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The Witches of BlackBrook (Witches of BlackBrook #1)
The Witches of BlackBrook (Witches of BlackBrook #1)
Tish Thawer | 2015 | Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is an enjoyable and entertaining tale told in the present time but with flashbacks to Salem. It is smoothly linked and always done with a reason, not simply gratuitous. With lots of intrigue and suspense to keep you turning the pages, this is a story that is an easy read with plenty of references made to Wicca and the correspondences to various flowers and crystals etc.

I enjoyed this story and didn't find any editing or grammatical errors. I enjoyed the climax of the story although it didn't really come as a surprise. However, I wasn't reading it for the shock value so this in no way detracted from the story for me. It did remind me of 'Charmed' in more ways than one so I would have no hesitation in recommending this to any fans of Charmed or their version of Wicca.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 20, 2015
  
This book has a specific audience, and it can be hard to tell if you're a part of it. From the perspective of the confused Christian, it's a great resource. Sanders does an excellent job of describing why people are leaving Christianity for Neo-Pagan religions. She turns a critical eye on her own faith and holds it up to Wicca to figure out the appeal. Where she fails, though, is in thinking she's going to convert anyone. Her proselytizing takes up only so much of the book. I would definitely recommend it for the bewildered Christian, but it certainly isn't an "Occult/Witchcraft" book, as the back claims.
  
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    Esoterica

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    This App contains the most important rites of red, white and black magic, rituals of wicca and pagan...

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Janeeny (200 KP) rated Making Magic in Books

May 16, 2019  
Making Magic
Making Magic
Briana Saussy | 2019 | Mind, Body & Spiritual, Religion
6
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
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.
  
HN
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Since I don't feel like writing a review, I'll just detail what I liked and disliked about the book.

Liked:
The subject matter - From what I know, I think the author handled Wicca/Witchcraft very well.
How it was written - I'm not the grammar police and don't know everything about it, so it was fine with me. Sometimes I think that the books that have the best grammar are the most unrealistic and holds the reader away from the book and story because of this. I mean Mr. Sellars has a point, how many people really speak or think in proper English?
Most of the book.

Disliked:
The constant use of paleface, squaw, and other white or Native American Indian terms. I get that Rowan and Ben are friends and they use the words as buddies (and the author means well I assume), but I think it's unlikely that anyone would say them so much - it felt forced and unrealistic to me.
Some repetitions of phrases, descriptions, etc. - i.e. Felicity's hair, eyes, temperament, other actions people did, or descriptions of places.
The use of the word query. How many people actually use that word? LoL
The ending was a bit saccharine and not very likely, but I'll let that pass.

Neutral
Some of the descriptions made me a bit queasy but I think it added to the storyline.

Overall, I was very impressed with the story, will read the next and be on the lookout for others in the series.