ama reads

[amaread]

Witches Gone Wicked - Sarina Dorie

Content note: sexual assault, mind control, sex pollen, coerced sex, sex with a minor, teacher-student sex, fertility spirit, Fae, magic, magic school, teacher at magic school,

Clarissa, from Tardy Bells and Witches Spells, is now in her early twenties and has been accepted as a teacher at Womby’s School for Wayward Witches as an art teacher. She looks forward to trying to learn how to control her magic and do magic at last - only to be told her powers are too dangerous to work on at the school. She is essentially powerless in a school full of teenagers with wands, aside from her forbidden cell phone (electronics interfere with magic and her carrying her phone would be like carrying a concealed gun in a place where that is not legal).

She is also told that she is forbidden to date other professors,that her powers would endanger those around her. She is assigned a strict teacher to guide her in learning from books, a dungeon disciplinarian Professor Thatch - who was the school district psychiatrist she ran into in high school.

Felix Thatch heavily reminds me of Severus Snape, especially fanfic Snape, who subtly supports students and could be seen as a pain kink almost if you squint. Forbidden knowledge and power is very much his domain, and possibly a double-agent of ambiguous morality.

She is enamored of one her fellow teachers, Julian, and something about that bothered me early on, although I am not sure what it was (other than perhaps a subtle bias of “Thatch seems like Snape, she should end up with Snape”).

Mind control and sex magic / love spells, as well as an adult teacher having sex with teenage students is very much a thing towards the end, which was slightly jarring and disturbing. It is observed happening without graphic detail, as well as thoughts as to whether photographic documentation to expose the teacher constitutes child pornography.

Clarissa as well experiences sexual assault (possibly rape, although it was not explicitly clear in the text but could be inferred from the pain she experiences later), which was suggestive and sensual/emotional in the text rather than very explicit.

I finished the book with mixed thoughts, as I enjoyed the earlier parts of the book and this magical world, in large part that a sexual assault formed the climax of the book’s plot. Yes, there was some recovery / healing afterwards, but… emotionally didn't feel like I had enough time to recover before the book ended. (I grasp that it can be a marketing strategy to get readers to go get the next book, but it feels increasingly problematic as I realize how many books I have read do this, or any major trauma right before the end with a fast wrap up).

[amaread]

Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells - Sarina Dorie

Tag: young adult, witch, fae, urban fantasy, mental illness, magic, animal sacrifice, bullying,

On one level, this is about magic and enchantment, but on another, it is about others around you “growing up” or “acting their age” while you are still engaging with the world with a childlike sense of wonder.

Clarissa is soon to start high school, but still wishes for her Hogwarts letter, for her armoire to take her to Narnia, for the Doctor to whisk her off on adventures.  After a strange experience at a fair, a rift grows between her sister and herself.

Having been a shy geek, Clarissa is confused when on her first day of ninth grade she is rejected by her older sister publically - and then when a 17 year old boy and other misfits welcome her into their nerd herd.

She discovers that magic is real, despite the years of her mother telling her otherwise. And that it is perhaps as wonderful as she imagined - but also extremely dangerous.

An entertaining read, this is non-devotional non-thiestic magic, with the Fae around and a touch of ceremonial magic performed by others, but without direct chants or invocations in the text.

(As a note: Animal sacrifice does not happen “on-screen” so to speak - it is the not the main character sacrificing or harming animals but she is present when remains are discovered. The main character of Clarissa acknowledges that magic has a price, but does not feel that taking lives, human or animal, to be worth it for her, or something she is willing to do.)

[amaread]

Jitterbug Perfume - Tom Robbins

Content note: racial slurs, racism, possibly closeted homophobia, possibly closeted transphobia, possibly biphobia, historical fiction, contemporary, perfume, pagan, Greek Pantheon, Pan, LGBTQ,

Jitterbug Perfume is a dizzying read, first published in December of the year I was born. A meld of both characters in historical time and contemporary to the story, I was initially a bit perplexed with the jumps to other characters and places and times but it comes together in fascinating ways.

Binding everything together is perfume and sensuality and the search for a way to avoid death, prolong life.

Pan and non-Christian practice compose a major theme throughout, especially the concept of gods and goddesses fading without worship or being honored.

I am not panning the entire novel, more a heads-up, this is part of the novel:

Within the novel, some characters use what we recognize now for the most part as racial slurs - in the historical portions towards the Romani and Kudra (possibly also towards other groups as well, but those jumped out at me while reading), as well as much more frequently towards V’lu, a contemporary woman of colour. The depiction of V’lu felt somewhat of a caricature, especially serving as assistant and lady's maid to a white woman perfumer who has apparently “rediscovered lost Voodoo formulas” at some point in the past to help her struggling business. While I recognize that white people profiting off what they market as “secret knowledge” and “ancient secrets” of BIPoC is very much a thing that happens (pagan and new age communities are rife with this. For a more mainstream approachable example, look no farther than yoga studios run by white people, or the attempts to patent or copyright yoga or various Ayurvedic medicines to ensure a monopoly on western markets. I think there was an attempt later to patent as many traditional medicines as possible to prevent pharmaceutical companies from doing the same), it is the depiction of V’lu that bothers me more, especially in the drugging of her by Lily on a regular basis.

As well, with Priscilla, there are bits that seem homophobic, and bits that seem transphobic. It is fair if she is not bisexual or just not attracted to Ricki, and that figuring one’s sexuality or romantic attraction, especially prior to now, can be complicated. Ricki, as well, could be seen by some to be biphobic - or or unhappy that her intended lover has slept with someone else. There is an offhand comment that hints towards transphobia, especially the commonly expressed sentiments I have heard from men in the past.

“ On New Year's Eve, she got drunk and got laid. Upon that it would be indiscreet to dwell, except to pass along the advice that before going home with a personage one has met in a French Quarter bar, one should make absolutely certain of their gender. Later, she was to refer to the episode, without bitterness, as “Ricki’s revenge”. “ (Chapter 11, page 76 of 208).

[amaread]

The Secret, Book, and Scone Society - Ellery Adams

Content note: sexual assault, disfigurement, slut shaming, conspiracy, arson, being burned alive, mystery, drunk driving,

“I look at food and I wonder: Can I eat that without having to put my book down?” (Chapter 1, page 7 of 44)

A nice diversion of a read. Set in a small town in North Carolina, a group of women come together after a tourist they have met dies in suspicious circumstances and the sheriff dismisses it as a suicide. Each woman has secrets, which come out slowly as the story progresses.

I found it a decent read, it wasn't earth shattering but was an enjoyable escape, although I did really enjoy the thought of Nora’s bibliotherapy - finding books for her customers that might help them emotionally heal or resolve issues.

Little details in books get stuck in my head. Chapter 10, page 30 of 41: “They’re beautiful. No one's ever brought me wild roses.” - he brought her roses from his neighbor's garden that are a named variety (William Shakespeare 2000). Those aren't wild roses. I get that characters aren’t all knowing (thankfully), but it is stuck in my brain.

[amaread]

All the Crooked Saints - Maggie Stiefvater

Content note: blindness, magical realism, coercion to marry, arranged marriage, secrets, immigration, religion, miracles, inner darkness / inner demons,

This was a lush read, the way her prose flows in this novel feels very different from The Raven Boys cycle or the Sinner series.

Set in Colorado in the early 60s, the Soria family had arrived in the area years before to perform miracles after both the Catholic Church and the Mexican government encouraged them to be gone. These miracles are not the bleeding statuary of how many think of Catholic miracles, but cause a pilgrim to confront the darkness within themselves, which manifests outwardly in some way- and then to heal themselves in another miracle of acknowledging or embracing their inner darkness.

For years, the Soria family has been enabling miracles to happen - but with strict rules of not helping the pilgrims in finding their second miracle.

In 1962, three of the Soria cousins end up on the path to changing how things are done,. In part through their experience running a pirate radio station in the desert, and in part through falling in love with a pilgrim.

Self-examination and self-knowledge play a huge role, as does, I suspect, embracing the darker parts of ourselves, allowing them to manifest rather than fester.

[amaread]

The Language of Thorns - Leigh Bardugo

Content note: incest, pedophilia, cannibalism, neglect,

A collection of six short stories (some novella length nearly) set in the Grishaverse. Some, specifically Little Knife and The Witch of Duva, were also available separately and I had read previously.

The Too Clever Fox feels like a retelling of something I read long ago, but I think it may be more the rhythm and style of Leigh Bardugo's writing.

Ayama and the Thorn-Wood likewise feels familiar. Ayama and the Thorn-Wood felt interesting in turning the classic telling of fables and folk tales on their heads, that the beast is not transformed into a handsome prince, that the heroine is not a beautiful girl waiting to become a princess, but a courageous young woman learning to speak her truth.

The Soldier Prince takes inspiration from The Nutcracker, but is enchanting in its own way.

When Water Sang Fire is fascinating, magical beings beneath the waves who might as shorthand be referred to as mermaids, although possessed of an ability to form legs for themselves to walk on land as a selkie might (but without the seal skin of transformation). And turns from beauty and magic into darkness and betrayal.

“Magic doesn't require beauty … Easy magic is pretty. Great magic asks that you trouble the waters. It requires a disruption, something new … Something rare.”

(Page 30 of 163 of When Water Sang Fire)

All in all I very much enjoyed reading this collection.

In her author's note, Leigh Bardugo writes: [referencing that what bothered her about Hansel  and Gretel was the weak willed father who let the evil stepmother send  the children into the woods not once but twice, and the unease of children reunited happily with their father] : “In many ways that unease has guided me through these stories, that note of trouble that I think many of us hear in familiar tales, because we know - even as children - that impossible tasks are an odd way to choose a spouse, that predators come in many guises, that a prince's whims are often cruel. The more I listened to that note of warning, the more inspiration I found.”

[amaread]

Medousa - Michael F.  Butchin

Content note: slavery, sexual harassment, sexual assault, child abuse, rape, victim blaming, solitary confinement, LGBTQ, historical fiction, gender roles, pagan, spirituality, fantasy, mythology,

Overall, this felt like a refreshing take on the legend of Medousa, and examining through fiction how some of the myths about her may have come about. There is experience of madness through essentially the solitary confinement of not being able to interact with other beings. She also learns over time to control both her anger and urge to lash out - both as a human and later as a Gorgon, when she learns to leash her fatal power.

Large amounts of pain and suffering form Medousa’s tale, with times of joy and repose. Sensual without being graphic, there are lovely bits depicting the love, romance and sexual relationship between Medousa and Cynisca as young mortal women. Love, longing, and the sadness of missing an absent lover are major threads woven throughout.

Slavery, and the desire for being able to decide her life for herself are major issues for Medousa early in the novel.  Once her freedom is won, she is still constrained through societal expectations, including those who knew her while she was still a slave, and her own ingrained attitudes from living as a slave.

The casual sexual assault and harassment was something I could read through, but the author’s portrayal of Athena’s response to the rape of Medousa in her temple I found really difficult to deal with, due to how I have experienced and heard others recount people reacting to sexual assault and rape in real life. While it reflects Ovid’s telling, (which I had forgotten about in the intervening years), the sheer victim blaming of her words is brutal. While horrific and hard to deal with, it does remind the reader that the Greek Pantheon of Goddesses and Gods were not only the positive aspects commonly associated and interpetted in beginner neo-Pagan and New Age books, but also the sheer brutality contained within mythology and poetry that tends to get edited out in reinterpretations or versions parsed for high school audiences. (Granted, there is a whole other discussion about male authorship and misogyny in classical Greek texts). For anyone dealing with issues around experienced sexual harassment, assault, or rape, the victim blaming of other characters (and at times, from Medousa towards herself) may be difficult to read, especially pronouncements from characters on her guilt of simply existing provoking or being responsible for the attack.

[amaread]

The Complete Book of Mixed Media Art - Walter Foster Creative Team

I was given the chance to review this, but my review copy had only six pages. I ended up looking on Amazon at the preview available there to try to help form an opinion / review.

This seems a good overview of a ton of techniques in creating (relatively) two dimensional mixed-media work. From colour theory, to supports such as paper types, different wood surfaces and a bit about canvas, as well as different mediums, this would be an excellent book for someone who is interested in working creatively but doesn’t know where to start or who wants to branch out in different techniques or mediums. The one project included in my review preview is easy to follow (but not appealing specifically to my particular aesthetics).

It also felt like some of the sections I had read previously - and from looking at other people's reviews on US Amazon, it looks like this amalgamate some previous books. Which isn't a bad thing, but something to note if you already own another Walter Foster title about mixed media. This does seem slightly more thorough than the previous one.

[amaread]

Sinner - Maggie Stiefvater

Content note: drug use, addiction, relapse, reality television,

This felt intense because of the addiction issues. Cole moves to Los Angeles, following Isabel and a deal to make a new album on a reality show online. There is a lot of essentially drug use and addiction / temptation throughout, of Cole thinking about why he tries to run away from things, and succumbing to temptation by using a cocktail of medications to trigger his werewolf transition.

As well, Isabel is dealing with stuff. Grief over her brother, her feelings for Sam, her parents’ separation, and trying to study for a certified nursing program to get into premed to become a doctor while trying to remain outwardly the ice queen she has been known as.

[amaread]

Forever - Maggie Stiefvater

Content note: drug use,

Much more of the theory behind how these werewolves are werewolves comes out in this novel. A lot of drama - police trying to shoehorn Sam for the disappearance of Grace and death of another young woman, and Tom Culpeper doing his best to exterminate the wolf pack. Isabel has really evolved character wise by the end of the novel.

[amaread]

Linger - Maggie Stiefvater

Content note: drug use, child abuse, underage drinking, PTSD or flashbacks to trauma,

This felt more intense than the first one, and I think in large it is because there are more characters’ perspectives - while there are still bits of romance, this novel is more. Drug abuse and self-destructive behavior is a major theme with one of the characters. Some intense flashbacks to child abuse / attempted murder as well.

