Title- The Black Witch
Rating– DNF
Genre- YA fantasy
POV- first person
Trope- academic setting, “chosen one”
My emotions- frustrated
Characters–
Elloren Gardner- main character is 17 year female without power.
Plot/Blurb-
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.
Best part-
I love the dark vibe of these Icarals. Who is friend and who is foe?
Comments-
Page 65-
This has been set up really well, a teen girl potentially forced to wandfast with a boy. She’s not supposed have magic, but I’m thinking she will (wink wink) … Aunt might be evil, we will see. Uncle has some secrets. How did her old neighbor, Sage give birth to a half demon? And now Elloren is sent to university. I’m hoping the story isn’t revolves d solely around an academic setting, but I’m intrigued so far.
Page 84- I’m bored by dressing scenes when they’re putting on clothes and makeup for multiple pages
Page 96- there’s so many side characters I wish the focus was more condensed
Page 115- I wasn’t aware that their magic involved the elements, which is exciting because that’s the style of magic my next series revolves around in the Linked Trilogy.
Page 121- threats! Yes!
Page 136- finally some action AND manipulation!
Page 147- I’ve never read a prologue in the middle of a novel
Page 181- I don’t really enjoy or have interest in reading about bully antagonists. It’s makes the novel feel very YA and kind of feels like wasted scenes. I have no idea who I’m supposed to focus on for the love interest : Garett, Lukas, or Yvan.
Page 231- it’s a bit tricky and confusing to keep track of all the differences between Gardnerians, Verpacians, Elfhollen, Elves and Kelts
Page 248- there’s too many “cliques” and students hating her without giving reason to why. I’m wanting more questions answered at this point and less being dragged along.
What I’d change-
Page 261/600- DNF. Unfortunately it felt like the author was still setting up the story at this point. There were too many aimless chapters in a row where nothing progressed the movement forward but rather just explaining the different groups of magical species and going from one boring class to the next boring class. I also felt the information kept being repeated so I lost interest.
Pacing- medium
Cassie Swindon 