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Tim Forbes recommended Badlands (1973) in Movies (curated)
Melanie Caldicott (6 KP) rated The Midnight Library in Books
Apr 29, 2021
Repetition (2 more)
Condescending nature of librarian character
Contrived lecturing
Nice concept but dull
I listened to this on audiobook and though I would enjoy the narration by Carey Mulligan. However, I found the writing so repetitive and the character of the librarian so condescending and lecturing that it ended up being a DNF for me. Shame as I liked the premise and it's exploration of mental health. I also liked Haig's previous books which were quirky and well-written but this one just didn't meet the mark for me.
Matthew Modine recommended The Old Man and the Sea in Books (curated)
Megan Abbott recommended 3 Women (1977) in Movies (curated)
Phil Rosenthal recommended Burdern of Dreams (1982) in Movies (curated)
Chuck Klosterman recommended This Is Spinal Tap (1984) in Movies (curated)
Ibram X. Kendi recommended West Indian Immigrants: A Black Success Story? in Books (curated)
Janeeny (200 KP) rated Making Magic in Books
May 16, 2019
I receivef an ARV of this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a Pagan, and a dabbler in Wicca I’m always keen to learn other forms of practice and sometimes pick up other things to use in my rituals. So I was keen to read 'Making Magic' as the blurb sets it as “welcoming guide to accessing your magic and creating a spiritual path that is all your own”
It does just that, each chapter talks about an aspect of magic and gives you an idea and an example of ritual.
The concept isn’t anything new, but the rituals are pared down to the very basics. although it does suggest using certain talismans and trinkets they are not necesarry and each ritual can be brought right back down to nature. That was actually what I liked most about this book, the very basic nature of the rituals.
Most other books on practicing Paganism talk about ‘summoning your circle' or 'calling the corners', for someone like me that sometimes struggles with this kind of visualisation I was quite pleased to see that the ritual preperations in this book were just two cleansing breaths; In and Out. This is something which I shall definitly be adding to my own little pot pourri of paganism.
As a Pagan, and a dabbler in Wicca I’m always keen to learn other forms of practice and sometimes pick up other things to use in my rituals. So I was keen to read 'Making Magic' as the blurb sets it as “welcoming guide to accessing your magic and creating a spiritual path that is all your own”
It does just that, each chapter talks about an aspect of magic and gives you an idea and an example of ritual.
The concept isn’t anything new, but the rituals are pared down to the very basics. although it does suggest using certain talismans and trinkets they are not necesarry and each ritual can be brought right back down to nature. That was actually what I liked most about this book, the very basic nature of the rituals.
Most other books on practicing Paganism talk about ‘summoning your circle' or 'calling the corners', for someone like me that sometimes struggles with this kind of visualisation I was quite pleased to see that the ritual preperations in this book were just two cleansing breaths; In and Out. This is something which I shall definitly be adding to my own little pot pourri of paganism.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels, #5.5) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I'm fairly sure that I missed a Kate Daniels book, because I don't recall some of the events referred to in this book. That annoys me, and I'll have to go back and read whatever the last one was out of order now. It'll be worth it, though, because Ilona Andrews' writing is always fun. Gunmetal Magic is no exception.
This is the first novel to focus on Andrea Nash, Kate Daniels' best friend. Exposed as a shapeshifter, she's been kicked out of the Order. She had just chosen to obey orders from a superior officer instead of fighting with the Pack, which led to a breakup with her lover Raphael. Now she has to rebuild her life from a shattered ruin.
Andrea is a fascinating character, abused repeatedly in her terrible childhood and raised to be ashamed of and hide her shapeshifting nature. Her relationship with Raphael is informed by their bouda nature, but her human side isn't left out by any means.
I particularly enjoy the part that Atlanta plays in Andrews' books, but as a near-native Atlanta I'm bound to be biased in that respect.
This volume and the bonus novella "Magic Gifts" are definitely worthwhile reading for any fan of the Kate Daniels series.
This is the first novel to focus on Andrea Nash, Kate Daniels' best friend. Exposed as a shapeshifter, she's been kicked out of the Order. She had just chosen to obey orders from a superior officer instead of fighting with the Pack, which led to a breakup with her lover Raphael. Now she has to rebuild her life from a shattered ruin.
Andrea is a fascinating character, abused repeatedly in her terrible childhood and raised to be ashamed of and hide her shapeshifting nature. Her relationship with Raphael is informed by their bouda nature, but her human side isn't left out by any means.
I particularly enjoy the part that Atlanta plays in Andrews' books, but as a near-native Atlanta I'm bound to be biased in that respect.
This volume and the bonus novella "Magic Gifts" are definitely worthwhile reading for any fan of the Kate Daniels series.
Charlotte (184 KP) rated The We and the They in Books
Apr 30, 2021
Dystopian horror.......
I say dystopian horror as it's set after Mother Nature has gone on a wild rampage across the earth. The horror part......that comes from something else, although not in a slasher style.
Kara Ann Dawkins has done well with presenting, on the whole, a written monologue of community history. As with most things after a traumatic event (in this case the re-ordering of nature) it's not always possible to get things in the correct order, especially if pen and paper isn't readily available. So, it's kind of like, two steps forward (general telling of events) and one step back (as we learn of certain character's fates).
I like it though, it creates a bond to a character before hearing their history.
I found The We and the They to be quite thought provoking, I was asking myself how I would cope, what would I do in their situation.
I'd recommend as a young adult read as the themes could be upsetting for a younger audience. Settle in with a nice cuppa, a blanket and read about a world that we could easily find ourselves in......though when you learn more about the They you'll understand I don't mean their physicality.
I say dystopian horror as it's set after Mother Nature has gone on a wild rampage across the earth. The horror part......that comes from something else, although not in a slasher style.
Kara Ann Dawkins has done well with presenting, on the whole, a written monologue of community history. As with most things after a traumatic event (in this case the re-ordering of nature) it's not always possible to get things in the correct order, especially if pen and paper isn't readily available. So, it's kind of like, two steps forward (general telling of events) and one step back (as we learn of certain character's fates).
I like it though, it creates a bond to a character before hearing their history.
I found The We and the They to be quite thought provoking, I was asking myself how I would cope, what would I do in their situation.
I'd recommend as a young adult read as the themes could be upsetting for a younger audience. Settle in with a nice cuppa, a blanket and read about a world that we could easily find ourselves in......though when you learn more about the They you'll understand I don't mean their physicality.