Media Notes: Roundup for July 2026

 

  

 

Welcome to my somewhat random selection of the movies and series on DVD and/or online I watched during July 2026.

Movies and films (links to https://www.themoviedb.org/ for basic information unless noted otherwise). Some of these I watched via TubiTv.com or other online source. The DVDs come from the public library (unless noted otherwise). In addition, I will try to add other trivia notes, such as when a film is based on a book adding the information about the book (at least the WorldCat record if available). 

Watched a good amount of horror, good, bad, and so so for July.  

• Stupid Games (2024. Horror. Mystery. Thriller). Plot description: "A girl's discreet attempt to assess her one night stand and his friends takes a deadly turn when she and her roommates host a dinner party where they unknowingly unleash a malevolent force." This is one of those movies you never hear off that go straight to video, or in this case straight to streaming. The trailer made me curious enough to take a chance.  As the old proverb says, "play stupid games, win stupid prizes." Yea, they made a movie based on that bit. Movie starts a little slow with the awkward dinner scene of the group getting to know each other, and it really is kind of awkward. Soon about a half hour in we get a small first hint of a possible horror to come. Except for Stanley, the last minute guy, they are all pretty vapid folks, the kind for horror fodder you don't care for much. When the power goes out, they light candles and play a new to them tabletop game that seems to soon take turns of its own, and then the mystery thickens. While we get some hints, it is not until an hour in, and this is an hour and 25 minutes or so movie, where we get a sense of what is really happening. The movie works because it builds the suspense very slowly, you get a hint here, a hint there. Once we figure out what is happening, the pace picks up and stays tense and swift to the end. To be honest, it turned out better than I thought it would be from the beginning. It's suspenseful, tense in a slow burn way. Not the kind of movie to watch with the lights out. Could be a good choice for a Halloween marathon. I ended up liking it, so 3 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 7/4.
• Clickbait: Unfollowed (2024. Horror. Thriller. Comedy). Plot description: "A group of influencers are invited to a house for a competition with deadly consequences." Given I have little to no use for influencers, which I view as one of the most low and useless lifeforms out there, the idea of a few getting killed off in some gruesome way sounds good. And so I find myself watching this movie. This is one of TubiTv Originals, which can be hit or miss, but so far I've seen more good than miss on their selections. We start with a diverse group of influencers: a guru woman (think a blonde skinny yoga granola eating woman into woo woo), a make up art influencer, a money schemes guy, a fitness sort of alpha male guy (you know the type), a chubby woman, and a child influencer (who is doing it more because mom makes him do it, again, think a bit Honey Boo Boo here, but a bit more reluctant). The game seems simple, go to the one place, and over the game whoever gets the most followers wins. We get a dinner scene-- their host has not shown yet-- which mostly serves to allow us to know each influencer a bit more. The boy's mom is particularly irritating as in she won't shut up. What we may notice is the MUA may be the only one with a bit of caution sense, and let's know they are the Black person to the group. When the influencers do their first challenge in the game, and the first elimination results in death, they realize the horror of only one of them being able to leave as winner.  The comedy for the most part comes from the influencers bickering with each other. Overall, this was, again, better than I expected. Some humor. It also has some serious commentary on influencer culture and social media, and some horror with a twist or two. You may wonder what would you do, if you were an influencer that is, to keep your followers and their likes and comments? I liked it, so I'd say 3 out of 5 here. Watched 7/4.
• 7 Deadly Sins (2019. Horror). Plot description: "A group of teenagers look to have the best Spring Break party ever before going off to college. However, when party goers start to die, who's to blame? Themselves? Or the demon they summoned? Charlie's evil spirit creeps in and hands out the ultimate test of survival." Movie is a bit similar to Stupid Games, in the sense the group plays a spooky game, "Charlie, Charlie," and it backfires on them. Once it goes wrong, the horror starts building up. Overall, the movie was just OK. The ending leaves an opening for future sequels, but I don't think those will follow. Not as bad as I expected, but not too good either. 2 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 7/5.
