cosmicpages's review
3.0
Thank you Netgalley and Astrid Carvel for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I feel like this is the kind of book that you would get as a little gift from a family member that knows little about the subject and heard you were interested in all that "witchy" stuff. I did enjoy the subject and I have been exploring the topic more in depth so when I saw the cover, my interest was piqued. The cover is absolutely stunning.
I do think that this had quite a bit of historical information in it, but I feel like it has barely scratched the surface. This feels like a book intended to get someone's attention more than anything and act as the first footstep down the path of researching deeper into occultism.
The brief history on different topics was great and I wish that this book had focused on just this and expanded more. I think targeting the history of occultism would have been the best route to go. Once it started to drift into "how-tos" and tools for the practice, my interest in the writing wavered as it felt like this was too large a topic to summarize into so few pages. Especially without discussing cultural connections and safety measures when doing so.
Overall, I enjoyed the read. I would recommend this for beginners who are just getting interested in the topic and want a quick snippet of the history before they do more research on their own. I did enjoy Carvel's writing style and delivery of the information as it kept me interested. It was well written and able to deliver history in a way that didn't bore me (which is difficult because I'm not usually a historical/non-fiction fan, so well done!)
I feel like this is the kind of book that you would get as a little gift from a family member that knows little about the subject and heard you were interested in all that "witchy" stuff. I did enjoy the subject and I have been exploring the topic more in depth so when I saw the cover, my interest was piqued. The cover is absolutely stunning.
I do think that this had quite a bit of historical information in it, but I feel like it has barely scratched the surface. This feels like a book intended to get someone's attention more than anything and act as the first footstep down the path of researching deeper into occultism.
The brief history on different topics was great and I wish that this book had focused on just this and expanded more. I think targeting the history of occultism would have been the best route to go. Once it started to drift into "how-tos" and tools for the practice, my interest in the writing wavered as it felt like this was too large a topic to summarize into so few pages. Especially without discussing cultural connections and safety measures when doing so.
Overall, I enjoyed the read. I would recommend this for beginners who are just getting interested in the topic and want a quick snippet of the history before they do more research on their own. I did enjoy Carvel's writing style and delivery of the information as it kept me interested. It was well written and able to deliver history in a way that didn't bore me (which is difficult because I'm not usually a historical/non-fiction fan, so well done!)
rage_among_the_page's review
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.75
I’m left feeling conflicted after reading. Beginner style book that feels best read by the more experienced. I wish I could review as two separate books and that it was written as such. With so many aspects, practices and belief systems that fall within the occult, reviews and perceptions are guaranteed to vary and get critical.
The first portion of the book read more as what I was expecting. A brief history and synopsis on varying topics. The writing is both engaging and to the point without much fluff or romanticizing. I would have loved for the book to continue on with additional topics and systems as sort of an “intro” to expand understanding.
Once the book starts touching on practices, tools and takes a dive into the “how to”, my interest began to waver and brought the occasional head bow and exasperated exhale. While I’m in no place to gatekeep, I feel some of the tools and topics can’t safely be delivered in such bite sized snippets. I would have liked to see more of disclaimer approach and a greater respect for closed practices. Ideally, if mentioning the tools and practices, the information would have been delivered in more of a clarification of cultural roots.
The social media references paired with the “how to” presentation bring the now commonly used term “baby witch” to mind. Personally, I’m not a fan of the term nor the context it’s used in, however these portions of the book bring it to mind as the target audience. Personally, I don’t take issue with the spells chosen with the exception of one or two, but I would have preferred they just be in a separate book altogether with more elaboration. It also feels a bit inconsistent to have so many social media nods, yet not acknowledge the heavily discussed controversies and address appropriation.
Some things that stood out:
The Ouija board portion(s): I’d have liked to see more history and disclosure in the beginning at first mention. In fairness, the book does touch on using it safely though much further on and let’s be real, if someone is curious and just starting out, they’re likely not reading the full book without dabbling along the way. I’d have also liked to see the practice portion address how to properly prepare, rather than summed up as others having issues and just recommending a doctor visit should you have any.
Crowley mentions: While I appreciate the neutral approach of such a controversial figure, I’ve never seen him so passively mentioned. Again, if this was broken into separate books with more topics on history, I may feel differently here. With the verbose portion of the book being so brief before diving into practices, there’s not much room for things to resonate and it be to choose their path. This starts to feel more like a handbook of “this is who is relevant and how I recommend you practice”.
Hecate: While it may not seem like Hecate needs elaboration, if the book is meant to be consumed as a reference, it’s likely that beginners or those with curiosities are who it will appeal to most. The description felt to brief before just throwing out to “call on Hecate by…”. I’d have liked to see more on paying respects, when/what/why, etc. Sure that’s a bit much for a “Little Book of…”, but further iterates my point of keeping it to reference and having an entirely separate volume on practices.
The author does in fact address some portions of my concerns as the book wraps up, however I know this bite-sized life we’re in. A new reality where mere seconds on Tik Tok spark a practice or belief, the disclaimers feel a bit “too late” at that point. We’re in an age of searching for key words and getting to the point.
This is the first book of Astrid Carvel’s that I’ve read. While it wasn’t a home run for me, I did feel it was well written and off to a great start, I will be purchasing additional titles (this ARC copy was provided by NetGalley) and exploring more of Carvel’s work as I enjoyed the delivery of information and am always eager to learn the perspectives of others, taking what resonates with me.
There’s so much potential in this style and the book has it’s place, but the practice portion reminds me of something that would accompany a Home Goods, budget priced “Spell Kit” that contains unethically sourced herbs and stones. Carvel has a gift in providing knowledge and history that isn’t met with a yawn, I genuinely hope to see these skills expanded upon with a more historical and basics of approach.
There’s so much potential in this style and the book has it’s place, but the practice portion reminds me of something that would accompany a Home Goods, budget priced “Spell Kit” that contains unethically sourced herbs and stones. Carvel has a gift in providing knowledge and history that isn’t met with a yawn, I genuinely hope to see these skills expanded upon with a more historical and basics of approach.
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