The Witch’s Book of Spellcraft is a comprehensive guide for spells and anything that working one entails. After a short and cohesive introduction, the author (or rather authors, as this book is a collaborative work with Jason Mankey as a head writer) goes into the ethics of spellcraft and thus shines a light on the groundwork of witchcraft and what casting a spell is actually about.
I thoroughly enjoyed the structure of this book, as it was divided into categories that reflect the different kinds of spell magic you will encounter. First, we get a deep dive into certain items that will facilitate set intentions, such as crystals, essential oils or candles, before the respective next chapter focuses on the exact kind of spellcraft you can work with these magical properties. This way, you get the required background knowledge before reading about specific spells to help you with the kind of problem you’d need that spell for. Another aspect I enjoyed is that the spells start out rather easy and then build their way up to more advanced techniques. So while you don’t need to read this book chronologically, you will pick up a number of skills along the way if you do.
It's also quite easy to follow the writer’s thought process and I liked the explanatory nature of this guidebook, giving examples when needed and referring back to the history of witchcraft to point out the basics of what working in tune with the universe is like. The sections are a welcome length that aren’t too overwhelming while still providing you with vast knowledge of everything that’s important. I also liked the appendixes which made it easy to find spells and I enjoyed that the authors have provided us with additional resources at the end of this book.
One of my favorite things about this book, however, are the illustrations and visualizations that support the written text. Personally, I would have liked there to be even more of those, as for a topic like witchcraft, there is always room to illustrate more and switch it up a little. With so many guides on witchcraft on the market, lots of them illustrated, a book focused mainly on text might seem daunting to some.
All in all, The Witch’s Book of Spellcraft isn’t a guidebook that reinvents the wheel, but it is a book that offers a comprehensive, cohesive introduction to spellcraft and everything it entails. An easy-to-follow writing style and a great structure make this book stand out amongst others and prove that it should not be missing from any witch’s library!
I received an eArc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book.