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mayphoenix7992's reviews
643 reviews
A History of Witchcraft: Sorcerers, Heretics and Pagans by Brooks Alexander, Jeffrey B. Russell
informative
slow-paced
4.5
4,5⭐️
Very interesting book. I was a bit wary that it might be one of those witchy, esoteric, strange books that are borderline cultist but the fact that it was displayed on a Waterstones Piccadilly table drew my curiosity.
It was a very sensible and thorough history of witchcraft with definitions and explanations on the differences between heresy, witchcraft, sorcery, wicca and other related topics.
I'm impressed by the thorough research based on the historical and social aspects of witchcraft throughout history, from the causes to the consequences of witch-craze but also the reasons for its rises and falls.
I was less interested in the second part on modern witchcraft but it was still interesting to realise that so many concepts and clichés we associate with witchcraft are very recent in history (1960s Britain) and totally invented.
Very interesting book. I was a bit wary that it might be one of those witchy, esoteric, strange books that are borderline cultist but the fact that it was displayed on a Waterstones Piccadilly table drew my curiosity.
It was a very sensible and thorough history of witchcraft with definitions and explanations on the differences between heresy, witchcraft, sorcery, wicca and other related topics.
I'm impressed by the thorough research based on the historical and social aspects of witchcraft throughout history, from the causes to the consequences of witch-craze but also the reasons for its rises and falls.
I was less interested in the second part on modern witchcraft but it was still interesting to realise that so many concepts and clichés we associate with witchcraft are very recent in history (1960s Britain) and totally invented.
Blossomise by Simon Armitage
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
5⭐️
"Constellations bloom
in orchards of April skies.
The stars blossomise."
I've discovered Simon Armitage recently but I can't get enough of his poetry and plays. This latest project perfectly embodies spring and hope.
"Blossom: a CV" and "The Seasons" were my favourite. The haiku in between poems and artworks gave a lovely rhythm to the entire book.
"Blossom was a dictionary.
Knew how to spell resurrection
And the true meaning
Of revelation."
- Blossom: a CV
"Constellations bloom
in orchards of April skies.
The stars blossomise."
I've discovered Simon Armitage recently but I can't get enough of his poetry and plays. This latest project perfectly embodies spring and hope.
"Blossom: a CV" and "The Seasons" were my favourite. The haiku in between poems and artworks gave a lovely rhythm to the entire book.
"Blossom was a dictionary.
Knew how to spell resurrection
And the true meaning
Of revelation."
- Blossom: a CV
You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3,75⭐️
It was such a nice book, although I'm not sure I'd recommend it to someone who isn't familiar with the history of the invasion of Mexico-Tenochtitlan by the Conquistadores because it was occasionally difficult to keep up (being sick while reading it probably didnt help).
I'm not a fan of the indirect dialogue the entire novel, but it was effective in building the impression of a tale rather than a story, especially with the ending that accelerated in the history that was a dream and the alternate history which wasn't one.
I really liked what the author did with Malinelli, giving her more agency without quite knowing who she was working for, but in the end, she did everything for her own survival. I also liked Atotoxtli who was an interesting character.
The scene when Cortès shines his boots with what is revealed to be human fat, in parallel with the prayer and the flashback on *how* he got the human fat was quite horrifying and it'll probably follow me for a while.
It was such a nice book, although I'm not sure I'd recommend it to someone who isn't familiar with the history of the invasion of Mexico-Tenochtitlan by the Conquistadores because it was occasionally difficult to keep up (being sick while reading it probably didnt help).
I'm not a fan of the indirect dialogue the entire novel, but it was effective in building the impression of a tale rather than a story, especially with the ending that accelerated in the history that was a dream and the alternate history which wasn't one.
I really liked what the author did with Malinelli, giving her more agency without quite knowing who she was working for, but in the end, she did everything for her own survival. I also liked Atotoxtli who was an interesting character.
The scene when Cortès shines his boots with what is revealed to be human fat, in parallel with the prayer and the flashback on *how* he got the human fat was quite horrifying and it'll probably follow me for a while.
The Little Snake by A.L. Kennedy
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Unknown, Simon Armitage
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
In: The Graphic Novel by Will McPhail
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4⭐️
Such a brilliant story. The visual storytelling was brilliant - all these colourful images each time Nick connected to someone were so insightful and intimate.
Letting people in takes so much courage.
Such a brilliant story. The visual storytelling was brilliant - all these colourful images each time Nick connected to someone were so insightful and intimate.
Letting people in takes so much courage.
Noragami, Tome 26 by Adachitoka
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Briar Book of the Dead by A.G. Slatter
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4⭐️
Such a nice little book, with witches and ghosts! I wasn't expecting the murder mystery aspect but I appreciated it.
The writing was nice, although there wasn't anything surprising about the "twists" - Audra was obviously the villain from the beginning and was behind the murders and disappearances. My main criticism is the writing of the "romances" for Ellie and Nia - there was no chemistry with Huw and the revelation of Nia being with Hari came out of nowhere...
Besides that, it was a nice book to read on a rainy day!
Such a nice little book, with witches and ghosts! I wasn't expecting the murder mystery aspect but I appreciated it.
The writing was nice, although there wasn't anything surprising about the "twists" - Audra was obviously the villain from the beginning and was behind the murders and disappearances. My main criticism is the writing of the "romances" for Ellie and Nia - there was no chemistry with Huw and the revelation of Nia being with Hari came out of nowhere...
Besides that, it was a nice book to read on a rainy day!
Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 41 by Mizuho Kusanagi
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tree and Leaf: Smith of Wootton Major ; The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, Beorhthelm's Son by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
3,75⭐️
Very interesting texts by Tolkien on Faerie stories and other works.
Very interesting texts by Tolkien on Faerie stories and other works.