I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
My only problem with this book is not actually a problem unless you’re trying to read more than a chapter at a time: it was so wonderfully relaxing I couldn’t read it without getting sleepy, which brought on more than one unintentional nap over lunchtime. Oops. Sleep & Sorcery is a lovely mix of myth, short story, guided meditation, and ritual that consistently succeeds in bringing the reader to another headspace where imagination runs rampant. I consistently had vivid dreams after reading this book at bedtime.
Laurel Hostak-Jones’ writing style is lyrical and engaging. Each chapter begins with narrative prose that feels like an archetypal fairy tale or myth retold (and for some chapters, such as “The Green Knight,” is indeed a direct retelling of ancient tales). These narrative pieces work well as a meditation or as a preparation for your subconscious to continue the story or work with archetypes in your sleep. In either case, the pacing and tone has a dreamlike quality that seemed to put my subconscious into a lovely state of floating relaxation.
Hostak-Jones ends with an activity, spell, or ritual that works as a continuation of the theme of the tale. There’s a variety of activities included, all of which work regardless of experience level in witchy things. The overall vibe is magical, not religious: I would classify Sleep & Sorcery as witchy, not worship, and the rituals and spells are internally focused for positive self-care and reflection.
Sleep & Sorcery: Enchanting Stories, Rituals, and Spells is indeed enchanting for any reader who enjoys traveling through that misty in-between land of dreams and visions. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will buy a paper copy for my library.
No Pithy Phrase 