T. Thorn Coyle

A cute and cozy mystery that doesn't hide it's twists very well but leaves you feeling warm and cozy inside.

The world and characters felt like they could use some more work shopping prior to hitting the page, and there were a few errors in the book itself that left me confused. However for a book to sit down with a good cup of tea, something they drink often, on a rainy day, all the days in the book, you could do worse.

I may pick up the second when by TBR is done, but am not in a rush to-do so.… (altro)

I picked this up from Storybundle which means I didn't notice the cover - every time I see it, to me it looks like the heroine Jennifer is picking her nose, which hasn't improved the quality of the book. Sadly the rest is equally as poor. Very weird post-apocalypse fantasy setting where the author's retained a few things they seem to enjoy and then added in a few mystical races from 'other places' and none of it makes any sense on a world-building level. Most especially the technology where it's clear the author doesn't understand the interconnectedness of the requirements to forge steel and have electricity for farming and motorbikes but nothing else. Marijuana grows well but the rest is generic farming, however there are still lemons available for tea.

The basic plot is that the Elf-Queen's daughter is sick and needs human souls to be treated. The humans eventually discover this cause and along with some allies try to put a stop to it.

The hippie commune vibe of the community doesn't work at all, even though the characters are well written.… (altro)

I have mixed feelings about this book. I have tremendous respect for Thorn and I’m a big fan of her nonfiction magical writing. I wanted to love this story, but two things kept gnawing at me.

The first was the awkwardness of the descriptions, especially of people. They kept coming across like a stilted creative writing class exercise. And how many times do we really need to hear about Cassiel’s glorious red hair and pale skin? The second, more serious problem was the degree to which the ghost was able to manipulate the material world, including electronics. I realize this is fantasy, but this seemed to jar with the book’s own internal consistency. If this ghost can accomplish these things, why can’t the ones in Cassiel’s past who needed her to speak for them?

On the plus side, I did enjoy reading about the coven and their work. I’m sure some details were enhanced for story purposes, but I also felt like I was getting a glimpse into how a healthy, experienced group worked together. I enjoyed and appreciated the diversity.

As a light read, it was a good way to spend a couple of hours. I’m going to try the next one, but if it’s not better than this one I won’t continue.… (altro)

This is not a book of magic as spellcasting and it's not Wicca 101. This is a book for people who are serious about the challenging and rewarding path of The Great Work, the transformation of self through communion with the Divine.

T. Thorn Coyle is quite simply one of the most talented and sophisticated of Pagan teachers, and in this book she presents life-tested techniques with an attitude of both seriousness and joy.

This is a book about how to use magical-spiritual practices as the foundation for transforming the personality through meditation, purification, self-examination, facing inner demons and shadows, and cultivating an ever-deeper connection with the Divine. Although her perspective and theology are distinctly Pagan, most of the the techniques can be applied by people of other faiths, especially if one is willing to translate her terms into ones one more comfortable and familiar. Thorn herself frequently mentions practices from a variety of mystical traditions as possible options for approaching specific parts of the work.

Thorn's style is conversational but never condescending. She presents advanced spiritual concepts simply and clearly. In fact, this text helped me achieve several breakthroughs around topics I've studied before but never grasped until now.

… (altro)