Jaq D. Hawkins

This is my review of an Early Reviewer eBook copy of The Chase for Choronzon by Jaq D. Hawkins. I did not dislike it. However, to me it feels like a later part of a series of novels of which I haven't read the first several parts, but unfortunately, I don't believe this one is actually part of a series. It just seems to be missing important characterization, character motivation and world building. I don't understand who these characters are, why they are chasing Choronzon through space and time, or why one of them is a talking cat that doesn't believe he's a cat. The novel's Afterword indicates that the two main characters are intended to be reincarnations of Aleister Crowley (the cat called Alei-cat in the novel) and Austin Osman Spare (a magician called Karl Spare in the novel) who I guess was a relatively unknown magician and contemporary of Crowley's. But none of this is actually covered in the text of the novel. Sorry. It just feels far too short and underdone, and I thought even the ending was fairly abrupt.… (mehr)

Comprehensively researched guide to spirits of earth, air, fire, water and aether, exploring everything from folklore and folk magic to divination and sample spells.

This book is aimed at 'both beginners and more experienced magic users', but is better suited to readers with little or no experience. Beginners will benefit from the cautionary warnings, as well as learning of the full range of possibilities for working with elemental spirits. More experienced magic users will want more specific and detailed methods.

The format is a little repetitive in places, perhaps the price of dealing with all aspects exhaustively, or perhaps a result of combining earlier books into one. Not for readers looking for practical ‘how to’ details, but a good general overview for anyone interested in this subject.… (mehr)