Book Review - The Science of Witchcraft by Meg Hafdahl

The Science of Witchcraft: The Truth Behind Sabrina, Maleficent, Glinda, and More of Your Favorite Fictional Witches by Meg Hafdahl
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 Synopsis: Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl, authors of The Science of Women in Horror and co-hosts of the Horror Rewind podcast called “the best horror film podcast out there” by Film Daddy, present a guide to the history of witchcraft through the stories and characters we all know and love. Reveal the spellbinding science behind the legends and lore surrounding fiction’s most iconic witches, answering such questions as: 
What is the science behind divination and spellcraft?
When did witchcraft begin to show up in literature and media?
Has science made it possible to uncover the truth behind the powers of necromancy and employing familiars?
How has witchcraft been thought of throughout the world?
Through interviews, film and literary analysis, and bone-chilling discoveries, join Kelly and Meg as they learn about the complicated and rich science of witchcraft throughout the centuries and discover why now is the season of the witch!

My Thoughts: Interesting! A great mix of media nostalgia and fun facts to treasure. It had so many of my favorite witches in it from days gone by. Some I had forgotten and it was so wonderful and refreshing traveling down memory lane and reminiscing over them again.

One of the many fact/interview sessions within the book was the one with the herbalist. I learned a good bit more than I expected to about plants and their powers in that section like which one was good for inflammation or which one would help with arthritis problems and more.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me this copy for my honest opinion.

View all my reviews

Book Review Tour/Giveaway - Broken Wish by Julie C Dao

 

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the BROKEN WISH by Julie C. Dao Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About the Book:

Title: BROKEN WISH

Author: Julie C. Dao

Pub. Date: October 6, 2020

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 320

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org, Purchase a SIGNED copy!

Sixteen-year-old Elva has a secret. She has visions and strange powers that she will do anything to hide. She knows the warnings about what happens to witches in their small village of Hanau. She's heard the terrible things people say about the Witch of the North Woods, and the malicious hunts that follow.

But when Elva accidentally witnesses a devastating vision of the future, she decides she has to do everything she can to prevent it. Tapping into her powers for the first time, Elva discovers a magical mirror and its owner-none other than the Witch of the North Woods herself. As Elva learns more about her burgeoning magic, and the lines between hero and villain start to blur, she must find a way to right past wrongs before it's too late.

The Mirror: Broken Wish marks the first book in an innovative four-book fairy-tale series written by Julie C. Dao, Dhonielle Clayton, Jennifer Cervantes, and L. L. McKinney, following one family over several generations, and the curse that plagues it.

“Broken Wish is the perfect dark Disney fairytale.” – The Disney Blog

“Julie C. Dao sets the bar high with Broken Wish, a stunning and skillful introduction to the world of The Mirror, Disney's new fractured fairy-tale series written by four different authors that follows a family curse through the ages.” - Medium

“Fairy tales were literally the foundation of how I started writing my first full-length novel at the age of eight. So, it felt like coming full circle when Disney asked me to write the first book in this series, and I had a blast incorporating classic fairy tale themes with my own twist. Hanau, Germany is none other than the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm, and as a lover of dark fairy tales, I felt that there was no setting more perfect for me to explore. My book takes place during a time when rural villages would still have clung to superstition and prejudice, and that gave me an excellent springboard for this book about a woman who has never quite fit in and longs for love and friendship.” - Julie C. Dao on Broken Wish in Publishers Weekly

 

My Thoughts: Even though I found it a bit predictable this was a lovely fairy tale based on broken promises and witchcraft. Two combinations I love! I adored the characters even the cruel ones because Julie wrote them in such a way that they practically came to life on each page with their own issues and flaws. But I especially loved Elva and her big heart that never stopped giving or caring. All in all I really enjoyed Julie's spin on this and can't wait to see where the rest of the series takes us. 4/5 stars

About Julie:

Julie C. Dao is the author of the acclaimed Rise of the Empress duology, including Forest of a Thousand Lanterns and Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix, as well as the follow-up novel Song of the Crimson Flower. A proud Vietnamese-American who was born in upstate New York, she now lives in New England. Follow her on Twitter @jules_writes. Photo Credit: Melody Marshall

 

Website | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

 

Giveaway Details:

 

