jaymi elford

Disclaimer: Christine gifted me the e-galley to this book in preparation for an interview. I am also a contributor.

Scott Cunningham is a legend in the modern magical community. Everyone who practices has either read, used, or knows the material this one person gifted to the practice of magic. I know his books on the elements and his crystal encyclopedia influenced my personal practice. There are some books that talk about the man behind the magical study. However, none lend the story of his family nor the perspective of someone close to him, his sister.

Christine has done an amazing job in this book. She weaves stories of growing up with Scott and how the connections of living in a family of writers, artists, and curiosity lead him to the path of witchcraft we all know him for. She weaves the love she has for him (and her family), the pain of losing her brother, and the lessons and ways his writings now influence her path into witchcraft.

The extra contributions from noted pagans and metaphysical authors lend a powerful thread to how the Cunninghams influenced their paths and how magical practices of astrology, numerology, crystals, and tarot shed light and cross through the stories Christine tells.

I laughed. I cried. I became part of the family by reading this book. Thank you, Christine, for sharing your stories and your family with us. Your parents and Scott are proud.

This is an amazing book. It's also a hard one to get through if you are white. Yes, it's about race. It's also about privilege. I put it alongside books like Thirteen Reasons Why.

Hollow Fires, and Samira Ahmed, will make you think about your actions and how you treat others. It will open your eyes and ask/ponder the challenging questions about living in the United States and what being a good citizen means. And for me, living in this day and age is worth it.

Do yourself a favor and read it. Recommend it to everyone you know. And let's all strive to make lives better in the States.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley.com in exchange for my thoughts. Thanks, NetGalley!

Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo explores themes of grief and loss and the horror that happens when you cannot let go. After the loss of his best friend, Eddie, Andrew moves to Nashville. He's determined to uncover the mystery of why Eddie passed. Slipping into the world that Eddie left behind, Andrew slowly unravels the dark legacy given to him. All the while dealing with the confusion around his desires and passions.

Mandelo has written a fabulous horror story that blends the mystery of personal loss with the ability to gain authentic love. They compellingly use rejection and death to bring readers into the world of self-discovery and queerness. Their writing is visual, and you can feel the heat of Nashville, smell the dust, and feel Andrew's pain in the hole that Eddie left behind.

Summer Sons is a quick read. The world draws you in, and the horror elements aren't in your face. Instead, they appear as fluid as the natural world we know. It's a dark mystery that leaves you satisfied and rooting for Andrew in the end. It left me thinking about my own queer path and discovery of authenticity.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher. No review was expected, I am choosing to review this in the hopes more people find and read this important book.

I went to the Seattle ALA in January for a book signing of my own. While there I carefully avoided the grabby-hand syndrome of taking ALL the books. I allowed myself a small selection. The cover grabbed my eye, and when I opened the book to reveal verse, I slipped a copy into my bag. I'm so glad I did.

Nikki has been through A LOT. Born to a mother with schizophrenia, a father who wasn't sure how to be a dad, and an older sister who did her best to help raise her... trauma was a huge part of her growing up. She found a small voice at six and began writing down her thoughts, stories, and poems. Anything to help her deal with her life and the demands of growing up in the 50s and 60s.

This book is beautifully written in verse. I found myself identifying a lot with what she had to say. Surviving traumatic experiences is rough. It does erase a huge part of the moments we grow up in. This book helped me see where my own memory gaps are and taught me that writing continues to be an important method I have to healing myself. I can only hope to write a poignant memoir as Nikki Grimes has.

Thank you so much for writing this book. It has helped me, and I wish I could give you a massive hug.

Anxiety, doubt, and a fear of being unworthy are common themes in our lives. These are the demons being looked at in Adreanna Limbach's book, Tea and Cake with Demons. Limbach is a buddhist and this book takes a look through the Buddhist tenants from the point of view of self worth. I view this book as both a reference guide and a workbook to help you understand where the demons come from and how to work with them to gain a broader sense of connection and how we can overcome their adversity.

Limbach frames the book through the lens of buddhism: each of the four noble truths, and the eightfold path, gets explained in general terms and then gets applied to the idea of self worthiness. Each truth and path are described in easy-to-understand, modern terms. This way you get a feel to really apply the works to yourself. Each chapter then ends with a practical tip to use the material in your life.

I liked her voice. Limbach uses her own personality and life experiences to remind the reader that we are not alone and everyone experiences doubt in their own lives. Even the enlightened ones. This book is a wonderful companion and guide for creatives, and anyone experiencing their own dark night of self-doubt. Reading Tea and Cake with Demons will broaden your horizon, doing the techniques Limbach explores will help you plant roots and find your seat so that you can continue doing the work you love to do.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of Making Magic by Briana Saussy from netgalley.com for an honest review. However, the author is a friend of mine.

