The witchcraft locket volume is a compelling and intriguing literary work that explores the world of magic and witchcraft. The book takes readers on a journey into the mystical land of witches, warlocks, and charms. The main idea of The witchcraft locket volume is the exploration of the power of witchcraft and the allure it holds over those who practice it. The volume delves into the history and origins of witchcraft, uncovering its ancient secrets and rituals. The author paints a vivid picture of the witchcraft world, capturing the reader's imagination with vivid descriptions of spellcasting and potions. The volume also delves into the intricate details of the witchcraft locket, a powerful talisman said to possess immense magical abilities.
I suppose some authors do spend a lot of time reading. It’s just that since I began writing novels my reading patterns have changed. My confession is that I used to read more fantasy for fun.
My style When I began writing, I decided two things, I wanted to find my own style not just steal someone else s way of doing things, and I wanted to learn the ropes from authors that knew more than me. My style When I began writing, I decided two things, I wanted to find my own style not just steal someone else s way of doing things, and I wanted to learn the ropes from authors that knew more than me.
The volume also delves into the intricate details of the witchcraft locket, a powerful talisman said to possess immense magical abilities. One of the book's significant themes is the ethical dilemma faced by those who possess the power of witchcraft. The author examines the moral implications of using magic for personal gain and the consequences that come with it.
Review: The Art of War (First Contact)
I chuckled with excitement several times during the read, and that's always a good sign that I'm invested in the plot and the fate of the characters. There were some utterly brilliant scenes here and there, but I'll refrain from going into details and try to keep this review mostly spoiler-free.
The story is solid and visual, and I found myself thinking on several occasions how easy it would be to turn this into a movie or streaming series.
If it helps, you can think of this book as a modern and much more realistic version of the Independence Day movie. Or at least they share the theme and setting (war and first contact) and we encounter military personnel as characters. Less so in the sense that this is an action blockbuster script…or well, give it to Peter Jackson, and just watch! Don’t get me wrong, though, there’s action in this book, too. It’s just that what drives most of the story is the day-to-day lives of the main characters in a time of extraordinary events shaping their lives and the world. It’s a story about people…and about the art of war.
Overall, it’s a well-written story. Enjoyable and engaging. And unless you specifically do not like sci-fi books about people in the military and/or astronauts, I think you’ll enjoy reading it.
If you'd like to know more about the SPSFC competition and my role as a judge watch this video.
A broader perspective
If you love to read books about Americans, then several of the main characters are Americans, and parts take place on US soil. But likely due to the author being an Australian, born in New Zealand, the characters have a broad view of the world. It was refreshing to see important parts of the book take place in Asia and Europe and to get realistic descriptions of life and people in these places, like mentioning the noise level found in the big cities of India. Still, to this day, the sheer power of the street noises combined with especially the multitude of cars constantly honking their horns was a unique experience for me. and sure made it very difficult to sleep at night.
I think the world could use more sci-fi that's not afraid of showing the reader that the world is quite large and that people in other countries have much value, too. Not to mention different perspectives that might one day help us fight a war against a superior enemy. like hostile aliens.
My reasons for choosing this book to judge
I was lucky that I was given a say in which books I got to judge (thanks, Matt!) When I picked this book as one of mine, I did so because I like military sci-fi and aliens (and I was provoked by the title!)
“It better be good!”
I guess some will think it is in poor taste to re-use the title of a famous and ancient book (you’re allowed to do this legally, though.) At least, I remember thinking something like, “This book better be really good, or I'll give the author a hard time!”
I read the ancient work of military philosophy, The Art of War by Sun Tzu long ago (he’s the “statue guy” on the cover of Peter Cawdron’s book.) And to this day, the original still has much to offer I'd recommend reading it (don’t worry, it's quite short and easy to read.)
After reading this version of The Art of War, I don't have an issue with the "title abuse" and if the new version becomes a hit, it could open the eyes of a new generation to the ancient wisdom of Sun Tzu. Perhaps get someone to read both a modern and an ancient text about…The Art of War.
The stuff I’d do differently
Being an author myself, you might wonder if I noticed a lot of mistakes or found the story lacking here and there. Not so much, no.
The only part that bored me was a section at the back (an appendix about scientific stuff and military tech.) Some might think this is the best part. I could have done without. Still, no harm done, and it's nice to know that the author spent time on research and getting this stuff right.
Had I been the editor, I’d have asked Peter Cawdron to leave certain meta-plane references out. Since his story is engaging, why not keep me reading and engaged the whole way?
I would not have given one of the astronauts a last name that is known to everyone who knows anything about astronauts. It drew me out of the story. Nor would I have made references to films like Independence Day. I get the meta-plane sort of joke with the characters feeling like they are in a movie. A feeling I’ve experienced in real life, too. But the difference between real life and fiction is that I’m still in my real life even if I have a meta-plane thought. Whereas in a story, meta-plane references often draw me out of the fun parts. I’ll think, “Is this book inspired by this or that reference? Is that why the author feels a need to mention it? Or, Don’t they take their own story seriously?”
Whatever the case, I’ll stop reading. I’d rather stay immersed.
I’m not in love with the title either. From a marketing perspective, I do see an argument for some of the coolness of the original work rubbing off. It sure makes it really easy to remember the title. But it has downsides. Some will be provoked or get confused. “I’m looking for Sun Tzu’s book. What is this?” And if a reader searches for the new version, it’s difficult to find. A search on Amazon (even including the author’s name) begins with a great many editions of the ancient book. You’ll have to scroll quite a bit to find the new version.
Still, I've made worse mistakes as an author and the important part is that I had a great time in the company of Peter Cawdron's words.
Now, I have two more books to judge! They'll have to be really good to beat this one.
This exploration raises thought-provoking questions about the balance between good and evil in the world of witchcraft. Throughout The witchcraft locket volume, the author immerses readers in a world filled with suspense, mystery, and enchantment. The story unfolds through a series of captivating narratives, each revealing new secrets and adding to the overarching plot. Overall, The witchcraft locket volume is a captivating literary work that delves into the captivating world of magic and witchcraft. Its exploration of ethical dilemmas, vivid descriptions of magical practices, and engaging storytelling make it a must-read for fans of the supernatural..
Reviews for "The Witchcraft Locket Volume: A Journey into the Occult"
1. Jessica - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Witchcraft Locket Volume". The story felt incredibly repetitive, with the same plot points and twists being recycled over and over again. The characters were flat and lacked depth, making it difficult to feel invested in their journey. Additionally, the writing style was clunky and filled with unnecessary descriptions that didn't contribute to the overall story. Overall, I found this book to be a boring and predictable read.
2. Mark - 1 star - "The Witchcraft Locket Volume" was a complete waste of time for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long stretches of nothing happening and no real sense of urgency or tension. The dialogue felt unnatural and forced, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The mythology and magic system introduced in the book were poorly explained and inconsistent, leaving me confused and frustrated. I highly recommend avoiding this book if you're looking for an engaging and well-crafted fantasy novel.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Witchcraft Locket Volume", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot was convoluted and difficult to follow, with unnecessary subplots and twists that only served to confuse the reader. The pacing was uneven, with moments of intense action followed by long periods of stagnant storytelling. The romance in the book felt forced and lacked chemistry, making it difficult to invest in the relationship between the main characters. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointing and messy read.