Mini Reviews

Title: All of Us Villains

Authors: Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman

Publisher: Macmillan- Tor/Forge

Release Date: 9th November 2021

Number of Pages: 400

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Goodreads Synopsis

The Blood Moon rises. The Blood Veil falls. The Tournament begins. Every generation, at the coming of the Blood Moon, seven families in the remote city of Ilvernath each name a champion to compete in a tournament to the death. The prize? Exclusive control over a secret wellspring of high magick, the most powerful resource in the world—one thought long depleted. But this year a salacious tell-all book has exposed the tournament and thrust the seven new champions into the worldwide spotlight. The book also granted them valuable information previous champions never had—insight into the other families’ strategies, secrets, and weaknesses. And most important, it gave them a choice: accept their fate or rewrite their legacy. Either way, this is a story that must be penned in blood.

*I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

So I read that this was in a Similar vein of The Hunger Games which is what piqued my interest and lead to me requesting this book and while I did enjoy it, it was the best book I have read.

This follows a group of teenagers who are part of magical families and everyone generation they must fight to the death in a tournament to see which family gets to control high magic, the most powerful magical source in the world. Usually this is a tournament that is kept secret from the rest of the world however, a book was recently released outing this tournament to the rest of the world, and those taking part this year have to not only deal with competing in the tournament but they must deal with the eyes of the world being upon them to.

There are many aspects of this book that I enjoyed, for example I found the magic system and world building to be really interesting and I find multiple POVs always add an extra layer to a story that I love. However I did feel that even with the multiple POVs the characters felt a little flat to me, we are told way more about their personalities than we are shown and I wasn’t that invested in the actual outcome of the tournament.

Overall, I gave this 3 stars.

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Title: Natural Magick

Author: Lindsay Squire

Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group – Leaping Hare

Release Date: 21st September 2021

Number of Pages: 176

Genre: Non-Fiction

Goodreads Synopsis

Whether you’re an out-and-proud witch in progress, or a witch in the broom closet, this spellbinding beginner’s book will teach you how to discover the natural magick within you, and use it to thrive!
Natural magick is all about working in harmony with your environment, harnessing the power of nature to unlock your inner magickal potential.
From foraging and using herbs in spells, to using sun or moonlight in cleansing rituals to understanding the changing of the seasons and their impact on your powers, this book is an invaluable guide to anyone interested in exploring natural magick.
This magick has the power to transform your relationship with yourself, the people around you, and the natural world. Featuring introductions to everything you need to know to get started in your Craft, this is the ultimate guide that you will want to return to again and again as you develop your practice,and discover how magical Witchcraft is as a form of self-care. Including tried-and-true tips and tricks taken from The Witch of the Forest’s personal grimoire, learn about:How to build a budget-friendly practice using only simple tools and ingredients in your cupboardsThe witch’s wheel of the yearSpellcraftCandle magickHerbs and foragingDivination, such as tarot, scrying and pendulum dowsingCreating your own sigilsA witch’s relationship to the moon, sky and natureHow to practice witchcraft discretely in the broomcloset … and much more! Suitable for every type of witch and witchling – green, house, eclectic, solitary, or undecided! – this book also includes a pendulum board that you can remove to help answer all your questions.
If you are a witch in the broom closet, simply remove the jacket from this book or download as an ebook for more discreet reading.
Ground yourself in your magick, and embrace the simpler, but just as powerful side of the modern witching hour!
The Witch of the Forest’s Guide to… series are a collection of guides for different areas of witchcraft, focusing on the relationship between magic, the natural world and the self.

*I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

This is a really informative read and perfect for those, like myself, who are interested in learning more about witchcraft and new to getting involved in the craft. It includes information on the Wheel of the Year, working with the moon, divination and much more. The illustrations in this are also gorgeous and I loved that I focused on creating a practice that is both eco friendly and socially conscious. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants and an easy introductory read.

I gave this 3 stars.

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Title: The Witch’s Complete Guide to Self Care: Everyday Healing Rituals and Soothing Spellcraft for Well-being

Author: Theodosai Corinth

Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group – Chartwell Books

Release Date: 19th October 2021

Number of Pages: 169

Genre: Non-Fiction

Synopsis

Witchcraft is the practice of connecting a deeper power within yourself to the power within nature. Blending witchcraft and wellness, the abundance of meditations and manifestations in this guide will help you unite with your intentions and the natural world around you to live a fully fulfilled life. While this book will not give you a simple spell to be happy, its intention is to unseat the complex issues that are the roots of your unhappiness.Complete with meditations and mantras to guide you through the toughest parts of your craft, The Witch’s Complete Guide to Self-Care is an essential part of any self-aware pagan’s library. By performing rituals to release guilt and protection spells that build boundaries (among other things), this book will guide you through how to care for yourself and your inner witch. Reflection is a key component to self-discovery and fulfillment. Learn: How to make homemade tea blends to soothe your mind, and then read your fortune in the leftover leavesCleansing rituals to banish bad energyWellness witchery through goddess baths—complete with recharging herbs and crystals to help channel your lightHow to ward your time to protect your valuesRituals for letting go of sadness, grief, and anything that is no longer serving youUncrossing spells to help you move past whatever has been blocking you from your true happinessHerbal remedies to heal the body Everything you need is already inside you, you just have to unlock your potential and manifest the future you deserve and desire.

*I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

This is a really interesting book that weaves both self care and magic together. It explores the importance of self care and how we can incorporate it more into our lives and the ways in which we can do this in a more spiritual way. There are lots of exercises throughout that you can try out while you are reading to help you find a self care routine that fits your own needs and spiritual practice.

I gave this 3 stars.

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Have you read any of the above?? If so what were your thoughts on them??