Crimes against magic refer to the various offenses committed in relation to the practice or belief in magic. Throughout history, individuals who practice magic or engage in magical beliefs have often faced persecution and discrimination. The notion of crimes against magic is deeply rooted in cultural and religious beliefs, with many societies considering magic to be evil or a form of witchcraft. One of the most common crimes against magic is witchcraft accusations and trials. In many parts of the world, particularly during the medieval period, individuals, especially women, were often accused of being witches and practicing malevolent magic. These accusations typically resulted in severe punishments, including imprisonment, torture, and execution.
Narrated by: James Langton
This book is neither good or bad, It doesn t really have characters that you dislike but also doesn t provide you much of a reason to like the ones that are there. But with his enemies closing in, and everyone he cares about becoming a target for their wrath, Nathan is forced to choose between the life he s built for himself and the one buried deep inside him.
These accusations typically resulted in severe punishments, including imprisonment, torture, and execution. The Salem witch trials in Massachusetts during the late 17th century are one of the most well-known examples of such trials. Another form of crime against magic is the desecration of magical objects or sites.
Crimes againsr magic
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
It’s been almost ten years since Nathan Garrett woke on a cold warehouse floor with nothing but a gun, a sword, and no idea of who he was or how he got there. His only clue … a piece of paper with his name on it. Since then, he’s discovered he’s a powerful sorcerer and has used his abilities to work as a thief for hire. But he’s never stopped hunting for his true identity, and those who erased his memory have never stopped hunting for him. When the barrier holding his past captive begins to crumble, Nathan swears to protect a young girl who is key to his enemy’s plans. But with his enemies closing in, and everyone he cares about becoming a target for their wrath, Nathan is forced to choose between the life he’s built for himself and the one buried deep inside him.
Crimes Against Magic is the first part of an Urban Fantasy series, the Hellequin Chronicles, set in modern-day London with Historical flashbacks to early fifteenth-century France.
My impressions:
It will be a very short review. It will be also one of those reviews which I start with “the cover art is great” expression; basically, it is the only positive aspect of the book I can think of. Ok, at a push I might add an original use of Greek and Celtic mythologies – how to criticize King Arthur, Merlin and Mordred? How not to like Cassandre, Priam, Agamemnon and Helene, presented with a twist? You see, I am trying really hard to be impartial and positive. As usual, I fail.
To be completely honest I despised almost everything about this book. In fact I might even create a list of its flaws:
- the schematic, predictable plot,
- wooden narration full of smaller or bigger infodumps,
- dialogues from the past which linguistically never differed from the contemporary English (and they were supposed to be uttered by 15th century folk, imagine that!),
- the main lead, Nathan/Nate/Nathanial Garrett who was dumb,
- his complete lack of any personality to speak of,
- the fact that he solved conflicts with brute force and hardly ever with brains,
- his string of girlfriends casual shags who were like plastic Barbie dolls with personalities to match…
As you see I could rant and rant forever. Who wants to listen to my rant? A rhetorical question, right? Let me just finish by saying I DNFed after about one third of the novel and skimmed the rest. It was a wise decision. No more Hellequin Chronicles books for me.
Final verdict:
There are crimes against magic and crimes against literature. This one belongs firmly to both categories. Read at your peril – you have been warned!
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Many cultures believe in the power of talismans, amulets, or sacred places, which are believed to hold magical properties. Destroying or defacing these objects or sites is considered a crime against magic. Such acts can be motivated by religious intolerance or a desire to suppress magical practices. In some cases, individuals may be accused of fraud or deception relating to their claim of possessing magical abilities. Many people exploit the desires and vulnerabilities of others by offering magical solutions to their problems. These fraudulent practitioners may pretend to have special powers or knowledge to manipulate others into giving them money or resources. Such crimes against magic are often prosecuted as acts of fraud or charlatanism. In recent times, the rise of the internet has led to crimes against magic in the form of hacking or stealing magical knowledge. Occult societies or individuals who hold esoteric knowledge may have their texts or teachings stolen and published without consent. This unauthorized dissemination of secret magical practices can harm the reputation or beliefs of these practitioners and disrupt their traditions. Furthermore, suppression or banning of magical practices by governments or religious institutions can also be considered crimes against magic. Throughout history, numerous authorities have sought to control or eliminate magical practices, viewing them as a threat to their power or ideology. This suppression often involves harsh punishments and restrictions on magical activities. Crimes against magic are complex and interconnected with cultural, religious, and societal beliefs. They involve various forms of persecution, discrimination, and exploitation, which have occurred throughout history and continue to be a concern in many parts of the world today. Understanding these crimes and addressing the prejudices and misconceptions surrounding magic are important steps towards promoting tolerance and respect for different cultural practices and beliefs..
Reviews for "The Dark Side of Divination: Crimes in the World of Prophecy and Fortune-Telling"
1. John - 2/5 stars
I was really excited to start reading "Crimes against Magic" because I love magic and crime novels, but I was ultimately disappointed. The plot felt convoluted and disjointed, and it was hard for me to really get invested in the story. The characters also fell flat for me - they lacked depth and development. Overall, I found it hard to connect with the book and it left me underwhelmed.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I had high expectations for "Crimes against Magic" based on the positive reviews I had seen, but it just didn't click with me. The writing style felt clunky and the pacing was off, making it hard for me to stay engaged. Additionally, the world-building felt underdeveloped, leaving me with more questions than answers. While I appreciate the author's attempt to mix magic and crime elements, it just didn't come together for me in a satisfying way.
3. David - 3/5 stars
I'm a fan of both fantasy and mystery genres, so "Crimes against Magic" seemed like a perfect fit for me. While it had its moments, I can't ignore the fact that the story was predictable and cliché at times. The twists didn't feel surprising, and the plot lacked originality. However, the action scenes were well-written and kept me entertained. Overall, it's an average read for me - not terrible, but not groundbreaking either.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars
I struggled to get through "Crimes against Magic" as it felt overly complicated and confusing. The world-building was incredibly dense and overloaded with information, which made it hard to fully immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and I found it hard to care about their fates. While the premise had potential, the execution fell short for me. Unfortunately, I can't say I enjoyed this book.