Short book review: Star Wars: Target Vader

Robbie Thompson, et.al., Star Wars. Target Vader. New York: Marvel, 2020.  ISBN: 9781302918583. 

Genre: graphic novels and comics

Subgenre: Star Wars

Format: trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library 

 

In this story, Darth Vader is on a mission against a crime syndicate. Soon he discovers that he is the target of bounty hunters. He has to complete his mission, deal with the bounty hunters, and find out who put a bounty on his head. One of the bounty hunters is a former Imperial officer who is very motivated to get Vader. 

The story overall is good. It has some intrigue, some good action, and it moves at a good pace. The art is good enough. Entertaining story that is a quick read, and you move on. This is one to borrow then move on to the next one. I liked it. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

 

 

 

 

Qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge: 

 

Book Review: Read this when things fall apart

Kelly Hayes, ed., Read this when things fall apart: letters to activists in crisis. Chico, CA: AK Press, 2025. ISBN: 9781849355841. 

Genre: politics, activism

Subgenre: letters, advice

Format: trade paperback

Source: Hutchins Library, Berea College  

 

This is one of the most moving books I've read so far this year. Though it is geared to activists, regular folks like me can gain benefit, encouragement, and inspiration from this book. I am a librarian and teacher/educator at best. For me, this is a powerful book. 

The book is a collection of letters written by activists for activists. In the struggle, there will be setbacks and defeats. You may come to feel angry, frustrated, tired, ready to give up. That's when this book can help. The book features 21 letters on various topics. Note that some letters do come with a trigger warning. Some letter topics include: 

• If you're losing and discouraged.
• If you're panicking about collapse.
• If you are heartbroken.
• If you are struggling with grief. 

Whether you are an activist in the trenches or just a decent human being about to lose hope after looking around, this book is for you. It can remind you why the struggle is important. It can bring you comfort in your darkest hour. It can give a bit of healing when you need it. And after you read the book, share it with someone else who may need it. 

Though you can read all the letters, you can also pick and choose to read just what you need. You may identify strongly with some topics. Other topics may not call to you as much. I'd say read them anyways and learn something new. The letters bring in a bit of history, personal experiences, and plenty of practical advice. Social justice work and struggle are not easy. This book can bring some written advice and support to keep going in the Hard Times. 

I recommend the book for public and academic libraries. In academia, schools with strong programs in social justice, peace studies, and similar fields will want this book. I ordered it for our library, and it is a good fit for us. 

Overall this book is an essential reading. 

5 out of 5 stars.  

 

Additional reading notes: 

 

What the book is and is not: 

"This book is not an organizing handbook. It is a humble, personal offering grounded in an awareness that there are some moments, on all fronts of struggle, when, despite all our best efforts, things fall apart. At such times, we sometimes need a kind thoughtful voice amid the chaos or an outstretched hand to reach for" (3).

The editor notes that the book is no substitute for having a community, but there are also moments community is not enough, and you need a bit more. Consider this book your lifeline for such moments. And maybe these letters may inspire you to write a letter to others.

 

On living in the United States: 

"We live in a class dictatorship thinly disguised as a democracy. Our speech is not free, and the level of surveillance and repression by the state and its parallel institutions has been astounding. Even in our colleges and universities-- institutions whose primary missions are the spread of knowledge and free inquiry-- the will of donors has overruled the edicts of open discourse and student needs" (19). 

 

Book qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge: 

 

 

  

Deck Review: Sacred Sites Oracle Cards

Barbara Meiklejohn-Free (author) and Yuri Leitch (artist), Sacred Sites Oracle Cards. Newbury Port, MA: Watkins Publishing (imprint of Red Wheel/Weiser). 2015. ISBN: 9781780288420. (link to publisher)

This kit includes the 53-card deck and a small companion book. The kit comes in a nice slipcase, which adds a bit of a classy element. From the publisher's description: 

"Heal your past, transform your present, and fulfill your potential by connecting with the planet's most sacred sites. . .". 

