The Book of Forgotten Witches: Dark & Twisted Folklore Stories from Around the World. It is almost like an encyclopaedia of characters from folklore aThe Book of Forgotten Witches: Dark & Twisted Folklore Stories from Around the World. It is almost like an encyclopaedia of characters from folklore and mythology. The book is beautifully designed with illustrations on most pages and is full stories or short biographies of each character. The book is introduced in the form of a narrator, who calls themselves the Keeper, in the ruins of a hidden witches’ library, also know as the Corpus Corvorum.
Some of the people listed here are well know and significant people from history and studiers of alchemy like Isaac Newton, John Dee, Marie Laveau the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.. Other are characters of legend like Merlin and Morgan Le Fay. As they are collected from all over the world it was lovely to see some local characters included like Mother Shipton from Knaresbough in Yorkshire.
This is an extensive collection and would be of interest to anyone who enjoys history, alchemy, folklore to mythology. And a reminder how sometimes normal folk were served injustice by the monarch at the time and their fear of witchcraft. It is broken down into chapters by the various gifts or powers these people are send to process. Ie curse bringers, nature withes, alchemists.
Thank you to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
When I saw the synopsis for this book I was really intrigued as I haven't read anything like this before. I also loved the beautiful gothic design of When I saw the synopsis for this book I was really intrigued as I haven't read anything like this before. I also loved the beautiful gothic design of the cover.
Zerryn grew up on tales of the Lord of Death, Erlik Khan. In her small village, she and the rest of the residents keeps to themselves in fear of being taken by him. She spends her days with her best friend Çelik. When he suddenly starts to act strange and becomes possessed by a demon (the devil himself) in order to save him, she must visit the underworld and compete in three impossible trials to win the hand of the devil himself and become the bride of death.
I am a little bit divided with this book. I really like that it is based on Turkish folklore which I know nothing about and I love the mythology surrounding Erlik Khans character. This is an angle of the devil potrayed as I have never read before, and I found it really interesting. But I found the world building a little hard to follow and thought the book itself could have been better executed. I don't know if this is due to cultural reference but I felt like bits were missed and I didn't always know what was happening. I found it a bit disjointed.
I was expecting gothic fantasy but this book has more romance than I thought it would have which I really enjoyed. Who doesn't love a devil who just wants to be loved.
This is the first time I have read a book by F.M. Aden but I am sure it won't be the last.
Thanks to NetGalley and Northern Light Press for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
I am getting to the point now in the series, where I am tired of the same story happening over and over again but I am far too invested in the series I am getting to the point now in the series, where I am tired of the same story happening over and over again but I am far too invested in the series to give up reading. This book being only 245 pages was a welcome relief after the previous book which bagged up over 700.
I am not sure how I feel about Micah. He kind of arrived in the middle of the Jean Claude, Richard spat and just hung around. I guess we didn't really find out much more about him, other than how he became were. I just don't really feel the connection between the two of them if I am honest. I would much rather read about Nathaniel.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw the cover of this book I was really intrigued an it looked Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw the cover of this book I was really intrigued an it looked really spooky, and an interesting read. On looking at the synopsis it was described as a horror with a LGBT take which I thought would be a refreshing change.
The atmospheric build up was brilliant and you definitely get that dark vibe from the first page. The setting in a strange eerie town just adds to the build up. The book is full of twists and turns and very well paced, but unfortunately for me it was just an ok read. I do struggle with books that constantly switch between characters, which I found this did. Its a personal preference but this really effects how much I enjoy a book. First time I have read a book by the author but I would read another by him. And think this book is worth a look for any fans of horror....more
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw this book cover I thought it was beautiful and I needed to Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw this book cover I thought it was beautiful and I needed to get my hands on a copy. I imagine the real book with be something else, especially if the colours are metallic.
It was a really enjoyable read, a little bit fantastical filled with magic and a steampunk science twist. The author describes and creates the world brilliantly and had me hooked from the first page. It is quite a slow build but there is so much going on and to take in that I kind of liked this, it gave me time to digest what was happening and to familiarise yourself with the characters and their names.
A really great book and I look forwards to reading more books in the series or written by the author....more
Thank you to Netgalley and Lore and Lyre for a copy of this short story in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When I saw the coverThank you to Netgalley and Lore and Lyre for a copy of this short story in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When I saw the cover and realised this was a short folk lore story I couldn't resist. And boy, when it says short it really is, in fact I feel like this story was too short to be reviewed almost. Riley works in a bakery and is approached by a strange customer asking for a specific type of bread, she has to venture into the forest on an adventure to find the ingredient at twilight, where upon she meets another man asking to try the bread once she has made it.
It was an interesting story with a lovely narrator. I would just have liked to have listen a bit longer and learn more about the origins of the folk lore....more
When I saw the blurb for this book on Goodreads I knew I had to read it. Compared to Outlander and The Mists of Avalon, this thrilling first novel of When I saw the blurb for this book on Goodreads I knew I had to read it. Compared to Outlander and The Mists of Avalon, this thrilling first novel of a debut trilogy reveals the untold story of Languoreth—a forgotten queen of sixth-century Scotland—twin sister of the man who inspired the legend of Merlin.
When I was a child I remember my Sister taking me to watch a play in our local park called "King Arthur" sitting in the twilight setting, watching the sun set whilst bats flew around my head, I saw the sword Excalibur raise from the lake and I was entranced. This vision has stayed with me through my adult life, so whenever I see a book about the mythical Merlin, I am always intrigued and hoping to once again feel that magic, only this kind of legend can bring.
This book does not disappoint we follow the story of Languoreth and her twin brother, Lailoken aka Myrddin which is Welsh for mad man or Merlin. Set in sixth century Celtic Britain, a land we now call Scotland, they are brought up to follow the old ways and worship the old gods, but the world is changing and christianity is being heralded as the new religion. We follow Languoreth throughout her life, into her 30's where she is married and has children of her own. It is a time of turmoil thorough the land and she tries to protect herself and her family the best way she can. The book centres on her life, with Merlin and her other family members arraying throughout the book as he is on his own path in the world.
I really enjoyed this book, the characters are vibrant, the writing beautifully delivered and you can't help but be drawn into the story and join Languoreth plight. I did find it a little too stretched out in places but will definitely be delving into the next book when I can get my hands on a copy....more
Jade aka MrsTosh
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