The Amulet book series is a popular fantasy adventure series written and illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi. The series follows the story of Emily Hayes, a young girl who discovers a magical amulet and embarks on a dangerous journey to save her family and the world. The first book in the series, "The Stonekeeper," introduces readers to Emily and her family as they move to their great-grandfather's old house after a tragic accident. Emily comes across a mystical amulet with extraordinary powers and becomes the new Stonekeeper. Along with her brother Navin, she enters a magical world full of strange creatures and an evil power that threatens to engulf them all. In the second book, "The Stonekeeper's Curse," Emily tries to master her amulet's powers while navigating the challenges of saving her mother's life and solving the mysteries of the amulet's past.
Imbolc really is the beginning of Spring, despite the fact that there may still be snow in some places and dreary skies almost everywhere! If you look closely, you will see that the snow is just a blanket covering the beauty of the Mother, which is about to shine through soon. You’ll see the first hints of Spring, if you’re really looking for them. In this spirit, Candlemas is celebrated. (Note: Candlemas is the Christianized name for Imbolc, but the two are used almost interchangeably by many earth-based groups such as Wiccans today. Groundhog Day is a secularized term, but it draws from a Pagan tradition. More on that in a minute)
In Pagan times, her statue was annually washed in sea or lake to celebrate her festival, being conveyed ceremonially overland, in a chariot or a boat; in her associated with a ship she may be compared to Isis note see March 5th. 130 Another ancient festival of candles celebrated long ago for a moon goddess is now repeated on the same date, February the second, for the Virgin Mary, Moon of our Church.
In the second book, "The Stonekeeper's Curse," Emily tries to master her amulet's powers while navigating the challenges of saving her mother's life and solving the mysteries of the amulet's past. She learns more about the amulet's history and the role it plays in the ongoing conflict between good and evil. The series continues with "The Cloud Searchers," where Emily and Navin join forces with a crew of airship pilots in search of their missing mother.
Imbolc, Candlemas or Candelaria:
A Celebration
of Returning Light
Here we are in seed time, dream time, looking for the cracks of light that tell us to stretch out and grow. We are invited to consider this possibility: What if there is nothing wrong? What if there is no "too slow"?
What if we live a miracle every single day,
and we don’t have to earn it?
As the first shoots of tentative growth begin to lift, and we sense the beginning sparks of possibility, of new ways of being, we may feel the itch to create a lengthy to-do list for a new year. Resist and sit, curled and waiting.
Uncover what is enough.
Not in the sense of playing too small, but the kind of enough that allows our hearts to expand and our shoulders to loosen, that allows creativity to blaze and joy to bloom, the kind of enough that opens space in our lives to hold ourselves and our seed dreams. Darkness and silence can hold both the sparks of our dreams and the embers of our hopes. We are our own seeds of promise.
-by Molly Remer © Mother Tongue Ink 2022
from We'Moon 2023 pg. 43
They discover the flying city of Cielis and face new enemies and dangerous trials as they get closer to finding their mother and unraveling the secrets of the amulet. In the fourth book, "The Last Council," Emily and her friends must prove themselves to the Guardian Council in order to gain access to the city of Cielis. They encounter new allies, dangerous foes, and unexpected betrayal as they fight to save their mother and fulfill their destiny. "The Prince of the Elves" is the fifth book in the series, following Emily and her friends as they travel to the Elf King's city in search of a cure for their mother. However, they soon discover that the city is in turmoil, and they must find a way to restore peace and save their mother. The sixth book, "Escape from Lucien," sees Emily and her friends trapped in the city of Lucien, where they must navigate the treacherous streets and face the forces of evil that threaten to keep them trapped forever. They encounter new allies and face dangerous trials as they fight to escape and continue their search for a cure. The seventh and latest book in the series is titled "Firelight." In this installment, Emily and her friends face their greatest challenge yet as they confront the Guardian Council and confront the true power of the amulet. They must make difficult choices and sacrifices to save their world and the people they love. Overall, the Amulet book series is a captivating and thrilling adventure that combines stunning illustrations with a compelling story. Each book builds upon the previous one, taking readers on an exciting journey filled with magic, danger, and personal growth..
Reviews for "Going Deeper: Analyzing the Symbolism and Allegory in the Amulet Series"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I had high expectations for the "Amulet" book series, but I was left feeling disappointed. The storyline felt confused and disjointed, making it difficult to follow. The characters lacked depth and development, and I couldn't connect with any of them. Additionally, the illustrations were underwhelming and did not enhance the reading experience. Overall, I found the series to be lackluster and would not recommend it.
2. Jonathan - 3 stars - While the premise of the "Amulet" book series seemed intriguing, I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was uneven, with parts of the story feeling rushed while others were dragged out. The plot twists felt forced and predictable, diminishing the impact they could have had. I also struggled to connect with the main character, as their motivations and actions often seemed inconsistent. Overall, I think the series has potential but falls short in delivering a compelling and cohesive narrative.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I tried reading the "Amulet" book series but found it to be quite underwhelming. The world-building was confusing and poorly explained, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The dialogue felt flat and lacked depth, and the interactions between characters felt forced. I also found the artwork to be uninspiring, failing to capture the imagination and magic that the series was aiming for. Overall, I did not enjoy the series and would not recommend it to others.