 The book is arranged as follows: 

• Introduction. The author describes some of her travels to sacred sites and the overall concept of the deck. If you can't just take off to travel, the cards here may help you connect with the energy of these sacred sites. 
• How to read the cards. Here we get instruction on how to use the deck. The cards are arranged by directions: north, east, south, and west. Each card has interpretations based on these world: lower world (the past), middle world (the present), and upper world (potential). In a nutshell, you interpret the card based on what part of a card-- top, middle, or bottom-- catches your eye right away. It's a different system, and best I can tell unique to this deck. 
• Card entries. Entries are grouped by direction. Note that entries under each direction are not alphabetized. Since the cards are not number either, it may take a bit of work finding a card entry in the book. Each entry includes location name, card's energy focus, and location of the site. Each entry also has interpretation for each world-- lower, middle, and upper. Each entry closes with a small ritual, invocation, meditation, and/or exercise you can do. On a side note, card entry book pages are color coded. The detail makes the book look nice, but that is about it. 
• Small list of resources. This is basically the authors' books and websites. A bit of self-promotion. 

 

The card art has a nice pastel coloring style with good details. The art does draw you in. The division of past, present, and future is more apparent in some cards than others. Cards overall are nice and colorful. In theory, I would say you can probably read the cards intuitively. However, you will need to read the book if you want to read them according to the author's system of directions and levels. The text interpretations are good, but you need to do some serious study to master the deck's system. Personally, I sort of read the cards intuitively and then read the book for clarification or to enhance my initial reading. 

The cards measure about 5 inches by 3 inches. The cards have a color border based on its region. At the side of each card there is an arrow tip to indicate a card's direction. The cards have a thick glossy finishl they can stick together when shuffling. The card back art is minimalist and reversible, though the deck is not designed for reversals. 

Overall, I like the deck. I do like the art. It's system does feel a bit complex at times. You do need to keep the book on hand. While I am good with it in my collection, it does not feel like a deck I'd bring out to use often. It may be comparable to the Earth Power Oracle (link to my review). Between the two, I like the other deck better. 

3 out of 5 stars.  

 This kit qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge: 

 

Deck Review: Sufi Tarot

Ayeda Husein, The Sufi Tarot. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, 2022. ISBN: 9781401970413. 

Genre: Tarot, cartomancy

Subgenre: Sufism

Format: 78-card deck with companion book

Source: I own this one 

Side note: as of this post, checked the publisher site, and deck was not available. It may be out of print at this time.  

 

Two of Coins 

This kit includes the 78-card deck and a small companion book. As the publisher describes, this deck "creatively reenvisions the cards through a Sufi lens and shares the potency of its ancient of its ancient teachings and healing techniques." I picked this up due to the art, and I was curious about how the deck would blend Tarot and Sufism. The concept works well. 

The book has two major parts: Using the Deck and The Cards. Part One explains how the deck draws on the Persian practice of Fal (Fal-e Hafez), offers card spreads, and short explanations of the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana cards. Part Two has the card entries. Entries include upright keywords, reversed keywords, descriptions of card images and symbols, "when this card appears for you," contemplations (a couple of reflective questions), and an affirmation. The entries have the same information and quality for the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. 

The book is an easy read, and I found it interesting. The text blends lessons of Sufism and Tarot well. The reflective questions are helpful and can work well for journaling. The book also includes a small set of endnotes to document some references. Endnotes may help readers find some suggestions for further readings on Sufism. 

The cards do follow Rider Waite Smith (RWS) for the most part. Note that some of the card names are changed to Arabic names, but you can still recognize the basic imagery. The art is beautiful, expressive, and colorful with images that draw you in. The images are nice to look at and good for meditation. I feel this deck can work well for intuitive readers. 

You don't need to practice Sufism to use this deck. I found myself learning some new things, and I really enjoyed using the deck. I found the deck works well and provides good readings. 

