The Bell Witch is one of the most well-known stories of supernatural activity in American folklore. It centers around the Bell family, who lived in Adams, Tennessee in the early 19th century. The haunting began in 1817 when John Bell, the patriarch of the family, encountered a strange creature while walking through his cornfield. This creature resembled a dog with the head of a rabbit and disappeared without a trace. Soon after, the Bell family began experiencing unusual phenomena in their home, such as knocking on walls, objects moving, and strange noises. The haunting intensified over the years, with the entity, believed to be a witch or a spirit, targeting John Bell and his daughter Betsy in particular.
On a completely unrelated note, I was thinking about Kell’s penchant for bringing back curiosities from the other Londons and how he has to hide that from that royal family, and then I was like ‘aw, he’s like the Little Mermaid’ which… isn’t that far of a leap, if we’re being perfectly frank. But now I’m just imagining Kell singing about all his weird trinkets and the king stomping in to blow up his hidden room.
There s some more background on the relationship between Red and White London, specifically how Red abandoned White when Black London fell, and how the resulting fallout changed White London permanently. Rhy decides that he needs another drink, and wants to go to Aven Stras, a place where unsavory characters go, but the king suddenly arrives and produces a letter meaning Kell has to go.
The haunting intensified over the years, with the entity, believed to be a witch or a spirit, targeting John Bell and his daughter Betsy in particular. The Bell Witch would torment them, slapping Betsy, pulling her hair, and even leaving bruises on her body. It would also mimic voices of family members and visitors, recite hymns and sermons, and engage in lengthy conversations with John Bell and his wife.
A Darker Shade of Magic - (Shades of Magic) by V E Schwab
Prepare to be dazzled by a world of parallel Londons--where magic thrives, starves, or lies forgotten, and where power can destroy just as quickly as it can create.
Book Synopsis
A Darker Shade of Magic, from #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab
Kell is one of the last Antari--magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.
Kell was raised in Arnes--Red London--and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.
Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.
After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.
"A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy. Schwab has given us a gem of a tale. This is a book to treasure."--Deborah Harkeness, New York Times bestselling author of the All Souls trilogy
Shades of Magic series
1. A Darker Shade of Magic
2. A Gathering of Shadows
3. A Conjuring of Light
Review Quotes
Entertainment Weekly's 27 Female Authors Who Rule Sci-Fi and Fantasy Right Now
"A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy. Its plot is gripping. Its characters are memorable. Its setting in four parallel, powerful Londons is otherworldly yet believable. Schwab has given us a gem of a tale that is original in its premise and compelling in its execution. This is a book to treasure." --Deborah Harkness, New York Times bestselling author of The All Souls Trilogy
"Compulsively readable. her characters make the book. Just as Kell has layers, Lila is a satisfyingly rich invention. With so many worlds on the map, there's plenty left to discover." --NPR
"A Darker Shade of Magic feels like a priceless object, brought from another, better world of fantasy books." --io9
"Schwab (Vicious) creates an ingenious set of nesting alternate Londons in this imaginative, well-crafted fantasy. Confident prose and marvelous touches-a chameleon coat, a scarlet river of magic, a piratical antiheroine-bring exuberant life to an exhilarating adventure among the worlds." --Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A Darker Shade of Magic is smart, funny and sexy . Schwab keeps the excitement coming with roller-coaster plot twists that establish her as, perhaps, the natural successor to Diana Wynne Jones's contemporary fantasy crown." --The Independent
"Fantasy fans will love this fast-paced adventure, with its complex magic system, thoughtful hero and bold heroine." --Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
VICTORIA "V.E." SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen books, including the acclaimed Shades of Magic series, This Savage Song, Our Dark Duet and Vicious. Her work has received critical acclaim, been featured in the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Washington Post and more, translated into more than a dozen languages, and has been optioned for television and film. When she's not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she splits her time between Nashville, TN and Edinburgh, Scotland and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
The fame of the Bell Witch spread throughout the local community and beyond. People from neighboring towns and even distant states came to witness the haunting for themselves. Numerous eyewitness accounts were documented, including those from future President Andrew Jackson, who visited the Bell family in 1819. Eventually, in 1820, John Bell fell ill and died under mysterious circumstances. It is said that the Bell Witch claimed responsibility for his death, stating that she had poisoned him. After his death, the haunting ceased, leaving the Bell family to live in relative peace. The story of the Bell Witch has captivated generations of people, with books, movies, and documentaries being made about the haunting. While skeptics argue that the events were a result of elaborate hoaxes or mass hysteria, many believe that there was indeed a supernatural entity involved. The indication of the Bell Witch is not only found in the physical manifestations and interactions with the Bell family but also in the widespread witness accounts and the endurance of the legend over time. It continues to be a fascinating example of paranormal activity and remains a prominent part of American folklore..
Reviews for "The Bell Witch Curse: Myth or Reality?"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "The Indication of the Bell Witch" based on all the positive reviews, but I was left extremely disappointed. The plot was incredibly slow and the characters lacked depth. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself not caring about what happened to them. The writing style was also quite dull and didn't engage me at all. Overall, I found the book to be a boring and forgettable read.
2. John - 1/5 - "The Indication of the Bell Witch" was one of the worst books I've ever read. The story had so much potential, but it was poorly executed. The author didn't do justice to the plot or the legend of the Bell Witch. The characters were one-dimensional and the dialogue felt forced. I found myself skimming through most of the book because I simply couldn't get into it. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
3. Lisa - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Indication of the Bell Witch", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to follow the story. The author also introduced too many unnecessary subplots that didn't add anything to the overall plot. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. While the concept was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired. I was left disappointed and frustrated by the end of the book.
4. Mark - 2/5 - "The Indication of the Bell Witch" was a disappointment for me. The writing felt amateurish and lacked polish. The characters were bland and lacked depth. I couldn't connect with them or understand their motivations. The plot was predictable and didn't offer any surprises. The book felt like a wasted opportunity to explore the fascinating legend of the Bell Witch. Overall, I found it to be a mediocre and forgettable read.