[amaread]

Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater

Content note: werewolves, child abuse, stalking, romance, sex with condom,

Decent read, I personally liked the Faerie books better (Lament and Ballad) but this is one of the better werewolf novels I have read recently. If I didn't have all four in one volume, I probably wouldn't have gone to find the others - not that they are bad, mind you, I just found myself slightly bored with the passionate teen lingering glances emotions romance, which is on me, not the book, as it is very decently written.

Conceptually I like how these werewolves transform between their human and wolf selves, the characters just didn't quite appeal to me - hoping there is more Olivia in the future books. (Sex with condom / safer sex mentioned as a tag, because safer sex isn't always mentioned in teen paranormal romance, let alone romance in general, and want to be able to keep track better rather than a post-it in the back of my head...)

[amaread]

Ballad - Maggie Stiefvater

Content note: fae, rape, sexual assault, love triangle,

I liked this one better than Lament, partially from there being less angsty love triangle, but more so from it being more fae than the first. Rather than Deirdre learning about her gifts, James is trying to avoid the attention of the various Fae, and in particular Nuala. Nuala is the girl of his dreams (if the girl of his dreams is not Deirdre), and wants to be his muse - for a price. Throw in The Horned Lord, a prep school for musicians, many of whom can sense the presence of the Fair Folk, and it is a mad time until Samhain / Halloween.

There is an attempted rape by one far towards another, with the character's thoughts as to the perpetrator not seeing anything wrong in their actions, “a ravishment” (in keeping with folk faerie tales where fae “enchant” or glamour a human for the evening to have their way - essentially date rape via magical means, although in this case, there is no attempt at magical coercion, just the perpetrator feeling that the character should feel  honoured by their attention and a sense of entitlement to follow their desires) especially character's position on the fringe of the court as a solitary fae.

Character development to me seemed excellent, with characters realizing they can be more than they thought / more than others think of them. I especially liked Nualla.

[amaread]

Lament - Maggie Stiefvater

Content note: fae, love triangle, romance,

I found the first part of the book dragging and a bit dull, mostly because teen romance and passion feels alien to me. As well, Luke's affect on her mind bothered me, with her worries and doubts disappearing in her presence - partially attributable to love/lust, but more so to faerie glamour?

I started enjoying this far more once Deirdre begins to develop and discover her gifts, and it felt like the last third of the book whipped by fast.

[amaread]

Heartless - Marissa Meyer

Content note: retelling, fat-shaming mother, madness, love triangle, romance,

Quirky retelling in the universe / storyspace of Alice in Wonderland, but not quite. Catherine, the daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Rock Turtle Cove, dreams of opening a bakery with her friend and maid servant Mary-Anne. This is not seen as an occupation for a Lady, especially after the King of Hearts proposes to court her. Throw in a Jabberwocky attack, an intriguing and enticing court joker named Jest and of course, the mad Hatter, in the person of Hatta and it is a bit of a whirlwind. The love triangle aspect does nothing for me - she feels no great affection for the king romantically but everyone around her try to force her to the match.

As well - her mother is very much fat-shaming, not permitting her to eat dessert, taking away her meals before she is done eating, ridiculing her idea of opening a bakery as to how it will affect her shape.

[amaread]

Fairest - Levana's Story - Marissa Meyer

Content note: mind control, mental illness, child abuse, 

This felt disturbing to me. It did give me a bit more insight into Levana as a character, but the re-creation of trauma onto her niece and her thought process really disturbed me.

[amaread]

Drawing Cute with Katie - Katie Cook

Super adorable how to draw book, starts with animals and then moving through food, hobbies, and all kinds of things. Definite nostalgia for me to “how to draw” books that were at school book fairs in my childhood, but the sheer cuteness of these critters makes me feel not so weird to be an adult following step by step instructions on how to draw a cat or a chicken. (The chicken was far more successful than the cat: do yourself a favor and have an eraser handy when initially drawing to avoid the frustration of not being able to find an eraser when you want to just fix that one line.)

I have no idea if this is marketed to kids, but I found it enjoyable as a 30 something woman with so-so drawing with a non-digital tool skills when I haven’t been drawing on a regular basis in general who likes cute things. Definitely would recommend. It may not help in terms of someone immediately wanting to develop their own artistic style - but is helpful in terms of breaking down a complex animal or object into simple shapes and building to the final beastie one step at a time. And drawing tons of things is a step on the way to developing your own style, generally. The animals I found the most interesting part of the book personally, but seeing everyday objects broken into simple shapes was neat.