Name: The Black Witch
ISBN: 9780373212316

Laurie Forest

Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter of the last prophesied Black Witch. 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

The Black Witch

Abbie Lyon 

Lacy W

Buckle up, friends, you are in for a discussion!

3.5 stars!

I honestly don't even know where to begin. Someone tell me why this book was blacked listed so cruelly? Did anybody even give it a chance? Honestly, I want to know if I read the same book as those that immediately dismissed it. Because I didn't get some racist and homophobic trash fire. Instead, I got a book full of how one girl slowly learns that maybe her race isn't superior and maybe, her world isn't as perfect as she thought it was. 

We, the bookish community, have got to do better. The minute someone says one negative thing about a book, we all jump on the hate list with some sort of mob mentality hell bent on destroying everything in its path. This book was a victim of that and it hurts my heart. Sure, there are some books that deserve it. Like that one book that bought it's way to the New York Times' best seller list. That book deserves it. But this book, I feel, was blacklisted unfairly by a bunch of people who didn't even read the gosh darn thing! Sure, it wasn't a great book and I'll explain why I didn't love it in just a second. But I just wanted to get that out there. 

Okay, on to the actual book review. I didn't love this book like I thought I was going too. Yes, I actually did think I would love this book. From the reviews I read of people who actually read the book, they said it was like an adult Harry Potter. We all know that I am all aboard anything related to Harry Potter. And it was, kind of. I didn't get as much of the school lessons like I wanted too. Elloren wasn't always the best narrator when it came to things like that. Regardless, I did like what I learned about the school. 

One of the biggest things that contributed to me not loving this book was the weird pacing. This book is a monster but it easily could have been cut down with some more editing to fix the pacing and how it was laid out. Some of the chapters were just Elloren doing school and work stuff. Don't get me wrong, that's great but as Chris Griffin so wisely said "Where is the chase and how can I cut to it?" There were some parts that were happening at breakneck speed and I had no idea how I got there. Then it was back to slowly dullness with Elloren learning more about herself and having tons of inner monologues. It just got old after a while.

Speaking of her, Elloren was incredibly flawed character and I enjoyed that. It was interesting to watch her try and navigate the world with her naivety and ignorance. It made my heart angry to have her aunt feed her lies but it also warmed my soul to see her questioning a lot of what was being told to her. Her learning curve in terms of tolerance to other races and the brutal side of her family's history was spectacular, albeit a tiny bit slow. But because of the pacing, I was unsure of how many months had passed. So she could have had a really fast learning curve and I didn't even know it. She still has a way to go but damn, she has come far and I am so proud of her. Y'all know I am always here for the character arc and Elloren had some of the best I've seen in a long time. 

The side characters were so great and I hope they get fleshed out even more in the second book, especially Yvan. There were too many to list but Diana, of the Lupine race, was my favorite. Her abrasive and brash way of talking and living was refreshing in a world full of deceit and lies. I loved learning about her pack and how they live. I enjoyed how unbiased she was and questioned the disrespect. I would like a book/novella of just her. 

The world building was also very excellent. Fantasy has never been a thing of mine but it's slowly becoming it. And it's all because of the world building. Seriously, all the different races was so cool, even if it was coming from someone biased to their own race. But, if I can be slightly picky, there was a lot to remember. It would have been super helpful to have a guide in the front or back of the book of the different races and such so I could refer to it when I needed too. I mean, there were at least seven different types of Fae mentioned. That alone warrants something. 

As for people saying that this books is racist. They are right...in a sense. It is racist. Elloren is incredibly racist. She grew up thinking her grandmother was amazing and saved her race from slavery. She has been fed lies by her aunt and suitor with the concept that the Gardnerians are superior. You get all of that because this is first person POV from Elloren. You get a first hand experience of her racism and intolerance of different races. But this book is showing us just how our prejudices can be viewed in the world and how harmful it can be. We have all been guilty of being prejudice and/or racist one way or another. It's how we learn and grow from those experiences that define us. That is what this book is going for and I think it hits it perfectly. Maybe, if they actually read it instead of blindly following others, then maybe they would have realized that. I mean, you kind of have to read a book in order to have an opinion on it. 

Listen, at the end of the day, I can't tell you guys what you can and can't read. But I can tell you that in my honest opinion, this book was blacklisted unfairly and people cruelly brought it down for no reason but to hurt the author and all her hard work. It got hate I don't think it deserved and I will forever defend this book. Whoever doesn't like that can just deal with it. And I will recommend this book because despite my average rating, it was actually pretty good and I can't wait for the next one.

Emily B

4.25 STARS:

This book has been on my TBR for 2 years now, and I finally finished it! I'm so proud of myself!

But in all seriousness, I really enjoyed this book. It's been a while since I read a fantasy book with a world I was fully immersed in. It was intricate and colorful and vivid. I loved learning about all the different cultures, histories, and magics!

The real meat of this book, though, is what it is trying to say. It takes a very in-depth look at the nature of prejudice, where it comes from, and how we can fight it. Elloren starts out as a character who is incredibly naive and ignorant. But the development she receives was a joy to watch! She manages to start questioning everything she has been taught and starts to seek the truth of her world rather than the prejudiced drivel she's been fed.

It doesn't just examine racism. It also examines sexism, homophobia, and religious discrimination. It even talks about how history is shaped by the victors of the wars, and that affects how people treat others.

The reasons I am not giving this a full five stars are because of two things. First, it dragged somewhat in the middle. By the last half of the book, the pacing was back to a steady speed, but after the first 100 pages, it became harder to get through. Second, while I did enjoy the romances, it was not the best written that I've ever seen. I think I'm more invested in the side character's romances than I am in Elloren's love triangle. They seemed to have more natural development than the main ones. But I still enjoyed them all.

Overall, I am really excited to move on with this series. However, I think I'll take a little break for a moment because it was kind of hard to get through due to the darker content. Still, I really recommend it! Check this one out!

Jessica L. Peryman

A Fantastic Fast Pasted YA Fantasy! I loved this book so much more than I thought I would! 

I listened to this book on Audible and loved the narriator, the story and the character Arc. I'm so excited to have FINALLY found this series, It's been such a long time since I've fallen so I love with a story. 

Definitely recommend to read it!

jess

i just wanna make people aware of the racism, homophobia, etc present in this book - go here for the full review

Jenifer Payton

REALLYYYYY good fantasy book with a great cast of characters! This book was really good with having an array of very diverse and interesting characters with very unique and dynamic personalities. I loved how Forest wrote the relationships between all the characters while revealing all of their personalities and how they grew from the beginning of the book to the end. CAN NOT WAIT to start the second book in the series, The Iron Flower, and see how the characters continue to evolve and how the relationships grow and develop between all of them.

Thiago Margarida

Everyone seems to be rating without reading. So I'm going with the flow :D

A new Black Witch will rise...her powers vast beyond imagining.

The Black Witch (The Black Witch Chronicles, Book 1)

With the final chapter coming March 1st, I felt the need for a re-read. Loved it just as much as I did the first time around. Interesting and unique characters. I love a good story with character development!

joy cooper

angeline yutakis 

a wonderful take on fantasy. fantasy books can sometimes get repetitive, but this was such a fresh way of going about it and i loved every second of it. the last sentence made me smile for 5 minutes. onto the 2nd book!!!

Some echo of her dark power courses through my veins...waiting to be released.As Night slays Day, and Day slays Night, so also shall another Black Witch rise...her powers vast beyond imagining. A Great Winged One will soon arise and cast his fearsome shadow upon the land. And just as Night slays Day, and Day slays Night, so also shall another Black Witch rise to meet him, her powers vast beyond imagining. So foretells the greatest prophecy of the Gardnerian mages. Carnissa Gardner, the last prophesied Black Witch, drove back the enemy forces and saved her people during the Realm War. Now a new evil is on the horizon, and her granddaughter, Elloren, is believed to be Carnissa's heir – but while she is the absolute image of her famous grandmother, Elloren is utterly devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above nearly all else. When she is granted the opportunity to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren is eager to join her brothers at the prestigious Verpax University and finally embrace a destiny of her own, free from the shadow of her grandmother's legacy. But she soon realises that the university, which admits all manner of people – including the fire–wielding Icarals, the sworn enemies of all Gardnerians – is an even more treacherous place for the granddaughter of the Black Witch. “I absolutely loved The Black Witch... Maximum suspense, unusual magic – a whole new, thrilling approach to fantasy!” – Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author “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.” – Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author

Allison Baker

Honestly loved it! Will be one of the one books I will reread. (:

Stephanie Shepherd

An enjoyable read. A lot of high fantasy world building and politics but I never felt lost.

Rainey Michelle

This is my new favorite book and series!! I can't wait to dive into the next book <3

"Maximum suspense, unusual magic--a whole new, thrilling approach to fantasy!" --Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author "A refreshing, powerful young adult fantasy." --Robin Hobb, 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. Evil looms on the horizon, and for Elloren Gardner, granddaughter of the last Black Witch, pressure to live up to her magical heritage is building. Elloren's people, the Gardnerians, believe she will follow in her grandmother's footsteps. But Elloren is utterly devoid of power--in a society that prizes magical ability above all else. Granted the opportunity to study at the prestigious Verpax University, Elloren sets out to embrace a destiny of her own, free from the shadow of her grandmother's legacy. But the university may be the most treacherous place of all for the granddaughter of the Black Witch, and Elloren soon realizes that the world she knows is not what it seems. If she is to survive the coming danger, she'll have to free her mind from the assumptions she was raised with, and learn to trust the very people she's been taught to hate and 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 "A captivating and stimulating fantasy novel with a whole world of excitement and danger. I thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in this world of magic and intrigue." --TeenReads.com "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

I loved this book! It has become my favorite series. Can't wait to read the next one!