It all starts with a story. In this case, we're treated to Golden Locks and the bear people. You may think you know how this story goes, and ends, but you don't. That's the beauty of magic. This is the magic Briana Saussy teaches us to remember. Magic is everywhere. It's in the food we eat, the activities we do during the day, and the sacred times we spend with others. As adults, we forget about the magic surrounding us.

Making Magic teaches us to remember our own magic. The book blends the myth of Golden Locks in with daily activities and actions which help us to bring back our own power, our own magic. Each chapter takes a singular topic, relates it back to the myth, and then explores how the topic relates internally and externally (or through the everyday and the extraordinary). Bri includes two rituals for each chapter, one is a short internal dose of the topic, while the next blends the topic into a more concrete way. You are invited to interpret words and play with the material as you see fit. This is, after all, a book for you to rediscover, remember, your own personal magics.

What I liked: I love how Bri weaves the ordinary and extraordinary together. We are all magic and the path of a “magician” is a personal one. Making Magic doesn't include lists to memorize, or spells, or hard rituals to follow to the letter. She allows the reader to experience and explore the material she presents— to blend it into their own personality and style. Making Magic doesn't contain definitions... not even one on what magic is. “Magic is a wild animal” she writes, “it resides in the places we always are.” This book guides you into the a deep connection of what magic can be. How you personally define it, where it appears in your life, and helps bridge tight connections between yourself, story, and Nature.

Caveat: This book teaches you to discover your own personal magic. It requires a lot of imaginative play and experimentation. This is not a book for those who want to know the lineage of magic being taught. Bri does tell you her credentials; however, she knows that the most powerful magic comes from within the individual's own self, mind, and practices. If you aren't into “unverified personal gnosis” methods, then you might want to skip this book.

Bottom Line: Are you ready to remember your magic? Want to bring magic into every aspect of your life? Bri's book will help you develop a personal connection you the magic you forgot as a child.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley.com in exchange for my review.

Book two of Amanda Hocking's Valkyrie series, From the Earth to the Shadows, is at it's core, a creation myth story. Hocking jumps right into the storyline events at the moment after the first book ends; with Malin and her friends regrouping after the big boss fight. Throughout this novel, Malin continues to fight, continues to find items to help stop the big bads from destroying the world around her, and dealing with the coming-to-terms moments of what it means to be her. Fan favorite characters appear back in this book (yay for Bowie) and we're also treated to a few new players.

Hocking's writing is crisp and action-oriented. The scenes fly by and there's little room for introspection or sleep. This book is fast paced. It's like we went from setting up an initial sequence of bad events to a whole new level of apocalyptic occurrence in a compressed timeline. Some readers may enjoy this quick pace, however I personally feel the characters and their interactions suffer from the speed. It feels like Hocking wanted to wrap this book up so she could move onto something more inspiring.

With this title wrapping up the series, I wished the events in this book to be broken down across two books. I wanted to see more of the world building that Hocking treated us in book one. I wanted more of those moments of contemplation for what is going on and how the character's actions affect the rest of the human and immortal worlds. I think fans should've been treated to a three book series.

It occurred to me, after finishing From the Earth to the Shadows that this series describes an creation myth as it unfolds. The climax of From the Earth to the Shadows and the ritual of making everyone mortal sets this series up for more stories. The plot may have followed Malin around, but the story is about a world where the rules of who dies and who lives has changed and these struggles could form the basis for more stories. Even Malin acknowledges that there is a place for her and what the old valkyries did in this new world. I'd love to see more books featuring Malin, Oona, Asher, and Samuel, and the others. I want to see how they grow and become leaders during the world's transition period. It's my hope Hocking returns to this series later on and writes more on how the change affects everyone.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley.com in exchange for my review.

I've read a few Amanda Hocking books. Each one has a compelling world. Her new “Valkyrie” series is no different. Imagine a world where the supernatural, global god pantheons (in this book, it heavily relies on the Norse pantheon), and technology come alive, peacefully coexisting with their own rules and regulations. This is the world Hocking drops us into. I'm such a geek for magic and technology; Shadowrun the RPG being one of my all-time favorite game settings. So, I was pleasantly squeeing when I dove into this book.

In Between the Blade and the Heart, we're introduced to Malin, a Valkyrie-in-training. She's just come back from her latest assignment to find an intruder in her apartment. And thus, starts the quest that leads us through the rest of the story, that takes her through her city, pushing her past what she thought was the truth about her vocation, and deep into Mexico.

Hocking does a great job of building her books. The world feels real, her characters are wonderfully flawed, and they feel real wandering around their setting. This new series is fast paced, contains a great bi-love triangle (about time!), and leaves us with a cliff-hanger that I didn't see coming (too much). It also contains the cutest little pet critter I've ever read in a book (Malin, if you read this... I'd be more than happy to take care of Bowie any time).

If you like your urban fantasy with a mythical twist, some cool technology, and a bunch of kick-ass heroines, then give Between the Blade and the Heart a read. Eagerly awaiting book two!

Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley in exchange for a review. I also purchased a copy for my library.

If it's one thing I know in reviewing books it's “don't judge a book by it's cover.” I've said this before and I'm saying it now. Llewellyn's Complete Book of Tarot by Anthony Louis is a great book, filled with wonderful tarot tidbits for all tarot enthusiasts. However, this is NOT a complete guide. Louis even states this very clearly in his preface. Instead, this book takes the approach of guiding readers of all types into the broad spectrum of topics tarot contains. Louis sees the book as a complete course in tarot. He covers why study tarot; tarot history; tarot structure and the differences between RWS, Marseille, and Thoth; card uses; and the various meanings and correspondences the cards have.

What I liked: Louis has a great voice in his writing. There are many areas in the book that he made me laugh with his vernacular. The chapters are chock full of good information. As I read through the book, I found myself thinking about how “scientific” Louis makes tarot sound. He captures the essence of why we use the cards and has answers for many questions people ask about the origins. Louis isn't afraid to talk about the cards' Christian influences either (very few books touch on this subject). While describing each individual card, most books stick with meanings laid down by AE Waite or Aliester Crowley. Not in this tome, Louis includes a history of interpretation that dates back to Etteilla. Which is great for those of us who love doing meaning comparison and want to know how card meanings transitioned over time. Another aspect I enjoyed was the fact that Louis references many other authors and their works in the book. It's like you are also getting to know the wider tarot community while learning about the cards.

What I didn't like: There is so much in this book that it's a quick catalogue of topics. Louis doesn't go too deep with any one subject. Which is fine because otherwise this book would be huge. So, if you were looking for a true “Complete” guide to tarot, then look elsewhere.

BOTTOM LINE: Llewellyn's Complete Guide to Tarot is a great starter guide to the world of tarot. There's a lot of good information in this book. I loved how it went towards the sciencey side of the divination tool. Louis. Anthony has a friendly voice which invites you into learning tarot and becoming a member of the tarot tribe.

Disclaimer: I received a eBook from netgalley.com in exchange for a honest review.

The cover drew me to Chasing Embers. A red dragon tail, floating above a city. I love dragons and dragon mythologies. James Bennett has done a brilliant job of finding space for dragons in the urban fantasy genre. In this first book, we meet Ben Garston, a dragon living under the guise of a human. He's part of the old myths, critters (fae, gods, etc.) that existed long ago and have faded to myth. While Ben lives by the the Pact, Lore and rules designed to protect both humans and Reminants alike, he suddenly finds himself thrown into a intriguing series of events that threatens the very existence of all he knows.

Bennett's writing is a strange mix of poetry and prose. It reads like a mix of faerie tales and urban fantasy. The characters are well rounded with merits and flaws. The world we're thrust into is also well rounded. There are many groups whose interests border on saving or harming the world they live in. Alliances are made and strategy formed.

In the end, this is a fun read and I'm quite curious to see where Bennett takes Red Ben in the future.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley in exchange for a review. This review is spoiler free.

Come one, come all, to Gideon's Traveling Sideshow, a roving carnival traveling to their latest destination where the payout proves to be grand. As long as they make it to the vernal equinox. However, this isn't your typical side show filled with cons and shenanigans. No, many of the members of the troupe have real supernatural powers– pyrokinesis, telekinsesis, speaking with the dead, are among the few gifts the novel mentions. No matter where Mara turns, everyone seems to have a special ability. Except for her. Even her fortune telling mother has secrets. Because of this, Mara dreams of having a normal life, free from the only show she's known. Their latest town may be more trouble than anyone bargained for.

Amanda Hocking has written a fun novel. Freeks is set in the late 80's and is filled with romance, mystery, and supernatural. I'm a big fan of Hocking's The Hallows and the Trylle series. As a tarot reader, I was insanely curious to read this book; I love books that include tarot in their plots. This book didn't disappoint. The sections are divided by hand-drawn tarot cards (psst, please make a deck.. i love the drawings and want a copy). The readings Mara's mother does in the book are spot on with modern meanings. She treats the Death card the same way I treat it in my own personal readings.

The story is cute and enjoyable. At it's heart it's a coming-of-age story for Mara, who wants love and a normal life. In this new town she meets a boy whom she thinks she can have a short relationship with before the Sideshow moves out. She learns to deal with relationships as a young adult and she talks through the difficulties of being a freak and wanting to be normal. The plot is steady. However, the main gist of the book doesn't happen till well after half-way through. Which meant, I wanted a longer book, to learn more about Mara's past and where she came from.

Bottom Line: This is an easy read. I stayed up all night long to finish it. There are many twists and turns, which is the mark of a good book for me. The world is fantastic and I found myself wishing I could hang with Mara, her mother, and others. Freeks reads as a stand alone book, but I'm hoping Hocking continues the adventures of Mara.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley in exchange for a review. I also purchased a copy for my library.

Sasha Graham's 365 Tarot Spells is a both a stand alone volume and companion to her previously published 365 Tarot Spreads. Tarot is a marvelous magical companion. It's small and portable and can be used in a variety of ways to affect change in one's life. Graham's book helps to promote tarot's use as a flexible tool for producing results. She's created another day-by-day style book filled with wonderful spells you can use to get what you want in a variety of different ways. Each spell contains a short list of ingredients (some spells require easy to access components in addition to the tarot cards themselves) and a description of how to put the spell into action. A sidebar containing an incantation to activate the spell, a generic card image, and a tidbit from that day in history rounds out each spell.

365 Tarot Spells is a homage to another well designed tarot book called Tarot Spells by Janina Renee. Graham's spells are well thought out and have a modern, fresh vibe to them. I liked the wide variety of spell topics and cards used for the spells. Graham does guarantee that each card makes an appearance at least once in the book. There is a wonderful and very thorough index of spells and categories in the back of the book that can be used to quickly find just what you need. She's even added 78 spells for you to connect and bind yourself to each and every tarot card in the deck. Doing so can have the powerful effect of making the whole deck a spectacular tool for creating magic.

There's a lot of good information in this book. I will say that the layout still has bugs in it. It seems that ePub manufactures are still trying to mimic print layouts. And when they do this, the text suffers because reading on a device isn't the same as reading off a printed page. There are many cases in the ePub where the side bar cuts text off and overlaps the main spell working. Where there are layout images, they appear very small–sometimes unreadable.

Bottom Line: Looking for new ways to use your beloved tarot decks? Want to learn how to use tarot to attract things to you? Then 365 Tarot Spells is just the book for you. Graham includes a wide range of topics for you to cast spells. This is a modern witches grimoire for casting tarot spells.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley in exchange for a review. I also purchased this book for my library.

Tarot and creativity go hand in hand. In fact, many readers view their tarot spreads as stories to be unfolded and told. I've always believed tarot is a perfect creativity companion: in story creation, cheerleading, and inspiration. Enter The Creative Tarot by Jessa Crispin. A writer, a reader, and a creativity coach, Crispin has written a good book for creatives looking to learn and use tarot in their creative works. She carefully introduces tarot to the creative audience by describing the tarot history and mythology. Then she delves into the cards themselves by describing the images on a standard Rider Waite Smith Deck, describing how the cards relate to creative projects, and inspiring all types of creatives to use the cards. The back of the book includes some good spreads and tips on how to read for oneself and for others.

This is an all-inclusive book. Crispin pulls creative examples from all over the spectrum: writing, acting, dancing, art. Every card has wonderful stories and examples from the real world which brings each card forward and relatable. At the end of each description, Crispin has added material for further review and study. There's songs, movies, and books in this section. I found myself bookmarking items and looking at the prints of artwork online.

Bottom Line: Want to learn more about the connections tarot has to the creative process? Interested in having a book chock full of good inspirational ideas? Want some good spreads on using tarot with your projects? Then you'll like The Creative Tarot. I believe it's accessible for all levels of readers and is a fun and enjoyable read.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book through netgalley.com.

Ten years ago, during a yearly check up with my primary physician, he revealed to me that I was pre-diabetic. It came as a shock seeing that I was fit, exercising, and (as to my knowledge) eating healthy. My first few weeks of understanding this condition consisted of me refusing to eat all sugars and wondering what dietary changes needed to be made. The Prediabetes Detox by naturopathic Sarah Cimperman is a well researched and deep foray into what one can do to start working on lowering blood sugar levels. I sure wish I had this book back when I got hit with my news.

Cimperman takes the reader through the science and steps necessary to do a deep body detox for those with Prediabetes. Her detox program includes goals to remove harmful toxins from the body, get the body to burn fat instead of save it, and normalize blood sugar and insulin levels. She claims that “the prediabetes detox program will teach you to take control of your health, lower your blood sugar and insulin levels, and reverse prediabetes.” The first two chapters give in-depth primers on both the disease and detoxes. There is A LOT of science, and well documented studies, in these chapters. The remaining chapters detail the program in great detail: discussing what to stay away from; what foods and supplements to take; exercise suggestions; and environmental and lifestyle changes.

I wish I could say that I've started this program and could report back. However, I have several other medical conditions and old injuries that need to be dealt with before I can wholeheartedly start the detox. All in all this book DOES contain a great amount of good research and good tips for changing some of the continued bad habits I've gained and I'm slowly incorporating them into my meals and life.

Overall, I liked The Prediabetes Detox and I look forward to discussing the program with my doctor in the hopes of giving it a shot.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from netgalley.com.

Carl Jung defines archetype as an ancient, or archaic image, which derives from the collected unconscious. Archetypes help us identify themes and learn ways to connect to the world around. I'm a tarot reader, and in tarot, archetypes are important. Which is why I was curious to read Archetypes by Caroline Myss. This book introduces the reader to archetypes “and how they affect every aspect of our life.” Myss describes 10 core families of archetypes and asks the reader to figure out whether or not they self identify with any of these. Rather basic stuff, if you ask me.

The core audience for this book are women, as women are the ones who tend to delve deeply into these aspects. However, each archetype has a specific section catering to our male counterparts. I think this does the archetypes a dis-service because they are truly universal and know no gender typing.

I also found a few other things Myss says in this book disturbing. In her introduction, she describes a situation where a client was divorced and had cancer. She tries to say that perhaps the disease was not the thing killing her, but her disconnection from her archetype (or mythic influence). Later on, in the section on describing The Visionary archetype, she writes about how she cautions people from receiving personal readings from psychics. That they give “bogus information” and “drain your bank account.” This is hypocritical coming from someone who is at the same time teaching women how to use their archetypes to get in touch with their intuitive side.

The biggest thing about Archetypes is that the book feels rushed and unfinished. It only introduces the 10 families of archetypes, giving small lists of how to recognize their power and integrate it into our lives. The book mentions being a guide for a business called archetype.me. I dug a bit deeper and found out that this website/company never fully off the ground and is defunct. It doesn't lessen the material in the book but it does make me wonder about the validity of the information. Is this book really useful or just a infomercial to hook women into buying scents or clothing?

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from netgalley.com.

I find the idea of personality types intriguing. Part-science and part-divination, these 16 types can give us insight into how we think and navigate our daily lives. As a writer, being on top of my creative game is important. Enter, Creative You by Otto Kroeger and David B. Goldstein. This book helps creatives understand aspects of their personalities and creatives focus their energy, gain information, make decisions, and implement projects.

Creative You has 3 parts: Part one introduces the building blocks for the MBTI personalities. There's even a quiz to quickly walk readers through uncovering their own personality. Part two delves deeply into each of the 16 personalities from strengths to weaknesses. This section also gives valuable information on boosting creativity. Finally, Part three contains various essays on how to further enhance your use of personality types in a working world. There are chapters on collaboration, how to match your creative outlet, and even some sections on helping to uncover children's creativity types.

What I liked: This book is jam packed with information. It's well organized and easy to dive right into how the MBTI can help creative people attain their goals and work with others. I never thought about breaking apart the 4-part codes into a two part sub-section that can can further teach me about how I operate. Part 3 pulled the personality types into the working world and shares tips and tricks on navigating various issues. The glossary of terms in the back was very helpful in distilling everything down to manageable chunks.

What I didn't like: With so much information, I felt like I had to keep a chart open at all times to refer back to. There's so many acronyms that one can get lost in them. Yes, the authors added names for each type, but I found they didn't refer to those much when discussing the interaction between each type. As I read through the book, I also got lost in learning about each personality types. I feel like I needed a few more subsections to help guide me along. I also wish they'd have given all the 2-type pairings a little bit more airtime, rather than the 4 stronger creative bits.

Bottom Line: Curious about that intersection between psychology and creativity? Want to know how the MBTI influences you on a creative level? Then this is the book for you. It's a great read and has lots of useful information.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy from the author for a honest review. I have also purchased this book via amazon.

Magic is seeping back into our world, via a portal. Humans gifted with magical powers are rounded up and put into controlled areas. Seventeen year old Tania is among them. Along with her friend, Logan, a not-so-human companion, she learns to survive in this new world. She has prophetic dreams, of a white woman stealing children from her world. Thus begins the tale of Keys and Needles.

What I liked: Michelle has made an extensive world for her characters to play in. Her magic has sound principles and I love how they work. What felt like a created world of her own, turned into a blend of faerie tales and Nordic mysticism. Very intriguing and left me wanting to know more. The story has a nice resolution (with a good twist to bring us into book two.

What I didn't like: The first part of the book is set firmly in a human-centric world. We learn more about Tania's ability to survive with her mark and how she is treated by normal people. Once we go beyond the portal, into the faerie realm, things move very fast. I would have liked to spend more time in this realm, instead of the massive build up in the real world.

Bottom Line: if you like books with creative magical systems and an in-depth world to play in, then you'll love Keys and Needles.

Disclaimer: I kickstarted this book in 2015. Just after backing it, I became a staff writer for Lo Scarabeo. They are not paying me to write this.

Lo Scarabeo's Tarot Fundamentals is the first in a trilogy of books that uncovers the information they have gathered from 20+ years of publishing tarot decks. It's a collaborative effort written by many of the top authors in the tarot industry. This book's purpose was to be a cross between a lovely tarot coffee table book, with shiny pictures and a introduction to tarot, its uses and meanings. Tarot Fundamentals blends card meanings, card comparison, history, and a beginner's guide to working with tarot into one volume. In fact, I would go far as to call it a wonderful tarot textbook. The book has heft–it is over 600 pages long, glossy and full color pages–it contains wide margins, which gives me the impression that this book is to be used, highlighted, and written on.

