"A Tale of Magic" is a popular fantasy book series written by Chris Colfer. Book 4 in the series, titled "A Tale of Magic: Zellie's Story," takes readers on a thrilling adventure through the enchanted world of magic. In this installment, the story revolves around a young girl named Zellie, who discovers that she has a unique magical ability. Zellie's journey begins when she stumbles upon an ancient book that reveals the existence of a hidden magical realm called Ardenia. Intrigued by the secrets within its pages, Zellie embarks on a quest to learn more about her powers and the world of magic. As Zellie delves deeper into Ardenia, she encounters a diverse cast of magical creatures, fairies, and otherworldly beings who assist her in honing her magical talents.
The work however proved controversial, and was not licensed by the Stationers Company, likely because it attacked an officially recognised belief. According to Norman, Scot's views did have some positive effects, yet many responded in vigorous defence of the old superstitions. Among Scot's detractors was James VI of Scotland (later James I of England) who described Scot's opinions as 'damnable' and supposedly ordered the text to be burned upon his accession to the English throne — although this claim is now disputed. It is certainly the case that the King lambasted Scot in his Daemonologie (1597) as 'an Englishman, who is not ashamed in publike print to denie that ther can be such a thing as Witch-craft'.
For certainly Scot s Discoverie was used as a spell-book by cunning-folk in England, and made the journey across the ocean to serve the same needs in early British colonies in the Americas. In demonstrating that belief in witchcraft and magic has no basis in religious or rational thought, Scot listed 212 authors of Latin works and 23 authors in English, including Thomas More, John Bale, and John Foxe, who informed his attack on witchmongers , those who sought to pursue the poore, to accuse the simple, and to kill the innocent.
As Zellie delves deeper into Ardenia, she encounters a diverse cast of magical creatures, fairies, and otherworldly beings who assist her in honing her magical talents. Along the way, she must navigate treacherous landscapes and face formidable challenges to fulfill her destiny as the Chosen One of Ardenia. Moreover, Zellie uncovers a dark secret that threatens the very existence of the magical realm.
The discoverie of witchcraft,
Remarkable treatise debunking the existence of witches. The first edition of Scot's remarkable treatise debunking the existence of witches.
The discoverie went well beyond even the arguments made in Johann Weyer's earlier De praestigiis damonum (1566) to refute the foundation for the belief in witches. Chiefly Scot maintained that all those who had been executed so far in England were innocent, attributing manifestations of supposed witchcraft to imposture and cheap tricks. Books 13 and 14 are largely given oven to an exposé of these illusions and cozening devices. Scot also asserted that none of the terms translated in the Bible as 'witch' held that meaning in the original tongue, undermining the key justification for the prosecution of witchcraft as a crime against God.
In demonstrating that belief in witchcraft and magic has no basis in religious or rational thought, Scot listed 212 authors of Latin works and 23 authors in English, including Thomas More, John Bale, and John Foxe, who informed his attack on 'witchmongers', those who sought 'to pursue the poore, to accuse the simple, and to kill the innocent.' Instead he explains the phenomenon as resulting from sociological causes: poor women, often lying-in maids, blamed for the deaths of infants under their care. A remarkably modern assessment which chimes with current academic thinking. 'As far as Scot was concerned, those who confessed to being witches were either deluded or the victims of torture, while much of what Bodin had taken to be evidence for the existence of witchcraft in different eras and diverse cultures, Scot was prepared to dismiss as mere fable and fiction' (ODNB).
The work however proved controversial, and was not licensed by the Stationers Company, likely because it attacked an officially recognised belief. According to Norman, Scot's views did have some positive effects, yet many responded in vigorous defence of the old superstitions. Among Scot's detractors was James VI of Scotland (later James I of England) who described Scot's opinions as 'damnable' and supposedly ordered the text to be burned upon his accession to the English throne — although this claim is now disputed. It is certainly the case that the King lambasted Scot in his Daemonologie (1597) as 'an Englishman, who is not ashamed in publike print to denie that ther can be such a thing as Witch-craft'.
It is also widely believed that Shakespeare was familiar with this work — the witches in Macbeth, the mock trial of King Lear, and magical elements in A Midsummer Night's Dream are all thought to derive in part from Scot's writing.
First edition; 4to (19.5 x 13.3 cm); black letter, with some Roman and italic, woodcut headpiece to title, woodcut illustrations, including 4 full-page on *1-2, large woodcut floral and historiated initials and other ornaments, title washed and repaired at head with some loss to ornament, some marginal repairs (not affecting text), minor worming to margins, repaired tears to E3 and H2-3 without loss, lightly washed; early-19th-century brown crushed morocco, arms gilt-stamped to covers within panel triple-ruled in gilt with corner flourishes, spine gilt with 5 raised bands, inner dentelles gilt, all edges gilt, slightly rubbed; [28], 352, [4], 353-360, [16]pp; collation: A8 B6 C-V8 Aa-Dd8 *2 Ee-Ss8.
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When Scot published his book in 1584, almost everyone believed in witchcraft or magic in some form or another. These were ancient superstitions that were deeply ingrained in everyday life. However, this was also a time of great change, where people were beginning to think more rationally and old beliefs were starting to be questioned. It is in this mood The Discoverie of Witchcraft was published.
As she races against time, Zellie must gather allies, solve riddles, and master her powers if she is to save Ardenia and its inhabitants from imminent destruction. Throughout the book, themes of friendship, bravery, and self-discovery are explored, resonating with readers of all ages. Zellie's determination and resilience in the face of adversity make her a relatable and inspiring protagonist. Colfer's vivid storytelling and imaginative world-building captivate readers, transporting them to a magical realm filled with wonder and danger. His writing style is rich in detail, allowing readers to visualize each scene and connect with the characters on an emotional level. "A Tale of Magic: Zellie's Story" is a page-turner that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. This enthralling tale of adventure, magic, and self-empowerment is a must-read for fans of fantasy and anyone seeking a captivating escape into a fantastical world..
Reviews for "Fans' Rejoice: Celebrating the Release of 'A Tale of Magic Series Book 4"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "A Tale of Magic Series Book 4." The plot felt predictable and lacked the excitement and originality of the previous books. The characters felt flat and uninspired, and I found it hard to connect with any of them. Additionally, the pacing was off, with certain parts dragging on without adding anything substantial to the story. Overall, I didn't find this book captivating or engaging, and it didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Michael - 1/5 - I couldn't even finish "A Tale of Magic Series Book 4." The writing style was tedious and lacked the charm that drew me to the series in the first place. The dialogue was clunky and the narrative felt disjointed, making it difficult to follow the story and stay engaged. The character development was minimal, and I struggled to care about what happened to any of them. Overall, this book was a disappointment and a letdown from the previous installments in the series.
3. Emily - 2/5 - "A Tale of Magic Series Book 4" was a letdown for me. The plot felt contrived and forced, and didn't offer any surprises or twists. The world-building, which was one of the strengths of the previous books, felt lackluster and underdeveloped. The pacing was uneven, with some parts feeling rushed while others dragged on. Additionally, the dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Overall, I found this book to be a weak addition to the series and it didn't meet my expectations.
4. John - 2/5 - I was unimpressed with "A Tale of Magic Series Book 4." The story lacked depth and complexity, and the conflicts felt shallow and resolved too easily. The writing style didn't engage me, and I often found myself skimming through paragraphs in search of more interesting parts. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked growth, and their actions and motivations were often questionable and inconsistent. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and a step backward from the previous books in the series.