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twistingsnake's reviews
361 reviews
Unveiled: The Hidden Lives of Nuns by Cheryl L. Reed
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I took so long reading this book that when I returned it to the library they told me they had recorded it as lost.
With A Vengeance by Freydís Moon
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
1) it is shocking to me that anyone believed a Hispanic author wrote this. It could not be more clear that this was written by a white woman. I was three pages in before being like “this is not grounded in any personal understanding of the culture and/or lived experience as a trans person. I don’t read call out posts because my time has value but the text clearly indicates this.
2) I wish these submissive author types put as much thought in their dom character and why’d they be attracted to/get something out of their relationship with someone so boring and utterly unremarkable. I understand that these works are FANTASY but can’t the dom be a character with wants and desires that aren’t perfectly aligned with who the author is? I just want a CRUMB of character.
3) I was fully planning on finishing
This but then they used the word snuff-fuck and I had to DNF
2) I wish these submissive author types put as much thought in their dom character and why’d they be attracted to/get something out of their relationship with someone so boring and utterly unremarkable. I understand that these works are FANTASY but can’t the dom be a character with wants and desires that aren’t perfectly aligned with who the author is? I just want a CRUMB of character.
3) I was fully planning on finishing
This but then they used the word snuff-fuck and I had to DNF
The Grip of It by Jac Jemc
dark
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
2.5
The writing in this is gorgeous but I think it would have been a much more successful short story. The middle drags and I started skimming the last hundred pages. I will say though, you gotta love a haunted house novel where they actually sell the fucking house.
10 Dance, Vol. 3 by Inouesatoh
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.0
A lot of insight on the character’s opinions and reflections on homosexuality within their culture. I find them both likable and their budding connection endearing. I like that this series is taking its time letting both of them figure out their wants and needs from this relationship.
It’s still confusing to follow at times, and I’m never 100% sold on the overarching plot but it’s a dance BL so I’m not letting that impact my enjoyment too much. I think I’ll find myself finishing this series just to see where it goes.
It’s still confusing to follow at times, and I’m never 100% sold on the overarching plot but it’s a dance BL so I’m not letting that impact my enjoyment too much. I think I’ll find myself finishing this series just to see where it goes.
10 Dance, Vol. 2 by Inouesatoh
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I think I’m starting to like our leads more. I find their relationships with dance to be interesting and in particular, the waltz scene where they explain that the woman should feel cared for because of how difficult these dances are on their bodies was something I enjoyed a lot.
The chemistry between these two gets more and more interesting. I enjoy the platonic and professional element of it a lot. I’m no fujoshi so I need more than boys being in proximity of each other to be interested in a romance.
I’m not sure if I care about these two becoming a couple but the dance theory is kind of getting me curious about reading more. I like the idea of them being dance obsessed rivals who kiss sometimes.
The chemistry between these two gets more and more interesting. I enjoy the platonic and professional element of it a lot. I’m no fujoshi so I need more than boys being in proximity of each other to be interested in a romance.
I’m not sure if I care about these two becoming a couple but the dance theory is kind of getting me curious about reading more. I like the idea of them being dance obsessed rivals who kiss sometimes.
10 Dance, Volume 1 by Inouesatoh
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I found this series at a bookstore and thought the idea of a BL manga about dance sounded interesting. Actually reading it though, I remembered that I don’t find sports manga very interesting and that dance is still technically a sport.
It’s confusing in a lot of places and dificulte to follow. I enjoyed the practical aspects of their relationship even though I’m still not 100% sure I even know what a 10 dance is. I think I’ll probably read another volume or two just to see what direction this goes in. I’m hoping it’ll be a little easier to follow narratively. It’s kind of a clunky read but it’s also one of the only diverse (ish) BL books I’ve ever read so there’s that.
It’s confusing in a lot of places and dificulte to follow. I enjoyed the practical aspects of their relationship even though I’m still not 100% sure I even know what a 10 dance is. I think I’ll probably read another volume or two just to see what direction this goes in. I’m hoping it’ll be a little easier to follow narratively. It’s kind of a clunky read but it’s also one of the only diverse (ish) BL books I’ve ever read so there’s that.
The Darkening Age: The Christian Destruction of the Classical World by Catherine Nixey
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Where there is terror, there is salvation.
A ceaseless march of historical grief. The bodies of civilizations long past writhing under the unrelenting terror of Christianity. Nixey’s writing takes you through the boneyards of philosophers and the rubble of temples. It’s inglorious and devastating.
I was raised as a fundamentalist Christian but became a self identified pagan soon-after. I never really drank the kool-aid spiritually but the indoctrination did work well enough on me that much of this shocked me. History is written by the victors and you would never see Christian historians describing their cruel and brutal takeover of the west as anything but a triumph. It’s heartbreaking realizing how much of history has been disfigured by such an over-zealous faith.
A difficult but important read. We deserve to know how much history was lost at the hands of the spiteful and how their spiritual fascism is alive and well today.
A ceaseless march of historical grief. The bodies of civilizations long past writhing under the unrelenting terror of Christianity. Nixey’s writing takes you through the boneyards of philosophers and the rubble of temples. It’s inglorious and devastating.
I was raised as a fundamentalist Christian but became a self identified pagan soon-after. I never really drank the kool-aid spiritually but the indoctrination did work well enough on me that much of this shocked me. History is written by the victors and you would never see Christian historians describing their cruel and brutal takeover of the west as anything but a triumph. It’s heartbreaking realizing how much of history has been disfigured by such an over-zealous faith.
A difficult but important read. We deserve to know how much history was lost at the hands of the spiteful and how their spiritual fascism is alive and well today.
The Path of Paganism: An Experience-Based Guide to Modern Pagan Practice by John Beckett
challenging
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I listened to this as an audiobook and it was my constant companion through many evening runs and aimless walks. I’ve read many books on the occult but lately I’ve found myself drawn to more nature based paganism and this seemed a good primer.
I really loved a lot about this book. The audio book is even toned and easy to listen to, almost mediative. The information is concise, practical, and refreshingly neutral. It also was the first book I’ve read that was written by a practicing Druid which in turn introduced me to the practice and ignited a new interest and potential spiritual path.
This book is more of a philosophical consideration of paganism rather than any sort of instructional book. Though the second half is near exclusively instructional though only applicable if you lead or are planning on leading a coven. It was also the first book that encouraged, or rather insisted that I leave my solitary practice and seek a group. Which lead to me enrolling in a year long druidry course and contacting several heads of local covens. I don’t think I would have done that if he wasn’t so convincing about why you should find community.
The first half is such an easy and engaging read but the second half suffers because I, like most people do not have a coven. Though leading one is an interest that has now been sparked in me, it feels out of place in something I expected to be an introduction. Still, I admire the practical nature of it and I imagine it would and maybe will be a great resource for the right person at the right time. I will be recommending this book to people looking for engaging conversation and consideration of paganism told with an astute groundedness that is rare in this path.
I really loved a lot about this book. The audio book is even toned and easy to listen to, almost mediative. The information is concise, practical, and refreshingly neutral. It also was the first book I’ve read that was written by a practicing Druid which in turn introduced me to the practice and ignited a new interest and potential spiritual path.
This book is more of a philosophical consideration of paganism rather than any sort of instructional book. Though the second half is near exclusively instructional though only applicable if you lead or are planning on leading a coven. It was also the first book that encouraged, or rather insisted that I leave my solitary practice and seek a group. Which lead to me enrolling in a year long druidry course and contacting several heads of local covens. I don’t think I would have done that if he wasn’t so convincing about why you should find community.
The first half is such an easy and engaging read but the second half suffers because I, like most people do not have a coven. Though leading one is an interest that has now been sparked in me, it feels out of place in something I expected to be an introduction. Still, I admire the practical nature of it and I imagine it would and maybe will be a great resource for the right person at the right time. I will be recommending this book to people looking for engaging conversation and consideration of paganism told with an astute groundedness that is rare in this path.
High Magick: A Guide to Cannabis in Ritual & Mysticism by Philip H. Farber
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
There’s a chapter on the magical properties of white people dreadlocks if this gives you any context on the overall vibe of this fucking book.
Esoteric Empathy: A Magickal & Metaphysical Guide to Emotional Sensitivity by Raven Digitalis
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Objectively, the best book I've read on empathy within the occult. It's more informative than flowery and approaches the subject with some level of intellectual integrity. The real highlight of this book however is the rituals and the fact that it's transparently clear that they were crafted through the author's own personal practice and experience. I did one from the book, and have two written down for future use. It's not often I find an occult book with rituals that I personally will attempt, and so I appreciated that. I also enjoyed the use of Baphomet and how diligent the author was with divorcing empathy/empathetic practice away from "white hand" magic. I often get frustrated at how narrow-minded and air headed books on empathy can be, and I liked that he intentionally strayed away from that stereotype.
That being said, this book is very preachy and biased in a way I did not enjoy. "This is what empaths do" "this is what empaths eat" "this is what empaths wear" while there's always going to be a correlation between empathy and more eco-friendly lifestyle choices, it just felt very limited and frankly, unrelatable. There's a very pervasive thread of "you have a duty to the world to show up as an empath in this way and if you don't you are not living up to your gift". Didn't love that! I skimmed a lot of the personal sections because of this and mostly focused on the ritual and practical aspects.
It's worth a read if you're an empath interested in the occult and not turned off by left-hand magic, but also be prepared to cherry pick what you find useful and what you find nonsensical.
That being said, this book is very preachy and biased in a way I did not enjoy. "This is what empaths do" "this is what empaths eat" "this is what empaths wear" while there's always going to be a correlation between empathy and more eco-friendly lifestyle choices, it just felt very limited and frankly, unrelatable. There's a very pervasive thread of "you have a duty to the world to show up as an empath in this way and if you don't you are not living up to your gift". Didn't love that! I skimmed a lot of the personal sections because of this and mostly focused on the ritual and practical aspects.
It's worth a read if you're an empath interested in the occult and not turned off by left-hand magic, but also be prepared to cherry pick what you find useful and what you find nonsensical.