#elloren

Pisces: Sage, Marina

I am reading the black witch, and it brings me pain for an specific type of “creatures” it’s not the write word. But I relate it to another book where they have somewhat the same type of characters it hurts so much because I already love them and know so little of them. And to read when people are degrading them makes me furious and I am only in chapter 5.

The Black Witch by Laurie Forest is a ya high fantasy novel that explores perspective as it relates to class, government, and race in a magical world. When Elloren Gardner leaves her small town life for a chance to study to become an apothecary at Verpax University, she learns of her grandmother’s position in the Realm War, and of the position society expects her to take. In a world where her grandmother ensured that only her race has a claim to freedom from prejudice, it is assumed that all other races can be controlled and killed at will. Interestingly, the prejudice others have against Elloren, who is the spitting image of her grandmother, impact Elloren’s social perceptions more than any passed down religion or stereotype. Forest explores the role of racial tension in the creation of government and society in a unique way. The race-based magic system is compelling and informs both the religion and social conventions of each race. As a whole, the book is funny, romantic, and fast-paced. In a reality obsessed with alternate facts, this novel presents contradictory, confusing histories as positive, where these differing perspectives can be appreciated as both part true and part false in relationship to one another. People who enjoyed The Queen of The Tearling by Erika Johansen, The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson, and Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare shouldn’t miss Laurie Forest’s new novel.  The Black Witch is honestly the surprising standout fantasy novel of the season. 

I heard about what he did and all I could think about was Martin Luther and he’s lost of demands kickstarting the protestant revolution. 

Everyone the night after Xishlon.