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Fireside Magic
Dare to venture beyond the glass, where stories hold a mirror to our shadows...
In this sinister and spellbinding world, the veil between mortal and supernatural, magic and evil, and beauty and horror is stretched to its thinnest.
Blood-relatives are not who they seem, black metal and witchcraft weave a rite of spring, a girl-child is blessed by a blackthorn bush, and Nicnevin, Queen of the Hags, invades the dreams of the lost.
But beware the danger found within books, for once you behold your true reflection can you ever look away?
In these pages prowl forgotten goddesses, shape-shifting hares, and merciless grandmothers.
For those who find solace in dark folklore and the restless tug of the seasons.
'Fireside Magic' is the sequel to the collection of stories set in the uncanny, shadow Scotland first introduced in 'Fireside Fairy Tales'.
In this sinister and spellbinding world, the veil between mortal and supernatural, magic and evil, and beauty and horror is stretched to its thinnest.
Blood-relatives are not who they seem, black metal and witchcraft weave a rite of spring, a girl-child is blessed by a blackthorn bush, and Nicnevin, Queen of the Hags, invades the dreams of the lost.
But beware the danger found within books, for once you behold your true reflection can you ever look away?
In these pages prowl forgotten goddesses, shape-shifting hares, and merciless grandmothers.
For those who find solace in dark folklore and the restless tug of the seasons.
'Fireside Magic' is the sequel to the collection of stories set in the uncanny, shadow Scotland first introduced in 'Fireside Fairy Tales'.
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Published November 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 7, 2022
Fireside Magic, written by Kate MacRitchie, is a spellbinding collection of short stories. Like her first book, Fireside Fairy Tales, Fireside Magic has everything to conquer magical and wild hearts: dreamy atmospheres, family relationships, wonderful characters...
These five tales will murmur their spell long after the last page. Her tales are always a mighty antidote to comfort the soul.
Kate's poetic writing never ceases to fascinate me.
These five tales will murmur their spell long after the last page. Her tales are always a mighty antidote to comfort the soul.
Kate's poetic writing never ceases to fascinate me.
December 16, 2022
Following on from the longing and lyricism of Fireside Tales, here are five stories that look at the darker side of femininity.
Auntie Hare
Georgie is intrigued by tales of her aunt, rumoured both to be a witch who can turn into a hare, and a fat, lonely spinster. Auntie Lina is turning fifty and she's holding a party. Her family is spiteful, suspicious and determined to be boring, but when Georgie finally meets her aunt, her longing for a bit of magic in her life is realised. The squabbling of the family is nicely contrasted with the enchantment of the party and of the sight of the hare at the end.
Granny Black
Two girls have a new after-school carer in a grandmother they barely knew before, who has a reputation as a witch. Their other granny, who's passed away from cancer, wasn't anything like her. Is Granny Black the reason they can't keep down any food she hasn't made for them herself? What's going on the nights they're told to keep to their rooms? Why is any furniture with a mirror swathed in cloth? Kayleigh fears that there's something dark in her that responds to Granny Black's malice, that acknowledges that maybe the constant sickness that's weakening the girls is necessary to purge her. As each member of her family disappears, it's just Kayleigh and Granny Black – and Granny Black's terrifying guests…
The Raven Knight
Ellie is tormented in her sleep by a nightmare in the form of a hag. By day, depression weighs her down. If her childhood friend from the world of the fairies who guards her can't help her, who can?
Blackthorn Winter
When Fiona was a baby, her finger pricked a blackthorn. Ever since, she's been different from the rest of her family, relishing the winter, miserable at the pressure growing on her to marry. Set some time in the past, this one has all the feel of an old folktale, mysterious and bittersweet.
The Coming of Bride
A novelette. Bridget adores Arthurian and Greek mythology, and is really looking forward to an academic retreat. But the speaker can't make it at the last minute, and worse still, Bridget's first enemy from school is there too. Not just that – the house is reputedly haunted by the witches whose lives were taken by the local Sheriff before he also took their home for his own. Bridget's anger with her own situation boils over and she calls on the spirits of the dead witches to help her.
So much to love here – the prose is as sharp and beautiful as a blackthorn branch, and the juxtaposition of tantalising magic and the dullness of everyday landscape is perfectly drawn. Every story is fascinating and surprising – watch out for that owl pellet in "The Coming of Bride"!), but I found Blackthorn Winter the most lyrical, Aunty Hare the most magical, and Granny Black the most terrifying – the menace grew and grew almost unbearably.
Auntie Hare
Georgie is intrigued by tales of her aunt, rumoured both to be a witch who can turn into a hare, and a fat, lonely spinster. Auntie Lina is turning fifty and she's holding a party. Her family is spiteful, suspicious and determined to be boring, but when Georgie finally meets her aunt, her longing for a bit of magic in her life is realised. The squabbling of the family is nicely contrasted with the enchantment of the party and of the sight of the hare at the end.
Granny Black
Two girls have a new after-school carer in a grandmother they barely knew before, who has a reputation as a witch. Their other granny, who's passed away from cancer, wasn't anything like her. Is Granny Black the reason they can't keep down any food she hasn't made for them herself? What's going on the nights they're told to keep to their rooms? Why is any furniture with a mirror swathed in cloth? Kayleigh fears that there's something dark in her that responds to Granny Black's malice, that acknowledges that maybe the constant sickness that's weakening the girls is necessary to purge her. As each member of her family disappears, it's just Kayleigh and Granny Black – and Granny Black's terrifying guests…
The Raven Knight
Ellie is tormented in her sleep by a nightmare in the form of a hag. By day, depression weighs her down. If her childhood friend from the world of the fairies who guards her can't help her, who can?
Blackthorn Winter
When Fiona was a baby, her finger pricked a blackthorn. Ever since, she's been different from the rest of her family, relishing the winter, miserable at the pressure growing on her to marry. Set some time in the past, this one has all the feel of an old folktale, mysterious and bittersweet.
The Coming of Bride
A novelette. Bridget adores Arthurian and Greek mythology, and is really looking forward to an academic retreat. But the speaker can't make it at the last minute, and worse still, Bridget's first enemy from school is there too. Not just that – the house is reputedly haunted by the witches whose lives were taken by the local Sheriff before he also took their home for his own. Bridget's anger with her own situation boils over and she calls on the spirits of the dead witches to help her.
So much to love here – the prose is as sharp and beautiful as a blackthorn branch, and the juxtaposition of tantalising magic and the dullness of everyday landscape is perfectly drawn. Every story is fascinating and surprising – watch out for that owl pellet in "The Coming of Bride"!), but I found Blackthorn Winter the most lyrical, Aunty Hare the most magical, and Granny Black the most terrifying – the menace grew and grew almost unbearably.
December 8, 2022
What an enchanting collection of stories! Drawing from folklore and a deliciously dark imagination, these five stories charmed and delighted me from beginning to end. The prose was poetic and lyrical, drawing me into a world where the oldest of magic still holds enough power to seep through the veil to the dull sterility of modern society. The pacing and flow of the stories was superb, with each playing a crucial part to the work as a whole. My favorites were Granny Black and The Coming of Brìde.
Auntie Hare
An unnerving tale that questions the line between the humdrum and the fantastical. It's the perfect opener for the book.
Granny Black
The atmosphere and overall creepy effects of Granny's house are very well done. References to wild ancient times of wolves and forests and hunters make it a captivating tale about the nature of wildness vs. civilization.
The Raven Knight
Children's games of fantasy lead to another world of uncanny beings...whose presence may be a curse or a blessing.
Blackthorn Winter
A lovely historical story with the feel of an old, old folktale. It sets the stage for the final story of the book...
The Coming of Brìde
...a tour de force featuring a mysterious house, two enchantingly odd heroines, a long dead coven of witches, and one very unusual album. I loved the juxtaposition of classical Greek mythology to Celtic mythology, and the way the heroine feels a physical pull to the tales of her ancestors was so very real and visceral. Reminiscent of favorites such as The Perilous Gard, I devoured this story and didn't want it to end.
Auntie Hare
An unnerving tale that questions the line between the humdrum and the fantastical. It's the perfect opener for the book.
Granny Black
The atmosphere and overall creepy effects of Granny's house are very well done. References to wild ancient times of wolves and forests and hunters make it a captivating tale about the nature of wildness vs. civilization.
The Raven Knight
Children's games of fantasy lead to another world of uncanny beings...whose presence may be a curse or a blessing.
Blackthorn Winter
A lovely historical story with the feel of an old, old folktale. It sets the stage for the final story of the book...
The Coming of Brìde
...a tour de force featuring a mysterious house, two enchantingly odd heroines, a long dead coven of witches, and one very unusual album. I loved the juxtaposition of classical Greek mythology to Celtic mythology, and the way the heroine feels a physical pull to the tales of her ancestors was so very real and visceral. Reminiscent of favorites such as The Perilous Gard, I devoured this story and didn't want it to end.
December 7, 2022
Oh I was so enchanted by this book! Kate's writing is so whimsical and captures both the beauty and melancholia of the world, which resonated with me as I read each story. A few of them finished a little abruptly for me (mostly because I selfishly wanted to stay with the characters longer😂), but they really felt like little fairytales, folklore woven into modern settings but with a vintage feel. The characterisation and settings just enveloped me in each world, with an emotional arc for each main character even in such a short amount of space.
I recommend it to other poetic souls out there who seek to spot the magic in life and enjoy tales that are a little dark but hopeful, and prompt you to ponder...
I recommend it to other poetic souls out there who seek to spot the magic in life and enjoy tales that are a little dark but hopeful, and prompt you to ponder...
December 11, 2022
As she did in Fireside Tales, Kate MacRitchie writes five tales full of magic, witchcraft, history, and family dynamics. They are richly atmospheric. The past intercepts with the present.
I became instantly invested in each of the main characters, partly because I could relate to them easily. As someone who dreams of visiting Scotland someday, I felt like this book transported me there in a darkly delightful way.
This volume is a bit darker than the author's previous stories, but the book ends on a positive note. While some of the tales were a bit gloomier and unhappier than I prefer to read, there are elements in each story that I'll never forget, and I'll be mulling them over for a long time. MacRitchie has clearly put her heart, soul, and magic into this collection, and the reader certainly benefits.
I became instantly invested in each of the main characters, partly because I could relate to them easily. As someone who dreams of visiting Scotland someday, I felt like this book transported me there in a darkly delightful way.
This volume is a bit darker than the author's previous stories, but the book ends on a positive note. While some of the tales were a bit gloomier and unhappier than I prefer to read, there are elements in each story that I'll never forget, and I'll be mulling them over for a long time. MacRitchie has clearly put her heart, soul, and magic into this collection, and the reader certainly benefits.
December 28, 2022
Another amazing book! Kate’s stories are full of magic and soul, transporting you to incredible places, presenting mystical creatures and protagonists you can’t help but root for. This second installment of the Fireside Tales Treasury brings darker stories who are as enchanting and crisp as the long cold nights of winter - a perfect read for this time (or any other) of the year! I’m already eagerly waiting for the next volume 🖤
March 1, 2023
There’s a darker edge to these stories than those in Fireside Fairy Tales. Evocative, visceral and with the chill of a winter’s night, Kate’s writing draws you into these tales steeped in old and wild magic and refuses to let you go. The last story, The Coming of Brìde, was a particular treat, being a novella, and I could have happily stayed with that story and those beautifully drawn characters for a long, long time!
March 15, 2023
Captivating and utterly spellbinding. MacRitchie writes with a haunting lyricism that both draws you in and leaves you rattled in the best possible way. Dark folklore at it's finest, a book of tales I'll read again and again. I will devour anything this brilliant author writes.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews