Rural healing practices and folk magic have been integral to the lives of many communities around the world, providing remedies and solace for various ailments. These practices often draw from ancient traditions and beliefs, passed down through generations. In rural areas where access to modern healthcare may be limited, folk healing practices play a prominent role in maintaining the well-being of individuals. These practices involve a deep understanding of nature, as plants, herbs, and other natural elements are commonly used for their healing properties. Folk healers, also known as traditional healers, employ various techniques to diagnose and treat illnesses. They may use divination, such as reading patterns in tea leaves or examining the stars, to determine the root cause of an ailment.
This is a pretty good book to get into the series with but I don’t necessarily think that you need to read it first. Personally, I like reading a book series in order as it tends to make things easier but not always. It introduces you to the main players in this series well enough and gives you a good mystery to boot. The one thing I couldn’t really wrap my head around at this point in the whole series is the Kate/Curran relationship.
The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings and the death of Kate s guardian may be part of the same mystery. The book starts with her fresh off a case covered in nasty goo and sewage is not fresh by any means when she gets word that her old guardian has died.
They may use divination, such as reading patterns in tea leaves or examining the stars, to determine the root cause of an ailment. Once diagnosed, the healer will then prescribe specific treatments, which can range from herbal remedies and potions to rituals and charms. The use of rituals and charms is an integral part of folk healing practices.
Review: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Is it just me, or are a lot of urban fantasy heroes more or less the same? They can kick serious ass, they have mysterious and as-yet-untapped powers, their parentage is often a question mark, they’re loners, and they’re also smart-asses with short fuses who can’t choke back an insult to save their lives. Meet Kate Daniels, the latest urban fantasy protagonist to check off all those boxes.
At the beginning of Magic Bites, mercenary Kate is passing a usual lonely night in her apartment and nursing an injury from her latest job when a vampire, “piloted” by an undead Master named Ghastek, interrupts her evening with a question: “When was the last time you saw your guardian?” Soon, Kate finds herself on special assignment for the powerful Order of Knights of Merciful Aid as she tries to figure out exactly what happened to her guardian, Greg Feldman — the only person her father trusted with the truth of Kate’s parentage.
I ended up liking Magic Bites, but I have to admit that I came close to putting it down early in the book because Kate felt so cookie-cutter. She’s a mercenary with a magic sword and a mysterious past who refuses help from anyone, including Greg. In a situation where diplomacy would help Kate keep her mysterious powers under wraps–which we are told, over and over again, is a must for her safety–Kate flings insults and starts a fight instead. I wanted to sympathize with Kate’s occasional loss of temper, but mostly I found myself annoyed by her apparent lack of smarts.
I was also annoyed by the book’s mysterious treatment of Kate’s powers and parentage. Kate herself knows who her parents are and what she’s capable of, but she avoids revealing this crucial information to the reader, even though the book is written in first-person narrative. I love mysteries, but I find it kind of obnoxious if the main character knows the answer and is just refusing to share. It also makes for some awkward writing, as Kate’s narration does cartwheels in order to avoid revealing facts that the authors* want to hold out on us.
Finally, the book’s pacing is jumpy. The authors occasionally skip a scene or two and let the reader know about crucial events or conversations after the fact. Sometimes this works, but at other times, I really felt like the skipped scene would have added important character development.
So why did I stick with it? First, the worldbuilding in Magic Bites really intrigued me. A resurgence of magic brought about a quasi-apocalypse, and now the world is divided into “tech time,” when technology works normally and magic is unreliable, and times when “the magic is up,” when magic flares and most tech doesn’t work. The authors have a lot of fun imagining what life would be like in this world. (For example, what happens if you drive a magic-fueled car when the magic is up, but then have to return when the magic is down?) Kate’s world also won major points with me for bringing back gross and scary vampires. No emo Edward Cullens in sight here.
Second, Kate herself started to grow on me. Her actions became more cautious and her investigation became more interesting, she developed something resembling a sense of humor, and her mistakes made me wince in sympathy instead of roll my eyes. I also liked that she has to put work into being an ass-kicking mercenary. We see her lifting weights and training, which is a nice change of pace.
I’d recommend Magic Bites as beach or airplane reading for urban fantasy fans. It’s a debut with some flaws, but overall I enjoyed it. I’ll be intrigued to see if the sequel, Magic Burns, makes me want to keep reading.
Rating: Library Loan
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* The books are written by a husband-and-wife team, Ilona and Andrew Gordon.
There was a ton of great action, mystery, and magic throughout this novel. The pacing was fast and relentless, and that part of things kept me glued to my seat most of the time. I think if the other elements were improved this definitely could’ve been a five star for me, but for now I’m giving it a 3.5.
These rituals often involve reciting prayers or performing specific actions, such as burning incense or creating talismans. These practices are believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits or bring about positive energy, helping to restore balance and promote healing. While folk healing practices and magic are deeply rooted in cultural and traditional beliefs, they often coexist with modern medicine. In rural areas, people may seek out the services of a folk healer alongside consulting a medical professional. This integration of different healing practices reflects the complex nature of health beliefs and the importance of a holistic approach to well-being. Overall, rural healing practices and folk magic are an essential part of many communities, providing comfort and remedies for various ailments. These practices showcase the rich cultural heritage and beliefs of different societies and offer alternative ways of understanding and addressing health issues..
Reviews for "The Power of Intuition: How Rural Healers Tap into their Inner Guidance"
1. Sara - 2 stars - I was really excited to learn more about rural healing practices and folk magic in this book, but I was extremely disappointed. The author seemed to present these practices in a very biased and judgmental way, almost mocking them instead of writing about them objectively. There was also a lack of research and facts to back up the claims made. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is genuinely interested in the subject.
2. Alex - 1 star - I found "Rural healing practices and folk magic" to be a complete waste of time. The author had a condescending tone throughout the entire book, dismissing these practices as nothing more than superstition. It felt like they were belittling the beliefs and traditions of rural communities. I was hoping for a more balanced and informative perspective, but this book missed the mark entirely. Save your money and find a different book if you want to learn about this topic.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I have always been fascinated by folk magic and healing practices, but this book fell short of my expectations. The author seemed more interested in debunking and criticizing these practices rather than exploring them with an open mind. The research presented was minimal, and the writing lacked depth and nuance. I felt like I was reading a biased opinion rather than an informative book. Disappointed with this purchase.
4. Ryan - 1 star - As someone who has studied and practiced rural healing practices for years, I was appalled by the content of this book. The author's dismissive and mocking tone towards these practices shows a complete lack of understanding and respect. It felt like they were trying to paint these traditions as primitive and backward. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an unbiased and informative exploration of rural healing practices and folk magic.