The Book of Forgotten Witches

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, the illustrator, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions and review.

I've taken dozens of classes on the subjects of historical witchcraft, alchemy, mythology, and pagan religions. I have a lot of informed opinions on the matter; accurate, well researched representation of these subjects is a true passion of mine. I'm incredibly picky about books and papers on these subjects, and misinformation is rampant in the genre. I'm VERY delighted to say that The Book of Forgotten Witches meets all my criteria for a good book on these subjects!! It's filled to the brim with gorgeous illustrations on nearly every page, the entries for each figure are historically correct to the best of my knowledge, and it represents a globally diverse list of figures, NOT just ones from Europe. The figures included range from gods, semi-historical and historical figures, folklore characters, and local legends.

This is a treat for the eyes and the mind of anyone curious about the mystical across the world. I HIGHLY recommend buying a physical copy, or if you must buy an e-book copy, get it for a device that can show color. The illustrations are fantastical and vibrantly colored. The Book of Forgotten Witches is a good gift for a teenager or an adult who's passionate about folklore, witchcraft, or mythology.

My personal favorite entries:
* Hecate!!! Finally good information about Hecate!!!!
* Bakeneko
* Mary Laveau
* Merlin

Thank you again for an early copy I cannot WAIT til September 3rd when this releases officially to get a physical copy of my own (which by the way that's the New Moon)

The Book of Forgotten Witches is a journey through folklore and history. Divided into ten chapters, each representing a different archetype of witch, this illustrated book delves into the stories of these mysterious figures who once both terrified and empowered their communities, from curse-bringers to shape-shifters, survivors to fate-turners.

The ten chapters on different types of witches introduce key figures from myth and folklore. The witches featured in this book are from all around the world, so the vast majority of these tales were completely new to me.

The particular category of witch is then linked to one of the first ten cards of tarot's Major Arcana, as well as to a stage in the alchemical process called the Great Work, which results in the Philosophers' Stone and the transformation of base metals to gold. It does sound like there are a lot of separate elements to this book, but actually it's really subtle and they come together really well - the link to an alchemical step and a tarot card only feature in one page in each chapter, and they are woven into a narrative that connects all the chapters in the book, and leads directly into a short story.

Each chapter finishes with a short story and illustrations that brings all the elements together. The short stories at the end of each chapter are the highlight for me. They're all so different, and I found that some worked better than others and were easier to follow.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

Yay! A glossary or mini encyclopaedia of witches of all kinds accompanied by a story about each witch type and creative illustrations.
Most entries and stories are interesting and sustains one attention as well as linking together.
I read it for creative inspiration and it did the job and I was entertained on top of the elevation.

I've taken numerous classes on historical witchcraft, alchemy, mythology, and pagan religions, and I'm quite discerning when it comes to books and papers on these subjects. The Book of Forgotten Witches exceeds my expectations in every way! It features stunning illustrations on nearly every page, and the entries for each figure are meticulously researched and historically accurate. What's more, it showcases a diverse array of figures from around the world, not just those from Europe, including gods, historical figures, folklore characters, and local legends.

This book is a visual and intellectual delight for anyone interested in mystical traditions worldwide. I highly recommend getting a physical copy to fully appreciate the vibrant and fantastical illustrations. The Book of Forgotten Witches would make an excellent gift for both teenagers and adults with a passion for folklore, witchcraft, or mythology.

Balazs Tatrai’s The Book of Forgotten Witches Dark and Twisted Folklore from Around the World

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I especially liked the voice of the narrator in this book, the Keeper, who we find in the ruins of a hidden witches’ library—the Corpus Corvorum.

The volume features creepy and fantastic illustrations by Lilla Bolecz and describes a journey taken through the mysteries of the tarot and the knowledge of the alchemist in addition to stories and folklore about witches, demons and other creatures collected from all over the world.

#Witches #tarot #folklore #alchemy #fiction #Fantasy #ARC #Netgalley
#Brightbookreviews #Goodreads

Published by Watkins,
an imprint of Watkins Media Limited

The Book of Forgotten Witches: Dark & Twisted Folklore Stories from Around the World. It is almost like an encyclopaedia of characters from folklore and mythology. The book is beautifully designed with illustrations on most pages and is full stories or short biographies of each character. The book is introduced in the form of a narrator, who calls themselves the Keeper, in the ruins of a hidden witches’ library, also know as the Corpus Corvorum.

