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hissingpotatoes's reviews
1394 reviews
Tarot for Creativity: A Guide for Igniting Your Creative Practice by Chelsey Pippin Mizzi
3.5
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really like the point the author makes in the Tarot 101 chapter about the difference between archetype and stereotype, that the former opens up possibilities and the latter "shuts story down."
Each chapter in this book includes a one-page discussion of a tarot card in relation to creativity, four creative prompts, and a spread. The author does a good job of interpreting a primary meaning for each card and applying that meaning to a facet of creativity. The interpretations and activities focus mostly on building, supporting, and sustaining creativity as a craft rather than prompts for creating within your craft (though there are some of those).
Because the book encompasses all types of craft, the prompts and spreads sometimes feel generic and surface-level. I commend the author for putting so much thought and effort into providing a chapter for every single one of the 78 tarot cards, though sometimes the themes repeat between similar cards.
If you're looking for ways to re-engage with your craft or take it to the next level, this book provides plenty of reflection points through the lens of tarot with each chapter themed around a specific goal.
You might like this if you like: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, Tarot for Change by Jessica Dore
I really like the point the author makes in the Tarot 101 chapter about the difference between archetype and stereotype, that the former opens up possibilities and the latter "shuts story down."
Each chapter in this book includes a one-page discussion of a tarot card in relation to creativity, four creative prompts, and a spread. The author does a good job of interpreting a primary meaning for each card and applying that meaning to a facet of creativity. The interpretations and activities focus mostly on building, supporting, and sustaining creativity as a craft rather than prompts for creating within your craft (though there are some of those).
Because the book encompasses all types of craft, the prompts and spreads sometimes feel generic and surface-level. I commend the author for putting so much thought and effort into providing a chapter for every single one of the 78 tarot cards, though sometimes the themes repeat between similar cards.
If you're looking for ways to re-engage with your craft or take it to the next level, this book provides plenty of reflection points through the lens of tarot with each chapter themed around a specific goal.
You might like this if you like: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, Tarot for Change by Jessica Dore
Intrusions by Ursula Hegi
2.0
The concept of a book about a writer grappling with her characters throughout the writing process and how the fictional and real worlds intrude upon each other is interesting. This book explores that, but there's no plot, trajectory, or resolution for either the writer's world or that of her characters. It meanders over expectations for women who are wives and mothers but doesn't have any real resonance.
Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni
3.0
This is a cute, fun, simple romance. The characters felt one-dimensional. I never got a feel for Ellie's personality or why Vanya would be attracted to her. Ellie seemed immature, and her reactions to her ex being pretty much the same as her feelings for Vanya made it difficult to believe in the new relationship.
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
4.0
This is an interesting one. Some things I really liked, some things I didn't.
The character work is great and I ended up liking both leads, but more separately than together because I feel that Thabiso went past the point of no return by not telling Naledi the truth sooner. The resolution of the conflict his actions caused felt rushed at the end and more like it needed to happen because it's a romance book than because it made sense for the characters.
The subplot of the epidemic also resolved very quickly way at the last second. That said, I really enjoyed the worldbuilding of Thesolo, the way the character and plot arcs intertwined, and the promise of side characters becoming leads in future books.
I definitely want to continue reading the series.
The character work is great and I ended up liking both leads, but more separately than together because I feel that Thabiso went past the point of no return by not telling Naledi the truth sooner. The resolution of the conflict his actions caused felt rushed at the end and more like it needed to happen because it's a romance book than because it made sense for the characters.
The subplot of the epidemic also resolved very quickly way at the last second. That said, I really enjoyed the worldbuilding of Thesolo, the way the character and plot arcs intertwined, and the promise of side characters becoming leads in future books.
I definitely want to continue reading the series.
The Witch of Colchis by Rosie Hewlett
5.0
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"When I was a child, I turned my brother into a pig." From this first line on, I was captivated by Medea's voice, brilliantly brought to life by audiobook narrator Kristin Atherton.
Medea is one of my favorite mythological figures, and Hewlett does her justice. It's heartbreaking to experience all the points where a different choice could lead to a happier outcome and to watch Medea go down the wrong path every time. Hewlett weaves the narrative in such a way that even though the reader sees the trainwreck about to happen, they understand why Medea makes the choices she does. It's a nuanced, careful balance that Hewlett executes flawlessly.
I love how Hewlett reflects Medea's biting way of speaking from the original Greek sources in her Medea. The dialogue and Medea's inner narrative are often on fire.
This Medea is a fully realized character that pays homage to her place in ancient Greek literature but also speaks to a modern audience. The book is a compelling combination of magic, action, relationships, introspection, and character growth (albeit in an atypical direction). Highly recommend.
You might like this if you like: Circe by Madeline Miller, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
"When I was a child, I turned my brother into a pig." From this first line on, I was captivated by Medea's voice, brilliantly brought to life by audiobook narrator Kristin Atherton.
Medea is one of my favorite mythological figures, and Hewlett does her justice. It's heartbreaking to experience all the points where a different choice could lead to a happier outcome and to watch Medea go down the wrong path every time. Hewlett weaves the narrative in such a way that even though the reader sees the trainwreck about to happen, they understand why Medea makes the choices she does. It's a nuanced, careful balance that Hewlett executes flawlessly.
I love how Hewlett reflects Medea's biting way of speaking from the original Greek sources in her Medea. The dialogue and Medea's inner narrative are often on fire.
