Generation of Witches

by Hazy Nukil

In the modern world, Embun, who is desperate to learn magic, finds a witch named Kebayan to take on the role of an apprentice. But the witch is uninterested in taking her as a student, saying that it is too late for her to be a witch.

Meanwhile, Kebayan’s nephew, Sih, grew up with technology around him and dislikes magic. He rejects Kebayan’s attempts to pass down their family tradition of exploring the peculiar forest filled with mystical beings.

In all of this, a mysterious figure lurks in the forest, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Will the two generations of witches emerge together for the greater good? Or is the gap between them too far apart?

128 pages, Paperback

Published January 20, 2024

Reviews

[Sue Oshin · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Bane of Widuri, this is the second novella from @bukubookiut that i like it so much 🥹 congrats to our debut writer

Based on the synopsis, you probably already know what this story is about. So, I will touch on the topic of generations. Actually, from the past until now, whenever we talk about the old generation vs the current generation we lived in, there are always many opposing opinions.

People in the old days had to go through hardships to achieve their goals. Nowadays, there are many shortcuts to success as long as they don’t break the law, such as using advanced technology to make work easier. But, if people from the old generation see young people today taking shortcuts to succeed, they won’t validate our efforts. For us, as long as our objectives are the same… what’s wrong if the methods differ?

This is exactly what happened between Embun and Kebayan. Embun wants to learn magic by casting spells, but Kebayan doesn’t like Embun’s method. To her, learning magic in the past was very hard with no easy way. So, she wants Embun to learn the same way she did. That’s why this book is called The Generation of Witch.

I like the author’s idea even though he mentioned the manuscript was revised because of the romance element. Indeed, Bookiut’s editor is very skilled in analyzing works suitable for young adults. It’s a very fresh idea for the magical realism genre. The character names are also easy to understand and timeless.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generation Of Witches by Hazy Nukil

In the modern world, Embun who is desperate to learn magic, finds a witch named Kebayan to take on the role of apprentice. But the witch is uninterested in taking her as a student. Meanwhile, Kebayan 's nephew, Sih grew up with technology around him and dislike magic.

Will the two generations of witches emerges together for the greater good?

"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬." 🔮🧙‍♀️
___________________________________

To be honest, when I first looking at the cover, I thought that Embun's power has some sort of connection or relationship with the glowing butterfly. It even mentioned that Embun's robe has a butterfly pattern, but it's not as I expected. I was just hoping that Embun can learn the magic properly from the Kebayan and master it, so that they can fight the villans together.

But the storyline was still nice and interesting though! I can see how the author relates the story about witches and our Malaysia's folklore which is Nenek Kebayan. I'm pretty sure you guys heard about it right? It's so creative! That's why I can finish this book in one sitting.

Last but not least, shout out to Embun because she managed to defeat the villain with her knowledge, even though she hasn't learn the magic properly. One lesson that I've learned from this book is that "sometimes, it's not the power who defeat the enemy, it's knowledge, experience and strategy".

"𝐖𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭. 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐮𝐬. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨." -pg: 118

Overall, this is not a bad read. I had fun and enjoy when I read this book. This book definitely suitable for beginners. It's simple, compact, and it has it's own potential.

Personal rating: 4/5 ⭐

[matchataro · Rating 3 out of 5]

genre — magical realism, young-adult, malay lore, slight of coming of age🧙‍♀️🪄🔮

personal rating; 4/5🌟

📝 Embun who eager and desperate to learn magic with Kebayan, a powerful witch alive. But for Kebayan, it is too late for Embun to be a witch. Sih, Kebayan's nephew who forced to inherit her position in the forest. Will the gap between two generation of witches emerge together for the greater good?

"𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜, 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧."

plot — i ate whatever supernatural or magic plot served to me HAHA interesting storyline since it still focus with our malay lore and modern era. it gives me a mix vibe of fate winx saga, the school of good and evil and harry potter all in one✊🏻 however the development of Embun learning magic with Kebayan is so simple i wish i can see the progress more. knowing that Embun already has magic flowing in her blood but not practicing it, Kebayan should polish her potential instead of pushing her away everytime likee why cant you teach properly cuz you already accept her as your student?? HAHA im mad but yeah i get the generation gap is just too obvious and how uninterested Kebayan felt😭🤏🏻

all packed from the prolog to intro to conflict to climax where they fought and the villain's ending that linked to old ancestor's history just brilliant. the message about generation gap well delivered and so relatable with nowadays era👏🏻

character — i love the contrast author potrayed between Embun and Sih. The one who born to learn but forced to fight with the one who born to fight but forced to learn. their dynamic and chemistry build however only can see at the very falling plot such a waste potential. Sih is not just magically and technology smart but academically smart too?? yall this guy😮‍💨 Kebayan and Sih relationship even its not showing so obvious at the end but whatever happen, they are still a family. they have each other back for sure.

overall, a fun read where i wish i can read more😤💪🏻 thankyou bookiut for a copy as exchange for a review! fly high i cant wait to read next novella🫶🏻

[Sofea Zainal · Rating 5 out of 5]

an easy 5 ⭐️, will write more abt this but totally love this book because of the witty writing style, clear plot and satisfying ending. love the characters tho.

[Vee Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Embun, who is eager to learn more about magic from one of prominent witch called Yan. Another character is Sih. Sih is Yan's nephew, who could do magic and always at Yan's camp every school holiday, but he didn't have the same passion for magic like Embun. However, Embun's fire of magic almost unnoticeable irritates Yan. And Yan forces Sih to learn magic to take her place as one of the Kebayan in the future. While training ti become a witch, a figure emerge from the magical forest claims to be the descendant form the great Nenek Kebayan who vanished many years ago battling Yan's ancestors and were told that one day Nenek Kebayan will emerge and destroy the world.

The storyline is quite interesting, sort of magical school for our local witches and our own magical school folklore. But is quite jumpy from learning to attacking and defending from a evil person but I understand this is a novella. Wish that Embun learning experience getting better ans she got to try many other magic tricks rather than just lifting the pebble. I thought that one of the power is something to do with the glowing butterflies? Since the cover showed how much she adores them.

[Fathi MYHKSKPG (heylittlesiren) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like reading about the witches history. The storyline was great especially when the author mixed in the witches with Malaysian folkfore, Nenek Kebayan.

I love how different Sih and Embun. While one wants to explore and learnt more about magic, the other one was born yet didn’t want anything with magic.

I was dissapointed a little bit because I’m hoping to read about Embun’s magic growth. I wanted to read about her magic journey. Sometimes Embun annoyed me. She said that she really want to be best witches yet she didn’t acted like she wanted to be one.

However, it was a quick and light read.

Check out if you love:

🧡 Malaysian folkfore
🧡 Magical Creatures
🧡 Witches

Thank you @bukubookiut for the copy🧡

[DayDreamer8912 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
Loving the friendship of Sih and Embun. Embun is trying her best to learn magic from Kebayan though Kebayan doesn't really want to teach her and she deemed her hopeless since it is too late for her to learn. However, Sih, her nephew could do magic pretty easily but has no interest in magic because he can do this without magic for it is the technology era. Sih and Embun often bicker with each other but as they get to know one another they became closer than ever. A mysterious figure lurking around the forest and they all have to work together to save the place.

P.S the house reminds me of the Casita(the house in Disney's Encanto) hehe... love it.

[Rarascosylibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2/5 ⭐️

This book tells the story of Embun, a 17-year-old girl born into a family of witches, yet she struggles to cast even the simplest spell, despite her deep love for magic.

The story moves at a medium to fast pace, introducing Yan, also known as ‘Kebayan,’ the title given to the highest-ranked witch. You’ll also meet Sih, Yan’s nephew, who was expected to inherit the title of Kebayan but refused due to his lack of interest in magic. Alongside them are the villains, of course.

I found the storyline captivating, keeping me engaged from beginning to end. I especially loved how the author skillfully blended Malay lore with the modern world. My only wish is that it could have been a longer read! I’d love to see Embun’s development in magic since she had it in her blood already 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Louisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a pleasant story that could go places if it was fleshed out a bit. The downside is that it should have been edited properly before being published. I would have rated it higher if there weren't so many grammar mistakes. Good job to the writer and keep at it!

[Shafina Sofea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kudos kepada writer. Novella ni betul2 enjoyable. Mixed feeling bila baca, geram, sedih and ada satu part ada wth moment.

Kipidap!

[Sha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good book!!

[Elisya Nazman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun short story to read! The lore behind the witches was so intriguing, this whole storyline can become a whole series and I would sign up for it!

[Ikmal Fitri (iikmalreads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Premise yang menarik akan tetapi aku kurang minat yang guna present tense sebab dia akan rasa monotonous and scene transition rasa macam tak smooth sangat

[Cassandra yong · Rating 4 out of 5]

light reading, localized and talks about kebayan 🤭. Magic that doesnt use harry potter style…