The phony witch project is a term that refers to the phenomenon of people claiming to be witches or practicing witchcraft for personal gain or attention, without actually possessing any real supernatural abilities. These individuals often use deceptive tactics and tricks to create the illusion of magic, such as performing staged rituals or using props and illusions. The phony witch project has gained popularity in recent years, particularly through social media and reality television shows. One of the main reasons for the rise of the phony witch project is the increasing interest in witchcraft and spirituality. With the popularity of books like "Harry Potter" and TV shows like "Charmed," more and more people are becoming curious about the world of magic and witchcraft. However, instead of studying and practicing genuine witchcraft, some individuals choose to exploit this interest for their own personal gain.
However, instead of studying and practicing genuine witchcraft, some individuals choose to exploit this interest for their own personal gain. While it may seem harmless and entertaining to some, the phony witch project can have negative consequences for those who genuinely practice witchcraft. It undermines the legitimacy and credibility of true witches, as well as discourages serious study and practice of the craft.
Small Town, Big Magic By Hazel Beck
Small Town, Big Magic is a witchy contemporary romance that entertains.
There’s no such thing as witches…right?
Emerson Wilde has built the life of her dreams. Youngest Chamber of Commerce president in St. Cyprian history, successful indie bookstore owner, and lucky enough to have her best friends as found family? Done.
But when Emerson is attacked by creatures that shouldn’t be real, and kills them with what can only be called magic, Emerson finds that the past decade of her life has been…a lie. St. Cyprian isn’t your average Midwestern river town—it’s a haven for witches. When Emerson failed a power test years ago, she was stripped of her magical memories. Turns out, Emerson’s friends are all witches.
That’s not all, though: evil is lurking in the charming streets of St. Cyprian. Emerson will need to learn to control what’s inside of her, remember her magic, and deal with old, complicated feelings for her childhood friend–cranky-yet-gorgeous local farmer Jacob North—to defeat an enemy that hides in the rivers and shadows of everything she loves.
Even before she had magic, Emerson would have done anything for St. Cyprian, but now she’ll have to risk not just her livelihood…but her life.
I really loved a lot of this book: the premise, the plot and the huge cast of characters. It’s a super entertaining story that I enjoyed reading. I’m still thinking about parts of the story now, especially as the book ends on a cliff hanger and there are 4 books slated in the series. Am I ready for the next book? Yes! As an aside, Hazel Beck is actually two romance writers who’ve come together to write paranormal romance.
I have to admit, out of all of the characters in the book, Emerson Wilde, the main heroine is the one I struggled with the most. I found her insufferable at times. A type A strong woman with her life together, she seems right up my alley. However I found two areas in her character that I had a hard time moving on from: firstly she is the organizer and planner in ehr group. Which is great. However she was fairly annoying in her belief that she was superior over everyone for so much of her life. I think I’d have a hard time being friends with her. While she was clearly set up to to be the saviour in her town, her attributes became grating: her independence becomes a weakness in the book, and I like how Hazel worked through her character growth, but at times Emerson seemed one dimensional in her focus on achieving perfection in all aspects of her life. The other quibble I have with Emerson is how easily she, a type A SERIOUS person just accepts and then masters magic (this isn’t a spoiler alert, you find out that Emerson is a witch on the back of the book). I didn’t find it believable that someone so grounded in reality wouldn’t even waver a bit at discovering that not only does she have magical powers but that her best friends, indeed everyone in town, is magical. I will leave out why she didn’t know, as that IS a spoiler. Let’s talk about what’s good about Emerson, because there is a lot: she’s loyal and strong and smart. Can she be a little inflexible, sure. Does she think she’s always right, yes. Is she a kick ass heroine who needs to learn to trust both other people and her heart, heck yes. I will say that Emerson’s faults do make her feel like a very real person. There is a lot of depth to her character development that makes Small Town, Big Magic a fabulous read.
There is a big focus on found family in Small Town, Big Magic, and Hazel’s cast of characters really shines in this book. I love a team united against evil, and you get that here. Emerson’s friends have their own issues and backstories, including the mysterious immortal Nicholas Frost, and while we don’t dive deeply into their full stories in this book as it’s focused on Emerson’s journey, I do hope we find out more over the series.
As far as romances go, part of the plot involves Emerson learning to open up to people and one of them is her friend Jacob. This is a sweet friends to lovers romance that I mostly enjoyed. The story is told from Emerson’s point of view only which worked for me as we as the readers feel her frustrations and confusion because we aren’t getting Jacob’s perspective. The only time I faltered about it is that their relationship delved into soulmate territory at times – a trope I love in YA fiction but not so much in my adult fiction. However, Hazel uses the soulmate idea as a line in the bigger story about fate, choice and destiny, so it did work for me in the end. I’d love to know what other people feel about the romance!
Finally I must mention the setting: St. Cyprian seems to be the perfect midwest town. It’s lovely and charming and I hope I get to see more of it in the rest of the series. The setting is an important part of Emerson’s journey and is almost a character in itself. It reminds me a lot of Nora Roberts’ small towns/ Star Hallows and I mean that as the best compliment. It’s a place I would happily visit and wander through with a cup of tea and a terrific baked good. I bet St. Cyprian puts on a wonderful fall festival.
Small Town, Big Magic is a fun and charming witchy romance book. First in a series, I can’t wait to read the rest.
Thank you Harlequin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Additionally, it perpetuates stereotypes and misrepresentations of witches, reinforcing the idea that witchcraft is nothing more than a form of entertainment or a hoax. The phony witch project also raises ethical questions. Is it ethical for someone to claim to possess supernatural abilities or to offer services such as spellcasting or psychic readings, when they know it's all just an act? Many argue that it is not, as it deceives and exploits those who seek genuine guidance or assistance. In conclusion, the phony witch project is a concerning trend in the contemporary world of witchcraft and spirituality. It involves individuals posing as witches or practicing witchcraft for personal gain or attention, without possessing any real supernatural abilities. This phenomenon undermines the legitimacy of true witches, perpetuates stereotypes, and raises ethical questions about deception and exploitation..
Reviews for "The Dark Arts Hoax: Understanding the Phony Witchcraft Trend"
1. John - 1/5 stars - "I found 'The Phony Witch Project' to be a complete waste of time. The acting was terrible, the plot was predictable, and the supposed scares were laughable. It felt like a poor imitation of other found footage films, lacking any originality or genuine fear. The characters were unlikable and the overall story lacked depth. I highly recommend skipping this movie and finding something better to watch."
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'The Phony Witch Project' but was left disappointed. The movie started off promising with an intriguing premise but failed to deliver. The found footage style was overused and at times confusing. The scares were too predictable and relied heavily on cheap jump scares. The characters were poorly developed and I found it hard to connect with any of them. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to create a truly terrifying witch-themed movie."
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - "I was eager to watch 'The Phony Witch Project' based on the trailer, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The acting was mediocre at best, and the plot lacked coherence. It tried too hard to be a mix of horror and comedy but failed to strike the right balance. The scares were more comical than frightening, and I found myself rolling my eyes instead of being on the edge of my seat. It's not the worst movie I've seen, but I wouldn't recommend it to any serious horror fans."