constantin's review against another edition
3.0
In a single word ... Mehhh
In more words,
If you are new to Carroll's books, then this book is a good introduction and has some nice information in it to catch your interest.
If you have read other works by Carroll, then you realise that every single book is a plagiarism of his other books. Literally, every book is almost identical, says the same things on the same subjects with the same advice, just in sort of different words. It feels like "limbo" for books. Also, every single one of the books is an entry-level information, and the rituals mentioned in this one are ridiculous!
Only gave it 3 stars because it would be a good starting point for a beginner and due to the fact that it has 3-4 paragraphs that are good food for thought.
In more words,
If you are new to Carroll's books, then this book is a good introduction and has some nice information in it to catch your interest.
If you have read other works by Carroll, then you realise that every single book is a plagiarism of his other books. Literally, every book is almost identical, says the same things on the same subjects with the same advice, just in sort of different words. It feels like "limbo" for books. Also, every single one of the books is an entry-level information, and the rituals mentioned in this one are ridiculous!
Only gave it 3 stars because it would be a good starting point for a beginner and due to the fact that it has 3-4 paragraphs that are good food for thought.
arthurbdd's review
2.0
Carroll's attempt to convince the world - and, perhaps, himself - that he was still at the cutting edge of chaos magic does not quite ring true. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2021/05/01/the-construction-and-collapse-of-chaos/
dreusmire's review
challenging
dark
informative
fast-paced
5.0
if i were to tear this book apart and annotate every single thing this man brings up, the new version would become longer than the passage of time when you're bored. this book has me by the throat, i adore it
amadeus's review
4.0
Liber Kaos elaborates on many concepts introduced in the essays of Liber Null & Psychonut. The first portion of the book textbookily answers the question: "How does magic actually work?" and how it has evolved since the dawning of shamanism. It pulls explanations from chaos theory and some other scientific models, which paradoxically adds and subtracts to the existential nature of it's predecessor.
The middle portion of the book introduces a color magic system that corresponds to the eight points of the chaos star. It may contradict the anti-dogmatic themes of Liber Null, but I feel like it is made understood that this is Carroll's system and you may apply it as you see fit.
The final portion of the book is instruction to the reader on how to start your own local chaos temple, and also rituals for the initiate.
The book does feel like more of a "manual" than any other of Peter J. Carroll's books, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't hold to psychologically freeform ideas.
The middle portion of the book introduces a color magic system that corresponds to the eight points of the chaos star. It may contradict the anti-dogmatic themes of Liber Null, but I feel like it is made understood that this is Carroll's system and you may apply it as you see fit.
The final portion of the book is instruction to the reader on how to start your own local chaos temple, and also rituals for the initiate.
The book does feel like more of a "manual" than any other of Peter J. Carroll's books, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't hold to psychologically freeform ideas.
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