Wicca is a contemporary pagan religious movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily in the United Kingdom. It is a modern version of witchcraft that focuses on reverence for nature and the worship of a goddess and god. Wiccans believe in a dualistic deity system, with the goddess representing female energy and the god representing male energy. Wiccans follow a nature-based spirituality and strive to live in harmony with the Earth and its cycles. They celebrate the changing seasons and honor the cycles of the moon, often performing rituals and ceremonies during these times. Wicca emphasizes personal responsibility, self-discovery, and the development of one's own spiritual path.
Wicca emphasizes personal responsibility, self-discovery, and the development of one's own spiritual path. One of the core beliefs in Wicca is the Wiccan Rede, which states "An it harm none, do what ye will." This means that Wiccans strive to live in a way that does not harm others or the natural world.
A Curse of Queens – Amanda Bouchet
A Curse of Queens is the first book in the continuation of Amanda Bouchet’s Kingmaker Chronicles series, taking place after the events of the original trilogy. The first trilogy is a complete, self-contained story, but the seeds and possibility for follow-on books were definitely planted both from the perspective of burgeoning relationships and the sweeping world-building that was necessary for a tale of such epic proportions. The structure of A Curse of Queens shifts from the first trilogy, which focuses on Cat’s epic quest and a single-relationship arc across three books to a more traditional dual-POV focus on a single couple; this novel tells the story of Flynn and Jocasta, one of the couples set up to have their own story during the first trilogy. And while I was happy to read Flynn and Jocasta’s story, and I thought that the book was another fun installment in the Kingmaker Chronicles world, I was left wanting more in a couple of areas. I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
RELEASE DATE: 04/10/2022
STAR RATING: 3/5 ✶
SUMMARY:
The queen has been cursed, and no one knows who’s behind the plot to threaten the realm’s fragile peace. Desperate to help, Jocasta hatches a plan to find Circe’s Garden, a fabled island where she hopes to discover an antidote. But she can’t do it alone. She needs the strong arm and unflinching bravery of the warrior she’s loved since childhood—her brother’s right-hand-man and captain of the guard, Flynn of Sinta.
Together they can do the impossible. Yet with treachery brewing on Mount Olympus, one thing is clear: Thalyria and its new royals are still pawns in an epic game of power—one that might end in a War of Gods.
OPINIONS:
There are a lot of things to love about this series, the most compelling of which is the world-building. Thalyria is a world steeped in ancient Greek culture and mythology, and in this particular book, we get an experience reminiscent of the journey and trials of Odysseus. As Flynn, Jocasta, and their friends travel to the island of Circe to retrieve a potion to reverse the effects of the elixir that has the new Queen Cat in stasis, they must go through several trials, many of which are taken right from the Odysessy – Scylla and Charybdis, the Lotus Eaters, Circe herself – but they also face the Gorgons and the Minotaur. It is jam-packed with fun adventures that are truly enjoyable, especially for those who are fans of Greek mythology!
With this book, you can tell that Bouchet is doing a lot of setup in order to continue the series in a more “traditional” Romance fashion – couples are starting to form (Carver and Bellanca, Kato and a mysterious blonde, Prometheus and Kaia) and the seeds are laid for another epic plot arc to provide the backbone for such a series. There is a “big bad” who has been orchestrating the events of the book to wage an Olympianomachy against Zeus and a portal room is discovered in which the other worlds – Attica, Atlantis, and the Underworld – can be reached. This book is very much a launching point to use the existing world-building for a continuing series.
In terms of Romance, A Curse of Queens has two main romance tropes: brothers-best-friend and second-chance-romance. Brothers-best-friend is always a win for me, but second-chance-romance is generally hit or miss. For me, that particular trope has to be done in a way that reestablishes significant conflict and tension such that there is something meaty to resolve. Unfortunately, that fell a little flat for me here. The couple shared a passionate kiss six years ago, and Flynn panicked due to unresolved trauma around the deaths of his family members, which caused both him and Jocasta to awkwardly pull away from one another. But they never truly stopped wanting each other, and from page one the reader knows they love one another. So, the only conflict here was for Flynn to overcome his fear of losing Jocasta and the two of them reestablishing their communication. For me, that was not enough conflict to make the romantic arc compelling.
