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Fire is never tame—least of all the flames of our own kindling.
Raised in isolation by the secretive Circle of Seven, Luna is one of the few powerful beings left in a world dominated by man. Versed in ancient fairy tales and the language of plants, Luna struggles to control her powers over fire. When her mentor dies in Luna’s arms, she is forced into a centuries-long struggle against the gravest enemy of all Fae-kind—the very enemy that left her orphaned. In order to save her people, Luna must rewrite their history by entering a door in the mountain and passing back through time. But when the lives of those she loves come under threat, her rage destroys a forest, and everything in it. Now called The Char Witch, she is cursed to live alone, her name and the name of her people forgotten.
Until she hears a knock upon her long-sealed door.
Interwoven with elements of Hansel and Gretel and The Seven Ravens, Char is the stand alone sequel to Opal, and second in the Fae of Fire and Stone trilogy.
Raised in isolation by the secretive Circle of Seven, Luna is one of the few powerful beings left in a world dominated by man. Versed in ancient fairy tales and the language of plants, Luna struggles to control her powers over fire. When her mentor dies in Luna’s arms, she is forced into a centuries-long struggle against the gravest enemy of all Fae-kind—the very enemy that left her orphaned. In order to save her people, Luna must rewrite their history by entering a door in the mountain and passing back through time. But when the lives of those she loves come under threat, her rage destroys a forest, and everything in it. Now called The Char Witch, she is cursed to live alone, her name and the name of her people forgotten.
Until she hears a knock upon her long-sealed door.
Interwoven with elements of Hansel and Gretel and The Seven Ravens, Char is the stand alone sequel to Opal, and second in the Fae of Fire and Stone trilogy.
- GenresYoung Adult
159 pages, Paperback
Published April 26, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 24, 2016
A young girl grows up being mentored about her powers and—most importantly—about the mysterious task that will be set before her when she’s older, a task that will hopefully have a hand in saving the Fae from their brutal human counterparts. Yet when she steps through the door and wakes up in the past, Luna realizes that much of her future may have already been written. And that her mistakes could cost her friends and people everything.
CHAR is a fairy tale, but not one like I’ve read before. Extremely loosely based in the classic tale of Hansel and Gretal, most of the story is something completely new, weaving together a tale of love and loss, magic and survival. Wojtaszek’s narrative comes alive in elaborate and poetic prose and paints a tale that’s sometimes painful to read as the reader gets sucked into the maze that is Luna’s life and destiny, and the cost of what daring to step off that path might be.
A dark yet beautiful tale, CHAR is worth reading for anyone who loves a fairy tale filled with shadows and drenched in rich an imaginative history of magical beings.
CHAR is a fairy tale, but not one like I’ve read before. Extremely loosely based in the classic tale of Hansel and Gretal, most of the story is something completely new, weaving together a tale of love and loss, magic and survival. Wojtaszek’s narrative comes alive in elaborate and poetic prose and paints a tale that’s sometimes painful to read as the reader gets sucked into the maze that is Luna’s life and destiny, and the cost of what daring to step off that path might be.
A dark yet beautiful tale, CHAR is worth reading for anyone who loves a fairy tale filled with shadows and drenched in rich an imaginative history of magical beings.
July 26, 2016
Char (Fae of Fire and Stone #2) by Kristina Wojtaszek is the second book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. It is about Fae, witches, romance, curses, and power. It is a story of love and of evil. It has so much in it, I don't want to spoil it for anyone, the story weaves so much into the main story of a powerful Fae, Luna. It is about her life and why she ends up being called Char Witch. It has twisted fairy tales in the story with hers and it blends smoothly. It is a great fantasy tale that keeps you hooked. Wonderful book! I won this book from LibraryThing, thanks so much!
March 3, 2018
Fire is never tame—least of all the flames of our own kindling.
Raised in isolation by the secretive Circle of Seven, Luna is one of the few powerful beings left in a world dominated by man. Versed in ancient fairy tales and the language of plants, Luna struggles to control her powers over fire. When her mentor dies in Luna’s arms, she is forced into a centuries-long struggle against the gravest enemy of all Fae-kind—the very enemy that left her orphaned. In order to save her people, Luna must rewrite their history by entering a door in the mountain and passing back through time. But when the lives of those she loves come under threat, her rage destroys a forest, and everything in it. Now called The Char Witch, she is cursed to live alone, her name and the name of her people forgotten.