• The cast includes Tom Sizemore and a small appearance by Eric Roberts, so hey, worth taking a chance watching this I figured. Turns out they are just there briefly and never seen after their scenes again.
• Amityville Cop (2021. Horror). Plot description: "A city haunted by a bloody past has led to the emergence of some serious police brutality. As bodies pile up, two detectives seek to stop a demonic force that is terrorizing the neighborhood." Just another of the many spin offs that the original Amityville movie has inspired. The movie is hokey as heck; Detective Miller (Jason Toler) is played as the fast talking Black cop always in trouble and trying to talk his way out of it, making jokes. A bit irritating to be honest. The rest of the acting is pretty average. . . barely. To be honest this had potential. It could have nodded a bit to films like Maniac Cop; it could have done its own horror thing. Instead most of the movie the characters are just talking, and we barely see the monster cop. Note this is a one-hour movie, and if we get about 20 minutes total of any horror, it is a miracle. It could have been a semi-decent cop horror film, but instead it is just boring for most of the film. It feels like wasted potential, even on a low budget. 1 out of 5 stars. ViaTubiTv. Watched 7/5.
• Don't Log Off (2025. Horror. Mystery. Thriller). Plot description: "When Sam vanishes mid-video call, her friends race to uncover what happened. As they dig online, they vanish one by one. A sinister force is at play - can they solve the mystery before they're next?" The setting is in 2020, in the midst of the COVID lockdowns, which is why they are all getting together via video. The movie pretty much takes place on their video calling, so you get to see it from their computer and device screens. If you are not into shaky camera work, this may not be for you. There is some suspense as the first two vanish after going to check in on Sam, but to be honest, their social media interactions are more annoying than any suspense from the disappearances. It does not help them that they keep thinking it is one of them pulling a prank rather than realizing there is a serious problem. Naturally, this is a horror movie with some fairly inane people, so they keep doing dumb choices. Oh, and when one of them finally calls the cops, the cops are pretty useless and refuse to come thinking it is a prank. So the movie keeps dragging as they guys just need to figure it out on their own, and they do so with some help from Google, online maps and street views. By the time we get to the end, it just rushes and ends. Not a bad premise, but overall fairly boring, it drags, and the suspense is just not that great. Certainly nothing really horrifying per se. You can probably skip this. 1 out 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 7/11.
• Hell Nurse (2023. Horror. Thriller). Plot description: "After a young caretaker is brutally attacked, she offers her soul to the Devil in exchange for the opportunity of revenge."  A supernatural revenge plot sounds simple enough, so I am taking a chance here. Movie has a bit of a vibe or nod to slasher films of the 1970s or so. Story itself takes place around the 70s; one way we know is the 8-tracks the crooks listen to and the TV going dark at end of evening after the national anthem. The movie takes a bit to build up to the revenge, but once it starts, it is gruesome and bloody. Special effects are not great, a bit on the cheesy side, and again, reminiscent of old films where blood splattering all over was part of the deal. This was not great, but it was better than some of the other schlock I've been watching this month. You can add that the nurse is quite easy on the eyes even as she is terrifying. Movie was OK, so I'd say 2.5 out of five stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 7/11.
• Hellblock 13 (1999. Horror). Plot description: "In a haunted death row cell block, a deranged female serial killer reads a trio of twisted tales to her executioner." The movie is from the Troma team, the folks who brought you fine films like the Toxic Avenger series. The serial killer tells the stories reading from her writings in a notebook. After the last story is told, her time is up. . . or is it? Not too bad for a small horror anthology. You get a bit of the typical Troma special effects. This is the kind of movie you might watch late at night on cable, or I guess on streaming now. I liked this one, so willing to give it 3 out of 5 stars. Watched 7/12. 
• First story is a woman who kills her children in order to be with a wealthy man. But getting away with it will not be easy. 