3 winners will receive a finished copy of BROKEN WISH, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/1/2020	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
10/2/2020	YABooksCentral	Excerpt

 

Week Two:

10/5/2020	Seeing Double In Neverland	Review
10/6/2020	Novel Novice	Excerpt
10/7/2020	The Book Nut : A Book Lovers Guide	Review
10/8/2020	Nays Pink Bookshelf	Review
10/9/2020	Rajiv's Reviews	Review

 

Week Three:

10/12/2020	A Dream Within A Dream	Review
10/13/2020	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
10/14/2020	Smada's Book Smack	Review
10/15/2020	Book Briefs	Review
10/16/2020	The Mind of a Book Dragon	Review

 

Week Four:

10/19/2020	Do You Dog-ear?	Review
10/20/2020	popthebutterfly	Review
10/21/2020	oddandbookish	Review
10/22/2020	Fictitious.fox	Review
10/23/2020	Momfluenster	Review

 

Week Five:

10/26/2020	What A Nerd Girl Says	Excerpt
10/27/2020	onemused	Review
10/28/2020	Gimme The Scoop Reviews	Review
10/29/2020	A Backwards Story	Review
10/30/2020	linathebookaddict	Review

Review - Witchwood and Seabound by Ethan Proud

Title: WITCHWOOD AND SEABOUND
Author: Ethan Proud
Publisher: Proud Brothers Publishing
Pages: 492
Genre: Fantasy

 

Synopsis: Gripping and tense, Witchwood tells the tale of a witch and sheriff turned unlikely allies to stop the town of Northgate from being destroyed by dark forces.

Sheriff Ruckstead reluctantly asks his nemesis Artemisia Corax, the woodwitch, for help when a string of murders unsolvable by mundane means occurs in one night.  As he cooperates with the witch, his reputation is called into question and he faces conflict with one of the wealthier business families of Northgate.

While Sheriff Ruckstead faces his own challenges, Artemisia discovers that she will need aid in bringing the murderers to justice and enlists the support of a demon. When the interplanal denizen escapes her control, she finds that she and Ruckstead have more on their plates than they bargained for. Including the wrath of a goddess.

My Thoughts:  A deliciously dark fantasy! I love it when a story grabs me in the first few lines and gives me a continuous fill of adventure and in this case wicked evilness. The characters and world building were drawn out perfectly and I felt almost as though I were tagging along with the sheriff and Artemisia. There were a few parts that took me for a ride for real I was just in total shock. Still sitting here after a day or so of finishing the story thinking of it and just thinking like WOW!

*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Order your copy at Amazon Here

Meet The Author

Ethan Proud was raised in Pinedale, Wyoming and that is where he fell in love with reading, writing, and the outdoors. He published his first series the Rebellion Trilogy with his older brother, Lincoln. Ethan is an avid adventurer, whether it is on the page or in nature and when he is not writing or reading he can be found backpacking, rock climbing, or snowboarding.

website & Social Links

Website → www.proudbrotherswriting.com

Facebook →  https://www.facebook.com/proudbrotherswriting

Review - Werewolves Be Damned by Stacey Kennedy

Synopsis:

Nexi Jones—part witch, part guardian, and wannabe kick-ass warrior—can’t throw a punch or conjure the simplest magic. But
that doesn’t stop her from hunting the werewolves who slaughtered her human family. She’ll have her revenge, but only if Kyden, the elite guardian, would get the hell out of her way.

Kyden can’t decide if Nexi wants to get herself killed or if she just has no clue what she’s doing. But her father made it clear: keep Nexi safe…or else. Of course, the more Nexi runs toward revenge, the more she needs Kyden’s aid, and as she grows into her power and confidence, so does his desire to protect her. The only problem? She’d rather he dropped dead.

But when a vampire paints a bull’s-eye on Nexi’s back, she’s hard-pressed to deny Kyden and the help he’s offering. Even if it means getting her revenge will be a little bit harder. At least it will still be as sweet.

Amazon / BN / Kobo / iTunes

Review: This was my first time reading anything by Stacey Kennedy and I really enjoyed it alot! I have heard her erotic works are very good also so I will definitely be looking into those now as well!

Nexi our heroine is another heroine it took me a while to warm up to more or less because she like most of the others want to be so stubborn and hard headed. Although I could feel sympathy towards her I couldn't get that actual "like" feeling going on until well into the story and her actual training with Kyden. But in a way I really appreciated it taking some time for me to watch her grow in herself and her training as she evolved from just being a simple person to what she becomes after training. It gave me the respectful feeling and likeness I needed to have in a character especially a main character.


Excerpt:

I’ve found you, fur ball.

Nexi peered from behind the large oak tree and spotted the small log cabin nestled in the thick forest. The porch light cast a warm glow into the night. Fog settled over the lush grass, and the night was dark, eerie.

Stepping away from her hiding place behind the tree, she strode forward and gripped the dagger tightly in her hand. Keeping the silver blade pointed outward, she climbed the cabin’s porch steps, taking each one slowly to avoid detection.

Once she arrived at the front door, she wrapped her hand around the door handle. Rich hunger for revenge burned in her veins and made her intent on one thing: to slaughter the werewolf who escaped the night of her parents’ murder. Not caring what awaited her, she stormed inside, dagger pointed, ready to kill.

The simple cabin had two large brown couches near a wood-burning stove, a kitchenette behind the living room, and a quilt-covered bed resting in the back. And that was it; there were no other rooms to investigate. No secret hiding places she could see.

No damned werewolf.

She cursed, shut the front door behind her, then trotted down the steps to return to her hiding spot. On her way across the yard, she glanced at the space to the right of the tree, which looked much like a heat wave, indicating that the portal to the Otherworld remained.

In some places around the world—or the Earthworld, as supernaturals had called it—there were permanent portals to the supernatural realm. This portal had only appeared because Nexi had travelled to this cabin from the Otherworld. Once she passed through the portal again, the gateway would vanish.

Magic had its perks. Quick travel was one of them.

Nexi shook her head at how normal all this magical stuff seemed now. Just over a month ago she’d never believed in anything that went bump in the night. Now she knew all those things existed, and in fact, she was one of them.

To her horror, she had learned that her birth mother, Tillie, had been murdered by a power-hungry vampire, Lazarus. All those years ago, her birth father, Drake, had protectively decided to block Nexi’s supernatural abilities. He had planned for her to live and die as a mortal. Now with her return to the Otherworld and the removal of the block on her true identity, there was no going back.

She was no longer plain, human, Nexi Jones.

She was Nexi Jones, part guardian, part witch.

Looking away from the portal and to her hiding spot until the werewolf returned, she hurried her steps. She wasn’t ready to return to the Otherworld yet. Not until she had the werewolf’s head as her wall ornament would she dare go home.

Just as she neared the tree, a woodsy scent that had nothing to do with the forest mixed with the citrusy aroma of aftershave. A blink of an eye later, the dagger she held was now at her throat, a hard body closed in on her back.

“You smelled lovely when you arrived.” The low voice by her ear held a faint English accent. “But I never imagined you’d be so pretty.”

The blade pressed into her skin, not drawing blood, but implying that if the werewolf chose, she’d be destined for the grave. “I’m…”

“Going to explain yourself.” He lowered the dagger, took hold of her arm, and jerked her forward.

In a few short strides, the werewolf tossed her through the threshold of the cabin, and slammed the door behind them. He sauntered to the couch, sat down, and regarded her. “Now then, darlin’.” His olive skin was stunningly flawless, and his chocolate-colored hair was spiked tall. “Why would a pretty lass like yourself plan to attack me?”

“Don’t move.” That charm wouldn’t fool her. “Stay right where you are.”

“My mouth is the only thing moving.” His slanted amber eyes raked over her. “Would you like me to stop talking?”

“No.” She hesitated then added, “Only your mouth can move. Nothing else. Tell me what you know.”

He gave her a long look. “I’d be glad to tell you anything you’d like, love.”

His kind face and soft voice wouldn’t trick her. He was a werewolf. She was certain, which was another oddity.

After the block on her supernatural abilities had been lifted, she could identify a supernatural creature as if knowing the difference between a brunette and a redhead. “Tell me why you killed my family.”

“That’s an interesting accusation.” He cocked his head, studying her with a frown. “But I think the more important question is who are you?”

She lifted her chin. “The lass who’s going to cut off your furry wolf balls.”

