The witch minister is a concept that combines the mystical and religious aspects of witchcraft with the leadership role of a minister or clergy member. It is a unique blend of spirituality, magic, and social responsibility. In history, the witch minister was often regarded as a wise and knowledgeable figure within the community. They would possess a deep understanding of spiritual matters, often with a focus on witchcraft and the occult. This knowledge would be used to guide and counsel individuals seeking help or guidance in their lives. The witch minister would also play a key role in conducting rituals and ceremonies, which were central to the practice of witchcraft.
When another teenager disappears, the girls know it’s no coincidence. What greedy magic have they awakened? And what does it want with these teens it has stolen?
But secrets have to come out, and it s only when all the girls are honest with each other and themselves that they realise they will need to work together to save Johnny from an evil bigger than they had imagined. Set in the atmospheric wilds of California s northern coast, Sasha Laurens s thrilling debut novel is about the complications of friendship, how to take back power, and how to embrace the darkness that lives within us all.
The witch minister would also play a key role in conducting rituals and ceremonies, which were central to the practice of witchcraft. These rituals could include spells, divination, or communing with the supernatural. The witch minister would lead these rituals, ensuring that they were conducted safely and with respect to the spiritual forces involved.
ARC Review: A Wicked Magic
This book was given to me for review by the publisher and Fantastic Flying Book Club. After hearing all the awful things that FFBC was doing, I formally left the tour. I was supposed to post my review for their blog tour, but instead, I will simply be posting my review for the author and the publisher.
Today, I am reviewing A Wicked Magic by Sasha Laurens, a debut YA paranormal novel about two teenage witches who unwillingly band together to fix the magical mess they’ve made. This title releases on July 28th, so be sure to preorder a copy today!
Here is the synopsis from Goodreads:
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets The Craft when modern witches must save teens stolen by an ancient demon in this YA fantasy-thriller debut.
Dan and Liss are witches. The Black Book granted them that power. Harnessing that power feels good, especially when everything in their lives makes them feel powerless.
During a spell gone wrong, Liss’s boyfriend is snatched away by an evil entity and presumed dead. Dan and Liss’s friendship dies that night, too. How can they practice magic after the darkness that they conjured?
Months later, Liss discovers that her boyfriend is alive, trapped underground in the grips of an ancient force. She must save him, and she needs Dan and the power of The Black Book to do so. Dan is quickly sucked back into Liss’s orbit and pushes away her best friend, Alexa. But Alexa has some big secrets she’s hiding and her own unique magical disaster to deal with.
When another teenager disappears, the girls know it’s no coincidence. What greedy magic have they awakened? And what does it want with these teens it has stolen?
Set in the atmospheric wilds of California’s northern coast, Sasha Laurens’s thrilling debut novel is about the complications of friendship, how to take back power, and how to embrace the darkness that lives within us all.
I really enjoyed this book. It was magical and fun with some very interesting characters. The beginning pulled me in quickly, but I found that the middle was pretty slow. I felt like the beginning and end were well thought and executed, but the middle was lagging in terms of action. It began to feel repetitive as the same issues rose up for Dan and Liss that they had to work through.
Alexa’s story on the other hand got my attention. I wanted to read more about her and what was going on with Lorelai’s investigation. The whole first half of the book was focused on Dan and Liss’ situation with occasional sections on Alexa – but in the second half we get to see her a lot more and that’s when things get interesting.
Focusing on the plot, this book was so good. The actual events that go on and what these girls have to face was insane and super creepy. I wish I had read this book for Halloween with the amount of creepy, eerie things that happen. I also was a bit upset about who Alexa ended up with, because I was kind of rooting for someone else. On the other hand, she ends up with a really sweet girl and seems really happy.
For the characters, we see a lot of growth between the three, especially for Liss in my opinion. Honestly, I didn’t like Liss’ character at all in the beginning, but after finding out more about her home situation and her motivation for things, I just feel sorry for her. The changes she goes through made her into a much healthier person and I loved seeing her growth. Dan also goes through a much needed change and comes out a healthier, hopefully happier, person.
One thing that I think the author was trying to make cannon was Dan’s sexuality. We know Liss is straight (or at least very interested in her boyfriend Johnny) and Alexa is gay, but we never learn about Dan. Not that it’s important, but I can’t help but wonder where the author was going for her. See, in the book, Dan comes across as ace (asexual) or somewhere along the ace spectrum. But it’s never confirmed, denied, or really discussed. Part of me wants an answer, but it doesn’t really affect the story much whether or not she is. I’m just curious, I guess.
Overall, this book was written beautifully and it dives into things like self harm, depression, abusive home life, and other important conversations like that. These issues are discussed and handled carefully and I appreciate the work the author put in to represent these topics well. Though the middle was really slow for my taste, I think this book was still awesome. I loved learning about how magic worked in this world and pairing it with real teenage problems.
I think a lot of people will not only enjoy this book, but learn that things aren’t always what they seem. So, I’m giving this a // 5 stars!
When another teenager disappears, the girls know it’s no coincidence. What greedy magic have they awakened? And what does it want with these teens it has stolen?
Additionally, the witch minister would often act as a mediator or peacekeeper within the community. They would help resolve conflicts, provide spiritual support to those in need, and work to promote harmony and understanding among the members of the community. This role required a strong sense of empathy and compassion, as well as a deep understanding of human nature. Today, the concept of the witch minister continues to be embraced by many modern witches and pagans. While the specific practices and beliefs may vary among individuals and traditions, the role of the witch minister remains rooted in spiritual leadership and community service. It is important to note that the witch minister does not necessarily have to be a formalized position within a religious organization. Rather, it is a role that can be taken on by any witch who feels called to serve their community and practice their spirituality in this way. In conclusion, the witch minister is a unique and powerful figure that combines the spiritual and mystical aspects of witchcraft with the leadership role of a minister. They play a vital role in guiding and supporting individuals, conducting rituals, and promoting harmony within their communities. This concept continues to be embraced by many modern witches and pagans as a way to connect their spiritual practice with their desire to make a positive impact on the world around them..
Reviews for "The Witch Minstrel: Conjuring Musical Magic Since Ancient Times"
1. Jane - 2/5
I found "The Witch Minstrel" to be quite disappointing. The plot was predictable and the characters lacked depth. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused and unsatisfied. Additionally, the writing style was tedious and often felt forced. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others looking for a captivating and well-crafted fantasy story.
2. Mark - 1/5
"The Witch Minstrel" is hands down the worst book I have ever read. The story was convoluted and poorly developed, making it difficult to follow. The characters were unlikable and their actions often made no sense. The pacing was painfully slow, and I found myself losing interest halfway through. I would strongly advise against wasting your time on this book.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I had high hopes for "The Witch Minstrel," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The world-building was weak and lacked originality. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. While the concept had potential, the execution left much to be desired. Overall, I was disappointed with this novel and would not recommend it to others.