Sea Witch

By: Sarah Henning

Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown

Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Wicked meets The Little Mermaid in the captivating origin story of the sea's most iconic villainess, perfect for fans of Heartless and Dorothy Must Die.

Ever since her best friend Anna died, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. Hiding her talents, mourning her loss, drowning in her guilt.

Then a girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears on the shore, and the two girls catch the eyes of two charming princes. Suddenly Evie feels like she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after. 

But magic isn’t kind, and her new friend harbors secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad - or on two legs - without Evie’s help. And when Evie reaches deep into the power of her magic to save her friend’s humanity - and her prince’s heart - she discovers, too late, what she’s bargained away.

©2018 HarperCollins Publishers (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Very Very slow story. I wouldn't recommend it

I'm still not sure how I feel about this story. It took me forever to finish it but I had to finish it. Very slow, the narrators voice put me to sleep almost every time. Very calming voice so I'm not really complaining about that. This story was just so drawn out and when things finally pick up it was hard for me to follow the twist. It just didn't seem natural. And knowing this was an imagining of Ursula's beginning, it was just hard to grasp. I don't see how this character, who was kind and good and treated so poorly, could become the sea witch we know in the movie. It was creative but really hard to be excited to pick up again and keep going. I would not recommend this book to a friend. I really wanted to love this book but I didn't. So many flawed characters!

The characters will annoy you

I struggled to finish this book just because the characters annoyed me so much. The idea of the story is a good one, but I wish it were written differently with more evolved and mature characters. I won't recommend for anyone over the age of 16 and even that's a bit of a stretch.

I love retellings but this one falls short

it was a struggle to finish this retelling of the little mermaid. While I appreciated the references to the original fairy tale, the twists (which will remain nameless to avoid spoilers) were confused - had me preoccupied more with trying to make sense of the plot then with listening to the story unfold. i was very dissapointed - felt like a very forced attempt to create a back story for the sea witch

A Surprising Book

I am just very torn about this book. On one hand, the story stayed with me. A sign it was good and I connected to it. The ending was really sad and amazing! I won’t look at Ursula the same again. On the other hand, it was slow, cliched, and simple. The last part redeemed this book in my eyes. I get all the hate, but it was actually good!

Interesting

It started out kind of slow, but I did find it interesting that she told certain events from multiple views.There were points that I was, in general, a bit bored. Definitely didn't see the ending coming. In all, I really liked the story. I love the stories that tell the villains' side. I'm excited for more from Sarah Henning.

Surprising Good

It was slow start, even after the first death. But man,what a great twist. After ,I'm sure I'm not alone, knowing the original and the santized Disney version, I kept thinking and guessing how this would play out. I was wrong.
I met Sarah Henning at a DC signing if this but I'll,she gave no spoilers,but u did use rich culture from the Danes and it was throughout the story,which did add a little authenticity to her version of the Sea, a Prince, a Little Mermaid and the Sea Witch.

Origin story: The Little Mermaid's Sea Witch

Definitely a winner for those who enjoy fairy tale retellings from a skewed or shadow perspective.

Narration was spot on, reading with clear, pleasant tones, using distinct character voices. It felt as if Billie Fulford-Brown stepped out of the way to let the story tell itself but with their own voice. I'd listen to them reading again on another title.

Delightfully, the plot was not entirely predictable--even with the outcome known (hello, origin story!). The story's characters both filled their storybook role and also had unique qualities. Overall, the book was a pleasure, with strong story telling, likeable characters, and good writing. I look forward to reading other books by Henning.

If you enjoy the sideways twist on a classic, if you enjoy speculative fiction employing magic in a pre-tech world, give this one a try. You too might find yourself coming back to listen in each free moment, until all too soon the magical ride comes to its satisfying conclusion.

Beautifully tragic new angle of a classic!

This prologue to the classic “Little Mermaid” is slow moving at first but still enjoyable. Great narrator. If you like the original Hans Anderson story, this is for you!

Loved it

This was amazing. Not only in the writing and mesmerizing storytelling, but the couldn’t have been better matched. I love all stories of mermaid and have special interest in anything written from the sea witch’s point of view/backstory. Just beautiful.

original storyline

loved the originality of the storyline. I wanted more. Not the traditional little mermaid, but more true to the intent of the original storyline.