I went into Ancestral Magic with a lot of hope. The topic of connecting with one’s roots and spiritual lineage is something I find both meaningful and powerful, and I was curious to see how Frankie Castanea would approach it. There’s clearly a lot of heart behind this book, and it’s easy to see that the author cares deeply about making these practices accessible and inclusive.

Frankie’s voice is warm and conversational, which can make the subject feel approachable—especially for readers who are newer to magic. The encouragement to find your own way and adapt practices to your individual background is something I appreciated.

That said, I found myself wishing for a bit more structure and depth throughout. At times, the book felt more like a series of loosely connected thoughts. Some concepts were introduced with potential but weren’t fully explored, and I often felt like we were skimming the surface rather than diving in. The informal tone, while relatable, occasionally distracted from the content and made it harder for me to stay engaged.

There were also moments where ideas felt repeated without much new insight being added, and I was hoping for more practical, clearly laid-out guidance when it came to actual practices or rituals.

2.5/5 (rounded up). Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book is exactly what I would expect from this author! This book is a wonderful second book from the author that is packed with years of wisdom and practice in regards to ancestral magic. I loved the spaces given to reflect as you go through the book and the overall feel. You can tell that the author was meant to teach and share her wisdom with others. I especially loved the attention to homeland and learning where you came from. I think this is a wonderful addition to the idea of ancestral magic; it isn't just who but also where, that is important.

This is one of those “witchcraft” books that I find myself wondering, why is this written/published and who is the intended audience? For those that practice (especially those who grew up in magickal households) this information is painfully redundant. In the hands of the inexperienced this could be inappropriate. However, the most egregious content is the overt tones of colonialism and that agenda. We don’t need it in a book about ancestral magick. And I found it incredibly laughable that while the author claims to have other holidays from other cultures that are rooted in racism and xenophobia, they only harp on Thanksgiving. This was a monumental waste of my time and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. All of the “useful” information is either common sense, something passed down through your family or culture, or available online. I wish I could rate this zero stars. It’s borderline offensive.

While this book was intentionally limited in scope, I found it interesting and I appreciated the way Frankie called out their own limitations and inability to address certain aspects of connecting with ancestral magic. Probably best for those with a similar background as Frankie, but interesting nonetheless. 3.5/5

Unfortunately, this just wasn't for me. It wasn't what I was expecting and the author's voice seemed highly inauthentic. I researched them a bit after reading, and while I can appreciate their bite-sized teaching method I think it would have been a better book if they had focused on their specific journey and/or specifically geared their books towards their own culture. I was distanced personally after recommendation after recommendation included speaking to family members almost exclusively for reconnection, which in my case isn't an option. But I do think this will assist many in early EARLY stages of reconnection, and hope they enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amber Lotus for this Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ancestral Magic is Frankie Castanea’s second book, focused on reconnecting with your ancestors through folk magic. It covers topics like researching your family tree, ancestral veneration, finding mentors, and building a spiritual connection to your lineage. The writing is warm and accessible, and it offers a practical starting point for beginners.

That said, I didn’t realize how limited in scope it would be. The book stays strictly within the folk magic tradition, which may not resonate with everyone—especially readers looking for a broader or more inclusive approach to ancestral work. Some parts felt underdeveloped, and I found myself wanting a bit more depth and nuance.

Still, I enjoyed it for what it is: a personal and approachable introduction to ancestral magic through a folk lens. Just know what you’re getting into before picking it up.

Ancestral Magic is Frankie Castanea’s second book, and this one is all about reconnecting with your ancestors and exploring the folk tradition. I didn’t realize it was so limited in scope when I picked it up, but this stays within the confines of folk magic. It discusses how to research your family tree, finding a mentor within the community, ancestral veneration, and reconnection. For more information on other cultures outside of the folk tradition, Badass Ancestors by Patti Wigington is an excellent resource. I found this to be somewhat lacking, but still enjoyed it for what it is. Three stars.

This was absolutely fascinating and appeared to be really well-researched! I always get the urge to work on my family tree during the Fall months, so I can't wait to utilize what I learned in order to dig into my family's history in a whole new way!