Until she hears a knock upon her long-sealed door.
Interwoven with elements of Hansel and Gretel and The Seven Ravens, Char is the stand alone sequel to Opal, and second in the Fae of Fire and Stone trilogy.
MY THOUGHTS:
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. First, can we talk about these beautiful covers used for this series of novellas. This book follows the wonderfully written “Opal” in this trilogy.
My first suggestion, is do NOT read this book without reading “Opal” first, even though this book is suppose to be a stand-alone. True, you will be able to make sense out of 88% of the book without reading the first one, but in all honesty, it will help. Opal makes an appearance in “Char.”
There is a relationship triangle and heart-break that takes the character on a drastic emotional ride. Although set in the same world, I felt it would have been nicer to see more of the writer’s creative genius as shown in the first book. There just seemed to be something missing when it came the lyrical flow of the story because of what was lacking. However, this story is still wonderfully told, perhaps, not my favorite between the two, but I can hardly wait for the third book to see where the author is going with this trilogy. Fascinating premise once again and an original retelling promising a fantastic ending to the series. Looking for book three!
Raised in isolation by the secretive Circle of Seven, Luna is one of the few powerful beings left in a world dominated by man. Versed in ancient fairy tales and the language of plants, Luna struggles to control her powers over fire. When her mentor dies in Luna’s arms, she is forced into a centuries-long struggle against the gravest enemy of all Fae-kind—the very enemy that left her orphaned. In order to save her people, Luna must rewrite their history by entering a door in the mountain and passing back through time. But when the lives of those she loves come under threat, her rage destroys a forest, and everything in it. Now called The Char Witch, she is cursed to live alone, her name and the name of her people forgotten.
Until she hears a knock upon her long-sealed door.
Interwoven with elements of Hansel and Gretel and The Seven Ravens, Char is the stand alone sequel to Opal, and second in the Fae of Fire and Stone trilogy.
MY THOUGHTS:
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. First, can we talk about these beautiful covers used for this series of novellas. This book follows the wonderfully written “Opal” in this trilogy.
My first suggestion, is do NOT read this book without reading “Opal” first, even though this book is suppose to be a stand-alone. True, you will be able to make sense out of 88% of the book without reading the first one, but in all honesty, it will help. Opal makes an appearance in “Char.”
There is a relationship triangle and heart-break that takes the character on a drastic emotional ride. Although set in the same world, I felt it would have been nicer to see more of the writer’s creative genius as shown in the first book. There just seemed to be something missing when it came the lyrical flow of the story because of what was lacking. However, this story is still wonderfully told, perhaps, not my favorite between the two, but I can hardly wait for the third book to see where the author is going with this trilogy. Fascinating premise once again and an original retelling promising a fantastic ending to the series. Looking for book three!
June 7, 2019
Beautifully written with a strong voice! Kristina weaves a magical spell with her well chosen & carefully crafted words! Loved Char!
April 24, 2016
[I received this book from World Weaver Press at no charge, in exchange for an honest review]
Whew! How's my hair? I feel like I just got off Splash Mountain and I need to check myself over to ensure that I made it back in one piece. The twists and turns in Wojtaszek's newest novella are sudden, jarring, and occasionally heartbreaking, and Luna's struggles with controlling her power make it clear that possessing magic doesn't mean an easy -- or even safe! -- life. Throughout my lifetime of reading fantasy novels, I've always wished that I could have access to the magical powers that the characters in my books wielded; strangely, it wasn't until reading and then contemplating about Char that I realized that those same characters are also forced to make terrible decisions, leave behind friends and family, fear for their lives, and suffer great losses.
Luna as a character, while not one to whom I found myself easily relating, makes sense as a product of the events and relationships that take place in Char. Her developing feelings for two of the men with whom she works closely, as well as in different instances of time, causes her an understandable burden of confusion and heartache. Any of us that have faced the quandary that comes with choosing between two potential relationships can empathize with the fear of making the wrong choice, the concern about hurting feelings or losing a friend, and the desire to build a lasting, happy relationship. The love story aspect of the novella brings humanity to the characters, and really adds an important element into the book.
As with Opal, the first book in the Fae of Fire and Stone series, Char takes place in multiple instances of time. Wojtaszek masterfully weaves together layers of time with characters in different stages of growth and personality development, and incorporating the same manipulation of time in both books shows artistic commitment to style throughout the series so far. While the teaser states that the book is "interwoven with elements of Hansel and Gretel," there isn't really much of the fairy tale present in Char besides in the first and last couple pages, and even then it has no bearing on the bulk of the story. You might disagree, though, when you see how it ties in at the end. Either way, as with Opal, the teaser on the back cover is my biggest problem with the book.
While it's true that Char can be a stand alone sequel, I highly recommend reading Opal first; the tie-ins at the end of the novella are more clear, more magical, if you've already got the foundation of the background established. Check out my review of Opal for an idea of the merits of the book, and, hopefully, so I can convince you to read it! Perhaps it will be clear by my next comment, but I'll still preface it by saying that Opal and Char are my first experiences with novellas: I wish these books were longer; I wish all of the characters (even the minor characters) were fleshed out more; and I wish there was an excessive amount of detail, so that I could picture and live in the world in the story. If Kristina Wojtaszek comes out with a series of novels, I'll be first in line to read them. To be fair, I will probably read anything by Kristina Wojtaszek that I can find, after discovering these fantastic books.
Lastly, head on over to our Giveaways page for a chance to win a copy of Char for yourself!
This review was first published on Moonlight Gleam Reviews
Whew! How's my hair? I feel like I just got off Splash Mountain and I need to check myself over to ensure that I made it back in one piece. The twists and turns in Wojtaszek's newest novella are sudden, jarring, and occasionally heartbreaking, and Luna's struggles with controlling her power make it clear that possessing magic doesn't mean an easy -- or even safe! -- life. Throughout my lifetime of reading fantasy novels, I've always wished that I could have access to the magical powers that the characters in my books wielded; strangely, it wasn't until reading and then contemplating about Char that I realized that those same characters are also forced to make terrible decisions, leave behind friends and family, fear for their lives, and suffer great losses.
Luna as a character, while not one to whom I found myself easily relating, makes sense as a product of the events and relationships that take place in Char. Her developing feelings for two of the men with whom she works closely, as well as in different instances of time, causes her an understandable burden of confusion and heartache. Any of us that have faced the quandary that comes with choosing between two potential relationships can empathize with the fear of making the wrong choice, the concern about hurting feelings or losing a friend, and the desire to build a lasting, happy relationship. The love story aspect of the novella brings humanity to the characters, and really adds an important element into the book.
As with Opal, the first book in the Fae of Fire and Stone series, Char takes place in multiple instances of time. Wojtaszek masterfully weaves together layers of time with characters in different stages of growth and personality development, and incorporating the same manipulation of time in both books shows artistic commitment to style throughout the series so far. While the teaser states that the book is "interwoven with elements of Hansel and Gretel," there isn't really much of the fairy tale present in Char besides in the first and last couple pages, and even then it has no bearing on the bulk of the story. You might disagree, though, when you see how it ties in at the end. Either way, as with Opal, the teaser on the back cover is my biggest problem with the book.
While it's true that Char can be a stand alone sequel, I highly recommend reading Opal first; the tie-ins at the end of the novella are more clear, more magical, if you've already got the foundation of the background established. Check out my review of Opal for an idea of the merits of the book, and, hopefully, so I can convince you to read it! Perhaps it will be clear by my next comment, but I'll still preface it by saying that Opal and Char are my first experiences with novellas: I wish these books were longer; I wish all of the characters (even the minor characters) were fleshed out more; and I wish there was an excessive amount of detail, so that I could picture and live in the world in the story. If Kristina Wojtaszek comes out with a series of novels, I'll be first in line to read them. To be fair, I will probably read anything by Kristina Wojtaszek that I can find, after discovering these fantastic books.
Lastly, head on over to our Giveaways page for a chance to win a copy of Char for yourself!
This review was first published on Moonlight Gleam Reviews
December 28, 2016
Actual Rating: 0.5*
All the reviews for this book are positive so I went into this expecting "masterful layers of time" and "excellent prose" and got literally none of that. I almost DNFed after 10% because I was confused, bored, and just not into this at all. I almost feel like I didn't read the same book as the other people who have reviewed this one.
I was confused af the whole time I was reading this. It says this one can be read as a standalone even thought it is the sequel to another book, but I feel like maybe reading the first one would have been helpful for context or worldbuilding. But I doubt I would have read this one if the first had been anything like this. I honestly cannot believe I finished this one.
The main problem is that nothing was explained, it all just happened. Luna was on the mountain because she was the "seventh" and had to eat a seed but it never really made sense. She also acted in certain ways but we never really understood her intentions because she never really thought about what she was doing, she just changed her mind every so often for "character development" or "plot continuation" and I was ???? the whole time. I feel like this is one case where more telling instead of showing would have been really useful.
I didn't mind Luna but I also felt like she was used as a way for the author to get her story done. She didn't really have agency because she acted in whatever way got the plot from point a to point b rather than point b happening because she acted. The reader could always tell that Point B was going to happen rather than being surprised, if that makes sense. I am being just as confusing in my review as the book was.
The racism that the other characters had towards our MC was atrocious. Asking if her skin was burnt because she was black was just not okay but of EFFING course he would be a love interest. And he was horrible to her. As well, the narrative makes specific mention to the indistinguishable nature of the dirt on Luna's feet to the colour of her feet. I had so many problems with the way her skin colour was treated in this book, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT WAS CALLED CHAR. Like can we please stop with this nonsense.
Vidar and Luna's relationship was so strange and unexplained, plus it just didn't feel real. It felt like someone said "hey you know what sells? Love triangles, so add one to your book" so the author did. But the "relationship" with Errol wasn't developed at all either, so any choice that was made didn't make sense to the reader. It felt like romance was an afterthought and both were thrown in just to have a certain appeal to a specific reader. However it was superficial and shallow -- leaving the romance reader wanting more and the reader who doesn't want romance to say why even include this.
And on top of all of this, it is called a Hansel and Gretel retelling but that should VERY LOOSELY be used to describe this book. Like I wouldn't even mention these two in the same breath. I do not recommend this book at all, in fact, stay very far away.
All the reviews for this book are positive so I went into this expecting "masterful layers of time" and "excellent prose" and got literally none of that. I almost DNFed after 10% because I was confused, bored, and just not into this at all. I almost feel like I didn't read the same book as the other people who have reviewed this one.
I was confused af the whole time I was reading this. It says this one can be read as a standalone even thought it is the sequel to another book, but I feel like maybe reading the first one would have been helpful for context or worldbuilding. But I doubt I would have read this one if the first had been anything like this. I honestly cannot believe I finished this one.
The main problem is that nothing was explained, it all just happened. Luna was on the mountain because she was the "seventh" and had to eat a seed but it never really made sense. She also acted in certain ways but we never really understood her intentions because she never really thought about what she was doing, she just changed her mind every so often for "character development" or "plot continuation" and I was ???? the whole time. I feel like this is one case where more telling instead of showing would have been really useful.
I didn't mind Luna but I also felt like she was used as a way for the author to get her story done. She didn't really have agency because she acted in whatever way got the plot from point a to point b rather than point b happening because she acted. The reader could always tell that Point B was going to happen rather than being surprised, if that makes sense. I am being just as confusing in my review as the book was.
The racism that the other characters had towards our MC was atrocious. Asking if her skin was burnt because she was black was just not okay but of EFFING course he would be a love interest. And he was horrible to her. As well, the narrative makes specific mention to the indistinguishable nature of the dirt on Luna's feet to the colour of her feet. I had so many problems with the way her skin colour was treated in this book, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT WAS CALLED CHAR. Like can we please stop with this nonsense.
Vidar and Luna's relationship was so strange and unexplained, plus it just didn't feel real. It felt like someone said "hey you know what sells? Love triangles, so add one to your book" so the author did. But the "relationship" with Errol wasn't developed at all either, so any choice that was made didn't make sense to the reader. It felt like romance was an afterthought and both were thrown in just to have a certain appeal to a specific reader. However it was superficial and shallow -- leaving the romance reader wanting more and the reader who doesn't want romance to say why even include this.
And on top of all of this, it is called a Hansel and Gretel retelling but that should VERY LOOSELY be used to describe this book. Like I wouldn't even mention these two in the same breath. I do not recommend this book at all, in fact, stay very far away.
April 14, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from World Weaver Press publications on behalf of the author, in exchange of a honest review of the book.
Quite simply put, this is a fantasy book, loosely based around the Witch from the fairy-tale of Hansel and Gretel, but believe me when I say, it’s not what you’re expecting...
This is my first ever fairy-tale retelling book that I have ever read, so I went into reading this book with high expectations, not knowing how these retellings go, intrigued at how they were going to do this with the Witch, Luna, from Hansel and Gretel. You don’t really hear much from the fairy-tale, a few pages at the most, the rest is about Lunas back round and how she got to where she was. You see her with a new set of eyes and the tale eyes differently, which it would do, being a retelling, with even Hansel and Gretel having slightly different names.
This is the second book in the Fae of Fire and Stone Trilogy, but it can be read as a stand alone book, as that is how I read it and I was able to read this book no problem and I don’t think that I missed out on anything. I would’ve liked to have read the first on Opal first, for obvious reasons, especially because we meet the character Opal in this book and it did make me wonder whether I would’ve had a better understanding. I really wish that I did read the first book Opal first, even though this is said to be a stand alone, I still believe that it may have given me a better understanding to the world that this book was set in, plus I hate reading books out of order, especially now that I want to read this book.
It did end kind of suddenly and abruptly for my liking as I wanted to find out more and left me with questions, just like Luna had herself. Questions like, why now after all this time? Which never got answered and as each book is based on a new character, I’m not expecting it to be answered. This book starts at the end, which means that you know how part of it is going to end and you are waiting for that to happen.
If you’re into fantasy and fairy-tale retellings, then you are going to enjoy this book. I would suggest reading this trilogy in order because even though this can be read as a stand alone, you do meet the character Opal, which is the name of the first book, and if you then want to read the rest of the trilogy, things may get spoiled. It may also help you to get into the world in which this tale is told a lot more easier. Like a fairy-tale, inside a fairy-tale. I’m giving it a 4 out of 5 stars because I do want to read the rest of the books in the trilogy, hopefully understand the world these books are set in a little better.
Quite simply put, this is a fantasy book, loosely based around the Witch from the fairy-tale of Hansel and Gretel, but believe me when I say, it’s not what you’re expecting...
This is my first ever fairy-tale retelling book that I have ever read, so I went into reading this book with high expectations, not knowing how these retellings go, intrigued at how they were going to do this with the Witch, Luna, from Hansel and Gretel. You don’t really hear much from the fairy-tale, a few pages at the most, the rest is about Lunas back round and how she got to where she was. You see her with a new set of eyes and the tale eyes differently, which it would do, being a retelling, with even Hansel and Gretel having slightly different names.
This is the second book in the Fae of Fire and Stone Trilogy, but it can be read as a stand alone book, as that is how I read it and I was able to read this book no problem and I don’t think that I missed out on anything. I would’ve liked to have read the first on Opal first, for obvious reasons, especially because we meet the character Opal in this book and it did make me wonder whether I would’ve had a better understanding. I really wish that I did read the first book Opal first, even though this is said to be a stand alone, I still believe that it may have given me a better understanding to the world that this book was set in, plus I hate reading books out of order, especially now that I want to read this book.
It did end kind of suddenly and abruptly for my liking as I wanted to find out more and left me with questions, just like Luna had herself. Questions like, why now after all this time? Which never got answered and as each book is based on a new character, I’m not expecting it to be answered. This book starts at the end, which means that you know how part of it is going to end and you are waiting for that to happen.
If you’re into fantasy and fairy-tale retellings, then you are going to enjoy this book. I would suggest reading this trilogy in order because even though this can be read as a stand alone, you do meet the character Opal, which is the name of the first book, and if you then want to read the rest of the trilogy, things may get spoiled. It may also help you to get into the world in which this tale is told a lot more easier. Like a fairy-tale, inside a fairy-tale. I’m giving it a 4 out of 5 stars because I do want to read the rest of the books in the trilogy, hopefully understand the world these books are set in a little better.
