The Black Witch - (Black Witch Chronicles) by Laurie Forest

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

The New York Times bestselling series!

"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 fantasy series, The Black Witch Chronicles.

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:

"Forest uses a richly imagined magical world to offer an uncompromising condemnation of prejudice and injustice."
--Booklist, starred review

"A noteworthy debut."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Briskly paced, tightly plotted."
--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Books in The Black Witch Chronicles:

• The Black Witch
• The Iron Flower
• The Shadow Wand
• The Demon Tide
• The Dryad Storm
• Wandfasted (ebook novella)*
• Light Mage (ebook novella)*

* Also available in print in The Rebel Mages anthology

Review Quotes

"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

"We fell under the spell of this rich, diverse, Potter-worthy university world!"
--Justine magazine