The Coven by Cate Tiernan

 Series: Sweep
Author: Cate Tiernan
Page Count: 185
Published: March 22nd, 2007
Publisher: Speak
  3 Stars ★★★

Morgan is a blood witch with strong magickal powers and a personal tie to witchcraft. After Samhain, she and Cal become a couple and, as a result, she finds herself targeted by her former friend, Bree. Aside from all the drama between current and former coven members, Morgan has to deal with a startling revelation, a revelation that may change her life forever: she's adopted. But who were her biological parents? And are the ex-coven members planning something against her and Cal?

I can confidently say that this book was a disappointment. I enjoyed the first book so much, but all of the things that I liked from the first book weren't enough to redeem the second. Unfortunately, I won't be continuing the series. 

Any previous connection I felt to the characters was gone. Instead of seeing Morgan as curious, brave and likeable, I found her rather irritating. Her narration seemed almost whiny at times, and I was always counting the pages left until I could finish the book. Cal seemed empty, like a shadow as opposed to an actual character. I lost any sense of who Cal was as a person. Also, all this drama with Bree being angry that Cal went out with Morgan....Couldn't Cal have stood up for Morgan? He really didn't do much to help the situation, while as the whole reason for the issue between the two girls in the first place, he probably could've done a lot. 

My hatred for Morgan's parents grew. I didn't like that they kept her past from her, that they continued being stuck-up and close minded to Morgan's beliefs and that they almost seemed to play the victim at times. The author seems to try to redeem them near the end of the book, where they explain all to Morgan and try to convey why they kept secrets from her, but I couldn't feel any positivity towards them. I just hate them, plain and simple. As with Morgan, they irritated me, just in a different way.

I also feel like this book was super slow compared to the first one. I feel like this was less of a novel and more of an introduction to a larger book. It seemed incomplete. Of course, as part of a series, cliffhangers, questions, and other things are to be expected. But the way that The Coven was written seemed less like an installment in a series and more like a group of chapters plucked out of a larger book. 

I did enjoy a few things about this book. Firstly, there is the more "realistic" portrayal of magic. Unlike the fantasy magic of other books, this one contains more of a contemporary witchcraft, as the characters are Wiccan witches as opposed to creatures living alongside vampires and werewolves and any other number of paranormal beings found in young adult witch stories. However, this installment of the Sweep series did take on a bit more of a fantasy element than the first book.

I did like the discussion of religious intolerance, that is, people who judge religious minorities or don't allow others around them to practice their religious beliefs freely. As somebody who has personal experience with this issue, I greatly appreciated that this subject was approached. 

While I liked the idea of the book overall, I really do think that it could have been better. I don't feel the need to continue the series, so, as mentioned, I probably won't be. 

Those who like non-fantasy portrayals of witchcraft in fiction may enjoy this novel. Readers looking for books which explore issues such as religious intolerance, friendship and romance, and adoption might want to give this one a try.

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Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin

Series: N/A

Author: Thea Sabin
Page Count: 262
Published: April 1st, 2006

Publisher: Llewellyn Publications

  4 Stars ★★★★

This is an informational book on Wicca and the beliefs, practices, and variations found within it. Covering everything from spells and ethics to the sabbats (Wiccan holidays), this guide provides a basic summary of general philosophy and practice for the beginner Wiccan.

This was the first book on Wicca that I had ever picked up. Before, I got all of my information online because I hadn't been able to find a guide for beginner Wiccans at my local bookstores. Then I found this cute little book and supply store which mostly stocked religious and spiritual books and items. Amongst the one, small Pagan shelf, I found this guide and picked it up. I am very glad I did!

While this book is very basic, it is extremely helpful for those who know little to nothing about Wicca. You have to start somewhere, and with a diverse religious system like Wicca, understanding general practices and beliefs can make advanced study much easier. As I said, prior to finding this book I had gotten all of my information online, which is a hit-and-miss when it comes to legitimate sites and posts. Knowing that the things I was reading in this book were written by an experienced Wiccan assured me that I was finally getting some verified info, which was a nice change.

Something I really appreciated about this book was that the author didn't say that those following eclectic traditions were invalid Wiccans. I sometimes hear traditional Wiccans saying that eclectic ones aren't 'real' Wiccans, and this had always upset me. But the author affirms the eclectic identity by sharing her own personal experiences as an ex-eclectic Wiccan and by keeping a positive tone when discussing non-Gardenarian based traditions. That makes this book a great choice for eclectic Wiccans.

I also appreciated that Thea Sabin included some sample spells, exercises to assist in energy work, and recommendations for other Wicca-related books. This is incredibly helpful because it can set one on their way to practicing ritual, casting spells, and gaining new insight.

However, I do wish that the author had explained more when it comes to Wiccan history. While the religion itself may be quite new, I feel like she could've better discussed the other Pagan beliefs which influenced both traditional and modern Wicca. This could've made for an entire, fascinating chapter of its own.

Overall, a great choice for those new to the Wiccan path. I recommend this to those interested in learning about Wicca and to those who are ready to get started with their own personal spiritual journey.

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Sweep: Book Of Shadows by Cate Tiernan

Series: Sweep

Author: Cate Tiernan

Page Count: 176
Published: March 22nd, 2007
Publisher: Speak

5 Stars ★★★★★

When Morgan meets Cal, everything changes. Despite her close-minded Catholic upbringing, she finds herself drawn to the fascinating world of Wicca, and soon realizes that she has a gift....

I LOVED this book! I felt like Morgan and I both had so much in common; a Catholic upbringing, and a Pagan transformation. I kept rooting for her to overcome her parents and their judgement, and to choose the right path for herself!

The characters were quite diverse; some ultra conservative Christians balanced by relaxed Wiccans, and gay secondary characters were included as well. I really appreciated this because there aren't enough books out there with such diversity, especially in the YA genre.

This book also dealt very well with the tough subject of family conflict, especially around things like religion. Cate Tiernan is quite brave to openly portray Wicca positively in a world dominated by other religions and disapproval, and I applaud her for this.

I also appreciated the somewhat realistic portrayal of Wicca. Unlike other novels including witches who either call themselves Wiccan or are hinted at as being such, this book portrayed the craft and beliefs rather accurately. I have to say, though, that I've heard of some of the events that occur in the other books in the series which are NOT accurate portrayals of Wicca and Paganism, so I feel that it is important to note that.

I recommend this book to those who want to read a non-cliche YA book, with an interesting mix of reality and the paranormal, and an intriguing plot.\

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