Unusual Magic Books Magic books have been a source of fascination and intrigue for many people. From ancient grimoires to modern spellbooks, these texts offer a glimpse into the world of magic and the supernatural. However, not all magic books are created equal. Some books stand out for their unusual content, format, or history. Here are a few examples of unusual magic books that have captivated readers throughout the centuries. One of the most famous unusual magic books is the Necronomicon.
And for even more fantasy recommendations, check out “7 Fantastic Fantasy and Science Fiction Heroines!”
With its roots in the myths of King Arthur taken with a twist, and the system itself a secret society, Legndborn feels like one of those books where you could accidentally stumble into it all really happening, and that takes a huge amount of skill. Police detectives Jared Caddrett and Dana Campbell are tasked with finding the killer, but when a mysterious FBI agent from the big city shows up, they begin to realize that something far more sinister has come to their little town.
One of the most famous unusual magic books is the Necronomicon. Originally created by author H.P.
Five Books With… Unique Magic Systems
It’s been a little while since I did one of my stops in my Five Books With… series, and I really wanted to spend some time talking about magic this time around. Fantasy books, both young adult and adult, have taken on a whole new wave of popularity in recent years, and there’s now so many utterly unique books with creative magic systems that authors have blown us away with. I could write about so many books, but there’s a reason I limit myself to five in the rules; none of us need a whole essay.
It’s only in the last year or so I started reading fantasy, and it’s been amazing to be discovering it while it’s becoming so popular. The amount of books I’ve been reading with magic in them to some degree has really shifted since that first book, and it’s been brilliant for a whole host of reasons.
Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood
This book had to be mentioned because it was not just the first SJM book I read, but the first fantasy book I read as an adult. It utterly captiavated me how easy it was to get lost in the wonder of a magic system. It had werewolves and angels and demons and all things that blew my mind because I guess I’d forgotten the wonder of really having magic surround you in a book. The system is detailed, elaborate and has terms and coniditions – legally! – for all the different groups that were co-existing. It’s still one of my favourite books. You can read my review here.
Shadowhunters Series
We can’t talk about detailed magical systems without mentioning Shadowhunters. I know this is is two big authors in a row, but they’ve become well known because of the magical systems – and amount of books – they create. What I particularly like about the Shadowhunters books is that there’s so many of them, and how they might all be in different sets, but they overlap, with characters reappearing in different books or being mentioned further down the line. Part of what allows that to happen is the magic, with characters such as warlocks being immortal. My reviews for the books I’ve read in the series so far are here, and in the recommended reading order:
City of Bones
City of Ashes
City of Glass
The Red Scrolls of Magic
Clockwork Angel
Clockwork Prince
Clockwork Princess
City of Fallen Angels
City of Lost Souls
Witches Steeped In Gold
This first part in a duology takes inspiration from Jamaican folklore and myths to create a dark and detailed system. Here’s the synopsis:
Divided by their order. United by their vengeance.
Iraya has spent her life in a cell, but every day brings her closer to freedom – and vengeance.
Jazmyne is the Queen’s daughter, but unlike her sister before her, she has no intention of dying to strengthen her mother’s power.
Sworn enemies, these two witches enter a precarious alliance to take down a mutual threat. But power is intoxicating, revenge is a bloody pursuit, and nothing is certain – except the lengths they will go to win this game.
This Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut about two enemy witches who must enter into a deadly alliance to take down a common enemy has the twisted cat-and-mouse of Killing Eve with the richly imagined fantasy world of Furyborn and Ember in the Ashes.
Legendborn
I love the magical system that takes place within this book. With its roots in the myths of King Arthur taken with a twist, and the system itself a secret society, Legndborn feels like one of those books where you could accidentally stumble into it all really happening, and that takes a huge amount of skill. Making magic feel realistic, and making you look around your room just in case there’s any secrets to be found when you look up from the pages of the book… This is the kind of comfort-but-terrifying magic we all want.
Malice
In Malice, we follow Alyce, known as the Dark Grace, as she tries to get her magic to work to the traditional Grace system. It doesn’t work properly for her, because she’s not a Grace. But the magic system itself is carefully constructed and full of terms and conditions that all Graces must follow – even Alyce. A Grace only has a certain lifespan of magic, and so has to watch how much magic she is using each time, should it be used up too quickly, for example. It’s all much more detailed than that, and I loved it for not being so happily ever after, even for those with magic! Find my review of this sapphic Sleeping Beauty retelling here.
So there we are. If you’re looking for magical systems that will keep you utterly enchanted, here’s a few to get you started. I promise that wasn’t a magic spell. Or was it?
Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood
This book had to be mentioned because it was not just the first SJM book I read, but the first fantasy book I read as an adult. It utterly captiavated me how easy it was to get lost in the wonder of a magic system. It had werewolves and angels and demons and all things that blew my mind because I guess I’d forgotten the wonder of really having magic surround you in a book. The system is detailed, elaborate and has terms and coniditions – legally! – for all the different groups that were co-existing. It’s still one of my favourite books. You can read my review here.
Lovecraft, this book is said to be a collection of ancient texts that contain forbidden knowledge and spells. While the Necronomicon is a work of fiction, it has inspired many real-life occultists and has become a popular topic of discussion and study. Its mysterious origins and dark content make it a truly unique and intriguing magic book. Another unusual magic book is the Voynich Manuscript. This medieval manuscript, written in an unknown language and featuring bizarre illustrations of plants and astronomical charts, has puzzled scholars for centuries. Despite numerous attempts to decipher its meaning, the Voynich Manuscript remains a mystery, fueling speculation and debate about its origins and purpose. It is a fascinating example of a magic book that continues to defy explanation and intrigue its readers. The Book of Thoth is another remarkable magic book. Said to have been written by the ancient Egyptian god Thoth himself, this book allegedly contains powerful spells and knowledge about the nature of the universe. The Book of Thoth is associated with the practice of Egyptian magic and has been the subject of many rituals and ceremonies. It is considered a sacred text by many practitioners of occultism and is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. In addition to these specific examples, there are numerous other magic books that stand out for their unusual nature. Some books feature strange illustrations, intricate codes, or hidden compartments. Others are written in unique languages or contain unusual spells and rituals. These magic books often hold a certain allure for readers, as they represent a glimpse into a hidden world of arcane knowledge and power. In conclusion, unusual magic books have a special place in the world of occultism and fascination. Whether it is the mysterious content, enigmatic origins, or peculiar format, these books have a way of captivating readers and fueling their imagination. From the Necronomicon to the Voynich Manuscript and the Book of Thoth, these magic books continue to inspire and intrigue, reminding us of the enduring appeal of the supernatural and the power of the written word..
Reviews for "Unveiling the Esoteric Secrets of Unusual Magic Books"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Unusual magic books". I found the content to be lacking in creativity and the writing style to be boring. The magic tricks in the book were generic and not at all unusual as the title suggests. I was hoping for something fresh and exciting, but instead, I felt like I was reading a mundane magic book that offered nothing new or innovative.
2. Mark - 1 star - I honestly cannot understand why "Unusual magic books" has received any positive reviews. The tricks in the book were basic and unimpressive. The explanations were poorly written and confusing. The book claims to offer unique and unusual magic tricks, but it failed to deliver on that promise. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this book.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was hoping that "Unusual magic books" would provide me with some unique and mind-blowing magic tricks, but I was sorely disappointed. The tricks in the book were mostly variations of standard tricks that can be found in any other basic magic book. There was nothing unusual or exceptional about the content. I was hoping for more creativity and originality, but unfortunately, this book fell short.
4. Michael - 1 star - "Unusual magic books" was a complete letdown. The tricks in the book were overly complicated and poorly explained. As an avid magician, I was looking forward to learning something new and exciting, but all I found was frustration. The lack of clear instructions and diagrams made it nearly impossible to understand and perform the tricks accurately. This book is definitely not worth your time or investment.