Review: The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

Alex Michaelides's previous novel, The Silent Patient, got a ton of buzz when it was released and even won some readers' choice awards for its unique plot. Having read and enjoyed it immensely, I was excited to read Michaelides's next novel, The Maidens. I have to say that it exceeded my expectations and (in my opinion, of course) is better than The Silent Patient.

The Maidens follows Mariana Andros, a group therapist who is still dealing with her husband's tragic death a year later. The only person left in her family circle is Zoe, her niece who was left in Mariana's charge when her parents were killed in a car crash. While attending university, Zoe's best friend is found murdered, her throat slit and her body found in a way that makes her death seem almost sacrificial or ritualistic. Mariana immediately goes to Zoe and her mama bear claws come out as soon as she realizes that a young, handsome professor might be preying on his unsuspecting students. Determined to find the person responsible for the murder, Mariana gets herself into all kinds of trouble with the police. Her digging continues even as more bodies of young girls start to show up. The victims all have one thing in common-they were part of a secret group on campus called "The Maidens," which shows all the signs of being a cult run by the suspicious professor. The police don't seem to be putting two and two together, so Mariana sets off to find the killer and stop him before he can turn his sights to her beloved Zoe.

I loved this one! While I enjoyed The Silent Patient, I was worried The Maidens would fall victim to the same kind of ending where the reader is expected to suspend reality a bit to accept the resolution. This plot veered towards unbelievability for a moment, but righted itself in time. I did not see the big twist coming and there were plenty of red herrings that kept me guessing throughout. The pacing was quick and had I not been so end-of-the-year-teacher tired, I would have finished it in just a few sittings. I think those who liked The Silent Patient will definitely like this one, especially since there are some 'Easter egg' references to characters and places from that novel sprinkled into the Maidens. If you didn't love The Silent Patient, I still think there's a good chance you'd like this book as it doesn't have any of the same issues that I found with the other title.

My Rating: ★★★★★

*Thanks to the author, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for providing me with the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

At the time of this review, this title will be available to purchase on June 15th, 2021.

Review: Tarot by the Moon by Victoria Constantino

Tarot by the Moon by Victoria Constantino is so much more than just a book of tarot spreads. I am OBSESSED with this book and have already pre-ordered a physical copy of it as an early birthday gift to myself. The title promises to give you tarot spreads and spells for each month of the year (and it does), but it delivers so much more! 

Perfect for beginner practitioners of tarot and/or spell work, basic knowledge on a variety of topics is covered through the exploration of the 12 months of the year. There is information about tarot, of course, including card meanings, patterns, symbols, significators, how to shuffle, and how to cleanse your deck, just to name a few. I've been studying tarot seriously for a few years after having dabbled in it over a decade and I still found several nuggets of information that were new to me, so I think it can definitely be beneficial to readers of all experience levels. 

After a brief introduction, the book is split into the twelve months of the year. Some information is given about that particular month's moon and about 4-5 tarot spreads are provided that align with that moon's powers.  After the tarot spreads are roughly 2-3 detailed spells and rituals that connect to the themes of that month. I have yet to do any of the spells, but I've noted a few that I will be trying soon. Most of the spells seem simple and require just the most basic materials that readers are already likely to have on hand (candles, paper, matches, etc.). While the tarot spreads and spells are organized by moon to maximize their power, the author explains that they can really be done anytime during the year depending on what the reader needs. An index at the end of the book makes it easy to quickly find spreads and spells on particular topics (relationships, career, health, money, etc.).

I was very surprised at how much information was actually included. I've read and skimmed through many tarot spread and spell books, so I thought I had a good idea of what to expect with this one, but it goes above and beyond tarot and spells. Constantino provides information about meditation, crystals, journaling, spirit guides, affirmations, plant allies, numerology, and manifestation, all of which compliments tarot and the moon in some way. These aligned topics are sprinkled throughout the book on single pages so the extra information is never overwhelming and it never distracts the reader from the month's themes. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

My Rating: ★★★★★

*Thanks to the author, Llewellyn Publications, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

At the time of this review, this title will be available to purchase on August 8th, 2021.

Review: This Is Your Destiny by Aliza Kelly

This is Your Destiny by Aliza Kelly strives to link the science of astrology with manifestation so the reader can use the tools to cultivate their most abundant life. While I was very excited about this premise, I was disappointed with the delivery. There were no specifics that I could use to really connect my personal astrological signs to the various areas of life that the author covered. 

The book begins with an autobiographical account where Aliza Kelly details her life experiences and how she used astrology to manifest the life she has today. The book itself focuses on a handful of different areas in life where one can use astrology and manifestation, including money, relationships, jobs, trauma, healing, and psychic abilities. Each chapter includes an anecdote about a particular person who was struggling in that particular area. The author gives that person's birth stats (but unless you happen to have the exact same birth chart, that is really of little use) and explains how they were able to overcome their obstacles. The chapters end with two manifestations, one for the astral (internal) plane and one for the physical (external) plane. These manifestations are the best part of the book, in my opinion. In all honesty, a reader could just skip through each chapter and only read these exercises and still get as much out of the book as they would have had they read every single word. 

Perhaps my disappointment lies with misunderstanding what this book was offering, but I did not feel like I learned anything new about astrology or how I can implement it into my life. Most of the information I found valuable can be found in almost any article about intuition and manifestation. In fact, if you already practice manifesting on a regular basis, you might not find anything new here. Had there been more specifics that allowed me to apply astrological information to my own personal life, I would have rated this much higher.

My Rating: ★★★☆☆

*Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!