March 16, 2016
Char is a beautifully-told story with a complex, fascinating structure. While the first book in the series, Opal, alternates between two character points of view on slightly different timelines, Char, is told as a story within a story within a story, starting with the end, then cycling back and diving deep into the characters' histories. This is a short novel (just at 50,000 words), but it's not a quick read. It's the kind of book you savor, lingering on luscious phrases and savoring the depth of emotion.
Char is also one of the only books I've ever read with a black protagonist in a medieval fantasy setting. The main character, Luna, is a "Pacha," a dark-skinned Fae whose powers (and weaknesses) lie in the realm of fire. It's refreshing to read a medieval-style fantasy with a protagonist who isn't a pale princess. Luna is well-developed, with strengths and flaws that make her utterly relatable, and the secondary characters are memorable and fleshed-out, too. If you've read Opal, you may even recognize a few familiar faces, though they won't be familiar at first.
Char is also one of the only books I've ever read with a black protagonist in a medieval fantasy setting. The main character, Luna, is a "Pacha," a dark-skinned Fae whose powers (and weaknesses) lie in the realm of fire. It's refreshing to read a medieval-style fantasy with a protagonist who isn't a pale princess. Luna is well-developed, with strengths and flaws that make her utterly relatable, and the secondary characters are memorable and fleshed-out, too. If you've read Opal, you may even recognize a few familiar faces, though they won't be familiar at first.
April 6, 2016
Note: I won a copy of this through Goodreads Giveaways
This is actually a very well written and intriguing tale about a girl named Luna and her experiences that lead her to be a part of the Circle of Seven. Wojtaszek weaves a rich tale that draws you in and makes you want more. While a short novel, the story is full and complete. I always enjoy a good fairy/folk tale retelling and this appeared to fit the bill from the description. This was't exactly that, but I enjoyed it regardless.
My only disappointment was the promise of a Hansel and Gretel retelling. The book begins when the children show up, but then regresses into the past how Luna got to that point of her life. It's more in line with Disney's Maleficent than a strict retelling.
I will likely be tracking down the other books in this series as Wojtaszek has a quality of writing that is enjoyable to read. Overall a good 3.5 stars.
This is actually a very well written and intriguing tale about a girl named Luna and her experiences that lead her to be a part of the Circle of Seven. Wojtaszek weaves a rich tale that draws you in and makes you want more. While a short novel, the story is full and complete. I always enjoy a good fairy/folk tale retelling and this appeared to fit the bill from the description. This was't exactly that, but I enjoyed it regardless.
My only disappointment was the promise of a Hansel and Gretel retelling. The book begins when the children show up, but then regresses into the past how Luna got to that point of her life. It's more in line with Disney's Maleficent than a strict retelling.
I will likely be tracking down the other books in this series as Wojtaszek has a quality of writing that is enjoyable to read. Overall a good 3.5 stars.
April 6, 2016
*I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest opinion*
This book was so, so good. The prose was beautiful. The characters were all excellent, as well. The plot was engaging. The magic was enchanting! This book was a standalone, so although I've never read the first book, I understood what was happening. There appear to be references to the first book in the series, and I know at least one character returns in this book. So if you have read the first book, this book will probably have more meaning to you. But if you haven't, you could still read and deeply enjoy this book as I have done.
This book was so, so good. The prose was beautiful. The characters were all excellent, as well. The plot was engaging. The magic was enchanting! This book was a standalone, so although I've never read the first book, I understood what was happening. There appear to be references to the first book in the series, and I know at least one character returns in this book. So if you have read the first book, this book will probably have more meaning to you. But if you haven't, you could still read and deeply enjoy this book as I have done.
April 19, 2016
Love the prose in this book as the author weaves the story from a new perspective back to the original characters in the first book. I haven't read a story so elegantly told by a modern author. Good job and excellent read.
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March 16, 2016Author Review
April 4, 2016
This was a well told fantasy YA novel, great plot, great characters, great action, I can't wait to read this again and again while passing this along to friends!
September 22, 2016
In Char, Kristina Wojtaszek creates a lush fairy tale world I would love to escape into, peopled with intriguing characters I would love to escape with!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews