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whatyoutolkienabout's review
I will start with an over simplification – this book is awesome. Aconyte and their roster have done it again. Before I get to the main review I want to say I absolutely love that Acoynte’s Marvel books deal with not only popular characters that everyone knows and loves but some of the lesser known ones that might not have had as much spotlight on them for a while and it makes me so happy. From Outlaw and Elsa Bloodstone to bringing in bad guys like Amora. On top of this we have the fact that Aconyte are publishing works dealing with Asgards other heroes and now Ghost Rider, two of my personal favourites.
The Witches is comprised of characters from older, some defunct titles (which I find extremely unfortunate). Jennifer Kale was a recurring character in Fear, Topaz was from Werewolf by Night (a personal favourite!) and Satana was from the Haunt of Horror magazine. They also had a run in 2004. In short they were cool characters with a lot of potential and thankfully Harris and Aconyte have delivered!
The story follows three extraordinary heroes who join forces with Johnny Blaze, aka The Ghost Rider to capture Luficer himself and return him back to hell. We join Johnny Blaze who has accidently released Lucifer from Hell, and obviously this poses a serious problem not only for him but the rest of the world. But hunting 666 fragments of Lucfiers soul now loose on earth, Johnny enlists the aid of witches Jennifer Kale, Satana Hellstrom and Topaz to track down one sliver of the demon which is possessing the body of Jennifer’s cousin, Magda. Meanwhile Lucifer is looking for the Tome of Zhered-Na, aiming to the realse the demon within its pages and unleash hell upon the world. As protectors of the Tome the witches aren’t going down without a fight. Working together, put their personal demons aside and above all trust the Ghost Rider to try and stop the King of Hell in his tracks.
Carrie Harris does not disappoint with this fast paced novel. It is a perfect mixture of serious, amusing and action. The characterisation was perfect and the trio’s personalities mixed so well, each bringing their own personality and demons to the table, creating a rather unstoppable force. I was kept hooked to the end and I have actually re-read this one already as well as ordering the physical copy. It is definitely a firm favourite and I have already recommended to my marvel and supernatural loving friends.
I honestly think this is one my top ten of 2021 – although about 90% of the top ten is from Aconyte at this rate! I cannot wait to see further work by Carrie Harris in the Marvel fandom and I am hoping that this fantastic novel with inspire a new wave of ‘Witches’ content within Marvel on a wider scale.
As always thank you to Aconyte and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
The Witches is comprised of characters from older, some defunct titles (which I find extremely unfortunate). Jennifer Kale was a recurring character in Fear, Topaz was from Werewolf by Night (a personal favourite!) and Satana was from the Haunt of Horror magazine. They also had a run in 2004. In short they were cool characters with a lot of potential and thankfully Harris and Aconyte have delivered!
The story follows three extraordinary heroes who join forces with Johnny Blaze, aka The Ghost Rider to capture Luficer himself and return him back to hell. We join Johnny Blaze who has accidently released Lucifer from Hell, and obviously this poses a serious problem not only for him but the rest of the world. But hunting 666 fragments of Lucfiers soul now loose on earth, Johnny enlists the aid of witches Jennifer Kale, Satana Hellstrom and Topaz to track down one sliver of the demon which is possessing the body of Jennifer’s cousin, Magda. Meanwhile Lucifer is looking for the Tome of Zhered-Na, aiming to the realse the demon within its pages and unleash hell upon the world. As protectors of the Tome the witches aren’t going down without a fight. Working together, put their personal demons aside and above all trust the Ghost Rider to try and stop the King of Hell in his tracks.
Carrie Harris does not disappoint with this fast paced novel. It is a perfect mixture of serious, amusing and action. The characterisation was perfect and the trio’s personalities mixed so well, each bringing their own personality and demons to the table, creating a rather unstoppable force. I was kept hooked to the end and I have actually re-read this one already as well as ordering the physical copy. It is definitely a firm favourite and I have already recommended to my marvel and supernatural loving friends.
I honestly think this is one my top ten of 2021 – although about 90% of the top ten is from Aconyte at this rate! I cannot wait to see further work by Carrie Harris in the Marvel fandom and I am hoping that this fantastic novel with inspire a new wave of ‘Witches’ content within Marvel on a wider scale.
As always thank you to Aconyte and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
cattreadwell's review
5.0
This was the first book I read by Carrie Harris. She's now a social-media friend and must-by author, as a result of this book. Spoiler-warning - I love it!
I had no real knowledge of the magical protagonists before picking this up (and would recommend the publisher include a brief bio of such lesser-known Marvel characters in future), but Ghost Rider was definitely familiar to me. And this version was so much of an improvement on the movie version!
Oh, where to start... ok. Magic, lots of. And demons. Strong female protagonists - check. Inventive and human characters, despite their supernatural or superhuman origins/abilities. A crazy, out-of-control amusement park: yup.
This book grabbed me in its tone. I researched the characters afterwards and found out more, but you don't need to do that; the book gives you everything you need to know. Life with powers and demonic history isn't easy. The Marvel movies only hint at the issues these folk have, but this story allows them to come to life as far more than just 'heroes'.
I genuinely cared for what happened. I sympathised with them all (including Ghost Rider - amazingly!). I absolutely want to see more of them working together again. It's comic-books, anything could happen!
I've not mentioned the story, which is a great adventure, but that's because it's the characters that held me along the way. I'll certainly be returning to reread in the future, and have bought myself a physical copy of the book to make sure.
A big Buy It. Go. Now!
I had no real knowledge of the magical protagonists before picking this up (and would recommend the publisher include a brief bio of such lesser-known Marvel characters in future), but Ghost Rider was definitely familiar to me. And this version was so much of an improvement on the movie version!
Oh, where to start... ok. Magic, lots of. And demons. Strong female protagonists - check. Inventive and human characters, despite their supernatural or superhuman origins/abilities. A crazy, out-of-control amusement park: yup.
This book grabbed me in its tone. I researched the characters afterwards and found out more, but you don't need to do that; the book gives you everything you need to know. Life with powers and demonic history isn't easy. The Marvel movies only hint at the issues these folk have, but this story allows them to come to life as far more than just 'heroes'.
I genuinely cared for what happened. I sympathised with them all (including Ghost Rider - amazingly!). I absolutely want to see more of them working together again. It's comic-books, anything could happen!
I've not mentioned the story, which is a great adventure, but that's because it's the characters that held me along the way. I'll certainly be returning to reread in the future, and have bought myself a physical copy of the book to make sure.
A big Buy It. Go. Now!
jdalton's review
5.0
Thank you Netgalley and Aconyte books for review copy of this book.
Ghost rider is one of those characters I remember reading comics and watching in the movie, so this book was like visiting an old memory and smiling while I read it.
But of course the best part were the main character wishes, and how close the girls like sisters, despite not having a blood relation.
And of course it’s set in the Marvel universe which is one of my favorite pieces of entertainment out there.
Ghost rider is one of those characters I remember reading comics and watching in the movie, so this book was like visiting an old memory and smiling while I read it.
But of course the best part were the main character wishes, and how close the girls like sisters, despite not having a blood relation.
And of course it’s set in the Marvel universe which is one of my favorite pieces of entertainment out there.
lachelnreadingbookss's review
4.0
(This book was given me to read in exchange for an honest review)
Heavenly, Mortal, and Demonic
When Johnny Blaze finds himself escaping Hell, he doesn't realize he let out the prince of darkness out into the world.
Lucifer always having a plan to stay ahead of the penance seeking spirit of the Ghost Rider, Zanathos, breaks his soul into 666 fragments, each inhabiting a mortal or mystic on earth.
Soon Johnny Blaze realizes his escape allowed Lucifer to find a way into the earth plain. And bearing all fault to the crime, he vows to send all 666 fragments of Lucifer's soul back to burn in Hell.
His impeccable sense of smell enhanced by the Ghost Rider points him in the direction of a distant relative living in Salem.
In Salem, three polar opposites witches find themselves together, buffering each ones personality and getting to call each other Home after 5 years of fighting side by side and fighting against each other.
Satana Hellstrom, a half mortal, half demoness, with a raging temper walking the thing rope of fear of being caged again.
Jennifer Kale, a sorceress, tied to one of the most powerful magic books of forgotten spells, drifts between her responsibility to protect her family's oath and the guilt of the death of another Kale.
Topaz, an empath with a broken heart, trying to find her place in the world.
But when Johnny Blaze comes knocking on their door, asking for help to defeat the final fragment of Lucifer's soul possessing a possible Kale.
The bond between the sisters is threatened and when hope begins to slip away, trust becomes a flicker of light they all try to grasp.
I was excited to experience each of the characters.
"Topaz and I are polar opposites. You help bridge the gap..."
The way Satana is hot headed and Topaz is able to act as an empathic anchor for her and how Jennifer is the level headed among the group bringing some sort of balance for all of them.
There was also this easy way to follow the plot when you get the chance to experience the story from each character. The fear of Jennifer, the guilt of Satana, the doubt of Topaz and the regret of Johnny.
Each character has this bag of personal traumatic experience they had to learn to grow around and forgive themselves inorder to find the courage to defeat the obstacles that stood before them.
Lucifer was the character you knew as the villain of the story, but all you got about him were the crumbs of memories Satana and Jonny fed you.
When he finally appeared, you realized that he was this playful insane demon. He was good with humor and manipulation but ultimately a part of you realized that he could bring chaos and he wasn't shy about working out his powers.
Witches Unleashed was a ride for me. Definitely enjoyed this one.
#Marvel #MarvelEnt #Aconytebooks #review
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
Thank you Aconyte Books and Netgalley for gifting me an Advanced Reading Copy.
Heavenly, Mortal, and Demonic
When Johnny Blaze finds himself escaping Hell, he doesn't realize he let out the prince of darkness out into the world.
Lucifer always having a plan to stay ahead of the penance seeking spirit of the Ghost Rider, Zanathos, breaks his soul into 666 fragments, each inhabiting a mortal or mystic on earth.
Soon Johnny Blaze realizes his escape allowed Lucifer to find a way into the earth plain. And bearing all fault to the crime, he vows to send all 666 fragments of Lucifer's soul back to burn in Hell.
His impeccable sense of smell enhanced by the Ghost Rider points him in the direction of a distant relative living in Salem.
In Salem, three polar opposites witches find themselves together, buffering each ones personality and getting to call each other Home after 5 years of fighting side by side and fighting against each other.
Satana Hellstrom, a half mortal, half demoness, with a raging temper walking the thing rope of fear of being caged again.
Jennifer Kale, a sorceress, tied to one of the most powerful magic books of forgotten spells, drifts between her responsibility to protect her family's oath and the guilt of the death of another Kale.
Topaz, an empath with a broken heart, trying to find her place in the world.
But when Johnny Blaze comes knocking on their door, asking for help to defeat the final fragment of Lucifer's soul possessing a possible Kale.
The bond between the sisters is threatened and when hope begins to slip away, trust becomes a flicker of light they all try to grasp.
I was excited to experience each of the characters.
"Topaz and I are polar opposites. You help bridge the gap..."
The way Satana is hot headed and Topaz is able to act as an empathic anchor for her and how Jennifer is the level headed among the group bringing some sort of balance for all of them.
There was also this easy way to follow the plot when you get the chance to experience the story from each character. The fear of Jennifer, the guilt of Satana, the doubt of Topaz and the regret of Johnny.
Each character has this bag of personal traumatic experience they had to learn to grow around and forgive themselves inorder to find the courage to defeat the obstacles that stood before them.
Lucifer was the character you knew as the villain of the story, but all you got about him were the crumbs of memories Satana and Jonny fed you.
When he finally appeared, you realized that he was this playful insane demon. He was good with humor and manipulation but ultimately a part of you realized that he could bring chaos and he wasn't shy about working out his powers.
Witches Unleashed was a ride for me. Definitely enjoyed this one.
#Marvel #MarvelEnt #Aconytebooks #review
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
Thank you Aconyte Books and Netgalley for gifting me an Advanced Reading Copy.
ladyreading365's review
4.0
Wow another brilliant Mavel story. This book was action packed, gripping and a page turner of a novel. I was hooked from the very beginning. I really liked how the characters who haven't always seen eye too eye were forced to come together against a common enemy. The novel was so engaging and gave me a few late nights trying to read as much as I could. I loved the story line, with the actions and emotions behind the characters. The unexpected nature of this book made it difficult to predict. I loved the ending so much and I found elements of it rather surprising.
It was really nice to read a novel set mainly around female characters of Marvel and the fact that were are introduced to the witches as they haven't featured in any other books I have read as I prefer books to comic's . I enjoyed reading about how they created their powers as its not your normal superhero action. I like the connection that Dr Strange put them together and their development into a family was fascinating to see.
Many thanks to the author and publishers for bringing us this exciting action packed unique marvel instalment and look forward to reading many more.
It was really nice to read a novel set mainly around female characters of Marvel and the fact that were are introduced to the witches as they haven't featured in any other books I have read as I prefer books to comic's . I enjoyed reading about how they created their powers as its not your normal superhero action. I like the connection that Dr Strange put them together and their development into a family was fascinating to see.
Many thanks to the author and publishers for bringing us this exciting action packed unique marvel instalment and look forward to reading many more.
fantasybooknerd01's review
4.0
Devilshly good, Witches Unleashed is the latest from Aconyte’s Marvels Untold range and features Ghost Rider as its celebrity driver.
As well as Ghost Rider, Carrie Harris brings in three witches, Jennifer Kale, Toapz and Satana to give Ghost Rider some magical clout as he has to recapture the 666 fragments of Lucifer’s soul, which he inadvertently let escape from his fiery confines when the Ghost Rider escaped from Hell’s clutches.
Up until now, Johnny Blaze and his demonic occupant Zarathos, have bee doing pretty well , and have sent about 650 (odd) fragments on their way back to the fiery nether regions, but when he finds out that the latest fragment has gone and lodged itself in one of Jennifer Kale’s relatives and most likely has magical powers (in addition to his hellish ones!), he knows he is out of his depth and enlists the help of the sisters Lefay.
In reality, the sisters Lefay are not sisters, but as they are residing in Salem, they have adopted the name after they were brought together by Doctor Strange and are now running a magical shop in the town, in order to keep their cover and live as normal a life as possible. That is until Johnny Blaze comes a – knocking.
Now, I have to say that I have been really enjoying what Aconyte books have been doing with the Marvel books and letting writers bring their own individuality to the stories that they are putting out. However, I also admire the fact that they are not relying on the canon heroes to bolster these titles, but are bringing in some of the more unheard of characters in the Marvel Universe.
In Witches Unleashed, Carrie Harris does a fantastic job of bringing the sisters Lefay into the universe, and I must say for me, they were the stars of the book. From the moment that they enter into the story, the narrative just lights up. Firstly, there is Satana, a half demonic succubus who besides learning to curb her demonic side, is also embracing her human side and the difficulties of living with others. Then there is Jennifer Kale, the level headed studious type, who is coming to terms with the loss of her brother Andrew, killed by the demonic force Hellphyr. Who she guards in the book that she protects, The Tome of Zherad – Na. And finally, there is Topaz, the beating heart of the group. Who with her empathic powers carefully takes care of the group.
I read this at the speed of light and quite simply couldn’t put it down. I loved the Lefay sisters. If you like a found family trope then this has it in buckets. The sisters fight together (each other and everyone else), care for each other and laugh together. They all have such a big heart and this comes through constantly.
Granted, Jennifer can get a little annoying at times, and Topaz a little cloying. However, they all grow in the book and each have a good character arc, but for me Topaz is the one that has the best of the arcs, and I couldn’t help warming to her the most. Apart form all this, the three witches interact well with each other and the interplay between them is handled with such dexterity that even Johnny and his demon warm to their cozy little family life.
You cannot help but like Witches unleashed, it is just infectiously good fun that is written with a blisteringly fast paced that never lets up for a minute, and Carrie Harris manages to balance to balance the book perfectly with good characterisation and an action filled plot. Well worth a read!
As well as Ghost Rider, Carrie Harris brings in three witches, Jennifer Kale, Toapz and Satana to give Ghost Rider some magical clout as he has to recapture the 666 fragments of Lucifer’s soul, which he inadvertently let escape from his fiery confines when the Ghost Rider escaped from Hell’s clutches.
Up until now, Johnny Blaze and his demonic occupant Zarathos, have bee doing pretty well , and have sent about 650 (odd) fragments on their way back to the fiery nether regions, but when he finds out that the latest fragment has gone and lodged itself in one of Jennifer Kale’s relatives and most likely has magical powers (in addition to his hellish ones!), he knows he is out of his depth and enlists the help of the sisters Lefay.
In reality, the sisters Lefay are not sisters, but as they are residing in Salem, they have adopted the name after they were brought together by Doctor Strange and are now running a magical shop in the town, in order to keep their cover and live as normal a life as possible. That is until Johnny Blaze comes a – knocking.
Now, I have to say that I have been really enjoying what Aconyte books have been doing with the Marvel books and letting writers bring their own individuality to the stories that they are putting out. However, I also admire the fact that they are not relying on the canon heroes to bolster these titles, but are bringing in some of the more unheard of characters in the Marvel Universe.
In Witches Unleashed, Carrie Harris does a fantastic job of bringing the sisters Lefay into the universe, and I must say for me, they were the stars of the book. From the moment that they enter into the story, the narrative just lights up. Firstly, there is Satana, a half demonic succubus who besides learning to curb her demonic side, is also embracing her human side and the difficulties of living with others. Then there is Jennifer Kale, the level headed studious type, who is coming to terms with the loss of her brother Andrew, killed by the demonic force Hellphyr. Who she guards in the book that she protects, The Tome of Zherad – Na. And finally, there is Topaz, the beating heart of the group. Who with her empathic powers carefully takes care of the group.
I read this at the speed of light and quite simply couldn’t put it down. I loved the Lefay sisters. If you like a found family trope then this has it in buckets. The sisters fight together (each other and everyone else), care for each other and laugh together. They all have such a big heart and this comes through constantly.
Granted, Jennifer can get a little annoying at times, and Topaz a little cloying. However, they all grow in the book and each have a good character arc, but for me Topaz is the one that has the best of the arcs, and I couldn’t help warming to her the most. Apart form all this, the three witches interact well with each other and the interplay between them is handled with such dexterity that even Johnny and his demon warm to their cozy little family life.
You cannot help but like Witches unleashed, it is just infectiously good fun that is written with a blisteringly fast paced that never lets up for a minute, and Carrie Harris manages to balance to balance the book perfectly with good characterisation and an action filled plot. Well worth a read!
quirkycatsfatstacks's review
4.0
Yay! It's time for the next Marvel Untold novel! I'm not ashamed to admit that I've been actively looking forward to each and every one of these releases—especially Witches Unleashed by Carrie Harris.
Johnny Blaze, aka the Ghost Rider, just made a huge mistake. He unintentionally released Lucifer from his prison – Hell. Now he's loose, and Johnny is going to have to gather up each piece of his soul to get him back where he belongs.
Enter the help of Jennifer Kale, Satana Hellstorm, and Topaz. Together, these four will take on Lucifer and stop him before his plans come to fruition – or else.
If you're a fan of Ghost Rider, then you're going to love the novelization of the Marvel character and all of the chaos he brings with him. Carrie Harris did a fantastic job capturing the core elements of his journey in Witches Unleashed.
I love the Marvel novels as they give us a chance to see new stories, but in a slightly different light (different forms of media can do that). More than that, it gives different authors a chance to shine. Gotta love that!
Anyway, moving on with the actual review now: I absolutely adored that they had Ghost Rider team up with three different (and relatively well-known) Marvel witches for this story. Obviously, the title made at least some of that fairly obvious, but I'm not complaining!
Witches Unleashed read like a fun adventure, with a bit of room for cheese, humor, and other antics to help balance out the every rising tension of Lucifer being on the loose.
Thanks to Aconyte and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Johnny Blaze, aka the Ghost Rider, just made a huge mistake. He unintentionally released Lucifer from his prison – Hell. Now he's loose, and Johnny is going to have to gather up each piece of his soul to get him back where he belongs.
Enter the help of Jennifer Kale, Satana Hellstorm, and Topaz. Together, these four will take on Lucifer and stop him before his plans come to fruition – or else.
If you're a fan of Ghost Rider, then you're going to love the novelization of the Marvel character and all of the chaos he brings with him. Carrie Harris did a fantastic job capturing the core elements of his journey in Witches Unleashed.
I love the Marvel novels as they give us a chance to see new stories, but in a slightly different light (different forms of media can do that). More than that, it gives different authors a chance to shine. Gotta love that!
Anyway, moving on with the actual review now: I absolutely adored that they had Ghost Rider team up with three different (and relatively well-known) Marvel witches for this story. Obviously, the title made at least some of that fairly obvious, but I'm not complaining!
Witches Unleashed read like a fun adventure, with a bit of room for cheese, humor, and other antics to help balance out the every rising tension of Lucifer being on the loose.
Thanks to Aconyte and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
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