The moon has always been an object of fascination and mystery. It has greatly influenced human cultures and beliefs throughout history. One area where its influence is particularly strong is in rituals and spells. Lunar rituals and spells are practices that harness the energy and power of the moon for various purposes. These can range from simple rituals to more complex spells, all designed to align with the different phases of the moon. The different phases of the moon - new moon, waxing moon, full moon, and waning moon - each have their significance and are believed to possess unique energies.
The different phases of the moon - new moon, waxing moon, full moon, and waning moon - each have their significance and are believed to possess unique energies. The new moon is associated with new beginnings and setting intentions, while the waxing moon is a time for growth and manifestation. The full moon is considered the most potent phase, a time of abundance, clarity, and heightened energy.
A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer | Book Review
A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Cursebreakers #1
Published by Bloomsbury YA on January 29, 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 484
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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Fall in love, break the curse.
Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.
Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she's pulled into a magical world.
Break the curse, save the kingdom.
Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.
You thought I’d quit YA, huh? Me too. lol. I’ve struggled to identify with YA characters as I’ve gotten older and have kind of made the shift to adult romance, but then a group of friends pushed this on me and we read the series together and OH MY GOSH. I had always loved YA fantasy, but hadn’t found one in a very long time that held my attention long enough to even finish it, much less binge a series back to back to back. I’m about a third of the way through the second book, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, right now and it’s amazing. I’m #89 in line for A Vow so Bold and Deadly at my library so hopefully things hurry along. Anyway, I loved the world and the characters and the writing, and I’m so excited to continue my journey reading through these books! As always, my main points are bolded.
1. Harper had me worried at first. Well, the whole book did because it started off very sassy teen and I wasn’t sure I was in the mood for it, but then I grew to really love her! And I loved the disability rep. Harper has Cerebral Palsy and walks with a limp. The people in the magical alternate dimension don’t understand this kind of disability and find her to be weak or injured, but she has no problems sticking up for herself and proving that she can do anything. She’s sweet, caring, empathetic, and really turns the castle upside down. This girl definitely isn’t like all the other girls who have been kidnapped by the prince’s guard commander to try and break the curse.
2. Grey is my favorite character in this book. He’s the guard commander, and I LOVE him. He’s honorable and protective and such a great guy. He’s the romantic of the two male main characters, and he coaches the prince on how to not be a cold, unfeeling jerk. If we’re likening the characters to Beauty and the Beast, which this book is a retelling of, then Harper is Belle, Rhen is the Beast, and Grey is Lumiere. Also, was he named after the grey stuff? As in “try the grey stuff, it’s delicious!” I’m convinced of this. I need to write to the author. Ok, I just did. Anyway, he’s also pretty swoony sounding.
3. Prince Rhen? He’s fine. I actually really liked him, but he was a bit broody and intense and… pouty? for my liking. He’s the typical royal personality you find in fantasy, and I guess he’s a really good Beast because he’s got that “I hate everyone, now love me so I can be human again” attitude down. I hope I get to see more of his personality in the second book, because right now he’s pretty flat.
4. The supporting characters are great. Harper, Grey, and Rhen end up at a little inn and I love the characters they meet. And as they find people to join their army against a rival queen, they encounter some really interesting people with stories that I loved.
5. The romance is pretty minimal, but I didn’t even care.
6. Oh my gosh, this is a very overwhelming book to try and review.
7. I love the world! And I loved the spin Brigid put on Beauty and the Beast. Curse has the bones of Beauty and the Beast, but Brigid has added so many interesting and amazing details that make it so different. The enchantress is a recurring character in the story, there’s another kingdom threatening invasion, there’s… traveling between dimensions, the beast (or monster, as they refer to it in the book) surfaces every season and Rhen can’t control it (think of a werewolf and a full moon). It’s all so good and fresh and unique.
8. The writing! I love Brigid’s use of words and descriptions of scenery and feelings.
9. I finished and immediately needed more. This doesn’t happen to me often. Usually I need a break, but I am plowing on through and can’t read fast enough.
I’ve read a LOT of Beauty and the Beast retellings, and I thought for sure nothing would ever satisfy me to the point that Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses did. I still love ACOTAR more than anything, but I also really, really loved Curse. Like, I can’t pick just one and that makes me really happy. Maybe there is room in my life for more B&B retellings and maybe I do still love YA fantasy (it was heartbreaking to decide I didn’t anymore). Anyway, I’m not sure I’m making sense. Bottom line, A Curse so Dark and Lonely has made me realize that perhaps I gave up on a genre I once loved too soon because I thought there was nothing left for me there. So, now I’ll venture back and see what else there is for me. I highly recommend this book, and cannot wait to see what happens next!
5. The romance is pretty minimal, but I didn’t even care.
Lastly, the waning moon is associated with release, letting go, and banishing negative energies. One commonly used lunar ritual is the moon bath. This involves sitting under the moonlight and allowing its energy to cleanse and recharge the body and spirit. Some people may choose to perform specific rituals during certain moon phases, such as writing intentions and releasing them into the water during the new moon or charging crystals under the full moon. Lunar spells, on the other hand, are a form of magic that is performed in alignment with the lunar cycle. These can include spells for protection, abundance, love, and more. For example, a spell to attract love might be performed during the waxing moon, as it is a time of growth and manifestation. It is important to note that lunar rituals and spells are not to be taken lightly. They require careful thought, intention, and respect for the moon's energy. It is crucial to approach these practices with a pure heart and clear intention to ensure their effectiveness. In conclusion, lunar rituals and spells are practices that utilize the energy and power of the moon for various purposes. They are performed in alignment with the different phases of the moon, each possessing its unique qualities and energies. Whether it's a simple moon bath or a complex love spell, these practices can help individuals connect with the moon's magical energy and manifest their desires..
Reviews for "Full Moon Rituals and Spells: Maximizing Lunar Energy for Powerful Intentions"
- Jane123 - 1 star - I had high hopes for "Lunar rituals and spells" but was thoroughly disappointed. The book is filled with vague and unclear instructions, making it difficult to follow along. I found myself constantly questioning if I was doing things correctly. Additionally, the spells included in the book seemed ineffective and lacked any real magic. Overall, this book was a waste of my time and money.
- MysticMoon - 2 stars - As someone who has been practicing lunar rituals for years, I was looking forward to finding new insights and techniques in this book. Unfortunately, "Lunar rituals and spells" fell short. The information provided was basic and repetitive, offering nothing new to someone already familiar with the subject. Furthermore, the spells lacked depth and creativity, making them uninteresting to try. I would not recommend this book to experienced practitioners.
- SarahWitch - 2.5 stars - I found "Lunar rituals and spells" to be an underwhelming read. The book lacked depth and failed to provide the necessary context and background information for the rituals and spells it presented. As someone new to the subject, I struggled to understand the purpose and significance of the rituals. The writing style was also quite dull, making it difficult to engage with the material. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book for beginners.