This Medea is a fully realized character that pays homage to her place in ancient Greek literature but also speaks to a modern audience. The book is a compelling combination of magic, action, relationships, introspection, and character growth (albeit in an atypical direction). Highly recommend.
You might like this if you like: Circe by Madeline Miller, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Witch in Darkness: Magick for Tough Times, Bad Days and Moments of Total Catastrophe by Kelly-Ann Maddox
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a validating and supportive guide to using witchcraft through life's toughest moments. The spells and rituals focus on your psychology to get you reflecting, mindful, and better able to set intentions and goals. Each chapter ends with journal prompts and affirmations. I really appreciate the book's approach that witchcraft is a tool that can be used in all aspects of your life, not just a perfect social media aesthetic. The book doesn't claim that witchcraft is a panacea or make its use prescriptive or rigid; it's a highly modifiable tool to fit the practitioner's needs and views.
Part 1 describes how witchcraft can be done anywhere, anytime, with any (or no) materials. It outlines low- and high- energy ways to practice witchcraft, emphasizing self-care. The advice is smart and can be applied to both witchcraft and wider life practices.
Part 2 provides thoughtful witchcraft activities including spells, rituals, and cartomancy spreads. Each chapter is themed around difficulties in different life areas (identity, family, mental health, emotions, body, relationships, intense situations, scarcity, creativity, magickal ability, spirituality, addiction, society, and loss).
The book consistently urges mundane acts for mental health like calling hotlines or seeking therapy, but the mundane actions are oddly missing in the physical health chapter. Without that combination, the witchcraft actions seem more like (unrealistically) willing yourself into health than the supplemental actions they should be.
One activity recommends burning a candle after rubbing it with oil and herbs, but that is very likely to be unsafe. I also felt the recommendation for using animal bones needed information on ethical and safe acquirement.
In chapter 16, the author says she doesn't burn anything she writes, but in chapter 14 she says she burns certain of her poems to a deity. I'm curious about this inconsistency.
Part 3 is a Q&A around common themes the author has encountered working with her clients.
While the book conflates the practice of witchcraft with spirituality (they are not inherently connected for every witch), its flexible stance makes it widely applicable to any practitioner. Coming from a more secular standpoint, I found it immensely useful and creative and plan to buy and regularly use it upon publication.
You might like this if you like: The Magickal Writing Grimoire by Lisa Marie Basile, Sacred Tears by Courtney Weber
This book is a validating and supportive guide to using witchcraft through life's toughest moments. The spells and rituals focus on your psychology to get you reflecting, mindful, and better able to set intentions and goals. Each chapter ends with journal prompts and affirmations. I really appreciate the book's approach that witchcraft is a tool that can be used in all aspects of your life, not just a perfect social media aesthetic. The book doesn't claim that witchcraft is a panacea or make its use prescriptive or rigid; it's a highly modifiable tool to fit the practitioner's needs and views.
Part 1 describes how witchcraft can be done anywhere, anytime, with any (or no) materials. It outlines low- and high- energy ways to practice witchcraft, emphasizing self-care. The advice is smart and can be applied to both witchcraft and wider life practices.
Part 2 provides thoughtful witchcraft activities including spells, rituals, and cartomancy spreads. Each chapter is themed around difficulties in different life areas (identity, family, mental health, emotions, body, relationships, intense situations, scarcity, creativity, magickal ability, spirituality, addiction, society, and loss).
The book consistently urges mundane acts for mental health like calling hotlines or seeking therapy, but the mundane actions are oddly missing in the physical health chapter. Without that combination, the witchcraft actions seem more like (unrealistically) willing yourself into health than the supplemental actions they should be.
One activity recommends burning a candle after rubbing it with oil and herbs, but that is very likely to be unsafe. I also felt the recommendation for using animal bones needed information on ethical and safe acquirement.
In chapter 16, the author says she doesn't burn anything she writes, but in chapter 14 she says she burns certain of her poems to a deity. I'm curious about this inconsistency.
Part 3 is a Q&A around common themes the author has encountered working with her clients.
While the book conflates the practice of witchcraft with spirituality (they are not inherently connected for every witch), its flexible stance makes it widely applicable to any practitioner. Coming from a more secular standpoint, I found it immensely useful and creative and plan to buy and regularly use it upon publication.
You might like this if you like: The Magickal Writing Grimoire by Lisa Marie Basile, Sacred Tears by Courtney Weber
Sacred Tears: A Witch's Guide to Grief by Courtney Weber
3.5
Part memoir, part support, this book encourages you to experience grief rather than force yourself to "get over it." Its central message is to be kind to yourself. The rituals and journal prompts are thoughtful and meaningful. I like Weber's approach and voice a lot. I'm glad the book is resonating with so many readers. I did find it repetitive, which kind of makes sense as part of the gentle approach but negatively impacted my personal experience of the book. The book also conflates witchcraft with religion/spirituality with a specifically Wiccan framework.
Havemercy by Danielle Bennett, Jaida Jones
4.0
A solid fantasy with interesting characters. I enjoyed diving back into the world and prose each time I opened the book. The ending wrapped up satisfyingly, so I don't feel the need to read the remaining books in the series (they feel like they're drawing things out).
The Complete Bag Making Masterclass: A Comprehensive Guide to Modern Bag Making Techniques by Samantha Hussey
2.5
Outlines common parts of bag making, then puts them together into several projects. I like that this book talks a little more about using faux leather than other books. The projects looks good and offer a variety of designs. However, the font is strangely small, and there aren't nearly enough pictures to go along with the instructions.