The cards measure about 5 inches by 3 1/2 inches. Size is close to most oracle card decks. The card stock is a bit thick. It makes for a bit heavy deck. The cards have a very soft gloss, and they can stick when shuffling. They are not always easy to shuffle, but the effort is worth it. The art on the back of the cards is reversible. I love this one and recommend it. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

 

Kit qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge: 

 

 

Book Review: Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow

Shannon Knight, Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow: magickal and tarot to confront your fears & free your potential. Newbury Port, MA: Weiser Books, 2025.   

 

Genre: Tarot, cartomancy

Subgenre: Psychology

Format: e-book galley

Source: Edelweiss Plus 

 

There must be a small trend of books on Tarot and shadow work going on. This is the second book on the topic I've read recently, and I got at least one more on the reading list. The first one so far, if you are curious, was Tarot and the Psychology of the Soul (link to my review). The book I am reviewing now does include other additional magical tools in addition to Tarot to help in your inner work journey. 

The book features an introduction, eight chapters, a final notes, and a list of references. The author uses secular, therapeutic, and psychological elements in the book and in their work. 

A strength of the book is in the various exercises and techniques. Some use Tarot, and for the most part as long as you have a Rider Waite Smith (RWS) deck or an RWS-based deck, you are good to go.  Note that the author says you can also use an oracle deck if you are so inclined. For other exercises the most you may need is your journal and a pen.

The books has some parts that may be a little heavy on the psychological jargon. It is not always an easy read, but hang with it. The book brings together theory and techniques to help you do your inner work and expand your self-awareness. 

An interesting element is the inclusion of the golden shadow, our positive elements we may keep buried for various reasons. This is in contrast to the dark shadow, the negative elements we keep buried and that books on shadow work usually discuss. The golden shadow adds an uplifting element, and it can help readers maintain a better overall balance. 

This may be a book for more intermediate to advanced readers. You don't need to read Jung's work or other psychological texts to read this book. If you've read those texts, you might appreciate the book a bit better. Still, I would say get the book for the techniques and exercises; you get plenty of value there and a lot of prompts for the work.

If your library collects esoterica, they may want to add this one. It might also be of interest for libraries' psychology collections. Overall, this is one I really liked.

4 out of 5 stars. 

Additional reading notes:  

The author's hope for the book: 

"My hope is that within these pages you also find value in the merger of two different, but complementary worlds: shadow work and tarot. In your shadow work quest, I hope this book becomes your companion in helping you discover deeper layers of insight, self-compassion, and a more confident understanding of yourself. The work ahead may be challenging, but it's also profoundly rewarding" (3).

 

On how to use this book: 

"Instead, this book serves as an introductory guide to help you begin (or deepen) your shadow work journey. Each chapter offers insights, practical exercises, and reflective prompts designed to help you explore different facets of your shadow self" (3). 

 

Defining shadow work: 

"Shadow work is the process of acknowledging the repressed and rejected parts of ourselves and bringing those parts into our conscious awareness to help us feel whole, integrated, and self-aware" (5). 

 

On the golden shadow, the positive aspects we may be repressing: 

"The golden shadow can include untapped or suppressed potential related to creativity, intuition, and curiosity, among other qualities. By discovering and then embracing these golden shadows, we can enhance our lives and relationships, bringing our life a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment. Shadow work is not just about confronting the dark; it's also about reclaiming the full spectrum of who we are" (11). 

 

On radical acceptance: 

"Radical acceptance is the recognition that certain things are beyond our control, and instead of resisting or fighting against them, we choose to accept them as they are. This does not mean we condone these behaviors or traits, or agree with them; it just means we accept that certain experiences that happened (or in this case, certain shadows were formed) and focus on how we respond to it" (36).

 

Why Tarot is beneficial for shadow work: 

"Tarot is a beneficial tool for exploring the shadow and its functions because it provides a visual outlet to witness shadow material and its complexes and projections in a safe and accessible way" (70). 

  

This book qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge: