The Bible is a religious text that holds significant importance for Christians. Within its pages, there are numerous references to supernatural occurrences and miracles. However, the Bible also contains warnings about the dangers of engaging in forbidden practices such as magic spells and witchcraft. In the book of Exodus, there is a specific prohibition against practicing witchcraft and sorcery. Exodus 22:18 states, "You shall not allow a sorceress to live." This verse clearly indicates the severity of engaging in such forbidden activities.
This gift of overflowing optimism helped me tremendously in moving ahead in life with my biggest dreams. I have what someone once called an “untethered optimism surrounded by extraordinary confidence with a hint of skepticism.”
I have spent some time exploring the subject of alignment and coherence between component parts of human systems and the whole, and it s one reason I find the subject of simultaneous and complimentary human organizational forms such an interesting path of inquiry and intervention. I think it s also important to ask how we could use this curse mechanism to create useful emergent patterns of behavior, to drive large-scale change across our organizations cultural systems.
" This verse clearly indicates the severity of engaging in such forbidden activities. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 further expands on the subject, listing various forms of divination, enchantment, witchcraft, casting spells, consulting with spirits, and communicating with the dead as abominations to God. This passage serves as a strong warning against involvement in these occult practices.
Untethered author KayLynn Flanders didn’t let pandemic hold her back
To say the past year and a half has been hard would be an understatement. COVID-19 has upended all aspects of normal life. And for author KayLynn Flanders, it put one of her biggest accomplishments to the test.
KayLynn released her debut novel, Shielded, July 21, 2020, at the height of the pandemic. (Read Cracking the Cover’s interview for Shielded here.) The world had basically shut down, and KayLynn’s publisher, Delacorte Press, was scrambling to convert to a work-from-home environment.
“The pandemic definitely had a huge effect on the publishing industry as a whole, and on my books and experience as well,” KayLynn told Cracking the Cover. “I wouldn’t say my expectations were altered, necessarily, but the methods of fulfilling those expectations changed.”
KayLynn found herself left without any marketing plans or much support. It was stressful and overwhelming, but the author quickly learned to focus on what she could control rather than what she could not.
“Since I couldn’t do any in person events, I celebrated my launch by sending out really fun swag I had designed — travel posters from locations in Shielded, which now hang over my desk and inspire me whenever I write,” she said. “I joined TikTok and found new ways to connect with readers.”
Now, a year later, she’s back with the book’s followup, Untethered (July 20, 2021), and is hoping to return to some normalcy. “I still don’t know how to do in person events or book signings, but I hope that’s something I get to experience this year.”
Shielded follows Princess Jennesara, the second-born heir to the throne of Hálendi. Jenna is set to marry the prince of neighboring Turia in exchange for resources Hálendi needs. But when the royal caravan is ambushed, Jenna realizes her father’s worst fears are true, and she may be her kingdom’s last chance at survival.
Untethered follows Ren, Jenna’s brother, as he settles in as king of Hálendi and Princess Chiara of Turia as she struggles to find a place for herself in court. Both are facing enormous odds, and when their paths cross, they learn how dangerous their foes really are.
Though the books are deeply intwined, readers will immediately discover different points of view in the sequel.
Changing the storytellers for Untethered keeps the overall story moving forward without detracting from what was accomplished in Shielded, KayLynn says.
“It was always my plan to have different point-of-view characters telling the story for the second book,” KayLynn said. “I think I first saw this done with the His Fair Assassins series by Robin LaFevers, and I loved it. I enjoyed seeing different point-of-view characters with different focuses within the same world.”
The main voices are Ren and Chiara, who are essentially opposite sides of the coin.
In Shielded, Ren appears polished, carefree and confident, said KayLynn. But as she delved further into his character, she realized most of it was a façade.
“[He’s] a guy who gets things done and doesn’t fail. But everyone fails. So, as I got to know him better, as he struggled through the things happening in his world, I found he was hiding things beneath the surface. Things we all struggle with — not knowing what to do, who to trust, being overwhelmed and unable to make decisions. And going with him on that journey of being okay with who he was — failure and all — was really important to me.”
Chiara, on the other hand, is often in the shadows, even ignored by her own family.
“Chiara’s voice was very quiet, and it was easy to lose her in the big stakes of the events of Untethered,” said KayLynn. “But her story —being strong without wielding a sword, without being in-your-face or combative — was just as important to me. There are so many different kinds of strength in the world, and kindness is one of the strongest.
With new voices, KayLynn’s worldbuilding expanded exponentially, but her approach remained the same — pulling emotion from her own travels into the world.
“I start with the characters, who they are, and a basic idea of what happens in the story,” she said. “I think about themes and conflict and figuring out what’s most important to the characters so I can take it away from them and see how they grow. Then, as I draft, I think about what would make a scene more interesting, how the setting could add more conflict or set the tone or represent what’s happening within the character. I always try to get the world to show more than just their surroundings.”
Now that the pressure of publishing her first book has eased, KayLynn is focusing on other elements —namely sales, reader expectations and her own expectations.
“As a writer, I’m trying to go deeper, to stretch my skills, reach farther,” she said. “I’m trying to work on my writing weaknesses and overcome the self-doubt that always creeps back in as soon as I think I’ve banished it.
“But there’s also so much possibility. New worlds to explore, new characters to meet, and that’s really exciting.”
Though Shielded and Untethered are a complete duology, KayLynn hopes to one day return to this world, but she’s got no set plans at the moment. Instead, she’s got a new project underway.
“I’m working on a new YA fantasy about a boy and girl in forgotten village nestled between a desert and a sea of monsters,” she said. “The boy accidentally curses his sister and has to go into the desert and find the gods who cursed her and get them to take it back, and the girl has to stop him from taking back the curse in order to save the village from destruction.”
Mini Review: UNTETHERED, by KayLynn Flanders, Delacorte Press, July 20, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (young adult)
Untethered is one of the books I genuinely was looking forward to reading. I thoroughly enjoyed Shielded and had high hopes for its sequel.
Untethered builds on Shielded and they’re best read one right after the other. I didn’t have time to do this, and though I remembered a lot, I feel as if I missed some of the more nuanced elements.
KayLynn remains an excellent worldbuilder, adding to what she already had in place and expanding to new lands completely. Her settings have a sense of place that help the reader feel as if they are standing in the same space as her characters.
Magical elements continue to feel fresh even while there’s a sense of familiarity.
While most of the plot twists are strong and surprising, there are a few that you’ll know before they happen.
The pacing is on-point, making Untethered an exciting read you’ll want to gobble up in one sitting.
*Learn more about KayLynn Flanders, including her favorite reads during the pandemic by reading the complete transcript of her interview with Cracking the Cover.
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr EmailJessica Harrison is the main reviewer behind Cracking the Cover. Prior to creating Cracking the Cover, Jessica worked as the in-house book critic for the Deseret News, a daily newspaper in Salt Lake City. Jessica also worked as a copy editor and general features writer for the paper. Following that, Jessica spent two years with an international company as a social media specialist. Jessica is currently a freelance writer/editor. In 2023, she was selected to be one of the first-round judges for the Cybils Awards — middle-grade fiction. She is passionate about reading and giving people the tools to make informed decisions in their own book choices.
Moreover, in the New Testament, Galatians 5:20 includes witchcraft as one of the "works of the flesh" that should be avoided. This passage highlights the spiritual significance of abstaining from magic spells and sorcery, as these practices are contrary to the teachings of Christianity. The Bible's prohibition against forbidden magic spells is rooted in the belief that such practices are an affront to God and reflect a lack of trust in His divine power. Christians are encouraged to put their faith in God alone and seek His guidance rather than resorting to supernatural manipulation or the occult. It is essential to note that the Bible's emphasis on avoiding forbidden magic spells does not mean that all forms of supernatural phenomena are condemned. Miracles and divine intervention are common themes throughout the Bible. However, these displays of supernatural power are attributed to God, not to human efforts to control or manipulate the spiritual realm. Christians are called to have faith in God's plan and rely on Him for their needs and guidance. Attempting to use magic spells or engage in witchcraft is seen as a violation of this trust and a rejection of God's sovereignty. In conclusion, the Bible clearly prohibits the use of forbidden magic spells and witchcraft. These practices are described as abominations and heinous offenses against God. Christians are encouraged to place their faith in God's power and guidance rather than seeking supernatural control through witchcraft. The Bible's teachings emphasize the importance of trusting in God alone for all spiritual and supernatural matters..
Reviews for "Forbidden Magic Spells in the Bible: A Lost Art of Ancient Times"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to learn about forbidden magic spells from the Bible, but was ultimately disappointed by this book. The author did a poor job of explaining the historical and cultural context of these spells, making it difficult for me to fully grasp their significance. Additionally, some of the spells seemed more like superstitions rather than genuine magical practices. Overall, I found the book to be misleading and lacking in depth.
2. Emily - 1/5 stars - I found "Forbidden Magic Spells from the Bible" to be a complete waste of time. The author made outrageous claims about the existence of magical spells within the Bible, but provided no evidence or substantiation. It felt like a poorly researched and hastily put-together book. Furthermore, the writing was unclear and confusing, making it difficult to understand the author's points. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in studying genuine biblical texts or magic.
3. Jessica - 2/5 stars - As someone who has studied biblical texts and magic extensively, I was excited to see a book that combined both topics. However, "Forbidden Magic Spells from the Bible" fell short of my expectations. The author relied heavily on speculation and circumstantial evidence rather than providing concrete sources or references. While there were a few interesting spells mentioned, the lack of scholarly analysis and critical thinking made it difficult to take the book seriously. I would recommend seeking out more reputable sources for those interested in studying biblical magic.
4. Michael - 1/5 stars - I was very disappointed with "Forbidden Magic Spells from the Bible." The author seemed more interested in sensationalizing magic and the Bible rather than providing a comprehensive and accurate analysis. The book was filled with numerous factual inaccuracies and misinterpretations of biblical texts. It felt like a collection of wild theories rather than a scholarly work. Overall, I found the book to be misleading and lacking in credibility. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for serious and well-researched information on biblical magic.