What do you think?
Rate this book
The Witch and the Wyrm
Adelinde has spent her entire life dreaming of marrying Bastian, the prince she helped save when she was just a child. But when tragedy strikes and Bastian’s brother is slain, he is thrust into the role of heir to the throne, shattering any hope of a union with a simple peasant girl like Adelinde. Now his hand has been promised to the daughter of a powerful witch, and in exchange, the witch promises to destroy the dragon that took his brother’s life.
Unwilling to abandon his love for Adelinde, Bastian rejects the witch’s daughter—and as punishment, is transformed into a worm. Now, to save her homeland and rescue the prince from his curse, Adelinde must embark on a perilous quest at the witch’s behest, uncover the secrets behind the dragon’s rampage, and face the threat of the ultimate sacrifice to prove her unwavering love.
The Witch and the Wyrm is a sweet, no-spice retelling of the fairy tale Jorinda and Joringel, a romantic fantasy that weaves a heartwarming story of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love.
Unwilling to abandon his love for Adelinde, Bastian rejects the witch’s daughter—and as punishment, is transformed into a worm. Now, to save her homeland and rescue the prince from his curse, Adelinde must embark on a perilous quest at the witch’s behest, uncover the secrets behind the dragon’s rampage, and face the threat of the ultimate sacrifice to prove her unwavering love.
The Witch and the Wyrm is a sweet, no-spice retelling of the fairy tale Jorinda and Joringel, a romantic fantasy that weaves a heartwarming story of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love.
- GenresFairy TalesFantasy
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2024
6 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Beth Alvarez
32 books34 followersAward-winning author Beth Alvarez lives in Memphis, Tennessee, along with her husband, daughter, and a very mean cat.
Once a visual arts major, she has worked as a freelance graphic designer. Against all advice, she makes her own book covers.
Reading The Hobbit at 8 led Beth to fall in love with fantasy at an early age. She later developed a love for vampires and the supernatural, which is unsurprising, given she never outgrew the goth phase.
In her free time, Beth enjoys drawing, hitting the road in her beloved Mustang, sipping tea, sewing for her Asian ball-jointed dolls, and making her prior-Marine husband spar in the kitchen for sake of writing more convincing combat scenes.
Once a visual arts major, she has worked as a freelance graphic designer. Against all advice, she makes her own book covers.
Reading The Hobbit at 8 led Beth to fall in love with fantasy at an early age. She later developed a love for vampires and the supernatural, which is unsurprising, given she never outgrew the goth phase.
In her free time, Beth enjoys drawing, hitting the road in her beloved Mustang, sipping tea, sewing for her Asian ball-jointed dolls, and making her prior-Marine husband spar in the kitchen for sake of writing more convincing combat scenes.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this fairytale retelling. It was nice to read another one that didn't focus so heavily on romance and instead just told a wonderful story that illustrated what love is instead of relying on direct physical interactions between the main characters. I'd definitely read another book like this.
June 10, 2024
This has been one of my favorite reads of the year - very engaging. Especially once you get on the adventure!
I've been into retellings this year, and this ranks among my favorites. The pacing is very good, and the characters are all very likable. It doesn't fall into the "pale facimile of strong character" trope I hate, which is...girl is mean, therefore girl is strong.
Adelinde is strong because she is caring and does what is needed instead of what she wants. That, right there, is a strong female character.
It's an easy read, if you're like me and wanted to, it would take an afternoon or two. The action is very well done, and the ending is very satisfying.
I've been into retellings this year, and this ranks among my favorites. The pacing is very good, and the characters are all very likable. It doesn't fall into the "pale facimile of strong character" trope I hate, which is...girl is mean, therefore girl is strong.
Adelinde is strong because she is caring and does what is needed instead of what she wants. That, right there, is a strong female character.
It's an easy read, if you're like me and wanted to, it would take an afternoon or two. The action is very well done, and the ending is very satisfying.
December 22, 2025
What would you do to save someone you love?
When Adelinde’s attempt to save Bastian from a loveless marriage goes terribly awry, she knows that it is up to her to break his curse and give him another chance at life. A chance meeting with a talking crow saves her in more ways than one as they traverse the kingdom for the witch’s ingredients. But nothing is quite as it seems, and choices come with a price.
A sweet, clean telling of what one will do to save those they love.
When Adelinde’s attempt to save Bastian from a loveless marriage goes terribly awry, she knows that it is up to her to break his curse and give him another chance at life. A chance meeting with a talking crow saves her in more ways than one as they traverse the kingdom for the witch’s ingredients. But nothing is quite as it seems, and choices come with a price.
A sweet, clean telling of what one will do to save those they love.
January 1, 2026
Wonderful clean romantasy. 1st time I've read a book where the character(s) get cursed to turn into a worm! The MMC is cursed to become worm for ~1/3 of the book, & the FMC sacrifices herself to take on his curse for another few chapters :D
There's a snarky talking crow (cursed of course!). All in all a great read.
Recommended
There's a snarky talking crow (cursed of course!). All in all a great read.
Recommended
November 22, 2024
This was a fun read. I loved Adelinde, and appreciated how her disability was handled. The banter between the characters was wonderful. Would love to see more stories in this world!
December 25, 2025
This book was depressing from the start so I couldn't get into it.
January 5, 2026
I really loved reading this wonderful book! I loved the characters and the plot! I had a hard time putting this really wonderful book down!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews