Myths & Music: Black Magick Book 2

The second entry in the series Myths & Music continues to be more brutal and at the same time introduces animal rights to the core of its story. At the start of the book the magical elements culminate and some of the powers get explained more in detail. The music might refer to a flute, but also there are moments when it is used to drown out protagonist's thoughts.

““I just know things about people. I just feel this energy radiating off them, and I know what they're feeling. If I focus, it's almost like being able to read their minds. But even when I'm not paying attention I can still feel it, especially when the emotion is very strong.””

The characters from the last book become relevant again and there are revelations about them. There's new and exciting characters and they look cool from their descriptions. It felt really nice to see so many characters support animal rights and to see them face their unique difficulties in choosing this path. It is interesting how symbolism and metaphors interweave with the saving of animals because I have never read a story that does that, it feels special. The brutality of the events really match the seriousness of animal exploitation. The story becomes very thrilling and that's when I usually start coming up with a ton of inside jokes, haha.

““What exactly are you trying to drive out?” “Rage, despair, shame at the human race,””

The nature of addiction plays a big role in unexpected ways and how people deal with it. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone carries a hidden addiction, some of them seem right in front of your eyes, but get brushed off or not focused on. The characters don't seem to take care of themselves (eating toast, drinking whiskey) and that carries over the kind of actions they commit onto others. Carrie is a book by Stephen King which I haven't read, but I wonder if the name choice is intentional. The character's full name in that book is Carrie White which would be an interesting coincidence if not on purpose. It is a bit hard to imagine a scenario where everything goes well or better for the characters at this point, but I hope that the story gets surprising on that front. There is a whole Fairy Land now which could serve the characters to their surprise, especially if the world randomly decided to stop farming animals for food, haha.

“The crow finally stopped crying out when the Man hoisted himself far enough out of the water to lessen the pull of the tide and, as he slid his body up onto the tree, her sense of relief was stronger than anything she had ever felt before.”

I really love crows as a pet concept even though in reality it is not possible, so I am glad that there is Luna and that she follows the protagonist on this journey. She was such a light and comfort, the start of this book is way lighter than its later parts. Ramirez, Camille even if not good characters sound cool so I hope they get put to good use, the set up was just really cool in general.

“Cleanse me
Of all that's untrue
Heal me
Make me brand new
Free me
From the self I once knew
Make me
A vessel for you
Soot from all the factories
And shadows from my mind
Make me clean and pure again
Erase the stains of time
Wash away the surface
Reveal the truth below
Beneath this worldly skin there shines
The Mother's green/gold glow
Shield me
With your loving wings
Drape me In the light that you bring
Make me
Brave, make me strong
That I may
Right what is wrong”

It feels that a lot of characters are wronged by the world and you can sense how, it is hard to see them beyond this, but it might be something worthwhile. These lyrics are describing the act of writing to me and how it brings you to new places. The fact that the next entry is called lies is a bit concerning, but where there are lies there must be truth as well!