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

The Book of Forgotten Witches was a delightful collection of witchy folklore from all around the world! I absolutely loved learning about different stories and beliefs from other countries. I also thought the way each section was set up was so unique - a different archetype of witch that directly correlated to one of the Major Arcana tarot cards (i.e. - The Lovers, The Hermit, etc). Super easy and fun read! Additionally, the illustrations were so lovely, I wish there were more!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review!

Loved this book and its creepy premise! The art throughout is gorgeous and overall this book is a fun and easy read if you are interested in the subject!

This book was absolutely beautiful and spooky. Sent to me as a PDF I can imagine as a hardcover it would be even more special.
This isn't your typical 'Witch' book. It's insightful and extremely detailed about past folklore, cursegivers etc. I've never read anything like it!
The illustrations were fabulous.
This book will appeal to anyone who likes witches, gothic history, the supernatural or something a 'bit different'.
Thank you to Netgalley and Watkins Publishing for accepting me to read an early copy to enjoy.

A beautifully written book with a comprehensive view of folklore. This will be a joy to read a hard copy of, I would imagine.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review of the book.

"The Witch's Book of Shadows" isn't your run-of-the-mill witch guide. It's a captivating blend of spooky folklore and in-depth historical details, delving into the world of curses and those who wielded them. While the digital format is handy, the rich descriptions make you yearn for a stunning hardcover edition. The unique content and captivating illustrations make this a 4-star read for anyone with a taste for the witchy, gothic, or just something refreshingly different.

This book is an absolute gem!! Bringing together facts and folklore with stunning illustrations, this book takes us on a journey through the history of witchcraft. This book is a real treat for anyone curious about the mystical aspects of the world.
The structure of the book was particularly interesting. Alternating between fascinating facts and traditional folklore stories. It took the reader on an exciting journey through witchcraft. The illustrations were a mix of creepy and mysterious. Building a wonderful picture of the history of witchcraft and tarot. I was mesmerised.

I really enjoyed the art and stories in this book. It really tapped into my witchy instincts. Highly recommend for spooky season and anyone who loves witches!

This book was both spooky and fun. It includes an extensive amount of witches many of which I had never heard of. It is well organized but type of witch. The writing was fun and engaging. My favorite thing about this book was the artwork which was outstanding and creepy. This would be the perfect fall read. It would also make a great gift to any fan of the spooky and supernatural. I really enjoyed reading this book.

This was a great spooky read. The illustrations matched with the story very well, I liked it, I would love to read a physical copy around halloween.

Absolutely loved everything about this book and its setup. So easy to follow and I love the knowledge of how the tales came about.

This beautifully crafted book offers a rich collection of characters from various mythologies and legends around the world. The illustrations are vibrant and imaginative, making it a visual delight. The unique setup organises witch archetypes to match the Major Arcana tarot cards - such as the lovers and the pope. This is not a world I'm fairly familiar with, but the stories are intriguing and the artwork magical. Even if the content isn't for you, nobody can deny how beautiful this book is set up.

A huge thank you to Watking Publishing for this ARC!

The book of forgotten witches. is a must for anyone with an interest in Folklore, Pagonisum or mythology, it is a beautifully written and illustrated book, with each chapter being dedicated to a type of witch and each page gives a concise description of some unique and some unknown historical witches, This will definitely be a book to physically own, rather than a digital copy.

This is a cute little book of witches and monsters. I love the inclusion of Indigenous American figures like Deer Woman and different historical figures like John Dee. I think this is going to be popular on Tiktok and I can't wait to see what the physical copy looks like.

LOVED EVERY SECOND OF THIS BOOK. SO SO SO GOOD. I RECOMMEND EVERYONE TO READ THIS BOOK ASAP IF YOU CAN. LOVED LOVED LOVED.

It was not what I expected, but damn if i didn't love it. It was very well written and composed. Each chapter was a specific category of witches/creatures, and for each category we get a short story. The illustrations were simply amazing, perfectly fitting into the mood of the book.

This was so much more beautiful than I could have ever imagined! The illustrations are stunning and I love them so much. The book is full of folklore and short stories about witches, organized by category. As someone who loves books about witches and spooky artwork, this is definitely one to add to your bookshelf.

The Book of Forgotten Witches, by Lilla Bolecz Tatrai, is an absolutely stunning book. Along with the gorgeous illustrations are descriptions of different magical beings. I loved everything about this book, and I can't wait to buy a copy.

First off, the illustrations in this book were beautiful. They perfectly melded with the subject matter and created a visual masterpiece to compliment the writing. Each chapter explores archetypes of witchcraft and supernatural beings from all different cultures. The witch lore draws from the enduring legacy of those who dared to practice witchcraft.
The book combines history and myth while offering a glimpse into the timeless allure of witches. It also touches on tarot and the arcane. I like to lore from the shapeshifter and well-wishers section. The revenants section is haunting.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Netgalley and Watkins Publishing.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This book is amazing! It’s beautiful, with full page illustrations on nearly every other page, done by an extremely talented artist. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in witches, alchemy, other cultures, and folktales.

I loved everything about this book! It’s the perfect coffee table or showcase piece. The stunning visuals and engaging content make it a standout addition to any collection. However, I do have one small wish: I would love for this book to be available in a Kindle format. The NetGalley app often gives me trouble, so having the option to read it on my Kindle would make it so much more accessible and enjoyable.

This is the perfect "coffee table" book for any witchy or "weird" person! I loved the format, the art, the short stories, and the inclusion of alchemical principles. I want a hard copy of this book asap so I can take my time revisiting all the beautiful drawings and stories of creatures. My only real "complaint" is that I would have liked at further reading section/bibliography so that I could see what the sources were and read more on any creatures I find specifically interesting.

thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. What a BEAUTIFUL book filled with amazing illustrations and stories. I love this book but absolutely need it in physical form. Super informative.

As a person who's been interested in witchcraft for a while now, I've learned that not all books about it are completely true or genuine. This was a welcome reprieve that I very much enjoyed reading through.

With ten chapters we discover a variety of witches/creatures from all around the world, whose stories are combined with beautiful illustrations. Each type is connected to one of the Major Arcana tarot cards which was also a nice touch and made it even more easier and impactful to remember the types.

If you are a lover of all things magical, witchcraft or supernatural I think this is definitely a book for your shelves because I know I for one am really looking forward to having my own physical copy!

"Forgotten Witches" is a carefully crafted collection of characters and creatures from folklore, legends and history. I read that the intent was to link each chapter "to a different card of the Major Arcana" and to "complete a journey of self-discovery." That's neither here nor there for me, but I at least walked away inspired and delighted by this book.

At times the description of "witch" is broadly applied to those of non-European origin. Minor corrections are needed, because attempting to give Asian or African folk beliefs a Western equivalent wasn't necessary. There's definitely room to clarify these cultural nuances. Some types though are appropriately labeled, like "Jokatsu Baba" and "Yuki onna" as "yokai" for instance. I wanted respectful consistency in that regard. In the instance of "Garaboncias," the author did make the careful distinction of sorcerer vs wizard vs witch. This is a critical difference in Eastern European folklore so that was appreciated. But several famous real-life accused witches, goddesses, vampires and alchemists are included as well.

The short stories at the end of each chapter aren't particularly memorable. Perhaps if they were written in a simplified, 3rd person perspective, they would've blended in. It would've been at least similar to oral folk tradition. The transition from illustrated encyclopedia to 1st or 2nd person narrative fiction made it feel like two different books. These short stories would've made a great final chapter.

However, I think a lot of readers will forget these little criticisms once they see the illustrations. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and honestly I will buy a copy just to look at them. I would gladly hang prints of my favorites. So many publishers these days rely on AI art to cut costs, but not this one, and every other page is a treat for the eyes. It's very appealing to witchy readers like me.

ives an introduction to many figures in folklore and myths and also some historical with many examples and ones you not have heard before and some fresh perspective on one's that you nay have heard of the book encompasses a wide range of different stories
Also like the hatty style that makes it seem interactive with the readers encouraging their thoughts it is also very stunningly illustrated it would be nice to see as a physical copy also
a good read if you interested in dark folklore

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

All things “witchy” fascinate me so I was extremely excited to come across this book. The hardcover would be an excellent addition to anyone’s collection.

It is informative and includes many witches I’ve never heard of before. The illustrations are eye catching!

This is a compendium of witches and I loved it! It is more than just the witches of Salem. It speaks of witches and witchcraft all over the world. I've learned of witches that were unknown to me previously. This is a great read for those who adore all things witches. I also want to add that the illustrations were just simply gorgeous! I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

It is a pretty art with a large variety of cultures represented. There were a lot of very interesting entries.

4 stars

Thank you to Watkins Publishing, the authors, illustrator, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of The Book of Forgotten Witches by Lilla Bölecz and Balázs Tátrai in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun and unexpectedly extensive book with interesting witches and folklore. I was drawn in by the illustrations and stories told throughout. I probably would use it as a reference guide or coffee table book more than I would as a sit down and read all the way through novel, but it was fun and quick read to wind down with!

I thought the way tarot was intertwined throughout the book was also really unique and enjoyable. I’ll definitely be getting this for a few of my witchy friends/family members!

I adored this book. As someone who loves folklore and specifically witches, to just read about and entertain myself and also to find inspiration for my stories, this was a real treat.

So often I find books like this lack diversity regarding what part of the world they choose to show but that really wasn't the case here. I really liked the authors tried their best to show many cultures, many mythology and folklore.

The illustrations were perfect and really added to the book for me.

Whilst the book is divided into ten chapters and all present different type of witches, it all becomes one coherent work and that's really a joy to see.

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes folklore and/or witches.