I am sort of indecisive on how I want to rate this book. I think that the cover is beautiful, and some of the content is interesting, but a lot of it read more like a textbook than anything else. I found it to be sort of discouraging, wicca heavy, and a bit problematic at parts. I think that there are some fundamental takeaways that are interesting, but as a whole it just didn't work for me.

The sample spells were unique and should provide an absolute beginner with a good place to start from. I enjoyed the way individual elements were each given their own chapter, this takes the learner through the most essential features of the craft in a very step by step way. Moon and sun, earth and sky, elements...From their the book does get a bit more "advanced" in terms of discussing specific spell types, tools, symbols etc... I wish it had been a little more grounded in the history of the craft (not just general allusions to the ancients, or ancient Rome etc... Overall a solid book.
3.5/5 only because there are so many books of this kind and this one didn't instantly set itself a part in any way. A useful and well-developed book, but not especially unique

WAY too heavy for most beginners. It is also geared towards Wiccan practices, so it’s not for everyone. Personally I have no need for this book, but not everyone has my own beliefs and practices. Give it a read and determine whether it’s for you or not if you are interested in Wicca.

This book became extremely hard to read and I did not finish it. There are a lot of words but very little substance. Many of the spells and rituals are identical except for a single ingredient or chant which makes me understand how it reached 408 pages despite offering nothing new. I agree with other reviewers that the use of various deities does feel like it crosses a line several times. Finally, if I have to read about throwing salt onto the ground one more time I might scream.

A dense but good read. I enjoyed the breadth of knowledge presented throughout. There were a lot of good spells and ideas for practice here. Though I did find parts of it a little dull, it's still well researched and worth a read.

I really enjoyed the writing style of this book - very fluid with an almost lyrical feel about it. That said I felt like this book would have been better titled "Becoming Wiccan" because it reads more about the Wiccan style of witchcraft than anything else - and that's fine - but it's a bit misleading to those who may be looking for something else.

One thing that sort of bugged me - and this may be corrected by the time it's published - was how the sections were all followed by an index/bibliography in the middle of chapters. It was distracting to have to go from one part of a chapter to another with that in the middle. I would find it better suited to the very end of the book.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

First things first: Danae Moon Thorp has a very lyrical voice as a writer, and that adds a lot to the overall tone of this book. I think her voice and tone will speak very strongly to many readers, and for them, this book will be a wonderful read. It's an inspiring look at what it means to become and be a witch, including spells, a bit of history and folklore, and a lot of encouragement.

I do have to agree with some of the other reviewers who remarked that this is less "becoming a witch" and more "becoming a wiccan," and they are definitely not the same thing. As someone who doesn't include any deities in my practice, a large part of this book really didn't apply to me. So I would offer that caveat: if you're not a Wiccan, there's a lot in here that you might not connect with.

I'm also the type of reader who really just appreciates books that get to the point, rather than wrapping the point up in clouds of lyrical language, so I'm not really the audience for this book despite my interest in witchcraft.

This is all to say: just because this book didn't resonate with me, doesn't mean it won't resonate with other readers. There is a ton of information in "Becoming the Witch" and the lyrical, mystical tone Thorp brings to her work may be exactly what you're looking for.

3.5/5 stars

This is a very Wiccan heavy book aimed for newer practitioners, however what concerns me is that it isn't necessarily encouraging, but also not dissuading some things that could be seen as cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation is mentioned once when talking about white sage and palo santo, however, never mentioned in regards to working with some of the gods or goddesses mentioned or practices related to them. I don't know, it just made me feel uncomfortable. It felt a little like mix and match your deities to suit your purposes.

Thank you to Llewellyn Publications and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sadly, this is yet another Wicca book, branded as a generalized tome on the craft. There are a million books like this in the marketplace, the main reason I tell my clients to bypass the “trendy covered witch book” section, all together. The information within ranges from childish to basic to harmful (and downright incorrect).

I find it so hard to give books bad ratings, as I’m mindful of the fact that the author dedicated so much time and energy. However, I can’t, in good conscience even stay middle-of-the-road on this one. There are books out there filled with good information, this just isn’t one. I will say, as with most books like this, the cover is lovely.

Much gratitude to NetGalley and Llewellyn Worldwide for the advanced copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.

This book is written nicely. However it is pretty Wicca heavy. And served no purpose to me. I did enjoy some of what I read though. Definitely would be a good book to read if you want to get into the Wicca Witchcraft.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Great for those who practice Wicca.

This book is focusing on being a Wiccan Witch. Since I am not following that path or interested in that path this one wasn’t for me. If you are interested in Wicca this would be a good book to pick up.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for the advanced e-reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I'm kind of middle road on this book. The lessons found in the book are in an order that will easily lead and help the reader follow along and learn. The basics are taught and encouraged to start there but with a new modern way. Some advanced instruction is provided on spells and rituals but advancing to this is only encouraged after an understanding of the basics has been achieved.
This is all great but this is where I can't give more then 3 stars. "Becoming the Witch" is more focusing on becoming a Wiccan Witch and following the beliefs of this path.... a path that I am not following. I lost interest in reading about the goddesses and gods and anything associated in that means and started skimming. If you are interested in the Wiccan path or learning more about this stream then this is the book for you. If you are like me and are not, then this is not a good purchase.

Thank you to Llewellyn Publications and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Oh fuck no. I seriously hope no beginner witch picks this one up and no experienced witch who isn’t wiccan wastes their money on it

Among the top issues I had with this book - and I started skim reading because I just couldn’t deal with it anymore - are:

- picking gods from all over and using them as an ingredient
- “There is no doctrine invovled, no one tells you what to believe in” (kindle pos. 98) vs. “The moon is the high priestess of the night sky, the witch’s Goddess, your Goddess.” (kindle pos. 236)
- forcing the belief of the Triple Goddess onto the gods of different pantheons
- FUCKING OSTARA as a god and being possible Astarte AND Ishtar
- telling people to salt the earth for rituals more than once

Do I need to say more?

This book made what I have known and learned seem new again! The lessons are in sequence and take the reader through a path of self knowing . Becoming the Witch is very comprehensive in teaching all the basics and also telling you why you need the basics to begin with. The author gives examples and instances from her own experiences which make this book even more rewarding. All in all a very NEW way to empower yourself in todays world, Truly rewarding and uplifting once you start to tread this path. I have been looking forward to reading daily and them doing the work. It all makes sense again.

Pick this book if you want to know the mechanisms and the nature of magic in witchcraft. But please remember to apply those principles through many spells in this text and you will have success. The author is very well aware of the so called "inner workings" during the spells and she will gently push you in the right direction. After this book we could only say that witchcraft is very practical. Some advanced rituals and spells are also given, like invocation of familiar spirit or calling undines. To present this information in a clear way is a very brave step since it is well known how much such knowledge is guarded. So I believe that this book will be pretty wanted in the occult world. Just few spells are done kinda in hurry, I wish them with more details. Final comment: Author, thank you for this brave and beautiful book!

I found this book to be full of useful information for all levels. I really enjoyed the read. Thank you.