowerful 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 … 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:
“We fell under the spell of this rich, diverse, Potter-worthy university world!”
—Justine magazine
“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 Mages anthology
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I absolutely loved The Black Witch and will have a very hard time waiting for the second book! Maximum suspense, unusual magic–a whole new, thrilling approach to fantasy!
The Black Witch is a refreshing, powerful young adult fantasy. This strong debut offers an uncompromising glimpse of world-altering politics amplified by a magical setting in which prejudice and discrimination cut both ways.
It’s been a longtime since a book captured me so completely. This is a wonderful book and I look forward to the whole trilogy. Wonderfully edited, too–and the production is superb. A lot of care went into this book.
A wholesome and surprisingly heartwarming YA fantasy about a girl who leaves home for (Harry Potter fans, gather ’round!) a magical boarding school. She’s displeased to discover that many of her fellow students belong to other races that her kind have scorned and feared for decades.
Although the book bounced steadily down a predictable path — and felt long, at over 600 pages — the ideas around prejudice and perspective felt both refreshing and powerful.
This story took me by complete surprise. The character development, slow and steady burn of some of the best enemies to lovers I’ve ever read, and just plain fascinating. The narration is also stellar and, I think, really takes the story to another level. I am in love with this series. I am waiting with bated breath for the 3rd book. Bring it on Laurie Forest. You rocked my world!
I saw this audiobook on my Libby App and was intrigued. The author did a nice job of setting up the story and developing the characters so you felt like you knew them personally. There were several references to the Gardnerian path that were accurate which I thought was really cool. I enjoyed the story and look forward to book 2.
You guys! This might be one of the best books I’ve ever read. Really really good!
The Black Witch was an impulse buy but I am so happy that I bought it! It brought the magic back for me, it was like reading Harry Potter again but this time for social activism and more dragons! I adore this book, Laurie Forest quickly became my #1 recommended author.
Seriously loved this book! The cover captured my attention immediately.
Wow, Wow and more Wow! I found this book series via bookstagram and I thought I would give it a go. I love books about witches and even more, we are coming into fall so I thought I would star it off with this series. The first book is called The Black Witch. There is a tremendous amount of character introductions and world building to set you up for the series. Now for me, usually this is kind of slow building and I know its not gonna be the perfect amount of fun while learning. Man was I wrong. There was not an ounce of boredom and I loved this book and fell in love with the characters. There is a very complex magic system with numerous creature and mystical people to learn about. The way Laurie Forest explained them in her writing made is super easy to understand get through. There is a ton of action and fight scenes within this book. They are written so well that you feel like you are actually within the scene!
The Main Character is Elloran Gardner who is a Mage with no magic. She had 2 brothers that she is very close to. They are all sent to University to learn about their magic and how to control it. Elloran want tote an Apothecary and is excited to start school. While there she finds out that she looks exactly like her Grandmother who was the Black Witch of lore. Elloran finds it hard to find friends either due to jealousy or hatred but finds a way to make the good in every situation. I tore through this book and cannot wait to get into the next in the series, The Iron Flower. Luckily for me, The Shadow Wand, book 3 is also already released. book 4, The Demon Tide is releasing on February 8,2022. I have a bit to wait so I hope I will be ready to start on release date. This book gets 5 super duty Stars!
Elloren Gardner is a reluctant hero raised by a gentle uncle. She and her brothers go to a university. She has a legacy that she doesn’t want. She fights against the corrupt regime in power, one that her grandmother helped establish.
Love, love, love, love this series! Book 3 almost broke my heart. I’m hoping he’s not gone…
This was eyebrow raising and throughly addictive! The twists and turns kept me upon my toes as I sped through these pages. So many beautiful characters that are hiding secrets and come together in such unexpected ways that you’ll quickly be pulled into this tale. The world building and magical atmosphere and stellar storytelling are breathtakingly spectacular! All of the different races and histories are mesmerizing and so brilliantly detailed. We’ve got our villains in mind, but how much will change throughout the rest of the series? I’m drawn to two very different men for Ren. And I honestly can’t pick a favorite at this point. I really like our heroine! She is kind and fumbling her way through difficult situations. She’s a bit impetuous and a lot in the dark. Seeing her discover more about her world has been so very entertaining and more than a tad horrifying. I like her brothers (even though I’m a little confused as to where they were once Ren was having her earliest difficulties. They should’ve been more concerned for her?) and her uncle. I hope the Icarals eat her aunt. I also wish we’d have seen a bit more into the everyday things Elloren did between the major scenes. But other than that, this was absolutely enchanting and worrying and just utterly delightful! This is the witchy series that I’ve been wanting for. It gave me thrills and chills and a lot to hope for. I’m truly in love with this!
It was relatable to prejudice that are in the world today and I personally think that Laurie Forest did a great job on showing Elloren’s journey of growth throughout the book and I can’t wait to read The Shadow Wand!
The Black Witch book builds a great world—the world building is clear and concise. The author did a good job making the world details stand out. This book has witches, lupine, elves, selkies, and dragons yet we understand how each of these races fits into the world view. This is not a pretty war, of course, there are wars going on. Our heroine is hiding her true magic and her true nature but still trying to be herself. She is having trouble reconciling what she has been taught with the reality of the actual people/monsters she meets. She has fell in love, or course, with someone she believes she can not have.
The book is entertaining and engrossing. This is book 1 of a series. I will be reading the second book soon.
When you have a deeply flawed main character that is thrust into a world where she is forced to live among those she holds prejudices against, it’s bound to be uncomfortable at times. As we are introduced to lively cast of wonderful supportive characters, she begins to doubt her own world views. Questions are raised about what is right and just and bonds are formed among unlikely allies. There is magic, romance and rebellion. I’d consider it a novel worth reading.
This is SUCH a great book/series, I am eagerly awaiting the 3rd book! Some people seem to have negative reviews because the author is taking on sensitive issues like racism, prejudice, and even religion. The theme of prejudice/racism is the biggest issue running throughout the book, but she’s showing how people can change and how we should treat each other. The author is showing that it’s wrong, not that it’s right. It is very well done. I highly recommend!!
In this book, Laurie Forest creates a whole universe full of every magical creature a person could imagine and puts them together into one world that is about to change forever. The main character is raised on a small farm with her protective uncle, until one day she is whisked away to University by her aunt where she discovers secrets about her self and the world she lives in that will alter her life course. Full of suspense, forbidden romance, and magical creatures, this book is perfect for every fantasy book lover.
A truly entertaining read with light, fun romance that still includes real-world societal problems in the context of its made-up world, which gives it balance and heart. It never feels forced, either. I looked forward to sitting down to read it every night.
Awesome, awesome book! Highly recommended.