A review by bookbeetle
The Magic of Marie Laveau: Embracing the Spiritual Legacy of the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans by Denise Alvarado

Did not finish book. Stopped at 68%.

This book offers readers a captivating introduction to the life and experiences of the renowned Marie Laveau. As a reader, I was deeply intrigued by the first section of the book, which delves into Marie Laveau's intriguing journey. However, my overall satisfaction was somewhat diminished due to the brevity of this section and the lack of comprehensive answers to the questions it raised.

Section One: A Fragmented Glimpse: The initial section of the book provides a tantalizing glimpse into Marie Laveau's life. It paints a vivid portrait of her experiences and introduces readers to her fascinating existence. Yet, it felt disappointingly short, leaving me eager for more details and a deeper exploration of Marie Laveau's upbringing and her journey into spiritual practices.

Unanswered Questions: I found myself yearning to understand how Marie Laveau acquired her vast knowledge, particularly in the context of her familial heritage. Did she inherit her skills from her ancestors? Were there specific trade secrets passed down through generations? Unfortunately, the book did not address these questions satisfactorily, leaving a void in my understanding of her magical upbringing.

Section Two and Three: A Shift in Focus: My disappointment with the book grew as I delved into the second and third sections, as they veered away from Marie Laveau's personal story and instead delved into broader voodoo practices and the life of a Marie Laveau devotee. While these sections may be valuable to a particular audience seeking an introduction to voodoo and guidance on connecting with the spirit of Marie Laveau, they lacked the depth and personal touch that initially captivated me. And it seems to me that the title is misleading in how it did not alert to the how-to nature of this book. 

Lack of Cohesion: Regrettably, I found a lack of cohesion between the first section, which introduced Marie Laveau's life, and the subsequent parts of the book. There was a noticeable disconnect in terms of tone, focus, and intended audience. As a reader who was primarily drawn to the biographical aspect of the book, this divergence proved disappointing.

Conclusion: this book had the potential to be an exceptional biographical account of Marie Laveau's fascinating life. While the first section provides a tantalizing glimpse into her experiences, it falls short in terms of length and depth. Additionally, the subsequent sections cater to a different audience, exploring voodoo practices and devotion to Marie Laveau, but lack the same personal touch. Overall, I was left with lingering questions and a sense of dissatisfaction. Despite these flaws, the book serves as a decent introduction to voodoo practice for those seeking such information.