Price Guide to the Occult is the story of Nor, a seventeen-year-old girl who has seen more than her share of heartache and pain. She has been wounded both physically and emotionally by her mother. And now weird things are starting to happen. The animals have left the island where she lives, and she should know because she can hear their thoughts. The plants have started being protective, reaching out and scratching, clawing and impeding anyone they think might be getting close. And dreams. Nor is having graphic and horrific dreams. But are they really dreams? Is her mother back?
This novel has an intriguing plot of mother versus daughter. Every chapter is headed with the name of a spell which nicely mirrors the book referenced in the story that starts the whole world spinning. With characters like Savvy, whose hair is a different color and style at every mention, and Judd, a grandmother of towering proportions and personality, this book is filled to the brim with characters that you will quickly be able to picture in your mind’s eye.
If the book seems to end too quickly for you, no worries. The ending is set up perfectly for another installment and the author would be remiss if they don’t continue this book into a series or at least a follow up. While Nor battles with self-mutilation and fear, the end provides a redemptive story of conquering one’s fears and demons and letting the light shine thru.
Overall a good book. Great for fantasy lovers and non-fantasy readers as well. The magic is simple to follow and doesn’t detract, but instead enhances the story. Price Guide to the Occult will leave readers hungry for the next installment.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Candlewick Press
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 4 religious exclamations; 41 mild obscenities; 1 religious profanity; 2 derogatory names; 26 scatological words; 11 anatomical terms; 7 f-word derivatives.
Violence/Gore: Recall of a logging accident where man was injured; numerous cuts, scrapes, bruises and minor injuries from various sources; playful punch to arm three times; house burned down in attempted murder; mother casts spell resulting in deep, bloody wounds on her own child; numerous references and thoughts surrounding self-mutilation including descriptions of names being carved into skin and deep bloody cuts; recall of woman removing one eye from each of seven men (no detail); unconscious body dragged be hair; woman slaps boy in face; multiple short scenes where magical fern tattoos reach out and choke, grab or inflict harm on others; bloody, grotesque murder victim found; three 2-3 page scenes of dreams involving bloody injuries, murder and gore; houses struck and burned down by lightening resulting in various burns on people and one dead; zombies kill woman on command; 2 page scene where mother attempts to cut daughter only to have the wounds inflicted on self; 2 page scene where magical forces rip off woman’s skin at girl’s words resulting in death of woman; 1 paragraph description of rash of suicides as people awake from spell.
Sex/Nudity: Sex implied three times; reference to sexually transmitted disease; 6 kisses between heterosexual couples and 3 kisses between homosexual couples; 2 references to sex; teens skinny dip with minimal detail on nudity; 2 instances of hand holding; 3 hugs.
Mature Subject Matter:
Infidelity, occult, homosexuality, self-harm, suicide, neglect, physical child abuse, abandonment.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Adults drink beer and hard liquor; teens drink wine and vodka; both adults and teens smoke.
