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Legend of the Dreamer #1.1
The Witch's Curse
Before Kate met Calum in Light of the Moon, Magda met Samuel.
Magda cannot stop her heart from running rampant with the beating drum of love. Whenever her eyes find Samuel, she can feel the pull of strings so vividly alive against her heart. But for Magda, love goes against fate; her destiny as a witch forbids her to need anything but the dark binds of magic. Soon, the witch’s curse begins to call to Magda. To deny her love for Samuel would be unthinkable, but to defy her destiny would be impossible. Before the curse can consume her, Magda must decide between Samuel and destiny, and her heart may beat too savagely for anyone to stop.
The Witch’s Curse is an e-format prequel short story in the Legend of the Dreamer series.
Magda cannot stop her heart from running rampant with the beating drum of love. Whenever her eyes find Samuel, she can feel the pull of strings so vividly alive against her heart. But for Magda, love goes against fate; her destiny as a witch forbids her to need anything but the dark binds of magic. Soon, the witch’s curse begins to call to Magda. To deny her love for Samuel would be unthinkable, but to defy her destiny would be impossible. Before the curse can consume her, Magda must decide between Samuel and destiny, and her heart may beat too savagely for anyone to stop.
The Witch’s Curse is an e-format prequel short story in the Legend of the Dreamer series.
- GenresFantasyShort Stories
42 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2012
6 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
David James
6 books189 followersDavid James writes books about stars and kisses and curses. He is the author of the YA novel, LIGHT OF THE MOON, the first book in the Legend of the Dreamer duet, as well as the companion novellas, THE WITCH'S CURSE and THE WARRIOR’S CODE. A Legend of the Dreamer anthology, SHADES OF THE STARS, was released July 2013, and includes the exclusive novella, THE ENCHANTER'S FIRE. BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY is his first contemporary novel for young adults. Living in Michigan, he is addicted to coffee, gummy things, and sarcastic comments. David enjoys bad movies, goofy moments, and shivery nights. Be sure to visit David’s blog at djamesauthor.blogspot.com and facebook at facebook.com/djamesauthor to learn more about his various addictions and novels.
Goodreads Note: The books starred on my Goodreads profile are books I've loved enough to give 5 stars.
Goodreads Note: The books starred on my Goodreads profile are books I've loved enough to give 5 stars.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 11, 2013
David James did it again. Yet another story that left me absolutely entranced. This companion short story to Light of the Moon was beautifully written. David has a way of making a story come alive with his wonderfully descriptive and poetic writing style. This short story was a continuation of love and darkness and was absolute perfection! In The Witch's Curse, the reader learns how Magda came to her "fate" of the witch in Light of the Moon. It seems to me (and it is only speculative, as I have not discussed it with the author) that the author uses this story to reiterate that life is not 100% fate, we make our choices and have to live with the consequences of those choices. It seems that when someone is told that an outcome is their fate, they make choices that lead in that direction. Some characters have the courage to change their fate and some do not. This short story was a wonderful character development for Magda. It helps the reader to understand what/where Magda came from and what decisions put her in the position she was in in Light of the Moon. I absolutely CANNOT WAIT for Shadow of the Sun to find out if Kate has the courage to choose love and change her fate. Thank you David James for this phenomenal addition the the Legend of the Dreamer series.
December 18, 2012
I LOVED The Witch's Curse.
Yet again, David's writing drew me in to the point I couldn't have stopped even if I'd wanted to. I really felt all of Magda's emotions, and I actually cried at one point.
His poetic way with words makes this novella worth reading if, you're like me, and usually avoid books under 20,000 words. You feel like you're actually in Magda's world. At least, I did.
And uh.. Samuel. Is he not just the most romantic guy, EVER? Can I get a swoon, someone?
(Calum, you have competition.)
Every emotion and feeling in this novella was so real and tangible I could almost reach out and touch them with my own hands, and I certainly felt each one.
The only thing I would say is I think there could have been a bit more, but that might just be because I'm not a novella girl and I finished in fifteen to twenty minutes due to my crazy speed reading. Either that, or I just wanted some more Samuel Swoon.
Although I say that, I can't do anything other than give The Witch's Curse five stars because that's what it is - a five star story.
p.s - David, I now need the other books. Pronto. :)
Yet again, David's writing drew me in to the point I couldn't have stopped even if I'd wanted to. I really felt all of Magda's emotions, and I actually cried at one point.
