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cat_lover_reads's review
1.0
I'll preface these thoughts by saying I love Amanda Lovelace. She is my favorite poet and one of my overall favorite writers. My review is coming from the perspective of someone who has been studying and practicing for over 25 years. Also, I do not use Tarot cards at all so I skipped most of that section.
This book was a huge disappointment. The book is definitely for beginners; like 'you've maybe read the witchcraft Wikipedia page and nothing else' level beginner. This read like WitchTok and Wattpad had kid who wrote a book.
I work in higher education so I'll use that as an example - most witchcraft 101 books are a first or second semester freshman class for your major - good in-depth introduction to the field to see if you want to pursue this subject further. This book was the brochure you get at the summer campus tour when you get five minutes to talk to an advisor.
Sections that should have been multiple pages long were three paragraphs. A lot of information was told over and over again just in slightly different ways. And I really want to cut apart the entire first section and rearrange it so it flows much better than it does - who puts correspondences before ethics and history? Finally, this book would have been 20 pages shorter if you took out all the 'well, this is just my personal opinion. don't take my word for it, you do you' statements. Yes, witchcraft is a very subjective spiritual practice but stand behind your own beliefs and practices or I start to wonder why I should care. The lack of confidence was discouraging.
Some of the spells at the end were cute and I did like reading some of the new poetry scattered throughout, but overall I'm glad I got this book from the library - there are better beginner books to spend your money on.
This book was a huge disappointment. The book is definitely for beginners; like 'you've maybe read the witchcraft Wikipedia page and nothing else' level beginner. This read like WitchTok and Wattpad had kid who wrote a book.
I work in higher education so I'll use that as an example - most witchcraft 101 books are a first or second semester freshman class for your major - good in-depth introduction to the field to see if you want to pursue this subject further. This book was the brochure you get at the summer campus tour when you get five minutes to talk to an advisor.
Sections that should have been multiple pages long were three paragraphs. A lot of information was told over and over again just in slightly different ways. And I really want to cut apart the entire first section and rearrange it so it flows much better than it does - who puts correspondences before ethics and history? Finally, this book would have been 20 pages shorter if you took out all the 'well, this is just my personal opinion. don't take my word for it, you do you' statements. Yes, witchcraft is a very subjective spiritual practice but stand behind your own beliefs and practices or I start to wonder why I should care. The lack of confidence was discouraging.
Some of the spells at the end were cute and I did like reading some of the new poetry scattered throughout, but overall I'm glad I got this book from the library - there are better beginner books to spend your money on.
allysunsun's review
informative
medium-paced
3.75
Make Your Own Magic is a great intro into the world of witches. Lots of very helpful advice on where to start and what the journey may look like for you. Also, lots of little bits of wisdom and poetry worked in with Lovelace's signature style.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.
jeansbookbag's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
A delightful resource for aspiring witches! But it also has a lot of empowering messages for anyone, even if you’re not interested in becoming a witch. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy to see the illustrations in full color. Definitely not your average self-help book, and one I’ll keep on my shelf.
Thank you to Running Press and NetGalley for the review copy.
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
Thank you to Running Press and NetGalley for the review copy.
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
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