Backfire: Dark of the Moon

by Philipp J. Kessler

It was a simple protection spell, what could possibly go wrong? Everything and then some!

Sandra Blackwell wants to help her friend find peace and protection after a nasty break up. Little did she know that Elaine's home was already under protection - if you call flickering lights and depression protection. After the bulbs begin to blow and they realize something has backfired, they battle their own mental and emotional demons to fix what Sandra did. Two Egyptian Gods play with Sandra's understanding of who she is and Elaine is floating in her own personal limbo after the blow up of her relationship and the backfire of a well intentioned spell. Can they fix things without it all blow up in their faces?

The first in a series of stories following Sandra and Elaine, Backfire introduces the characters and establishes their life together. Friends since middle school, the two are now getting established in their careers. Magick, love, and unexpected happenings follow them all over the place.

124 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2017

Reviews

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows a pair of old friends through a weekend of misguided spells, friendship, mystery, and recovery. Sandra comes from a long line of witches and decides to cast a protection spell on her friend Elaine's apartment when she sees her friend hurting after a painful breakup. Little did she know the apartment was already covered by a counter spell and the two pieces of magic do not get along. Sandra and Elaine need to work together to figure out what went wrong in Sandra's spell, what to do to make it right, and how to get Elaine's life back on track in general. Kessler does a great job of walking the reader through the basics of Sandra's paganism and spell-casting -- giving those of us who are new to this world enough information without being too pedantic or simplistic. Best of all, the friendship between Sandra and Elaine is well written, warm, and believable --something that is not easy for every author to do. The book has a nice flow and builds to a cliffhanger that makes me definitely want to pick up the next one in the series.

[Andy Peloquin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this an utterly fascinating book! While many other novels skirt the issue of spell-casting and magick, this felt more like a how-to primer on the concepts. I walked away from the reading knowing a lot bit more about paganism, the pagan lifestyle, belief system, and practices. It had me curious and wanting to find out what else I can learn. Definitely going to keep reading the next books to delve more into pagan practices!
There's not a whole lot in the way of action or suspense—just two women trying to find out what went wrong with the spell. There was a lot of interesting concepts presented through the pages of the novel, offering information without cramming the belief system or practices down a reader's throat. Well-presented, thoughtfully laid out, and set in an interesting (if slow-moving) story.
100% worth the read for anyone interested in learning more about paganism!