The other part of the story that I struggled with was that although the relationship focus was on Jocasta and Flynn, the adventure itself focused on Cat. The characters all revered her and talked about her as if she was a goddess herself. And while I understand that she is meant to be the emobodiment of hope – Elpis – it did grate a little after a while. I would have liked to see the adventure focus more on transforming the main characters themselves and less on saving Cat – the quest felt too “outwardly” focused. Intertwining the beats and goals of the quest plot with the relationship plot in a Romance is always more satisfying, and I would have liked to see that here.
I don’t think you can read this book without having read the first trilogy. There is just too much world-building, character history, and plot points integral to this story that will simply leave the reader confused and frustrated. That being said, I do think the first trilogy is worthwhile, find the world-building compelling, and believe there is an audience for these fun, adventure-packed Romances! I’m not sure I will read on in this series. To be honest, I was always disappointed with the third and final book in the original trilogy, and this book left me feeling a lot of the same. I do enjoy Amanda Bouchet as an author though and will keep an eye out for any additional works.
I don’t think you can read this book without having read the first trilogy. There is just too much world-building, character history, and plot points integral to this story that will simply leave the reader confused and frustrated. That being said, I do think the first trilogy is worthwhile, find the world-building compelling, and believe there is an audience for these fun, adventure-packed Romances! I’m not sure I will read on in this series. To be honest, I was always disappointed with the third and final book in the original trilogy, and this book left me feeling a lot of the same. I do enjoy Amanda Bouchet as an author though and will keep an eye out for any additional works.
They also believe in the Law of Threefold Return, which states that whatever energy or actions one puts out into the world will come back to them threefold. Wiccans often practice magic, which they see as a way to harness and direct natural energies for positive purposes. Magic in Wicca is seen as a tool for personal growth, healing, and spiritual transformation. Wiccans may work with various tools and rituals to perform magic, such as spells, divination, and meditation. Wicca is an initiatory religion, meaning that many Wiccans go through a process of initiation and training to become fully initiated members. There are also various traditions within Wicca, each with its own rituals, practices, and beliefs. Some of the most well-known Wiccan traditions include Gardnerian, Alexandrian, and Dianic Wicca. Overall, Wicca is a diverse and decentralized religion that embraces nature, magic, and personal spiritual exploration. It continues to evolve and adapt to modern times, attracting individuals who seek a spiritual path that is rooted in nature and honors the sacredness of all life..
Reviews for "The Significance of Moon Phases in Wiccan Practice"
1. John - 1 star: I was extremely disappointed with the definition of Wiccan religion provided in this article. It was superficial and lacked depth. It seemed like the author just scratched the surface instead of truly understanding the intricacies of this belief system. I was hoping to gain some insight into the practices and rituals of Wicca, but this article fell short in every aspect.
2. Sarah - 2 stars: While I appreciate the effort made to define Wiccan religion, this article left me feeling unsatisfied. The definition was vague and didn't delve into the core principles and values of Wicca. As someone who was looking to learn more about this religion, I was left with more questions than answers after reading this article. I would have preferred a more comprehensive and well-researched definition.
3. Emily - 1 star: I found this definition of the Wiccan religion to be misleading and inaccurate. It failed to capture the true essence of Wicca and instead presented a watered-down version. It's clear that the author didn't put in enough effort to understand the depth and complexity of this belief system. I would not recommend relying on this article to gain a true understanding of Wicca.
4. Michael - 2 stars: This definition of Wiccan religion was lacking in substance and failed to provide a well-rounded view of the practices and beliefs of Wiccans. It felt more like a surface-level overview rather than an in-depth exploration. I would have appreciated more information on the history, rituals, and traditions that make up this religion. Overall, I found this definition to be unsatisfactory and misleading.
5. Melissa - 1 star: I was disappointed by the lack of accurate information and clarity in this definition of Wiccan religion. It seemed like the author had a limited understanding of Wicca and failed to provide an accurate portrayal of this belief system. The definition lacked depth and failed to capture the true essence of Wicca. I would not recommend relying on this article for accurate information about the Wiccan religion.