Some of the people listed here are well know and significant people from history and studiers of alchemy like Isaac Newton, John Dee, Marie Laveau the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.. Other are characters of legend like Merlin and Morgan Le Fay. As they are collected from all over the world it was lovely to see some local characters included like Mother Shipton from Knaresbough in Yorkshire.

This is an extensive collection and would be of interest to anyone who enjoys history, alchemy, folklore to mythology. And a reminder how sometimes normal folk were served injustice by the monarch at the time and their fear of witchcraft. It is broken down into chapters by the various gifts or powers these people are send to process. Ie curse bringers, nature withes, alchemists.

Thank you to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a beautifully crafted book. The illustrations are stunning and draw you in. The depth of the knowledge of worldwide witches is astounding. I've read a lot about witches but there were so many examples I hadn't come across before. I loved that it takes stories from all over the world. The way the book is sectioned is really useful so you can dip in and out. A lovely book to gift, a talking point of a coffee table book.

I imagine this book would be beautiful to own in it's physical form 🥰
I love the layout where we get details of different witches/demons/gods/mythical beings and everything folklore, then we get pulled into a short story each chapter. I enjoyed how the lore is pulled from around the world and not only Europe so there will no doubt be stuff in here you've not heard of.
I love how each tale was different, I enjoyed some more than others.
I really liked that the introduction to each chapter is narration directed at the reader which feels really immersive but also a little creepy (in a good way)

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys anything with, pagan or occult related.

*This advanced reader copy was provided by Netgalley and Watkins publishing, in exchange for an honest review*

Really liked this! So many good entries and illustrations. I especially loved reading about Hecate. If you’re even the slightest bit interested in witches, I recommend giving this a go. (Hell, read it even if you’re not interested!)

Absolutely obsessed with the work of Lilla Bölecz and Balázs Tátrai partnering together to deliver this STUNNING book. The illustrations are absolutely stunning in encouraging the imagination with the combination of sharing stories of different... magical beings as well as small biographies about them. I do not care if this is too spooky for my family, I am buying it as soon as it is released and will set it on the coffee table where only the brave... the curious... the witchy will dare to peruse the pages.

What an utterly enchanting book - a true visual feast, and a journey through the wide world of witchcraft in all its forms!

I loved the way the book is divided into the various categories of witches, and the ways that these span the continents. I have always been fascinated by the history and folklore surrounding witches and magical creatures - and this is the most beautiful compilation of unique and many tales I had never heard - supported by truly magical illustrations.

I have just pre-ordered 2 copies - one for myself to enjoy in print, and one for a very dear witchy friend. This book will make many a wonderful gift!

Many thanks to Watkins Publishing, Balázs Tátrai, Lilla Bölecz & Netgalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my review.

We have heard a plethora of versions around the types of witches and their powers. This book is an amalgamation of all that information but, in a sorted way. Divided into 10 chapters, the book takes you through the different classifications of witches, discussing their origins, habitat, power and the folklore surrounding them.

The structure of the book was particularly interesting as the author went beyond just info dumping and also gave us longer stories in each of them. Along with that, you could see that the whole book was held together with an underlying theme of the Major Arcana cards from the deck like a Daedalian series of mysteries unfolding into an unknown path of alchemical transformation.

And oh my God the illustrations in here were so gorgeous, I can go surfing through those pages in an infinite loop. Now I am not really an expert on the subject, but the contents of the book almost felt nonfiction to me 😅. Lastly, here are my favourites from what I read:
• Alison Gross - felt so humane
• Ana, Queen of Keshali - always a fan of these forest nymphs
• Mélusine - destined to repeat the fate of ancestors
• The story of Welmor
• Dragon Sister

Thanks, @watkinswisdom & @balazs_tatrai for the digital ARC
Illustrator: @lillaboleczillustration

P.S: Once the book is out I would love to own the actual hardcover version of it too 😍

#TheBookofForgottenWitches