His poetic way with words makes this novella worth reading if, you're like me, and usually avoid books under 20,000 words. You feel like you're actually in Magda's world. At least, I did.
And uh.. Samuel. Is he not just the most romantic guy, EVER? Can I get a swoon, someone?
(Calum, you have competition.)
Every emotion and feeling in this novella was so real and tangible I could almost reach out and touch them with my own hands, and I certainly felt each one.
The only thing I would say is I think there could have been a bit more, but that might just be because I'm not a novella girl and I finished in fifteen to twenty minutes due to my crazy speed reading. Either that, or I just wanted some more Samuel Swoon.
Although I say that, I can't do anything other than give The Witch's Curse five stars because that's what it is - a five star story.
p.s - David, I now need the other books. Pronto. :)
January 2, 2013
This proves that Light of the Moon was not a fluke. Solid, poetic and evocative writing. It also has me very worried for a certain set of star-crossed lovers. A very quick and enjoyable read.
December 19, 2012
"I have to believe in love."-Magda
So here's the thing that I love most about David James... No matter what words he chooses to speak they all make you feel. They all make your heart break a little more when something sad happens, when a choice has to be made. But the most amazing thing is, no matter what the words say there's always and underlying meaning. I wasn't sure I was going to read this book, not because I didn't want to, but because it's a Novella and they usually always leaving me wanting to know more. However I did want to know more about Magda and Samuel, but I was satisfied with what was told. Do I have questions or wonders? Of course but isn't that what makes a good book, good? Not knowing everything leaves something to the imagination, though David's imagination is amazing, I like to leave it up to my own to fill in the day to day's with Magda and Samuel.
"We are the same, Magda. You are my star, and I am yours." -Samuel
I fell in love with Calum in Light of the Moon, even Kate held a place close to my heart.. being honest I didn't care much for Magda. After reading The Witch's Curse made me understand her a whole lot more. Have I mentioned that I cried? Yea well I am a huge sap when it comes to characters in books. I form this bond somehow with all the character's I read about and when something sad happens to them I feel it to my core. That's what makes a great writer though. If they can convey the feelings to you, the reader, than they did their job.
"Our love is infinite."-Samuel
So David James congratulations on achieving something some people only dream of. You are able to convey to your readers what your characters are feeling and that's what makes you an amazing force in the world of literature. I can't wait to read what you write next.
I have to admit I highlighted so much in this Novella. lol. So many phrases spoke to me, touched me, but one of the best one's I have to say that hit home to me was this one:
"How can this world be all there is, Samuel? The sky is so vast, so infinite in darkness at night. How can there be nothing beyond what we can see?"-Magda
Sometimes we forget the possibilities of more than us being here. What if David is right? What if the stars hold the secret to something much more vast than we can comprehend? What if we are all just shells of something much bigger and greater? Maybe thats the message or lesson we have to learn. We are all but single stars shinning in a vast sky, but when we come together form constellations that mean so much more as a group, united.
So here's the thing that I love most about David James... No matter what words he chooses to speak they all make you feel. They all make your heart break a little more when something sad happens, when a choice has to be made. But the most amazing thing is, no matter what the words say there's always and underlying meaning. I wasn't sure I was going to read this book, not because I didn't want to, but because it's a Novella and they usually always leaving me wanting to know more. However I did want to know more about Magda and Samuel, but I was satisfied with what was told. Do I have questions or wonders? Of course but isn't that what makes a good book, good? Not knowing everything leaves something to the imagination, though David's imagination is amazing, I like to leave it up to my own to fill in the day to day's with Magda and Samuel.
"We are the same, Magda. You are my star, and I am yours." -Samuel
I fell in love with Calum in Light of the Moon, even Kate held a place close to my heart.. being honest I didn't care much for Magda. After reading The Witch's Curse made me understand her a whole lot more. Have I mentioned that I cried? Yea well I am a huge sap when it comes to characters in books. I form this bond somehow with all the character's I read about and when something sad happens to them I feel it to my core. That's what makes a great writer though. If they can convey the feelings to you, the reader, than they did their job.
"Our love is infinite."-Samuel
So David James congratulations on achieving something some people only dream of. You are able to convey to your readers what your characters are feeling and that's what makes you an amazing force in the world of literature. I can't wait to read what you write next.
