The Witch of Duva: A Legend Revisited

"The Witch of Duva" is a short story written by Leigh Bardugo, set in the Grishaverse. It is a dark and haunting tale that delves into themes of fear, loss, and the blurred line between good and evil. The story centers around a young girl named Nadya, who lives in the isolated village of Duva. The village is known for its harsh winters and mysterious disappearances. Nadya's mother, Anna, passes away under suspicious circumstances, leading the villagers to believe that she was a victim of the Witch of Duva. As the story progresses, Nadya becomes increasingly paranoid and starts to suspect her stepmother, Karina, of being the infamous Witch.

And although it might seem overwhelming, this is the perfect time to dive into the books.

While the Shadow and Bone trilogy plays solidly in the high fantasy space, Bardugo s an incredibly talented writer who has built out the world with heist and horror stories that add depth and complexity to the Grishaverse. Then the King of Scars duology centers on one of the breakout characters from the Shadow and Bone series as he deals with the horrific fallout from the core trilogy.

As the story progresses, Nadya becomes increasingly paranoid and starts to suspect her stepmother, Karina, of being the infamous Witch. The villagers share Nadya's fears, as more and more young girls go missing, reinforcing their belief in the Witch. Driven by fear and desperation, Nadya sets out to uncover the truth behind the disappearances and the identity of the Witch.

The witch of duva

I adore Leigh Bardugo. I first heard of her a few months ago, when I requested Shadow and Bone on NetGalley. At first I didn't think I would read it. Then I gave it a chance. And it blew my mind. Shadow and Bone is one of my favorite books. And I love Leigh's writing style. Her writing is perfect. Her words is perfect. Her characters are perfect. And the worlds she creates are perfect as well. I cannot wait to read more from Leigh.

The Witch of Duva is a short story of 32 pages. But even though it is short, I managed to love it a whole lot. It is creepy. And scary. But it is also sort of real. Even though it is Fantasy, it seemed like it could happen. But that might be because I believe in a lot of things. :) This short story is a lot like many fairy tales I have read. But it is also very unique and a lot better than those I have read.

Because Leigh has a special way with words. And I just adored this short story. It is creepy and sad, but it is also amazing. I liked the ending of it. Even though it is mostly horrible. Still. It is written so good and I had no problem getting into it. I just didn't want it to end. But, well, it did. Since it is a short story and all ;p I didn't mind much, though. Because it was enough. And so good.

I don't really want to talk about what happens in it, since it's so short. I don't want to spoil it all. :) But I can say that I liked the characters in this book. I loved Nadya. And Magda. And Vladcheck. So adorable. There is no romance, but I didn't mind that either. I didn't like Maxim. And I didn't like Karina. But every character is done really well even though it is short. And it is so brilliant.

I really think you should read The Witch of Duva. Especially if you like sort of dark fairy tales. And if you have read Shadow and Bone, and loved it like I did, then you really should read this. :) And if you haven't read Shadow and Bone yet, then I do not know what you are waiting for. Cause it is amazing. And you really need to read it. Both of them. I cannot wait to read more by Leigh. Posted by Carina Olsen at 9:00 PM

4 comments:

A great review Carina, I will definitely be looking this up. I just bought the gorgeous UK edition of Shadow and Bone (what's it called? something light, gathering light? Jeez, my memory lol)

I think there's a bit of a wait for the second in the Grisha trilogy, I was hoping for something else from Leigh. :) Reply Delete

Awesome review, Carina! I jumped at the chance to check out this short story as Shadow & Bone was so amazing. ;) Leigh really does have a way with words. I didn't want the story to end either! This just makes me more excited for book 2. ;) Reply Delete

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Along the way, she uncovers secrets about her mother and her stepmother, blurring the lines between the good and the evil. In a shocking twist, Nadya discovers that the Witch is not Karina but herself. Nadya's insatiable hunger and desire for power drive her to kill the young girls and manipulate her mother's death to cover her tracks. The story is a powerful commentary on how fear and darkness can reside within anyone, blurring the lines between a hero and a villain. "The Witch of Duva" is an atmospheric and gripping tale that explores the complexities of human nature. It challenges the reader's perception of good and evil, showing that darkness can exist within even seemingly innocent characters. The story serves as a cautionary reminder that true monsters are often those we least suspect..

Reviews for "The Witch of Duva: Mythology and Folklore of the Northern Lands"

1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The Witch of Duva". While I appreciated the dark and atmospheric writing style, I felt like the plot was rushed and lacking depth. The story had potential, but it felt like the author was trying to cram too much into a short story, resulting in underdeveloped characters and a weak climax. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable read.

2. Michael - 1/5 - I just couldn't get into "The Witch of Duva". The writing was pretentious and overly poetic, making it difficult to follow the story. It felt like the author was trying too hard to impress with flowery language, sacrificing clarity and coherence. The characters were shallow and uninteresting, and the plot was predictable. I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend it to others.

3. Emily - 2/5 - I struggled to connect with "The Witch of Duva". The narrative jumped around too much, making it confusing and hard to follow. The author attempted to create a mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere, but it fell flat for me. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to care about their fates. Unfortunately, this story didn't live up to my expectations.

4. John - 2.5/5 - I found "The Witch of Duva" to be underwhelming. Though the writing style was engaging, I felt like the story lacked originality and depth. It followed a predictable trajectory, and the characters were forgettable. There were glimpses of potential, but overall, it fell short. I wouldn't recommend it to those seeking a unique or captivating fantasy read.

The Witch of Duva: A Dark Fairy Tale Come to Life