nountain time

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in the lush countryside, there lived a lady, a valet, and a witch. These three characters, each with their unique qualities and quirks, found themselves intertwined in a tale of destiny and magic. The lady, Isabella, was known for her radiant beauty and kind heart. She possessed an unwavering belief in the power of love and had a yearning for adventure. The valet, Oliver, was a hardworking and loyal servant to Isabella. He had served her family for many years, and though he was of humble origins, his intelligence and resourcefulness made him a valuable companion to the lady.

He had served her family for many years, and though he was of humble origins, his intelligence and resourcefulness made him a valuable companion to the lady. The witch, Cassandra, on the other hand, was an enigmatic figure in the village. Many feared her for her mystical abilities and foresight into the future.

The Legend of the Christmas Witch by Dan Murphy and Aubrey Plaza, Julia Iredale (Illustrator): The Story of Santa’s Misunderstood Sister

Let’s start with a personal note, I’m apprehensive (at best) about man-made religious holidays. I don’t do Christmas posts here—and almost without exception, if you see a book on here having to do with any Winter holiday, it’ll be because it’s part of a longer series that I already read.

But having been indoctrinated in American mass culture, I was on the receiving end of more stories, shows, and movies about Santa Claus (both growing up and since) than anyone else. And I’ve probably seen variations on his origin than Batman and Spider-Man combined (and if I never have to see Ben Parker or Thomas and Martha Wayne killed again, it will be too soon). They’re not my favorite things, but I tend to enjoy them and am always ready for a new one.

Which brings us to:

What’s The Legend of the Christmas Witch About?

We open with a couple of twin children, Kristoffer and Kristtörn, both of them have some magic which they mostly use in the games they play with each other. They have no parents when we meet them, and don’t appear to remember them.

They’re separated at one point, and Kristoffer is taken in by a couple from a nearby village and grows up among people—eventually delivering baked goods from his adoptive mother’s bakery. Kristtörn is heartbroken by their separation, and a witch from the woods comes along to raise her.

Time passes and Kristoffer becomes Santa Claus. Kristtörn tries to make contact with him but is unable to. So she starts visiting places just before Christmas Eve, hoping their paths cross. A legend around her (mostly misunderstanding her) grows at the same pace as her brother’s does.

This all leads somewhere, but I’m not going to go further than that.

The Artwork

Iredale’s work struck me like a classic storybook, the kind of art that was in the books I read as a kid—especially the books that were old by the time I read them. It was fitting for the kind of story. It wasn’t knock-out gorgeous, and I think it would’ve hurt the book overall had it been. There’s some sharpness to the art—almost the kind of thing that would’ve been carved into wood.

It’s vibrant and I can’t imagine a kid who won’t want to pour over the pictures as much as the story.

So, what did I think about The Legend of the Christmas Witch?

The best way to describe this book is—imagine that the Grimm Brothers wrote a story about where Santa came from as well as telling us about his sister. Now imagine that someone took that Grimm’s Fairy Tale and sanitized it for contemporary kids. That result would be a lot like this. A little dark, a little light…

Because of that tone, I do think that parents/caregivers/etc. should exercise some judgment in who gets to read this one—some of it is going to go over the heads of young ones of a certain age, and some of it could be considered too dark for some little ones. But for the right reader, this take on Santa’s origin is going to be a lot of fun.

I’m glad that I indulged my curiosity, I’m not going to suggest that this filled me with the Christmas spirit or anything, I’m not off to buy the biggest goose for anyone and my heart is the same size as it was before. But when it comes to a reworking of the Santa Myth, this was a very satisfying one.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

Which brings us to:

Despite her reputation, Cassandra had a deep understanding of human nature and a desire to use her powers for good. It was through a series of events that Isabella, Oliver, and Cassandra found themselves brought together. One fateful day, Isabella's father fell gravely ill. Desperate for a cure, Isabella sought out the witch Cassandra, rumored to have healing powers. With Oliver at her side, Isabella ventured deep into the forest where Cassandra resided. When they arrived, Cassandra revealed that the cure for Isabella's father could only be found on a distant island, guarded by treacherous waters and a menacing creature. Driven by a sense of duty and love for her father, Isabella made the difficult decision to embark on this perilous journey. Oliver, knowing the risks involved, volunteered to accompany her. Cassandra used her magical abilities to aid them in their quest. She bestowed upon Isabella a necklace that would protect her from harm, and Oliver received an enchanted compass to guide them through the dangerous waters. As they traveled, Isabella, Oliver, and Cassandra discovered more about each other. Isabella admired Cassandra's wisdom and protective instincts, while Oliver's unwavering loyalty and resourcefulness impressed both Isabella and the witch. Together, they faced numerous challenges, fought off dangers, and ultimately succeeded in retrieving the cure for Isabella's father. Upon their return, Isabella's father was healed, and the village rejoiced. Isabella, Oliver, and Cassandra were hailed as heroes, their names etched in the annals of their village's history. Their journey had brought about a strong bond between the three, and they decided to continue their adventures together, using their individual talents to bring light and compassion to the world. The tale of Isabella, Oliver, and Cassandra serves as a reminder that unlikely companions can come together to achieve greatness. It highlights the importance of trust, friendship, and the belief in the power of love and magic. Through their combined efforts and unique qualities, they were able to overcome obstacles and fulfill their destinies. The lady, the valet, and the witch proved that when different worlds collide, incredible things can happen..

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