Candyce Kirk

This reread reminded me why I loved this book so much!

Luna

you know the way your heart stops when you come out to someone and they say your entire identity is a phase? that’s what i felt reading this. it’s personal. and if you love this book and its message about racial equality, i’d like you to do some introspection on why you’re not bothered on its message about sexual inequality. i absolutely loved this story — the politics, the university, the characters — until ms. forest decided to use aislinn to perpetuate the idea of the ever-magical golden eggplant. 

“I wouldn’t like these things with anyone! I just don’t like it. I don’t like any of it... I don’t want any man to touch me ... not like that” (428-9) to “it was like heaven. i never knew. i’ve never felt that way before! i thought it was all made up” (459). 

there was literally no reason for this plotline except to be aphobic. stop writing ya books acting like every girl that’s not straight will somehow magically be “fixed” by some guy. i cannot tell you how many times i have been assaulted by men, made fun of by readers, or literally been denied medical treatment by doctors because shit like THIS makes people think my identity and my pain aren’t real. so yeah, i’m going to be mad about it. it’s not “harmless” when the only purpose is to create an audience that doesn’t accept ace people. you’re allowed to not want to kiss men. you’re valid. you shouldn’t have to feel insecure your entire life because of a golden eggplant that will somehow magically change your life. let us fucking live.

Niaomi

DNF - I got 4 chapters in before I had enough of the main character 'warming her face'

Ciska van Bokhorst

Ik koos dit boek vanwege de beschrijving. Pas later had ik door dat er om dit boek een behoorlijke controversie hing. Het boek was rascistisch, homofoob ect. Veel mensen gaven dit boek 1* zonder te lezen. Alleen omdat iemand de quotes uit het boek had geplaatst die rascistisch waren. 
Ik vorm graag mijn eigen mening en ben toch dit boek gaan lezen. En blij toe. Wat een goed boek. Ja de hoofdpersoon is idd rascistisch en de wereld ook. Maar het is een fantasyboek. En uiteindelijk draait ze om en gaat de strijd aan. Het boek laat zien hoe fout je kan denken als je alleen uit gaat van voorgekouwde dingen en vooroordelen. Het zet je behoorlijk aan het denken.
De wereld is goed opgebouwd. Veel magie en mysterie. En draken. Heb genoten maar moet nu helaas wachten tot september als deel 2 komt. Van de 4...

“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: “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

Lorraine Holl

Wow this book is amazing! I will admit that the skill of writing in this 1st book is not the best but the author becomes a better writer as a series goes on. L'aren Gardner has  Been sheltered her whole life and she has so much hate and so many biases she doesn't even know exist until she goes to her University. She she learns that everything she's been taught is false as one does in the world of of fantasy. I just love the way that Lori forest did it though. I've read and seen so many books about fantasy worlds where there's fairies and Faye and the main character has so many biases against them and they eventually overcome it. This one blows them all away. The the world building that was done in the magic system makes so much sense and it's dense and it's perfectly complicated.. I've never understood or liked when authors have made their magic systems way too simple because magic is supposed to be complex it's supposed to a fine nature why on Earth would it be simple?? I've also read the other 2 in the series and I'm waiting for the 4th one to be published. Which we all know is the worst. 10000/10 recommend.

Southern Today Gone Tomorrow

I really wanted more from this book than another academy novel.... I think this book was well written, with interesting characters, I just didn't care about a lot of the personal things they were going through, and wanted to know more about the big-picture stuff.

Kaeli Wolf 

I picked this up expecting it to be similar to Rin Chupeco's "The Bone Witch". It is not. It is 600 pages of a waste of my time. The idea is good, the execution is terrible. It could've been 300 pages and had the entire idea of the entire novel put in perfectly without the use of endless dialogue and description.

Nia C

Racist, ableist, homophobic and deeply offensive. Please don't support this book in any manner.

There's a review by by Shauna (http://b00kstorebabe.blogspot.in/2017...) that should explain to you why this book is abhorrent. 

(sorry, I don't know how to hyperlink on GR)

Anyaconda

This was an enjoyable read and The Black Witch tackles heaps of topics like racism, abuse, prejudices/bias towards others, rape and violence.

I found the middle a bit too slow for my liking as Elloren's abuse and being bullied by everyone repeated itself to much. However I did enjoy her slow development towards tolerance and open-mindednes. 
The romances are a little bit too convenient for my taste, but didn't make the book any worse in the end. I'm just not a big fan of insta-love and a hundred descriptions about "how handsome he is" and how he "gazes at her" 🙄
Still, this deserves 4 stars for plot, originality, topics addressed and character development.
⭐⭐⭐⭐