Straying Witch is a popular light novel that has gained a large following since its release. The story revolves around a young witch named Lucy who is searching for her lost magical abilities. In this fantastical world, witches are born with specific powers, but Lucy finds herself without any magic. Determined to regain her abilities, she embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about her past and find a way to restore her powers. Along the way, she encounters various challenges and obstacles that test her resilience and determination. With the help of her friends and allies, Lucy navigates a world filled with magical creatures and dangerous villains.
One of the other most famous props from Hocus Pocus is Winifred’s spell book, supposedly given to her by the Devil himself. (Psst, that part’s all Hollywood – most witches don’t believe in or work with the Christian Devil!)
There were 19 men and women killed during the Salem Witch Trials and you can visit a really lovely memorial that lists all of their names in downtown Salem but none of them were named Sanderson. You can use candles made of real wax or even battery-operated home decor candles aka a flameless candle are totally acceptable if you can t have flame or smoke in your house.
With the help of her friends and allies, Lucy navigates a world filled with magical creatures and dangerous villains. The novel explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the power of perseverance. The main idea of Straying Witch is the journey of a young witch who is determined to find her lost magic and the challenges she faces along the way.
The Sanderson Sisters are back from the 90’s in ‘Hocus Pocus 2’
Disney came out with “Hocus Pocus” back in 1993. 29 years later, they released a sequel to this Halloween classic. The Sanderson sisters, played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker, made their comeback in “Hocus Pocus 2.” They performed several musical numbers in this sequel, all while they are faced with strange, modern technology. Viewers also got to see the return of Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones). The film was a combination of nostalgia for the older crowd and an appeal to the newer audience.
There were several new characters introduced in this film. Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo), and Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) were introduced as three 16-year-old girls interested in witchcraft. There was a local eccentric, Gilbert (Sam Richardson), that they went to for their mystical supplies. He gave them the black flame candle that brought the Sanderson sisters back for one night. The witches came back and interacted with the teenagers to find the souls of children so they could gain immortality. The story mainly focused on the three girls trying to protect Salem from the witches.
The film was very modernized. There was a lot of singing and performing from the Sanderson sisters, something that is seemingly becoming more popular in recent years. The witches found themselves in a Walgreens, coming face to face with automatic doors, beauty products, and even the security dome mirror. It was very comical to watch the sisters try to figure out these “new” things. It was a bit less intense than the original Hocus Pocus and aimed more toward the younger audience.
This film also catered to the growing interest in contemporary witchcraft. The girls used crystals and rituals for good luck, among other things, which is something becoming more common among young people today. The local eccentric shop owner, Gilbert, and his store full of magic and witchy things also appealed to this interest among the younger generation.
This movie was very “pro-witchcraft” and that’s troubling from a Christian perspective. Of course, the original movie consisted of a lot of satanic-related content and witchcraft, but it’s particularly concerning that this movie encouraged rituals and witchery because of its growing popularity among the younger generation. This sequel made being a witch out to be a good thing and it really hit on the power of the coven. This went one step further to promoting witchcraft for young people today.
The Sanderson sisters are hilariously exposed to the modern world.
I will say, I was very impressed with how young and glamorous the Sanderson sisters look, even after the original film was released 29 years ago. It was like taking a journey back in time, seeing how the original characters seamlessly stepped right back into their roles. The portrayal of these roles felt very natural, even after all these years.
Another thing that many people have been noticing about this film is the poor greenscreen work. It was most obvious towards the end of the movie with the moonlit forest backdrop. In 2022, viewers expected this sequel to be cinematic, but it actually looked very comparable to the Disney original from the ‘90s. The film wasn’t even shot in Salem and you could tell. While the audience wanted that nostalgia from the original film, we didn’t want it to look like the original that was made almost 30 years ago.
While this sequel does focus quite a bit on Becca, Izzy, and Cassie and their “coven” that is formed through friendship, it concentrates more on the Sanderson sisters. It was a nice shift from the original that focused on the characters of Max, Dani, and Allison. This was more about the Sanderson sisters’ story, where they came from, and what they are all about. Each of the “coven’s” narratives compliment each other well.
I enjoyed this movie, despite its few hiccups. It was a very admirable continuation of the original film, especially because it wasn’t separated entirely from the plot of the first film. The nostalgia and humor within this movie made for a very pleasant watch.
I give this film an 8/10.
“Hocus Pocus 2” is now streaming on Disney+
Anna Harman is a junior Biblical Studies major and also a reporter for Cedars. She appreciates writing, peppermint tea, flowers, and going to concerts.
Images courtesy of Disney+
Okay, so we’ve talked about all the things in Hocus Pocus that are actually pretty spot on… but what about the aspects that are pure Hollywood fiction?
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Reviews for "From Obscurity to Success: Tracing the Evolution of the Straying Witch Light Novels"
1. Lisa - 2 stars
I found "Straying Witch" to be a disappointing read. The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The characters were underdeveloped, making it difficult to connect with them. The writing style was also a letdown; it lacked depth and failed to evoke any emotions in me as a reader. Overall, I had high hopes for this novel, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.
2. Michael - 2.5 stars
While the concept of "Straying Witch" seemed intriguing, I felt the execution fell flat. The pacing was erratic, with slow moments dragging on and action-packed scenes rushing by. The world-building was minimal, leaving me confused about the rules and dynamics of the witching world. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced, and the interactions between the characters lacked authenticity. Overall, I found the novel to be lacking in substance and struggled to remain engaged throughout.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I was initially drawn to "Straying Witch" due to its promising premise, but unfortunately, I found it to be a lackluster read. The plot was predictable and lacked any significant twists or surprises. The main character, a supposed powerful witch, came across as weak and indecisive. The romance aspect felt forced and rushed, lacking a genuine connection between the characters. In the end, I felt underwhelmed by this novel and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a captivating witch-themed story.
4. Chris - 1 star
"Straying Witch" was a complete letdown for me. The writing was amateurish, filled with grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. The plot was overly simplistic, lacking any depth or complexity. The characters were one-dimensional, with no real development or growth throughout the story. Additionally, the ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying. Overall, I regret wasting my time on this poorly written and uninspiring novel.