Mayfair Witch books are a popular series of novels written by Anne Rice. The series revolves around the Mayfair family, a powerful dynasty of witches residing in New Orleans. The books are known for their rich historical settings, complex characters, and intricate plots. The first book in the series, "The Witching Hour," introduces the reader to the Mayfair family and their legacy of sorcery. The story unfolds through the eyes of Rowan Mayfair, a talented neurosurgeon who discovers her magical abilities and the dark secrets of her family's past. The book delves into the family's history, spanning generations and exploring themes of love, power, and the consequences of wielding magic.
The book delves into the family's history, spanning generations and exploring themes of love, power, and the consequences of wielding magic. Subsequent novels in the series, such as "Lasher" and "Taltos," further explore the Mayfair dynasty and their magical lineage. These books introduce supernatural creatures, complex relationships, and delve into the mythology surrounding the Mayfair witches.
5 seconds prior to a witch falling in love
5 Seconds Before a Witch Falls in Love is a collection of three one-shot yuri manga stories, written and illustrated by Zeniko Sumiya. They were originally published in the Yuri Hime magazine.
This manga was licensed for English release by Seven Seas Entertainment.
Front cover of 5 Seconds Before a Witch Falls in Love, featuring Meg and Lilith
A magical enemies-to-lovers yuri romcom
Solitary witch Meg likes to be mischeivous and make trouble in the forest for her nemesis, Lilith the Witch Hunter. But when an altercation goes sideways and Meg turns Lilith into a cat, a cascade of unfortunate events means witch is now responsible for saving witch hunter! Sparks were flying between these antagonistic ladies before – what will their relationship be like after this cat-astrophe?
The three stories contained in this manga are 5 Seconds Before a Witch Falls in Love, Demon’s Harem and 5 Seconds Before Falling in Love with a Witch. As you may be able to guess, Demon’s Harem has no connection to the other two.
Therefore it seems to me a bit odd that the blurb holds no mention of this other tale at all. Demon’s Harem features a completely different cast of characters from the other two stories, focusing on a schoolgirl and the demon and fallen angel that are in love with her.
Since Demon’s Harem is a standalone story, I’ll focus briefly on that one first. Lead character Kanna performs an act of kindness towards a fallen angel and a demon she discovers one day, and finds herself with two companions who are infatuated with her. All involved being girls doesn’t matter one bit to them. They’re just in love with Kanna, who understandably doesn’t quite return their affections. Still, an incident takes place that lets Kanna really appreciate what Samael and Belphegor mean to her.
Then we have 5 Seconds Before a Witch Falls in Love and 5 Seconds Before Falling in Love with a Witch, both of which focus on Meg and Lilith. I do enjoy the dynamic between the pair of them; their rivalry pretty obviously comes from a place of love.
Lilith isn’t exactly so bright when it comes to that subject, though, as she convinces herself she is under some sort of curse. Meg casting an actual curse on her to begin with certainly doesn’t help matters, but Lilith is pretty dense about the whole thing.
This describes itself as a romcom, and I’d say that are some genuinely funny moments in there. Most of the comedy comes from 5 Seconds Before a Witch Falls in Love and 5 Seconds Before Falling in Love with a Witch. Demon’s Harem felt a bit lighter on the comedy side. All the stories did prove to be pretty enjoyable, though.
A fun read overall, I did really enjoy the dynamics between its characters. A decent addition to any yuri collection.
Actually, the way I’m wording it there is misleading. It’s in fact three short stories. The first is 5 Seconds before a Witch Falls in love, telling us how Meg is hopelessly smitten with her arch nemesis Lilith, from Meg’s point of view.
The stories often intertwine with the broader universe of Anne Rice's vampiric universe, adding a layer of depth and intrigue to the narrative. One of the main strengths of the Mayfair Witch books is their strong and complex characters. From the headstrong and determined Rowan to the enigmatic and seductive Lasher, the characters are well-developed and evoke the reader's empathy and curiosity. Rice often delves into the inner thoughts and emotions of her characters, allowing the reader to intimately connect with their struggles and triumphs. Another standout feature of these books is their lavish descriptions of settings and historical periods. Rice's prose brings to life the vibrant and atmospheric city of New Orleans, as well as other locations around the world. The historical backdrop, with its rich cultural tapestry and multifaceted characters, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, making the books not just a tale of witchcraft but also a vivid exploration of human nature. In conclusion, the Mayfair Witch books by Anne Rice are a captivating series that immerses readers in a world filled with magic, mystery, and intricate storytelling. With their memorable characters, intricate plots, and lush settings, these books are a must-read for fans of dark romantic fantasy and supernatural fiction..
Reviews for "Mayfair Witches and Immortality: Discussing the Themes of Life, Death, and Eternal Youth"
1. Emma - 1 star - I was so disappointed with the Mayfair Witch books. The plot was convoluted, and the characters were underdeveloped and unlikable. I couldn't connect with any of them, and I found myself not caring about what happened in the story. The pacing was also incredibly slow, and it felt like the author was just dragging it out unnecessarily. Overall, I found the books to be a bore and a waste of time.
2. Brandon - 2 stars - The Mayfair Witch books had an intriguing premise, but the execution fell flat for me. The writing style was overly descriptive to the point of being tedious, and it detracted from the actual story. The characters lacked depth, making it difficult for me to become invested in their journey. Additionally, the supernatural elements in the book felt forced and out of place. I was hoping for a captivating witch saga, but unfortunately, these books didn't deliver.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I struggled to get through the Mayfair Witch books. The story lacked focus, and it seemed like the author was trying to cram too many ideas into one series. The constant switching between characters and timelines left me feeling confused and disconnected from the narrative. The writing was also overly verbose and self-indulgent, making it hard to stay engaged. While there were some interesting moments, overall, the books felt disjointed and unsatisfying.
4. Michael - 1 star - The Mayfair Witch books were a complete letdown for me. The plot was messy and convoluted, with too many unnecessary subplots and characters. It felt like the author was trying to do too much without actually accomplishing anything substantial. The dialogue was also incredibly stilted, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The lack of a compelling protagonist made it difficult to care about the outcome of the story. Overall, I found these books to be a confusing and frustrating read.