I have to admit I highlighted so much in this Novella. lol. So many phrases spoke to me, touched me, but one of the best one's I have to say that hit home to me was this one:
"How can this world be all there is, Samuel? The sky is so vast, so infinite in darkness at night. How can there be nothing beyond what we can see?"-Magda
Sometimes we forget the possibilities of more than us being here. What if David is right? What if the stars hold the secret to something much more vast than we can comprehend? What if we are all just shells of something much bigger and greater? Maybe thats the message or lesson we have to learn. We are all but single stars shinning in a vast sky, but when we come together form constellations that mean so much more as a group, united.
April 17, 2013
“The stars shine so brightly before they die, Magda. And even after they blink away, we can still see them. Stars don’t fade like people do. In ways, they are forever pieces of an infinite sky. We are the same, Magda. You are my star, and I am yours. There might be a piece of our forever that we cannot see, but we must believe it’s there, waiting at the end.”
The Witch’s Curse is a beautifully written, and powerful story that I know will stay with me forever. A brilliant prequel to ‘Light of the Moon’ we see how the knowledge of fate and destiny can stand in the way of unbreakable love, and how not all lovers get their happy ending.
David James’ description of dark and light is inspiring, as we are reminded that all darkness has a light, and that in light, darkness always lurks beneath. This gives us hope that although Magda chose her path as a Witch she will still always remember that she is capable of love. Even as Magda began to descend into darkness, I loved how she still held hope that the next girl fated with Violet eyes would be stronger in the face of her destiny.
The story raises questions as to how much we can fight against destiny, and whether destiny is ever a real question. We see how Magda is raised with the belief that love and blood magic can never be mixed. A fact that is ingrained in her by her mother. It makes us question whether Magda would ever have been able to escape her destiny when any other path hadn’t been shown to her? What if her Father had stood by her Mother when he’d realised her fate? Would her Mother have still told her daughter that love was not possible?
A heartbreaking tale, we are left wondering whether Magda would have been able to escape her destiny if she’d tried.
A beautiful tale of destiny, love and heartbreak, that you can tell is written from the heart. 5 Stars and a definite recommended read.
The Witch’s Curse is a beautifully written, and powerful story that I know will stay with me forever. A brilliant prequel to ‘Light of the Moon’ we see how the knowledge of fate and destiny can stand in the way of unbreakable love, and how not all lovers get their happy ending.
David James’ description of dark and light is inspiring, as we are reminded that all darkness has a light, and that in light, darkness always lurks beneath. This gives us hope that although Magda chose her path as a Witch she will still always remember that she is capable of love. Even as Magda began to descend into darkness, I loved how she still held hope that the next girl fated with Violet eyes would be stronger in the face of her destiny.
The story raises questions as to how much we can fight against destiny, and whether destiny is ever a real question. We see how Magda is raised with the belief that love and blood magic can never be mixed. A fact that is ingrained in her by her mother. It makes us question whether Magda would ever have been able to escape her destiny when any other path hadn’t been shown to her? What if her Father had stood by her Mother when he’d realised her fate? Would her Mother have still told her daughter that love was not possible?
A heartbreaking tale, we are left wondering whether Magda would have been able to escape her destiny if she’d tried.
A beautiful tale of destiny, love and heartbreak, that you can tell is written from the heart. 5 Stars and a definite recommended read.
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February 17, 2013Courtesy of Smash Attack Reads
I am happy that David James decided to write Magda’s story. She is a very interesting character in Light of the Moon, and I was not expecting to get any background on her. I’m glad that I did, and it really added to the richness of her character. She is definitely a character that you won’t soon forget, and her personal story is one that will stay with you. This was a tough story. It was emotional and very personal and reminded me of the tough choices many people have to make on a daily basis. Choosing between love and destiny is one topic that really stands out in books, for me. How much will people fight for who they love? How far will they take it? Who will give in to fate and who will walk through fire and hell for love? Of course, this topic ties in heavily to the series, as a whole.
I read this short very quickly while on a cardio machine. It affected me at some parts, and was a bit difficult to get through while breathing heavily. I couldn’t stop, however, and let the emotion take me away. Hey, it helped me forget about the HELL that is cardio, so YAY for that. David James is a fabulous writer. I truly enjoy his prose and descriptive ways of weaving a story together. I think he has this beautiful, rich quality to his writing and I love his lyrical style.
I am happy that David James decided to write Magda’s story. She is a very interesting character in Light of the Moon, and I was not expecting to get any background on her. I’m glad that I did, and it really added to the richness of her character. She is definitely a character that you won’t soon forget, and her personal story is one that will stay with you. This was a tough story. It was emotional and very personal and reminded me of the tough choices many people have to make on a daily basis. Choosing between love and destiny is one topic that really stands out in books, for me. How much will people fight for who they love? How far will they take it? Who will give in to fate and who will walk through fire and hell for love? Of course, this topic ties in heavily to the series, as a whole.
I read this short very quickly while on a cardio machine. It affected me at some parts, and was a bit difficult to get through while breathing heavily. I couldn’t stop, however, and let the emotion take me away. Hey, it helped me forget about the HELL that is cardio, so YAY for that. David James is a fabulous writer. I truly enjoy his prose and descriptive ways of weaving a story together. I think he has this beautiful, rich quality to his writing and I love his lyrical style.
December 18, 2012
I LOVED THIS, and I am not a huge fan of short stories. But I was swept away from page one and wasn't released from the spell of this story even after I got to the end. Magda is a character that intrigued me in the full novel Light of the Moon. In The Witch's Curse, you meet Magda as a girl and follow her through her transformation. But more than that, the story is about love and ultimate sacrifice. And Samuel - I fell for him as he fell for Magda.
David has the ability to transport you to a different time and place, to sink you into his characters and make you experience their deepest emotions. This novella is a must-read if you read Light of the Moon. It's a must-read even if you didn't.
David has the ability to transport you to a different time and place, to sink you into his characters and make you experience their deepest emotions. This novella is a must-read if you read Light of the Moon. It's a must-read even if you didn't.
December 30, 2015
The author posted a teaser on Tuesday, "More than blood, I wanted him. 'Why did you want to know my name?' 'Because my heart needed a name to beat to.'" This showed up in my goodreads feed and caught my attention. I downloaded the kindle version for $0.99 and have to admit, it took my breath away. The story of a [cursed] witch who falls in love with a mortal and fights against her destiny in order to be with him. The writing is lyrical, and beautiful and emotional. I highly recommend this short story, which is based on characters from his larger work, Legend of the Dreamer.
December 18, 2012
:((((( poor Magda. And Samuel.
This little novella gives another insight into the curse that is the center of this series. Magda is a witch, destined to lose her love, her heart and fall into dark magic, practice blood magic.
Magda has basically accepted her family's heritage, her fate, and chose to not fight for her love.
I adore David James' poetic writing, and his unique way of creating a world that sucks you in.
This little novella gives another insight into the curse that is the center of this series. Magda is a witch, destined to lose her love, her heart and fall into dark magic, practice blood magic.
Magda has basically accepted her family's heritage, her fate, and chose to not fight for her love.
I adore David James' poetic writing, and his unique way of creating a world that sucks you in.
November 11, 2018
very good book
March 12, 2013
"Darkness, Blood Hunger, Not For Me"
I understand this author's audience is young adults. However, even though I read many great, meaningful YA books, this one is not one I can recommend. Magdaline is a 16-year old daughter of a dark witch, who will be destined to follow in her mother's dark path. A boy she has met from the "Warrior Clan," Samuel, appears to love her, and she has hope that she can love him also. However, her mother tells her there will not be love in her life, only blood, and that blood and love do not mix. Magdalina is doomed to live a life alone once her mother reveals the "Legend of the Dreamer" in two nights time. This short introductory to "Legend of the Dreamer" novel is written in a poetic, musical style. It can be very dark. I chose not to even finish reading this short story. The taste of blood does not appeal to me.
I understand this author's audience is young adults. However, even though I read many great, meaningful YA books, this one is not one I can recommend. Magdaline is a 16-year old daughter of a dark witch, who will be destined to follow in her mother's dark path. A boy she has met from the "Warrior Clan," Samuel, appears to love her, and she has hope that she can love him also. However, her mother tells her there will not be love in her life, only blood, and that blood and love do not mix. Magdalina is doomed to live a life alone once her mother reveals the "Legend of the Dreamer" in two nights time. This short introductory to "Legend of the Dreamer" novel is written in a poetic, musical style. It can be very dark. I chose not to even finish reading this short story. The taste of blood does not appeal to me.
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June 7, 2013Magda is a character who stuck with me as soon as she became alive on paper. The Witch’s Curse is her story. It tells of a young girl torn between love and destiny, and how she is forced to make an impossible choice between the two. In Light of the Moon, Magda was painted as a crazy, mad character who was so consumed by magic she hardly knew day from night. Through The Witch’s Curse, however, you’ll see nothing is what it seems.
There is a reason for everything.
There is a reason for everything.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews