Other editions of book The Shadow Witch

"The Shadow Witch" by Gertrude Crownfield. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.

Long ago, in the Land of Shadows, lived the Shadow Witch, the one beautiful and loving creature in all that dim and darksome land that lies away from the Land of Fire, and between it and the Chimney Back. Close to her domain is the great Plain of Ash, where the giant, Curling Smoke, rises, where the crafty Ash Goblin lurks, where the boisterous Wind in the Chimney swoops down from out the Chimney Mouth. Here, I will tell you the story of how the Shadow Witch came to leave that grim land with its evil fairies, and why it is that she now dances with happiness amid the good fairies of the Fire, in the Land of Glowing Embers.

Come, sit with me beside the broad hearthstone and gaze into the depths of the fire when it burns low, for not among the leaping flames alone are there to be seen marvelous things… “Another delightful story for children by the author of ‘The Princess White Flame.” The Wizard of the Cave of Darkness imprisoned the Shadow Witch when she helped the Princess White Flame escape. Her adventures in consequence are told with delicate charm. A treat for the lover of beautiful fairy tales.” -The New Republic “There is nothing more difficult than to write a fairy story for children and to write so that the story is real. The trouble nowadays with tellers of fairy tales is that they usually adopt an attitude of playful condescension, as of those who babble for the pleasure of infants, and must let the rest of public know that it is all merely fooling. They pat their fairies and gnomes on the head and tell them to behave prettily and keep the little boys and girls amused, and not bother the grownups. They don’t pretend to be telling the truth in their fairy tales, and not even the youngest child is imposed upon by them. It is no small pleasure, then, to come upon a fairy tale told in the one way there is to tell it – told as though it were a story of a world so familiar that it requires no explanation, no guide – a story where magic is taken for granted, as railway trains or printing presses are here taken for granted – a world beautiful and wonderful certainly, but quite as actual as a rose or a sunset. “It is in this way that Miss Crownfield tells her fairy stories. She wrote one before the present book, and it is to be hoped that she will write many more. Both her stories are laid in the same realm of magic, and are closely associated with each other, though each makes a separate book. It is in the hands of fire and shadow and darkness that her adventures are set, and it is in magic contests between the good fairies and the fire country and the evil ones of the dark land that they deal. ‘The Shadow Witch’ is princess of the grey land of shadow between the two. She has caught a glimpse of the freedom, the joy and the love of the Land of Fire, and has turned away from the Darkness, ruled over by the wicked wizard, her brother. He has managed to imprison her, and it is the great privilege of Prince Ember to come from his bright and happy dominion to her rescue. How he accomplishes this makes the story. “The book, being a fairy tale and a real one, is based of course on actual truth – on life, no less. Its simplicity is that of all straight-forward tales, told to those who will understand by one who trusts this understanding. Miss Crownfield has a fine, unstrained style, and because her book is for children she puts the best of herself into it, seeks the precise word of phrase, is not content with less than beauty…there is a greatness in Miss Crownfield that cannot quite bear the piling up of agony. From the first moment she assures you that all will be well. “The book is one that is sure to please children immensely, and one which the older members of the family will find pleasure in reading. It is a delicately done piece of work, a labor of love, and there is about it a charm not easy to define, but born probably of the conviction of the writer that she is giving a happiness to her audience equal to that she feels in creating her tale – the happiness of good work well done for those who will love good work.” -Hildegarde Hawthorne, The New Church Messenger, 1922

Set within a fireplace, The Shadow Witch tells of a witch and her brother, a wizard, who must fight for good against evil. Wonderfully told by Gertrude Crownfield and beautifully illustrated by Anne Merriman Peck, this old-fashioned tale of love and hatred is sure to delight. From the Prologue: Come, sit with me beside the broad hearthstone and gaze into the depths of the fire when it burns low, for not among the leaping flames alone are there to be seen marvelous things. Deep hidden from your eyes at first, but plainly visible as you look closer, are countless forms of brightness and of beauty. You will find them among the shining coals that glimmer in scarlet and gold before you when the embers lie clear and warm upon the hearth. You will behold them among the shadows that flit across the embers with delicate grace and changeful hues. Here, spread wide open, is a part of the magical Land of Fire, the wonderland of the good and peaceful Ember Fairies. A golden gate gives entrance to it. Shining pathways lead through its bright gardens. Its skies are warm and glowing. Here, decked with flaming banners, stands the home of the good Prince Ember—his fairy Palace of Good Cheer. Here moves the beautiful Shadow Princess, in trailing garments of rose and amethyst. Here she may be seen in her dance of joy and ecstasy followed by her faithful band of Shadows. Long ago, in the Land of Shadows, lived the Shadow Witch, the one beautiful and loving creature in all that dim and darksome land that lies away from the Land of Fire, and between it and the Chimney Back. Close to her domain is the great Plain of Ash, where the giant, Curling Smoke, rises, where the crafty Ash Goblin lurks, where the boisterous Wind in the Chimney swoops down from out the Chimney Mouth. Near by, also, in his Cave of Darkness, her brother the Wizard works his enchantments. If you will but hearken, I will tell you how the Shadow Witch came to leave that grim land with its evil fairies, and why it is that she now dances with happiness amid the good fairies of the Fire, in the Land of Glowing Embers. You shall hear, also, of the noble Prince Ember, and of the quest upon which he once set out. What speed he had in his high adventure, and whether or no he brought it to a happy and fortunate close, this tale will make known to you.

Gertrude Crownfield (1877-1945) was the American author of: The little Tailor of the Winding Way (1917), The Shadow Witch (1922), The Blue Swordsman (1924), Alison Blair (1927), Joscelyn of the Forts (1929), Freedom's Daughter (1930), Katherine Gordon: Patriot (1932), Where Glory Waits (1934), Conquering Kitty (1935), The Decree (1937), King's Pardon (1937), Strong Hearts and Bold (1938), Cristina of Old New York (1939), Lone Star Rising (1940) and Angelique (1941).

Long ago, in the Land of Shadows, lived the Shadow Witch, the one beautiful and loving creature in all that dim and darksome land that lies away from the Land of Fire, and between it and the Chimney Back. Close to her domain is the great Plain of Ash, where the giant, Curling Smoke, rises, where the crafty Ash Goblin lurks, where the boisterous Wind in the Chimney swoops down from out the Chimney Mouth. Here, I will tell you the story of how the Shadow Witch came to leave that grim land with its evil fairies, and why it is that she now dances with happiness amid the good fairies of the Fire, in the Land of Glowing Embers.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

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