twistingsnake's reviews
361 reviews

The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Endlessly more successful than the first. In part, because Lestat is Anne's clear favorite, and the amount of love and consideration she pours into him is evident on every page. Also because Lestat delights in being a vampire in a way that Louis despaired and so rather than a confession of sin, this reads more of an exaltation of immorality and otherness. I also found the occult and spirituality aspect of this fascinating and beautiful. There are so many dialogues between characters that had me enraptured, reading passages aloud so that I could hear them being spoken.

Did the druids do (handwave) sacrifices with a hodgepodge of rituals created from superstition and butchered folklore? Yes. Did I have a lot of fun? Absolutely. I can see why people who liked the more narrative driven Interview with a Vampire disliked this one or found it boring or slow. I'm an occult academic and a Scorpio, however. So this absolutely was a 5-star read for me. 

A Complete Guide to Night Magic by Cassandra Eason

dark informative lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

3.5

This was such a refreshing read! I'm so used to occult books to be repetitive at best, unnecessary at worst. Cassandra Eason has a clear voice and this book is steeped in her own personal experiences and practice. It's standard fare that you have to take spiritual book with a grain of salt and your own personal intuition. I didn't agree, or even read every part of this book. In particular, there is some dated appropriation of Native American beliefs and practices around spirit guide animals and shamanism that I skimmed through. 

That being said, there are a lot of rituals and concepts that were added to my personal practice and grimiore. In particular, she stresses the importance of tracking the full moons of the year and naming/recording them based on your personal experiences with the month. I love that! What a good way to track yourself and the world though the year. I usually finish occult books and then add them back to circulation by either donating or selling them. I'll be holding onto this one, though. I have it marked up for when I move to a more open, remote place that would allow me the space to perform more night rituals. I wouldn't call this a must-read, but if you're feeling burnt out on cookie-cutter guides to craft, allow this one to delight and entice you. 

In Ruins: The Once Great Houses of Ireland by Duncan McLaren, Simon Marsden

dark medium-paced

4.0

BOOKS I BOUGHT TO COLLAGE 2/? 

incredible photographs and beautiful cover. the shots are all magnificent and there's only one photo per location and a short few fragments of thoughts or facts on this place. I collaged 60% of this book. 

Float Among What Sails and Spirals by John Levy

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

3.5

BOOKS I BOUGHT TO COLLAGE 1/? 

short, evocative. beautifully illustrated. the first half is better. author is obsessed with crow motifs and it shows. I collaged over 75% of this book. 

Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke

funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Now THIS is modern horror. I recently started at a job that uses something similar to slack and I think it really added to the consumption of this. Capitalism really is that very hell. 

Not Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.

I had to return it to the library. but I'm coming back for this one, someday. 

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

challenging dark funny reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is a quick, mean-spirited little beast. It's sharp, and refuses to linger on anything inessential. The true answer to what the real danger of an untamed nation is: the terrible God who infected it. 

Witchcraft: A Secret History by Michael Streeter

medium-paced

3.0

It reads like a text book. The pictures and layout is gorgeous and instead of relying on campy or costumey aspects of craft, there's a seriousness that I found immensely grounding. If you're interested in the history of witchcraft in a digestible and easily accessible way, I think this would be a great resource. I found it's chapters Christianity and it's relationship with witchcraft particularly well-researched. 

The Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum

challenging funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

The only rune book I’ve read twice. I very literally tore this apart learning to read runes. Insightful, quick, and effective. A must read for anyone looking for an introduction to the runes! 

Altars: Bringing Sacred Shrines into Your Everyday Life by Denise Linn

informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.0

I've read a few more modern books on altars but this one really captures the individual aspect of altar making. It's not about making an aesthetic image but instead, a very personal and eclectic collection of intentional items that reflect you and your intentions. I loved the photography in this, and the information was interesting too! I jotted a few little bits of information down, even though I was really here for the pictures.