What I liked: I liked the wide variety of topics contained in the text. It lends well to quick and easy reading despite the size. Even though some may seem like this is Lo Scarabeo's book to showcase various decks they've published over the years (it is, sort of), I liked the decks they included. An aspect of tarot study is to compare various decks and this book does that brilliantly. I also liked the way that this book introduces tarot history, repeating material in word as well as graphics. It accounts for the various ways of learning and I can see younger readers finding this a good resource.

What I didn't like: The book has a unique chart representation of the court cards and their relationship to one another. I'm calling this the Court Cards Quadrant. It has the power to be a powerful tool but as written it falls short of expectation. We get a short single paragraph introduction in the green pages. Then each court card gets it's unique chart and keywords in the pages that describe each card's meaning. However, the longer explanation on how to use it is hundreds of pages back in the Techniques section. I'd have preferred this little gem to be together in it's own article. It is introduced in one paragraph in the book's beginning, shown in visual and keyword format in each court card's description, and then explained how to use back in the Techniques section. There are also parts of the book where information is almost duplicated, and that space could have been saved for more meaty content. The scale of the book seems a bit larger than normal... many non-tarot images take up a huge amount of page real estate and the text is in large print.

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a tarot book that leads you through the mysteries of the card by hand, then this is your guide. I imagine that Tarot Fundamentals is the textbook Hogwarts uses in their Beginning to Tarot classes. As a seasoned reader, I did get a lot out of this book, so don't let the introductory tone fool you. There are some surprises in here.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book for an honest review.

Green's White World series answers the question to how people could survive during another ice age. She's put a lot of science into her scifi dystopian world where people navigate ice sheets via ships to survive. Our main character, Thirteen, is on the hunt for her sister. Separated at an early age from slavers, she's learned the skills to survive on the ice– and to hunt those who take innocents into slavery. A chance encounter with a man gives her the first lead on the location of her sister, and an alliance is formed. This series contains many twists and turns to keep the reader up late at night. I hope that we get more stories of Thirteen, Cord, and Miyu and their adventures across the Pacifica Ice.

What I liked: The world-building in this story is amazing. Green's done an amazing job at bringing a post ice age alive. People live near volcanos, and the technology, while advanced, also harkens back to pirates and steampunk. Food is always scarce, and the way people survive on limited food resources is interesting.

What I didn't like: Sometimes the story was hard to follow due to the nautical terms employed. I remember getting confused as I read certain action passages with the ships. I loved the idea of the prophets and how they blended science in with an almost religious fervor. I wished that we could've gone a bit deeper into their world and mythology. Perhaps Green can add a few tangental stories later? :)

Bottom Line: If you enjoy a little action adventure in with your science fiction, then grab the White World series. It's a fun story with lessons on love, betrayal, survival, and what it means to be human.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book through the publisher in exchange for this review. Dario's also a good friend of mine.

I am pagan, and into tarot and esoteric subjects, which is why Dario asked me to read his latest tale. This was such a fun read. It also kept me up all night!

At it's heart, Black Easter is modern ghost story. Paul Hatzis moves away from the States to Greek island, where he rents an old house to relax and rediscover himself. Whenever he tells the locals about the place, they all tell him it's haunted. With the help of his realtor-turned-girlfriend, Elleni, the get to the bottom of this mystery. Things get weird... around Easter. There's a few more twists to this book, but I'll leave that for you to uncover. Spoilers and all that!

The characters are well rounded. Paul seems to be an every day joe, who desires a simple islander life. He's not ready for the events that happen in his house around Easter. Thankfully, with the help of his niece, Alex, and a priest... he's able to overcome the evils that threaten to bring destruction to the world. Alex was my favorite, as I identify goth and had a minor in anthropology.

Bottom Line: Do you enjoy a good, modern day haunting? Curious about why the Nazis were fascinated by the occult? Then this book will be a delight for you. No gore, only great storytelling.

I got this series because I love urban fantasy. It seemed low-budget and weird, but once I got into the first book, Shaman, Healer, Heretic I quickly changed my mind. I realized that I was reading something really good, great even, and very special. I was hooked, and devoured book after book until the end. At the end, I was hooked, it was over, and all I wanted was more.

As a pagan, I loved this series even more. Green did her homework. Many urban fantasy series name drop witches, shamans, or other paranormal creatures into their worlds. With the Techno-Shaman series, Green doesn't just write about a shaman, she weaves realistic shamanism practices into each story. Livy searches the underworld, and over-world for lost souls; she has her spirit helpers; and she understands the delicate balance that being a healer brings in a world. Green proves how worthy and how deep the work of a “real” shaman can be. Green world weaves these realistic practices in with technology and gets away with it.

Shaman, Healer, Heretic
Book one starts out like most other urban fantasy series. We're introduced to Livy, the heroine, a shaman who heals others using her shaman practices. Green builds a realistic world of LA, showing readers how a fringe healer operates. Shamans in this world use technology to interact with the various planes to do their work. There are tight rules as to how shamans operates and we're given a great book to read.

