NIGHT OF THE WITCH By Sara Raasch and Beth Revis

September 22, 2023 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

NIGHT OF THE WITCH By Sara Raasch and Beth RevisNight of the Witch by Beth Revis, Sara Raasch
Series: Witch and Hunter #1
Published by Sourcebooks Fire on 10/3/23
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Historical, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 416
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

Fritzi is a witch. The lone survivor of a brutal attack on her coven, she's determined to find her only remaining family member and bring the hexenjägers—zealot witch hunters—to justice for the lives they ended. To do this, she will need to take down their leader, the merciless and enigmatic Kommandant Dieter Kirch.

Otto is a hexenjäger—but that's just his cover. Years ago, the hexenjägers burned his innocent mother alive, and he has been plotting his revenge against the people who tore apart his family ever since. And now the time has come for them to pay for what they've done.

When Fritzi and Otto are unexpectedly thrown together, neither is sure they can trust the other. The reluctant truce fueled by their common enemy takes them from the city at the heart of the hexenjägers' power to the wild and mysterious Black Forest. As old truths come to light and new dangers are revealed, Fritzi and Otto uncover a horrifying magical plot at the center of the hexenjäger attacks that leads back to Kommandant Kirch . . . but their own growing feelings for each other may be the most powerful magic of all.

Short and Sweet Review

Fritzi is the only survivor after her coven was brutally murdered by the hexenjägers (witch hunters), and now she’s made it her mission to find her only surviving relative, her cousin Liesel. To accomplish her mission she’ll need to take down their leader, Dieter Kirch. On the other hand we have Otto who is one of the hexenjägers and Dieters second in command. Ever since the hexenjägers killed Otto’s mother he’s been planning his revenge. When Fritzi and Otto meet they’re weary of each other ones a witch and the other is a hunter but they both have a common goal.

I feel like Night of the Witch was predictable, We have Fritzi a witch teaming up with a rogue witch hunter and the villain was just weird and felt like his motive was just to be powerful and in charge. Fritzi encounters Otto and his fellow witch hunters while on the search for her cousin, which is when Fritzi becomes imprisoned herself. When the two have time alone Otto explains that he’s been working to free the other witches that are set to burn and he needs Fritzi’s help to do it. This is where things get weird because we learn how Fritzi and Dieter are connected and then Fritzi escapes with Otto and Liesel and they learn that they’ve been picked to be a Goddess’s chosen one and warrior. We also learn that there are different kind of witches, out main character Fritzi uses herbs to cast spells, while her cousin is able to control fire. I didn’t like the romance between Fritzi and Otto mainly because it felt too easy in a sense, they were supposed to be enemies but not really since Otto isn’t who he’s portraying to the world, but the romance between them felt forced and a little to instant for me. Honestly the book was slow and I think it was due to all the world building, but also the villain just seemed too predictable and the ending was ridiculous especially when you read the epilogue.

Overall, I liked that this book did have historical elements in it, but I wish there was more going on to keep my interest and hopefully in the next book there’s more action and character development. Night of the Witch was an okay book and I’m still on the fence of whether I would want to continue the series.

Filed Under: Reviews

SET FIRE TO THE GODS By Sara Raasch and Kristen Simmons

August 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

SET FIRE TO THE GODS By Sara Raasch and Kristen SimmonsSet Fire to the Gods by Kristen Simmons, Sara Raasch
Series: Set Fire to the Gods #1
Published by Balzer + Bray on 8/4/20
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Young Adult
Pages: 432
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

Ash is descended from a long line of gladiators, and she knows the brutal nature of war firsthand. But after her mother dies in an arena, she vows to avenge her by overthrowing her fire god, whose temper has stripped her country of its resources.

Madoc grew up fighting on the streets to pay his family’s taxes. But he hides a dangerous secret: he doesn’t have the earth god’s powers like his opponents. His elemental gift is something else—something that hasn’t been seen in centuries.

When an attempted revenge plot goes dangerously wrong, Ash inadvertently throws the fire and earth gods into a conflict that can only be settled by deadly, lavish gladiator games, throwing Madoc in Ash’s path. She realizes that his powers are the weapon her rebellion needs—but Madoc won’t jeopardize his family, regardless of how intrigued he is by the beautiful warrior.

But when the gods force Madoc’s hand, he and Ash uncover an ancient war that will threaten more than one immortal—it will unravel the world.

Short and Sweet

Ash comes from a long line of gladiators but when her mother dies in the arena Ash knows she has to take down her fire God.

Madoc has been fighting in the streets to pay for his family’s taxes, but he doesn’t have the Earth God’s power but something else that hasn’t been seen in a long time.

After the Gods declare war on each other, Madoc and Ash’s paths cross. Madoc is exactly what Ash needs but Madoc isn’t ready to risk it all to help the enemy.

Characters

Ash: Ash is a dancer until her mother dies in the arena and Ash is forced to become a gladiator. Ash has a lot of resentment towards Ignitus the fire God, she blames him for how the people of Kula are struggling and how he keeps giving away her country’s resources. Ash is determined to take him down, she cares about others but she has one goal in mind.

Madoc: Madoc grew up on the streets until he was taken in by the Metaxa family. Madoc doesn’t have the ability to control the Earth so during fights his brother and friend Elias helps him. Madoc cares deeply for his family and would do anything to keep them safe, most of the decisions he makes revolves around them.

Romance

Ash and Madoc: Ash and Madoc meet during their fight in their arena. Madoc throws off Ash with his compassion and sympathy. I liked these two they were supposed to be enemies but there was something between them that led them to be allies instead.

My Thoughts

~ We got both Ash and Madoc’s POV in this book. I didn’t prefer one over the other.

~ I thought it was interesting to see the gladiator battles in the arena. We saw different people fight and advance to the next round. Ash was one of Ignitus’s fighters and Madoc was one of Geoxus’s.

~ Both of the God’s had bad tempers. Most of the fights between them led to a battle between their champions.

~ Madoc doesn’t have Earth power, but he has something else, the ability to control others. He doesn’t really know how to control it but he’s learning.

~ There was more going on than just the God’s looking for someone to fight in their war, but a bit of a conspiracy that involves someone trying to take everything from these Gods and somehow Madoc is in the middle of it.

~ We only get to see Geoxus and Ignitus but I would like to see the other four sibling Gods.

~ Ash had other gladiator friends which was nice to see, Madoc also had his family as a support system.

Overall

The book started off a bit slow for me but around 25% it started to pick up. I liked seeing Ash plotting against her God and Madoc just trying to make it long enough to ensure that his family would be okay. I wasn’t ready for what happened in the end but I’m excited to see what the next installment has in store!

Filed Under: Reviews