• Second story is about a young abused housewife living in a trailer home. When she finds out the old woman across the street may be a witch, she eventually gets the nerve to go visit her hoping to find a solution. The witch does give her a spell, and a very specific set of instructions. Will Heidi Mae be able to follow directions? 
• Third story involves a biker gang on the road to do a drug deal in Mexico. Before crossing the border, they need to stop in some small town to tend to some business or other. Soon there is a mystery when the gang leader tells the new guy they need to stop at a sacred place where other dead bikers rest. and the spirit of Big Rhonda, a now dead biker mama, watches over them. When the new guy turns out to be an undercover cop, which to be honest we can tell early on, Big Rhonda keeps the gang safe once more.
• Evangeline (2013. Horror Thriller). Plot description: "The corpse of a college freshman is resurrected by an ancient demon that lets her loose to avenge her murder at the hands of three frat brothers." I am often good for a revenge tale, so here we go with this one.  Film opens with the voice of a young girl telling about an ancient evil, which sets up the supernatural angle of the film. By the way. this is one of those movies where they pack most of the credits at the beginning, rarely a good sign. To complicate matters, in addition to the shitty frat brothers, there is a serial killer on campus; we get his flashbacks of victims between other scenes. I initially thought it was a loose end, but he eventually becomes one of Evangeline's victims. Once the frat boys leave her for dead, she sort of moves between this world and the hereafter. We get hints the demon may be in her once she comes back or at least near her. Overall, the film has some pretty surreal moments, which add some suspense and enhance the supernatural elements. The film takes its time building up Evangeline's revenge. There is violence, but not as graphic as it could be for a horror film. The emphasis is on the atmosphere. The frat boys, especially their leader, are truly evil, so we can't wait for Evangeline to lay down her justice on them. Pacing is steady, not too slow. Film could be a good selection for a horror film marathon late at night. I'd say 2.5 out of 5 as I liked it, but no big deal. Via TubiTv. Watched 7/12.
• Becoming Evil: Serial Killers of the Old West (2011. Crime. Documentary). Description: "American serial killers are hardly a phenomenon confined to the 20th and 21st centuries. The Old West was a well-known time of lawlessness. A time when serial killers stalked the mountains, prairies and deserts of North America."  The documentary defines a serial killer as "someone who kills two or more victims with a cooling off period in between, killing victims for which the killer has no empathy or remorse." Based on that definition, some Old West figures we may not think of as serial killers, at least in the modern sense, would fit the category. Documentary discusses how the time of the Old West may be a bit longer in time frame than many think. Also note that at times the sheriff or lawman could also be a serial killer depending on context, convenience, etc. The narrator has a very monotone voice, but the content overall is pretty interesting. Documentary blends in engravings, photographs, and illustrations of the time with some historical reenactments with actors. We also get some historians speak on the topic. You get both famous and lesser known stories, including at least one cannibal. If you like watching true crime series and/or western stories, you might like this. I liked it, so 3 out of 5 stars. Watched 7/18.
• Cinderella's Curse (2024. Horror. Fantasy). Plot description: "Desperate Cinderella summons her fairy godmother from an ancient flesh-bound book, seeking revenge on her evil stepmother and stepsisters who abuse and torment her daily." If all you know about Cinderella is Disney's very sanitized version, well, consider this your warning before you watch this. The  opening gruesome scene sets up a bit of how the ancient book works. Once we get to Cinderella and the family, the mom and the sisters are as evil as they come. To be honest, you can't wait until the upcoming revenge starts because they will be highly deserving. Prince Charming, named Levin here, is a serious asshole too by the way. The movie takes a while to the revenge we know is coming, 50 minutes in, out of an hour and 20 minutes movie, and by this point, we are more than ready to see some serious retribution. There are some gruesome moments, but to be honest not as hard as the film may suggest. And her revenge does come at a price, as often revenge does. Special effects were decent enough. Story does seem a bit long since we don't get the revenge until the movie is almost over. I'd say, however, the ending is quite satisfying, and may be worth watching the movie just to get there. 3 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 7/18.