Shaman, Friend, Enemy
The world wakes up and realizes that shamanism healing powers are real. Livy is catapulted into the spotlight. She now heals the rich, along with the poor, and attempts to be a better healer. She learns more about her abilities as a lightning shaman. She also researches into ways she can cope with her past. Book two not only extended the series but took Livy's journey to a personal level, deep within her own spirit.

Shaman, Sister, Sorceress
In this book, Livy descends further into the shamanistic world by exploring a Hopi Reservation. As readers we learn more about her shaman capabilities and how the Hopi spiritual realm works. We also get exposed to a greater prophesy affecting her and those she loves. In this book, Green expands the shaman world to include other shamanistic cultures and viewpoints. It's a fun romp to see how expansive this world goes.

Shaman, Priestess, Pawn
Book three takes Livy and SK deep into the amazon forests where they attempt to seek out a old ally who might be able to temper Livy's shamanic power. The world-building in this book was exceptional.
Green takes no prisoners as she amps up the plot and tension while building a great world.

Shaman, Lover, Warrior
Livy's survived through all the challenges the world, and her foes have tossed at her. Her powers continue to grow and she's faced with her hardest challenge yet: freeing her hometown from the “Mafia”-esque Russian shamans. This was a trippy book that gave us a nice ending to this series. However, I hope that Green returns back to Livy and her world for more adventures.

My friend Sanjay recommended this to me, after I announced my dad had cancer. I immediately bought a copy but then put off reading it due to being nervous. I started it today and finished it a few minutes ago. This is one of the most important books I've read this year. So important, that I bought a copy for dad.

Mellissae Lucia's Oracle of Initiation (Tarot version) is a 68 card deck designed and conceived by the author. Lucia states that the deck is “a mysterious and shape-shifting deck” that can offer “experienced guidance for embracing the beauty in spiritual transformation.” The deck is structured in eight worlds, each with eight cards that help the seeker understand the growth of their own life journey. She says that there are two types of cards, gateway and painted body cards. “Each Gateway card offers their main description and then their four elements for each of the realms. After the Gateways come the seven Painted Body cards. The Painted Body cards each have a focusing phrase and their main description, followed by the cross-cultural goddess, god or archetype that is the Guardian corresponding to that Painted Body spirit.”

My review copy included a tarot-sized set of cards wrapped in a velvet blue bag to hold the cards in, and a copy of the 400-page companion guide. I ended up requesting a copy of the PDF guide because the companion book does not have some of the card meanings in it. With this in mind, here's my in-depth review of this deep and mysterious deck.

The Cards
The tarot-sized version of the Oracle of Initiation comes with 68 cards. Each world takes the reader and seeker through various human development stages. The cards themselves are 2.75” wide by 4.75 long and are made of a sturdy card stock. The finish has a linen texture to it but they are also a bit glossy, which makes them a bit hard to shuffle in my hands. Seriously, the cards jumped out of my hands when I first held them—it was as if they all wanted to speak at once. Even after a few months of owning the cards, they want to jump out of my hands. The card backs are black with a red graffiti art on them. This pattern is not reversible; however, Lucia's companion guide does give many suggestions on how to read the cards reversed. The edges of the card hold up rather well, too. They retain their black sheen, after all the times I've shuffled them.

Back art from the Oracle of Initiation by Mellissae Lucia.
Back art from the Oracle of Initiation by Mellissae Lucia.
The artwork on the Oracle of Initiation are a combination of photographs taken while she was in the New Mexican Graffiti Tunnels and some stylized hand-drawn art. The photographed cards are amazing to look at. They jump out at you and have an otherworldly appearance to them. Even after looking through the deck many times, I find it hard to believe that they aren't manipulated in any way. The companion guide suggests that you look at the art to give you more details of the messages that Spirit are showing you in the cards; which is a great idea and something I love. Even the way the figures in the card move, evoke meaning to follow.

How It Reads
It took me forever to get to this reading section. There is so much in the Companion Book that I wanted to take my time to read through it and get to know the deck better. As I am not really used to reviewing oracle systems, I'm curious to see what the cards say about themselves in this three card reading. When I do these readings, I try not to overlay any other knowledge than what the LWB or companion book suggests.

1. What can you teach users?
I received 39. Collaboration, also known as the Balance of Alliance. The deity for this card is Gaia, and I'm loving the synchronicity. The Companion book describes this card as being “an authentic collaboration” that can provide “mutually beneficial association allowing both parties freedom within connection.” I think that this is a great answer to what the deck can teach users. By the deck providing the images for exploration and the person reading the card to provide understanding and divine connection, this deck can provide an awesome collaboration.

2. What are your strengths?
I received 4. Naivety, also known as the Initiation of Innocence. The deity for this card is Tara (haha, almost typed tarot there). The Companion book says that we “are they channel through which the inspiration of the galaxies may grace the earth, a starlight medium. (Our) initiation of innocence is remembering that within (our) naive quest for expansion, (we) are still flying blind, apprenticing to the ways of earthen awakening.” So, I take this that the deck is good to use with an open mind, a sense of play, and a willingness to expand one's senses into the journey and contract they enter in with the deck.

3. What are your weaknesses?
Finally, for this last question, I got 61. Assimilation, also known as the Discernment of Unity. The deity for this card is Shango. The Companion book says that “assimilation is an awesome responsibility, attuning with all that surrounds you. The discernment of unity recognizes that assimilation is not simply absorbing: it is reweaving yourself into the matrix of existence, harmonized with all.” From these statements, I think that the deck is telling us that it can only show us what we need to do, but the work of integration (assimilating) the knowledge falls upon our shoulders and that it isn't as easy as doing readings and writing journal entries. There is real work to be discovered with this deck, but only if you are willing to play and integrate the knowledge.

The Books
Lucia has two books to guide us through the Oracle of Initiation deck. I have both the 400 page Companion book, released for the initial deck publication (and kickstarter version), and a downloaded PDF guide made specifically for the tarot edition.

The 400-page Companion book is a wonderful marvel. The first 92 pages of the book take you on the journey through the deck's creation. It gives you a huge record into how Lucia pushed her art and her spiritual direction to model the deck into a unique work of art. Then she introduces the structure, expanding on each of the eight worlds that the deck is broken into. She then describes how each world's cycle comes together and interplays with one another. Finally, she devotes a chapter on the various ways to use the deck and how to read the card by listing to the divine voices we all carry. Nine spreads are included throughout the book, in-between the various card meanings. One really cool thing that the Companion book includes is a marked tab system on the page edges— this helps readers find the card meanings quickly.

The LWB PDF is a slimmer booklet. It contains choice bits of information about the deck, how it's designed, and good bite-sized snippets of the meanings of the deck. In a way, I found the PDF a better quick-guide into the cards themselves.

Final Thoughts
The Oracle of Initiation takes awhile to get into and understand. But those who are willing to take the time, will enjoy the messages and connections it has to offer. I had the pleasure of attending a Study Group class taught by Mellissae at 2015 Readers Studio. We used cards from the Oracle of Initiation, along with cards from other oracles, to build a circular reading that can help us get closer to who we really are and get in touch with these messages. Like the reading I constructed from that workshop I feel like I am only starting out on the personalized journey and connection with this deck. One that I am excited to see where it takes me.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book through netgalley in exchange for this review.

Deborah Lipp's Tarot Interactions takes readers, new and advanced, through the various ways they can read and build relationships with the tarot. When I first saw this book for review on Netgalley I expected to see a tome on relating the cards to one another. A dictionary reference on building meaning for two, three, or four cards in a reading. If that's the type of book you want, this is not for you. Instead, Lipp brings readers an interactive way of learning tarot.

Tarot Interactions posits that every bit of using a tarot, from honing your psychic skills using the cards to reading for clients is an interaction. Each chapter discusses a unique view of an interaction using tarot cards. My favorite chapters were the Psyche, Patterns, and Language chapters because they take tarot on a personal level; reminding us that readings begin with learning patterns and seeing how the cards interplay with one another and the client; and the language and stories the cards tell us.

What I liked: This was a great workbook for readers. Lipp's writing is smooth and easy going and it's written almost like the reader is in the room with her. There are many exercises that make reading this book in a group setting very easy to do. She even includes answers to her own questions to use as good jumping off points. I also liked how each chapter builds and guides you into the art of tarot reading on one another. There are also some good appendices on her tarot meanings and other good info.

What I didn't like: I had some issues with some of the example stories. Sometimes there seemed to be inconsistencies between the spread graphics and what was written. I also thought the book was too short. (Not REALLY an issue but I really liked her instructional style and wanted to have more from her.)

Bottom Line: If you want to develop long-lasting relationships with your decks and learn how interactions play in your tarot readings then Tarot Interactions is for you.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from netgalley in exchange for a review.

Clutter is a hot topic these days. From popular reality shows, to advertisements on helping clear the clutter, to even meditation music, we are in an age where more isn't better anymore. Enter Clearing Clutter by Alexandra Chauran. This book tackles the clutter discussion by dividing modern day clutter into three types: physical, mental, and spiritual. In this slim tome she defines the three areas, gives you a three step process for helping to make room in all the areas, and combines it with non-denominational practices and help to keep the weight off.

What I liked: I liked how Chauran uses her own experiences as examples. She has been there, done that and shows us how easy the way out can be. While most books choose to focus on the physical clutter, she takes the idea of clearing one step further and gives tips and tricks and tools for clearing mental space and honing in on the spiritual side.

What I didn't like: Honestly, decluttering is a one of my favorite topics to read and I sort of wished this book didn't end. It felt more like an introduction to the process and while Chauran gives a great 3-step process to keep the clutter at bay, I was hoping to see some case studies.

BOTTOM LINE: If you want a good book to introduce you to good ways to declutter your home, clear your mind, and find a spiritual focus, then Chauran's Clearing Clutter is for you.