About the Author:

Stacey Kennedy is an urban fantasy lover at heart, but she also enjoys losing herself in dark and sensual worlds. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who gave her a happily-ever-after. Together, they have two small children who can always make her smile, and who will never be allowed to read Mommy’s books. If she’s not plugging away at a new story, you’ll find her camping, curling up with the latest flick, or obsessing over Sons of Anarchy and Game of Thrones.

Website / Blog / Facebook / Facebook Fan Page / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon Author

Review - A Chalice of Wind by Cate Tiernan

A Chalice of Wind by Cate Tiernan
Released: May 29, 2008
Publisher: Paw Prints
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 250 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Rating: 3/5

After seventeen-year-old Thais Allard loses her widowed father in a tragic car accident, she is forced to leave the only home she’s ever known to live with a total stranger in New Orleans.New Orleans greets Thais with many secrets and mysteries.

Took me a bit to get into the story. It just wasn't appealing to me at first but once Thais moves to New Orleans and begins sharing opinions on her weird new guardian my interest peaked.

Things were hard enough on the poor girl as it was what with losing her father and being orphaned, to thinking she would be able to live with her elderly next door neighbor, and then being whisked off across the states with a guardian she had never heard of, but then once she tries to settle into her new home not only is her guardian and her friends creepy as all get out but she goes to school only to bump into somebody that was her mirror image right down to an identical birthmark!

Oh my gosh I would totally be freaking! Pass the Xanax I am about to flip out would be more like it! I could almost feel the sizzle when the two girls bumped into one another! The story just took off from there for me and had quite a few twists later that I enjoyed as Thais and Clio get to know one another and demand answers.

Review - It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake

It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake
Released: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Signet
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 320 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Author/Crazy Book Tours
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: Heather Blake

Darcy Merriweather has just discovered she hails from a long line of Wishcrafters-witches with the power to cast spells by making a wish. She's come to Enchanted Village to learn her trade but finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation...

Love Love Loved it! This was a wonderful change of pace for me. I needed something quick, fun, and supernatural to get me thru those hectic somewhat stressful holiday days! This was perfect! It had lots of humor, suspicious characters, lovable and sometimes supernatural animals, hints of flirtation....not to mushy or over the top hanky panky, and characters I quickly fell in love with!

Anybody that loves a good cozy mystery will find great pleasure with Darcy Merriweather while she struggles to free an innocent man, solve a murder, find a pickpocketer, fall in love..maybe, and learn the ways of witchcraft.

May all your wishes come true when you read it!

Review - Give Me, A Fairy Tale by LK Rigel

I dont read alot of ebooks for the most part because I dont have any kind of ebook reader and have to stay glued to my computer to read one and because I really prefer the "book in hand" method of reading but feel that I am missing out on some good reads because of this so I have decided to challenge myself to read at least one ebook per week and I will be posting those on Saturdays so I think I will call them Spineless Saturday Scoops.

Give Me, A Fairy Tale by LK Rigel
Published: Aug. 31, 2011
File Size: 423 KB
Source: Author
Author Site: LK Rigel

A young witch with a good heart. Two lovers in mortal danger. A spell that ends in disaster.

Lilith Evergreen lives in the California desert, an ordinary woman until her fiancé returns from London with a ring he bought from a street vendor. When Lilith puts it on she dreams of a green land that's anything but desert, a tree at cliff's edge, a ruined castle, and a handsome prince.

Then she discovers that it's all real.

I really enjoyed Give Me, A Fairy Tale. It had all the entertaining elements of a great fantasy with witches, spells, and castles. The story grabbed me from the beginning with a twist I had not expected so soon between Lilith and her boyfriend which really got the ball rolling sending Lilith off on a fantasy vacation into a place far far away from her home in California and into the reality of her dreams.

The history drew me in of The Wyrding Witch and the God Aeolios who demanded she hand over one of her daughters for him to wed or pay the consequences. She refused him of course and had to perform a powerful spell to protect her daughters from him that damaged and weakened her heart.

Although this was a terrific fairy tale I still feel it was a bit rushed in places. I would have liked to have gotten to know more about a few of the characters. I wanted to spend more time with Elyse before everything went to Hades in her life and even afterward as she struggled with the things she had done. I hated seeing her as a bad person. My heart went out to her because no matter what her good intentions were nothing ever seemed to go as she planned.

My only regret is the story was not longer! I hated for it to end!