"The Dark Witch Saga" is a popular book series written by Nora Roberts. The series revolves around the theme of witches and magic set in the fictional town of County Mayo, Ireland. The main character, Iona Sheehan, moves from America to Ireland in search of answers about her family, and soon discovers her own powers as a witch. The storyline follows Iona's journey as she uncovers her family's history and battles against an ancient evil. The main idea of "The Dark Witch Saga" is the exploration of family history and the discovery of one's own identity. Iona's quest to learn about her roots and the secrets of her family leads her to Ireland, where she not only discovers her own magical abilities but also learns about the ancient curse that has plagued her ancestors.
This year’s 2022 festival will be both in person and online, screening one film a week during the month of October, and ending with an in-person screening at the State Theater, Friday, October 28, 2022, at 7:00 PM. Each online screening will be available to watch for a week, all screenings are free.
Halaloween screens horror films from across the globe that were made by, for, or about Muslims with the hopes of understanding What scares Muslim audiences. October 6 Roh 2019 Malaysia October 13 Beddua The Curse 2018 Turkey October 20 Satan s Slaves 2017 Indonesia October 28 Saloum 2021 Senegal this screening will be in person at the State Theater.
Iona's quest to learn about her roots and the secrets of her family leads her to Ireland, where she not only discovers her own magical abilities but also learns about the ancient curse that has plagued her ancestors. As the story progresses, Iona becomes entangled in a battle against an evil force that has threatened her family for generations. The series incorporates elements of romance, as Iona finds herself drawn to Boyle McGrath, the local pub owner with a mysterious past.
Halaloween: A Muslim Horror Film Festival
What's Halaloween? Halaloween screens horror films from across the globe that were made by, for, or about Muslims with the hopes of understanding “What scares Muslim audiences? Are horror movies halal?”
This year’s 2022 festival will be both in person and online, screening one film a week during the month of October, and ending with an in-person screening at the State Theater, Friday, October 28, 2022, at 7:00 PM. Each online screening will be available to watch for a week, all screenings are free.
The 2022 Halaloween Lineup:
* October 6: Roh | 2019 | Malaysia
* October 13: Beddua: The Curse | 2018 | Turkey
* October 20: Satan’s Slaves | 2017 | Indonesia
* October 28: Saloum | 2021 | Senegal (this screening will be in person at the State Theater)
We'll wrap up the month of October with a live panel discussion on Muslim Horror, the use of Islam and the Quran, and how each region differs in its creation of horror films. Stay tuned for the 2022 lineup of films and an announcement on the Muslim Horror Panel discussion!
More info: watch.eventive.org/halaloween
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THIS WEEK’S FEATURE
From Oct 13th to the 20th, stream the Turkish horror film Beddua: The Curse | Üç Harfliler: Beddua on demand at watch.eventive.org/halaloween. Pre-order the film anytime, and check out the rest of the months Halaloween Horror selection!
2018 | 90 minutes | Turkish | Turkey
Directed by: Alper Mestçi
Halaloween Horror Rating 2/5
Rating explanation: Female-centered folk horror and psychological thriller. Contains violence, bullying, misogyny, body horror, and witches.
Religious content: This film invokes Turkish cultural and gender mores on marriage, relationships, and women that intersect with Islam.
Melek, Burcu, Eda and Ayla are four high school friends. Even though years have passed since their graduation, they are still friends. Their lives will change completely after they meet a shaman woman named Havel, and their lives dramatically change.
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Halaloween is brought to you by the Global Islamic Studies Center and cosponsored by the Middle Eastern Studies Department, the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies, the Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum, the African Studies Center, Department of Communication and Media, The Department of Film, Television, and Media, American Culture, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, the Center for South Asian Studies, Department of Afroamerican and African Studies, Arab and Muslim American Studies, Asian Languages and Cultures, the Center for Arab American Studies at UM-Dearborn, and Shudder.
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Halaloween is brought to you by the Global Islamic Studies Center and cosponsored by the Middle Eastern Studies Department, the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies, the Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum, the African Studies Center, Department of Communication and Media, The Department of Film, Television, and Media, American Culture, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, the Center for South Asian Studies, Department of Afroamerican and African Studies, Arab and Muslim American Studies, Asian Languages and Cultures, the Center for Arab American Studies at UM-Dearborn, and Shudder.
Their relationship develops throughout the books, adding an additional layer of complexity and intrigue to the story. The books also delve into the intricate world of witchcraft with vivid descriptions of spells, rituals, and magic. "The Dark Witch Saga" presents a captivating blend of fantasy, romance, and mystery. Nora Roberts masterfully weaves together the themes of family, identity, and the supernatural to create an enchanting and thrilling series. The richly detailed setting of County Mayo further adds to the allure of the books, painting a vivid picture of the Irish landscape and culture. Overall, "The Dark Witch Saga" is a compelling book series that takes readers on a gripping journey through the world of witches and magic. Through the exploration of family history and the discovery of one's own powers, the series offers an engaging and enchanting reading experience..
Reviews for "The Dark Witch Saga: A Game That Keeps You Spellbound"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed by "The Dark Witch Saga". The writing was mediocre, with clunky dialogue and underdeveloped characters. The plot was predictable and lacked any real depth or originality. I found myself bored and uninterested throughout most of the book. Overall, it was a lackluster read that I wouldn't recommend to any fantasy fan.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't stand "The Dark Witch Saga". The story was convoluted and confusing, with too many unnecessary subplots that added nothing to the overall narrative. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I struggled to connect with any of the characters. The world-building felt incomplete and inconsistent. I was hoping for an immersive and engrossing fantasy tale, but I was sorely disappointed.
3. Robert - 2 stars - "The Dark Witch Saga" failed to captivate me. The writing style didn't engage me, and the dialogue felt forced and artificial. The characters were flat and lacked any real development. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. Overall, I felt bored and uninvested throughout the book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling fantasy read.
4. Emily - 1 star - I found "The Dark Witch Saga" to be a complete letdown. The writing was repetitive and filled with unnecessary descriptions. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth. The romance subplot felt forced and unbelievable. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot didn't offer anything new or exciting. Overall, this book felt like a waste of time, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging fantasy read.
5. Michael - 2 stars - "The Dark Witch Saga" was a major disappointment for me. The world-building was confusing and poorly explained, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The characters were uninteresting and lacked any real depth or development. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and unsatisfying action scenes. Overall, I found this book to be a forgettable and uninspiring fantasy read.