 

Television and other series (basic show information links via Wikipedia unless noted otherwise). Some of these come in DVD from the public library. Others may be via YouTube, which, as noted before, I keep finding all sorts of other old shows in it, often full episodes:

• Gangsters: America's Most Evil (True crime. Documentary). Plot description: "documentary television series that airs on Reelz which profiles notorious criminals whose crimes involve murder, drug trafficking, racketeering, and human trafficking." Series has 6 seasons out. Tubi has the first two seasons, and I found the rest over at the Roku Channel, so I will likely catch up over there. 
• This month I managed to watch most of the first season. I will be watching on to the second season next month and see how far I get. The interesting thing about this series is that most of the criminals are not big "celebrities," or at least criminals you often hear about in other documentary series. 
• The Occult History of the Third Reich (1990. Documentary. Mini series). Plot description: "Documents both the influences of alternative belief systems on the Nazi ideology and Hitler's personal philosophy, and the history and development of the ideas and symbols that would be used along with eugenicist racial politics to perpetrate the murder and oppression of millions during World War II." I found this casually on YouTube, and it seemed interesting. The series has four episodes: Documentary mainly used historical footage and narration to tell the story. It also makes very good use of music at different moments to inspire fear and emphasize the Nazi horrors. This is the kind of old but good documentary the History Channel used to feature before they became a reality TV and pseudohistory dump. 
• Enigma of the Swastika. Episode focuses a bit closer on the symbol of the swastika and how it went to become the Nazi symbol and associated with evil. Turns out Madame Blavatsky had a role in the early days; her writings about the Aryan race were integrated into Nazi ideology. Turns also out some of the Nazi symbols came from Norse runes which they either used outright or modified. An interesting detail is that the swastika, for a while at least, was used in other places like Great Britain. 
• The SS: Blood and Soil. This episode looks at the rise of the SS, and how it formed around occult myths and eugenics to be Nazi Germany's Aryan exemplar. Again, Madame Blavatsky gets a mention, in part for her idea of the Great (White) Elect. 
• Heinrich Himmler. Interesting detail is mention of how the United States in the 1920s or so had put eugenics into practice including compulsory sterilization, in many cases by law. The Germans in that time looked up to the United States regarding eugenics. This episode is supposedly about Himmler, but it is more a look at the eugenic policies of Nazi Germany, focusing on the SS. Kind of feels more like a part two of the SS episode. Himmler is mentioned in terms of policies he put in place or some occult practices, but this is not a biographical piece. Still interesting. 
• Adolph Hitler.  A good part of this episode looks at the German eugenic policies, which were inspired by the United States eugenics movement and practices. The book I am reading as of this post, The Shortest History of Eugenics, looks at these eugenics policies and acceptance by the scientific community. A detail that not many histories of the Nazi regime mention are the eugenic policies of euthanasia for what were considered defective children. The horrifying element, aside from killing children, is how the party got the people to go with it, leading to what became known as the Final Solution.

 

Book Review: Pagan Curiouser

Debra DeAngelo, Pagan Curiouser: a beginner's guide to nature, magic & spirituality. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn, 2026. 

 

Genre: nonfiction

Subgenre: Paganism, inspirational, guides, spirituality

Format: e-book galley

Source: Edelweiss Plus

 

This book is a guide for folks interested in becoming a practicing pagan. Paganism is a very broad umbrella, so the author keeps the focus a bit broad, so you can build up a joyful, meaningful, and unique path that is yours. The book is a follow up to her previous work, Pagan Curious (link to my review). If you read the previous book, and you are still working on your pagan path, you will want to read this one. However, having read both, I'd say you can read this one just fine without reading the previous one. I personally liked this one better. 

The book is arranged in three major sections with 15 chapters. The material builds up from self to your surroundings to the magical path. The book also features a bibliography for sources cited, which you can use for further reading. The bibliography includes books and online resources. There are some academic online sources listed, but most of the online items are popular resources. In addition, the book features activities for readers that are conveniently listed in the front of the book. 

I found this book more interesting to read than the previous one. It also is a bit more focused. You get the chapters with the lessons, and each chapter ends with activity. For the most part, the activities are not difficult. Many of them don't even require materials other than yourself willing to do a little work. I found the book easy to read. 

If you are starting on the path from scratch, this book is a pretty good option. The content is a bit broad and general to allow readers to decide how to build their paths. You can take what works for you, leave the rest. You can explore and experiment, then decide what you want in your practice or not. While the author does mention elements of her own pagan practice, it does not mean you have to follow her practices. View them as examples of things you could do. I'd say if a specific element or practice calls your attention, do your research and see where it leads. 

Overall, I really like this book. I think it is a good entry point for folks interested in a pagan path, including those who want magic in their craft. I would recommend it for libraries that collect pagan and esoteric materials, especially public libraries. For academic libraries if they already have strong collections in paganism and/or religion, this could be a good selection. If you have students curious about paganism, this book may be a good selection. 

