Pagan Thanksgiving is a name given to a spiritual and nature-based celebration of gratitude and harvest. It draws inspiration from ancient pagan traditions and beliefs. Paganism is a diverse collection of religious and spiritual practices that have their roots in pre-Christian Europe. In this context, Thanksgiving refers to a time of giving thanks for the harvest and expressing gratitude to the Earth and the deities associated with it. It is a recognition of the cyclical nature of life, where the harvest represents both abundance and the cycle of death and rebirth. Pagan Thanksgiving celebrations often involve rituals, ceremonies, and feasts that honor the land and the gifts it has provided.
The story is packed with snappy dialogue. I loved that so much. It’s got an upbeat feel to it mostly, but I definitely cried in the scenes where Hapless and Aurelie are confronted by the lies they believe in all their ugliness. Those scenes were really heartbreaking.
The stranger, who turns out to be a remarkably bothersome bounty hunter named Iliana, asks for Aurelie s help rescuing someone from the dangerous Underwood which sounds suspiciously like an adventure. Still, the job offers stability, which no-nonsense Aurelie values highly, so she keeps her head down and doesn t dare to dream big until a stranger walks in and hands her a set of Seeking stones.
Pagan Thanksgiving celebrations often involve rituals, ceremonies, and feasts that honor the land and the gifts it has provided. These rituals can vary depending on the specific pagan tradition or personal belief system of the practitioners. Some may include offerings of food, music, dance, and prayers to express thanks and acknowledge the interconnectedness of all living beings.
REVIEW: Something Close to Magic by Emma Mills
Summary: A baker’s apprentice reluctantly embarks on an adventure full of magic, new friendships, and a prince in distress in this deliciously romantic young adult fantasy that’s perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Gail Carson Levine.
It’s not all sugar and spice at Basil’s Bakery, where seventeen-year-old Aurelie is an overworked, underappreciated apprentice. Still, the job offers stability, which no-nonsense Aurelie values highly, so she keeps her head down and doesn’t dare to dream big—until a stranger walks in and hands her a set of Seeking stones. In a country where Seeking was old-fashioned even before magic went out of style, it’s a rare skill, but Aurelie has it.
The stranger, who turns out to be a remarkably bothersome bounty hunter named Iliana, asks for Aurelie’s help rescuing someone from the dangerous Underwood—which sounds suspiciously like an adventure. When the someone turns out to be Prince Hapless, the charming-but-aptly-named prince, Aurelie’s careful life is upended. Suddenly, she finds herself on a quest filled with magic portals, a troll older than many trees (and a few rocks), and dangerous palace intrigue.
Even more dangerous are the feelings she’s starting to have for Hapless. The more time Aurelie spends with him, the less she can stand the thought of going back to her solitary but dependable life at the bakery. Must she choose between losing her apprenticeship—or her heart?
Read my reviews of other books by the same author:
“I’ll think of you if that day arrives.”
The smile turned brighter. “I do hope you’ll think of me before then.”
I am the biggest Emma Mills fan ever, so I have been desperately counting down the days once she finally announced a new book. And! This is a fantasy, which was an interesting departure from her contemporary books but I knew it was going to be good. With the same heart and wit of Mills’s other works, Something Close to Magic was an adorably cozy fantasy with a lovable cast of characters.
A baker’s apprentice, Aurelie is resigned to a mundane life. When Iliana walks into her shop one day looking for a seeker—someone who can do the rare act of magic of finding—Aurelie agrees to help her with her bounties. Soon enough, she finds herself dragged along for a quest to find someone, alongside Iliana and Quad, an Uncommonfolk troll. They run into Prince Hapless after he was ambushed and detour to take him back to the capital. There’s a plan afoot though, and he might be in more danger than they originally anticipated.
Much like in my reviews of this author’s other books, I don’t know how to properly express my love for this book in words. I had to reread it just to put my thoughts in order, and even then, I’m still at a loss for how to capture what I loved about this book but I’ll give it a try.
If you’ve read Lucky Caller, you’ll probably recognize these characters’ names. While I don’t remember everything about the game in that book, I believe some of the basic characterizations took inspiration from the personas the characters in Lucky Caller played as. This was just such a fun connection to Mills’s other book and made me want to reread Lucky Caller all over again.
I loved the characters in this book, as well! Aurelie can do magic, which is more-or-less unfashionable in the kingdom now; she’s trained in seeking, which is even more rare since it’s so out-of-date. She very much just wants to live her quiet life until she meets Iliana. Once the quest to help Hapless sets off, how can she return back to her apprenticeship?
Iliana, meanwhile, is very different from Aurelie, in ways that sometimes frustrates her. She’s mysterious and keeps her secrets close to her chest, yet incredibly perceptive and helpful. Quad brought even more humor to this book with her acerbic asides about mortal inventions (including age, since trolls track their age by what rocks they’re older than). I laughed so much throughout this book! And then we have Hapless, a lovably clumsy and kind-hearted prince. He’s forever characterized by his penchant for being absent-minded, but he learns to stand up for himself.
The plot was fun to follow, and this book is a pretty fast read too. I just love Emma Mills’s writing so much that I flew through this both times I read it. There’s also a letter-writing interlude by the way, and Aurelie’s and Hapless’s voices shine through these letters. Mills is such a strong character writer, and I always love seeing how she builds up characterizations.
Something Close to Magic was such a sweet, soft fantasy with a new cast of characters that I adored. I genuinely couldn’t stop smiling and laughing while reading this book, and I need everyone to read it immediately. I can’t recommend Something Close to Magic enough, especially if you like cozy, light-hearted fantasies with a lovable found family and great writing!
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About the Author: Emma Mills is the author of five YA contemporary romances, including First & Then and Foolish Hearts, and one YA fantasy, Something Close to Magic. When she is not writing, Emma can be found editing scientific manuscripts, tending to her large collection of succulents, and deep-diving into various fandoms. Emma lives in St. Louis with her dog Teddy, who is best described as a big personality in a tiny package.
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The celebration of Pagan Thanksgiving is often tied to the changing seasons, particularly the autumn equinox. This is a time when the days shorten and the nights grow longer, symbolizing the shift from abundance to scarcity, from light to darkness. It is a spiritual reminder of the impermanence and cycles of life. Pagan Thanksgiving also embraces the concept of eco-spirituality, recognizing the sacredness of the Earth and the need to live in harmony with nature. This includes practicing sustainable agricultural methods, respecting animal and plant life, and promoting environmental stewardship. While the concept of Pagan Thanksgiving may vary among individuals and pagan traditions, its essence lies in expressing gratitude for the bounties of the Earth and the interconnection between all living beings. It serves as a reminder to honor nature, cultivate gratitude, and live in harmony with the Earth..
Reviews for "Exploring Pagan Thanksgiving Traditions from Different Cultures"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "I was expecting a traditional Thanksgiving experience, but 'Pagan Thanksgiving Namd' fell short of my expectations. The event felt disorganized, with no clear structure or direction. The activities were confusing and lacked cohesiveness. Additionally, the theme of the event did not resonate with me personally, as I prefer a more traditional celebration. Overall, I left feeling disappointed and would not recommend this event to others."
2. John - 2/5 stars - "I attended 'Pagan Thanksgiving Namd' with high hopes, but unfortunately, I was left underwhelmed. The concept behind the event seemed interesting, but the execution fell flat. The activities lacked originality and failed to engage the attendees. Moreover, the event had a rather chaotic atmosphere, which made it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. While it's great to explore non-traditional celebrations, this event missed the mark for me."
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "I appreciate the effort put into creating a unique Thanksgiving experience with 'Pagan Thanksgiving Namd'. However, the execution left me disappointed. The event lacked clarity and failed to provide clear instructions for participants. The activities felt disjointed and lacked a cohesive narrative or theme. Although the idea was intriguing, the implementation fell short, resulting in a less-than-satisfactory experience."