Grimalkin is a fictional character in Joseph Delaney's "The Wardstone Chronicles" series. She is a witch assassin, also known as Malkin Clan's assassin, who is infamous for her deadly skills and ruthless nature. Grimalkin is described as a tall and willowy woman with long, silver hair and piercing green eyes. She possesses remarkable strength, agility, and magical abilities, making her a formidable opponent. She is known to strike fear in the hearts of both witches and humans alike. As a witch assassin, Grimalkin is skilled in various forms of combat, including hand-to-hand combat, knife throwing, and swordplay.
First published in France in 1929, Magic and Mystery in Tibet tells the story of the author's experiences in Tibet, among lamas and magicians. Alexandra David-Neel's memoir offers an objective account of the supernatural events she witnessed during the 1920s among the mystics and hermits of Tibet--including levitation, telepathy, and the ability to walk on water! She tells of great sages and sorcerers that she met; of the system of monastic education; the great teachers and their disciples; Tibetan folklore about these spiritual athletes; reincarnation and memory from previous lives; elaborate magical rites to obtain enlightenment; the horrible necromantic magic of the pre-Buddhist Bonpa shamas; mental visualization exercises to create disembodied thought forms (tulpas); visions; phenomena of physical yoga, control of the body heat mechanism; breathing exercises; sending "messages on the wind"; and much similar material. An unusual aspect of her book is that she herself experienced many of the phenomena she describes, yet she describes them with precision and in a matter-of-fact manner, permitting the reader to draw his own conclusions about validity, interpretation in terms of psychology, and value. Particularly interesting for the modern experiencer are her detailed instructions for tumo (the yoga of heat control) and creation of thought projections. This deluxe edition has all of the original photographs plus additional photos and maps, as well several introductions. Chapters include: Tibet and the Lamas; A Guest of the Lamas; A Famous Tibetan Monastery; Dealing with Ghosts and Demons, Disciples of Yore and their Contemporary Emulators; Psychic Sports; Mystic Theories and Spiritual Training; Psychic Phenomena in Tibet--How Tibetans Explain Them; more.
Particularly interesting for the modern experiencer are her detailed instructions for tumo the yoga of heat control and creation of thought projections. An unusual aspect of Madame David-Neel s book is that she herself experienced many of the phenomena she describes, yet she describes them with precision and in a matter-of-fact manner, permitting the reader to draw his own conclusions about validity, interpretation in terms of psychology, and value.
As a witch assassin, Grimalkin is skilled in various forms of combat, including hand-to-hand combat, knife throwing, and swordplay. She is also skilled in using her magical powers for offensive and defensive purposes. Her ability to manipulate shadows allows her to blend seamlessly into dark environments, making her appear almost invisible.
Magic and Mystery in Tibet - by Madame Alexandra David-Neel (Paperback)
A practicing Buddhist and Oriental linguist recounts supernatural events she witnessed in Tibet during the 1920s. Intelligent and witty, she describes the fantastic effects of meditation and shamanic magic -- levitation, telepathy, more. 32 photographs.
Book Synopsis
For centuries Tibet has been known as the last home of mystery, the hidden, sealed land, where ancient mysteries still survive that have perished in the rest of the Orient. Many men have written about Tibet and its secret lore, but few have actually penetrated it to learn its ancient wisdom. Among those few was Madame Alexandra David-Neel, a French orientalist. A practicing Buddhist, a profound historian of religion, and linguist, she actually lived in Tibet for more than 14 years. She had the great honor of being received by the Dalai Lama; she studied philosophical Buddhism and Tibetan Tantra at the great centers; she meditated in lonely caves and on wind-swept winter mountains with yogi hermits; and she even witnessed forbidden corpse-magic in the forests. Her experiences have been unique.
Magic and Mystery in Tibet tells the story of her experiences in Tibet, among lamas and magicians. It is neither a travel book nor an autobiography but a study of psychic discovery, a description of the occult and mystical theories and psychic training practices of Tibet. She tells of great sages and sorcerers that she met; of the system of monastic education; the great teachers and their disciples; Tibetan folklore about their spiritual athletes; reincarnation and memory from previous lives; elaborate magical rites to obtain siddhis; the horrible necromantic magic of the pre-Buddhist Bonpa shamas; mental visualization exercises to create disembodied thought forms (tulpas); visions; phenomena of physical yoga, control of the body heat mechanism; breathing exercises; sending "messages on the wind"; and much similar material.
An unusual aspect of Madame David-Neel's book is that she herself experienced many of the phenomena she describes, yet she describes them with precision and in a matter-of-fact manner, permitting the reader to draw his own conclusions about validity, interpretation in terms of psychology, and value. Particularly interesting for the modern experiencer are her detailed instructions for tumo (the yoga of heat control) and creation of thought projections.
For centuries Tibet has been known as the last home of mystery, the hidden, sealed land, where ancient mysteries still survive that have perished in the rest of the Orient. Many men have written about Tibet and its secret lore, but few have actually penetrated it to learn its ancient wisdom. Among those few was Madame Alexandra David-Neel, a French orientalist. A practicing Buddhist, a profound historian of religion, and linguist, she actually lived in Tibet for more than 14 years. She had the great honor of being received by the Dalai Lama; she studied philosophical Buddhism and Tibetan Tantra at the great centers; she meditated in lonely caves and on wind-swept winter mountains with yogi hermits; and she even witnessed forbidden corpse-magic in the forests. Her experiences have been unique.
Magic and Mystery in Tibet tells the story of her experiences in Tibet, among lamas and magicians. It is neither a travel book nor an autobiography but a study of psychic discovery, a description of the occult and mystical theories and psychic training practices of Tibet. She tells of great sages and sorcerers that she met; of the system of monastic education; the great teachers and their disciples; Tibetan folklore about their spiritual athletes; reincarnation and memory from previous lives; elaborate magical rites to obtain siddhis; the horrible necromantic magic of the pre-Buddhist Bonpa shamas; mental visualization exercises to create disembodied thought forms (tulpas); visions; phenomena of physical yoga, control of the body heat mechanism; breathing exercises; sending “messages on the wind”; and much similar material.
An unusual aspect of Madame David-Neel’s book is that she herself experienced many of the phenomena she describes, yet she describes them with precision and in a matter-of-fact manner, permitting the reader to draw his own conclusions about validity, interpretation in terms of psychology, and value. Particularly interesting for the modern experiencer are her detailed instructions for tumo (the yoga of heat control) and creation of thought projections.
Additionally, she can summon and control dangerous creatures such as boggarts and dark moorfolk to aid her in her missions. Grimalkin is known to work alone, rarely forming alliances or taking sides in conflicts. She is motivated by her own self-interest, often taking on jobs that offer a substantial reward. She is not to be underestimated, as she is cunning and calculating, always thinking several steps ahead of her opponents. Despite her ruthless nature, Grimalkin is not devoid of a code of honor. She follows a strict set of rules as an assassin and expects others to do the same. She values loyalty and despises betrayal, making her fiercely protective of those who have earned her trust. Throughout the series, Grimalkin is often depicted as an enigmatic figure. Her true intentions and loyalties are shrouded in mystery, making her an intriguing character to unravel. Her interactions with the main protagonist, Thomas Ward, reveal a complex relationship filled with mutual respect and distrust. Grimalkin's character adds depth and intrigue to "The Wardstone Chronicles" series. Her cold demeanor, deadly skills, and elusive nature make her one of the most memorable characters in the fantasy genre. Her presence brings a sense of danger and unpredictability to the story, keeping readers on the edge of their seats..
Reviews for "The Hunt for Grimalkin the Witch Assassin: How Her Enemies Persevere"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I found "Grimalkin the Witch Assassin" to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. Grimalkin, who is supposed to be the protagonist, came across as uninteresting and lacked any defining qualities. The plot itself was simplistic and predictable, failing to capture my attention or provide any excitement. Overall, I was hoping for a more engaging and immersive witch assassin tale, but unfortunately, this book fell flat for me.
2. Mark - 2 stars - "Grimalkin the Witch Assassin" did not meet my expectations. The writing style was unengaging and lacked descriptive detail, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The pacing felt off, with moments dragging on unnecessarily and lacking any real excitement. Additionally, the world-building left much to be desired, as it failed to provide a clear and captivating setting. Overall, the novel lacked the depth and substance I was hoping for, making it a forgettable read for me.
3. Sarah - 1 star - I really struggled to get into "Grimalkin the Witch Assassin." The characters were unrelatable and lacked any development, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. The writing style was choppy and disjointed, making it difficult to follow along. The plot felt rushed and underdeveloped, and the attempts at humor fell flat. I was hoping for a gripping witch assassin tale, but unfortunately, this book fell short in delivering an engaging narrative. I wouldn't recommend it.
4. Ryan - 2 stars - While the concept of a witch assassin intrigued me, "Grimalkin the Witch Assassin" failed to live up to my expectations. The pacing was inconsistent, with moments of action and excitement being overshadowed by long periods of stagnation. The world-building felt lacking and left me with many unanswered questions. The main character, Grimalkin, didn't inspire much interest or investment, as her personality seemed flat and unremarkable. Overall, this book fell short in delivering a compelling and immersive witch assassin story.