Wicca is a modern pagan religious movement that emerged in the mid-20th century. It is a form of witchcraft that draws on ancient pagan beliefs and practices, particularly those of European traditions. The exact origins of Wicca are somewhat disputed, but it is generally agreed that it began in the 1940s and 1950s with the teachings and writings of Gerald Gardner. Gardner was a British civil servant who claimed to have been initiated into a surviving witchcraft coven in England. He developed a system of beliefs and practices based on these teachings, which he called Wicca. The emergence of Wicca was influenced by various factors, including the growth of interest in the occult and alternative spirituality in the mid-20th century.
The emergence of Wicca was influenced by various factors, including the growth of interest in the occult and alternative spirituality in the mid-20th century. At this time, there was a growing dissatisfaction with mainstream religions and a desire for a more personal and experiential form of spirituality. Wicca offered an alternative to traditional religious beliefs and practices, emphasizing a connection with nature, a reverence for the divine feminine, and a focus on personal empowerment and individual responsibility.
BOOK REVIEW: THE NEAR WITCH – V.E. SCHWAB
I received a copy of The Near Witch from TitanBooks in exchange for an honest review, and today is my stop on the blog tour! (Primarily an Instagram-blog-tour but why not coincide the posts?) So here is my review, uninfluenced, and entirely from my own thoughts and opinions.
Synopsis (Thanks, Goodreads!)
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.
And there are no strangers in the town of Near.
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger-a boy who seems to fade like smoke-appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know-about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.
The cover (Titan Books, UK hardback):
So I am adoring this new cover for the republished The Near Witch, and keeping with the Titan-Books-publishing-V.E.-Schwab-hardbacks there is a beautiful gold silhouette detail under the dust jacket!
Having now read the story I also think this cover fits the book so much more than the previous, but I guess my love for this one is also due to the trend-change in book covers. Back in 2011, I think there was more of a trend to have a life-like human on the front of the book. Oh I’m glad we’ve moved away from that.
As well as the off-white, standard edition, there are also two special editions. A grey one exclusive to Forbidden Planet, and a gold Barnes & Noble exclusive. Both stunningly pretty and if anyone wants to send me a Barnes & Noble one I’ll be eternally grateful!
The setting/ character descriptions:
So V is just good at setting scenes, I don’t think I’ve read a single book by her where I’ve struggled to imagine the scenery. The scenes are vibrant and seem so alive. It found it so easy to follow Lexi around the town of Near, and out into the moor.
This leads nicely onto the character descriptions which as expected are pretty damn flawless. Well, her characters aren’t, that’s just not her style and I love her for it. The characters just seem to come to life on the page, each and every one, no matter how minor the part, just seems to develop in my minds eye effortlessly.
The clothing descriptions, the interactions between characters all just add to the overall real-feel of the book.
Lexi:
So Lexi is our protagonist, and compared to some of the more recent protagonist V has introduced us to, she’s surprisingly… unbroken? Maybe too strong-a word. But she is still this character that is so easy to connect with, even if you’re not familiar with running around moors – what are you doing with your life? – she has so many other storylines that seamlessly entwine with the main storyline. It makes for a perfectly realistic protagonist.
Storyline:
Though I wouldn’t put this down as the best book Victoria has written, I still loved it. I thought the scenery was beautiful, the story was exciting, and the big-event scenes were stunning. I felt like it was missing something to really draw me into the world like her Shades of Magic and Villains series do, but it was still a book I didn’t want to put down. I don’t know how to describe it… I just didn’t become obsessed.
But I’ll definitely read it again at some point.
I would’ve also liked it to be longer. It seemed like it was over too quickly! We have another character (no spoilers) who features quite heavily but it isn’t until Ash Born Boy (The Near Witch #0.5) that we really know that much about them. They sort of just appear at the fore-front of the story. And I would’ve liked to spend longer getting to know them before the story was up.
In general:
An enjoyable read and I am still yet to read a book written by V.E. Schwab that I didn’t like. It felt like a fresh approach to the scary witch thing, and the use of folklore and stories Lexi tells to her younger sister Wren really builds the story in a unique and captivating manner. The scenery is perfection, it was just missing the addiction-factor I often get with Schwab’s books. But I’ll definitely be reading it again and if you’re a fan of Schwab, or stories about witches I’d definitely recommend this to you.
Something rings so true with the statement on the synopsis:
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar
Thanks for reading! Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
I would’ve also liked it to be longer. It seemed like it was over too quickly! We have another character (no spoilers) who features quite heavily but it isn’t until Ash Born Boy (The Near Witch #0.5) that we really know that much about them. They sort of just appear at the fore-front of the story. And I would’ve liked to spend longer getting to know them before the story was up.
Wicca also drew on a variety of sources, including ancient pagan myths and rituals, ceremonial magic, and Freemasonry. It incorporated elements from various folk traditions and folk magic practices, as well as aspects of modern psychology and social theory. Some scholars argue that Wicca is a modern creation that incorporates elements of ancient traditions, while others view it as a continuation or revival of pre-Christian pagan beliefs and practices. Since its emergence, Wicca has grown in popularity and influence. It has inspired the development of numerous other pagan and witchcraft traditions, as well as a vibrant community of practitioners and organizations. Wicca has also undergone various changes and adaptations over time, reflecting the diverse interests and beliefs of its adherents. While there is no central authority in Wicca, it is generally characterized by its emphasis on individual autonomy, diversity, and personal experience of the divine. The religion continues to evolve and adapt to modern contexts, attracting new followers and continuing to exert an influence on contemporary spirituality..
Reviews for "The Triple Goddess: Exploring the Wiccan Female Deity"
1. Emma - 2 stars:
"The Emergence of Wicca was a major disappointment. I had high hopes for this book as I am a fan of the topic, but it fell short in so many ways. The writing style was dry and lacked any excitement or engagement. The author seemed more focused on presenting historical facts rather than exploring the deeper aspects of Wicca. I was hoping for a more personal, introspective perspective, but instead, I got a mundane and tedious read."
2. James - 1 star:
"I wish I could give The Emergence of Wicca zero stars because it was that awful. The information was presented in a disjointed and confusing manner, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. Additionally, the book was filled with errors, both grammatical and factual, which further undermined its credibility. It felt like a rushed and poorly edited piece of work. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Wicca."
3. Samantha - 2 stars:
"I had high hopes for The Emergence of Wicca, but unfortunately, it failed to meet my expectations. The author's writing style was difficult to read and understand, filled with jargon and complex language that made the subject matter inaccessible. The book lacked a clear structure, jumping from one topic to another without proper transitions. I also felt that it didn't do justice to the rich history and traditions of Wicca, making it a disappointing read overall."
4. Michael - 2.5 stars:
"The Emergence of Wicca was an average book at best. While it provided some interesting historical information on the origins of Wicca, it lacked depth and failed to capture the essence of the spiritual practice. The author presented the material in a dry and academic manner, making it difficult to stay engaged. I was hoping for a more personal and intimate exploration of Wicca, but unfortunately, this book fell short in delivering that experience."