A girl with big dreams, a society that wants to keep her boxed in and the university that could set her free.. I adore books about witches, so I thrilled to be able to dive into the world that Forest created. I had previously read many reviews that mentioned racial issues and negative portrayals of races/classes of people. I went into the novel with an open (but cautious!) mind.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Teen for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.*
"A new black with will rise..."
The Black Witch
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Authors: Laurie Forest
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format/Source: Netgalley egalley
From GoodReads: Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter of the last prophesied Black Witch, Carnissa Gardner, who drove back the enemy forces and saved the Gardnerian people during the Realm War. But while she is the absolute spitting image of her famous grandmother, Elloren is utterly devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above all else.
When she is granted the opportunity to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren joins her brothers at the prestigious Verpax University to embrace a destiny of her own, free from the shadow of her grandmother’s legacy. But she soon realizes that the university, which admits all manner of people—including the fire-wielding, winged Icarals, the sworn enemies of all Gardnerians—is a treacherous place for the granddaughter of the Black Witch.
As evil looms on the horizon and the pressure to live up to her heritage builds, everything Elloren thought she knew will be challenged and torn away. Her best hope of survival may be among the most unlikely band of misfits…if only she can find the courage to trust those she’s been taught to hate and fear.
Here's what I think...
"Real education doesn't make your life easy. It complicates things and makes everything messy and disturbing. "
I, personally, feel like this book was an interesting take on classism, racism and general prejudices amongst people of any kind. I can understand where the critical responses are coming from, as there are many examples of racism in the revised novel - HOWEVER, I feel it's unfair to bash the novel for this. I would equate this to any novel about a dystopian society. Things happen, shit is not pretty - it's life. She did not seemingly or intentionally target any one group, but instead developed her world the way it is - in a divided and classist society, bound by rules of hierarchy. I don't feel like she was condoning it in anyway, as the MC spends most of the novel questioning everything. The MC is a direct result of her upbringing. Comparing a fictional world to modern day issues isn't completely fair. We'd have to be screaming about "Handmaid's Tale" "Fahrenheit 451" and so many other books that have these themes through out them, but we don't - because we know it's FICTION. Same with young adult, so sit down and just enjoy the story for what it is.
As for the story itself, I was immediately swept away. While I didn't LOVE the MC, Elle, she SLIGHTLY grew on me a bit as the story progressed. Elle was not an enjoyable character, she was very selfish at times, did things for herself, and used people without regarding how they feel or how it would effect them. I felt like this was something that the author intended but the progression fell flat.
The first section of the book really focused on her own bigoted views. Her own desires forced her out of her comfort zone and into a world that she had to navigate with the stereotypes and beliefs that her family instilled in her, while at the same time letting go of those boxes and learning to love people and herself, as they are. The way Forest used education, bettering yourself and expanding the world around you was not lost on me. The POWER of education is such a moving and unrelenting thing.
There are the typical YA tropes, the chosen one, no magic to magic, etc. The tropes in the story are very predictable and it makes a lot of the story predictable as well.
Forest's writing is brilliant. The amount of publicity the book got is a direct result of her writing. Whether you loved it or hated it, her writing made that possible. The first person narration pulls you into Elloren's mind, which is not always a pleasant place to be. The novel makes you uncomfortable while exploring how to break out of engrained prejudices and become open to the world around you.
TL;DR:
The book is completely about a girl who is raised in a racist/classist society. The book is also about a girl who is TRYING to overcome the hatred that was ingrained in her. Elloren was not enjoyable. I feel like there is A LOT of ups and downs in this book. Elle did not progress as much as I'd like (I can only hope she will make leaps and bounds in the next), but the other characters in the book really kept me going. It story itself has great bones and it kept my interest for the most part. At this point, I am going to read the follow up novels because I just have to know what happens! 4 star read! :)
GET THE BLACK WITCH HERE:
(The paperback is currently only $4.99)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laurie Forest lives deep in the backwoods of Vermont where she sits in front of a wood stove drinking strong tea and dreaming up tales full of dryads, dragons and wands. The Black Witch (Book 1.0, The Black Witch Chronicles – OUT NOW) & Wandfasted (Book 0.5, The Black Witch Chronicles Prequel) are her first published novels. Coming in 2018 are Light Mage (Book 1.5, The Black Witch Chronicles) & The Iron Flower (Book 2.0, The Black Witch Chronicles). She is currently ensconced in the woods, hard at work on The Shadow Dryad (Book 3.0, The Black Witch Chronicles).
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