The concept of the Witch n Xiz is a fascinating one that has gained popularity in recent years. It combines the traditional idea of a witch with the modern understanding of gender and identity. In traditional folklore and mythology, witches were often portrayed as women who possessed magical powers and used them for both good and evil. They were often seen as social outcasts and were feared and persecuted by their communities. However, the Witch n Xiz challenges these stereotypes by exploring the intersection of witchcraft and non-binary or genderqueer identity. The "n Xiz" part of the term refers to the gender-neutral pronouns "they" and "them" used to identify someone who does not identify strictly as male or female.
In 1985, shortly before the publication of her fifth book, she left the world of the gainfully employed to try winging it on her own.
To find her way home, Alethia will have to learn to trust in the old tales, whose legends of magic and daring hold the only hope of saving her kingdom. Have you ever started reading a book thinking, Oh, well, I may not like it but I ll give it a try, then quickly found yourself sucked into the story and thinking, Holy Hera, this is good.
The "n Xiz" part of the term refers to the gender-neutral pronouns "they" and "them" used to identify someone who does not identify strictly as male or female. By combining this with the concept of a witch, the idea of the Witch n Xiz allows for a more inclusive and diverse understanding of magic and identity. In this context, being a Witch n Xiz means embracing and celebrating a fluid and non-binary understanding of both gender and magic.
Happy Book Birthday to Shadow Magic!
I don’t normally repost my reviews, but Joshua Khan’s Shadow Magic comes out today and I’m pretty excited about it! I read an advance copy of this middle grade fantasy debut way back last summer, and I haven’t stopped thinking about how good it is. (Hence the quote from me on the cover.) Now, at last, it has been published so you can read it too! If you like the type of stuff that I write — a mix of action, humor and magic — then you should definitely check this out. Here’s my full review from back in November:
Shadow Magic, by Joshua Khan. Middle grade fantasy.
Have you ever started reading a book thinking, ‘Oh, well, I may not like it but I’ll give it a try,’ then quickly found yourself sucked into the story and thinking, ‘Holy Hera, this is good!’ That was my experience with Shadow Magic. It’s told from the alternating perspectives of Thorn, the wayward son of an outlaw, and Lillith Shadow, the heir of one of six ancient magical kingdoms. There should be no reason for these two to ever cross paths, but they do, and the combination is explosive.
Lillith is the heir of Gehenna, the kingdom of darkness. She wasn’t supposed to become the ruler, but her family is murdered under mysterious circumstances, which leaves her next in line to the throne. Her family was once able to summon legions of the undead, speak to ghosts, and do all sorts of cool darkness magic that Nico di Angelo would approve of. Unfortunately, Gehenna’s glory days are long past, and women are not allowed to practice sorcery upon pain of death, so Lillith cannot use whatever powers she might have. Gehenna is so weak, Lillith is forced to make a marriage alliance with their ancient enemies, the bright and shiny kingdom of light. (Gross!)
Thorn, a young nobody from the north, is captured and sold into slavery to an executioner named Tyburn, who happens to work for the kingdom of Shadow. Thorn arrives in the land of darkness, and is soon plunged into a mystery with Lillith about who killed her parents. We find out that Thorn and Lillith both have unexpected powers and many secrets. We meet some fantastic characters, including a giant bat named Hades (How could I not love that?).
This book is a wonderful page-turner for young readers. It’s got all the elements of a great fantasy, rendered in a fresh, alluring, well-crafted world, with sympathetic characters and tons of mystery. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Get a copy. You’ll thank me for it!
Lillith is the heir of Gehenna, the kingdom of darkness. She wasn’t supposed to become the ruler, but her family is murdered under mysterious circumstances, which leaves her next in line to the throne. Her family was once able to summon legions of the undead, speak to ghosts, and do all sorts of cool darkness magic that Nico di Angelo would approve of. Unfortunately, Gehenna’s glory days are long past, and women are not allowed to practice sorcery upon pain of death, so Lillith cannot use whatever powers she might have. Gehenna is so weak, Lillith is forced to make a marriage alliance with their ancient enemies, the bright and shiny kingdom of light. (Gross!)
It is an empowering concept that encourages individuals to explore their own unique identities and to embrace their own personal forms of magic. The rise of the Witch n Xiz can be seen as part of a larger movement towards greater acceptance and recognition of non-binary and genderqueer identities. It challenges traditional gender norms and expands our understanding of what it means to be a witch or engage in witchcraft. Overall, the Witch n Xiz is an important concept that highlights the intersectionality of gender and magic. It encourages individuals to embrace their own unique identities and forms of magic, and it challenges traditional stereotypes and norms. It is a symbol of empowerment and inclusivity in the world of witchcraft and beyond..
Reviews for "Witchcraft and Feminism: Empowerment or Stereotype?"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I really wanted to like "Witch n xiz" because I love fantasy books, but I found it incredibly confusing and hard to follow. The world-building was lacking, and the characters were one-dimensional. The plot felt disjointed, and I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend it to others.
2. Tom - 1 star - "Witch n xiz" was a complete waste of time. The writing was poorly executed, with grammatical errors and inconsistent pacing. The storyline was convoluted and made no sense, leaving me confused and unsatisfied. The characters lacked depth and development, and I had no emotional connection to them. I regret picking up this book and wish I had spent my time on something else.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was disappointed by "Witch n xiz". The writing style was bland and uninspiring, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The plot was predictable and offered nothing new or exciting to the genre. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the character motivations were unclear. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and not worth the hype it received.