The book may be optional for pagans who are well settled in their paths and crafts. It may be a bit basic for them. For me, still learning, it's a good resource. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

 

Additional reading notes: 

On pagan's connection to the world: 

"Pagans are deeply connected to the natural world. We don't view it as something we are in,  like visitors passing through. We aren't in nature, we're part of it. Protecting the environment is a fundamental Pagan value. Reverence for our planet and a deep, spiritual connection to nature is the foundation of a Pagan life. Making choices that harm Gaia is Pagan sacrilege" (113, emphasis in original). 

 

A definition of mindfulness: 

"Mindfulness means being completely aware of what you're doing. Being mentally present and fully experiencing that exact moment rather than going through the motions while your faraway mind whirls and swirls in a mental multiverse. It means being here now" (36, emphasis in original).   

 

On the pagan connection with Spirit: 

"Pagans strive to keep our connection with Spirit open and flowing. We recognize Spirit expressing itself in our lives and hearts, and we embrace a Spiritual life" (62).

 

Pagans, on their values shaping their spirituality. This one resonated with me a bit: 

"You aren't obligated to keep legacy values. You're a Pagan now. Wipe all that spiritual sludge away and declare your own values. Going forward, you will decide which values to keep and which to jettison. You will shape your own spiritual values from now on. Those who gifted you with those legacy values may get very upset when you choose a different direction, because someone who says no challenges their beliefs and makes them feel insecure. Step away anyway.

When faced with objection or resistance, stand spiritually firm. Make your spiritual boundaries robust and unassailable. You aren't required to defend or debate your values to anyone, unless you want to.  You don't owe anyone an explanation, and you aren't required to attend every argument you're invited to. You can just say I understand that you disagree and drop it" (66, emphasis in original).

 

If you are working with a deity, respect is essential: 

"Respect is the foundation of a relationship with a deity. Become a perpetual student of their lore and history. Become fascinated with that deity, and the rest will follow" (70). 

 

I found the section on "Pagan Self-Defense" an important read. It feels like the kind of thing that established pagans take for granted, but they fail to tell the new folks. As I am writing this I feel that this book at times demystifies paganism for newcomers. This is not unlike some of the work I do demystifying academia for some of my students. So there I go again finding similarities between paganism, or at least my pagan path, and librarianship, or at least my path in the profession. Maybe I need to write on that a bit more sometime, but let us not digress now. 

On another side note, the passage to be honest, made me briefly reconsider if I should take down the small altar I keep in my work office. While it has not been an issue, there are moments I wish I was a bit less visible as a pagan because one never knows what may or not happen. For now, it can stay up. At any rate, people do have to step into my office and look at the back to see it. Most folks who visit my office either stay near the office entrance or sit in the consult area in front of my office, so no big deal. 

On an additional side note, my talk last spring at the campus Spiritual Seekers group I am sure added to my visibility, but I did walk into that voluntarily; the chaplain did ask nicely. But that is another thought for another time. 

 

Back to notes from the book, on the power of silence, which is something I find myself embracing more best I can: 

"Staying silent is a key principle of the Witches' Pyramid: To Know, To Will, To Be Silent" (183). 

On a side note, I know I've read that phrase elsewhere, but at the moment I can't recall where. 

 

Defining magic:

"At its most basic, magic is a specific goal or desire that you energetically propel to the Universe for completion by doing particular things a particular way. It is willfully directed, focused energy that results in change. Magic has three basic parts: intention, implementation, and manifestation" (187). 

 

Be specific with your magic works: 

"Don't leave too much interpretation up to Spirit, because it's wildly creative, and sometimes has a wicked sense of humor. Be specific" (191). 

As a devotee of the Cosmic Joker, learning this is a work in progress, though at times you just have to accept and embrace the Divine Humor. 

And speaking of the Divine Humor: 

"Bad shit happens. How we interpret and deal with that is what separates magical people from everyone else-- we're confident that Spirit diverted as much tragedy as possible. A magical, Pagan life doesn't mean everything will be charmed and wonderful from now on. You'll celebrate life's sweetness, but when it sours, you'll have extra coping skills: your magic and your Pagan perspective. Magic is available all the time and provides comfort when things are difficult and dark. We'll embrace joy and positivity, but when the water gets choppy, you can cling to your trust in Spirit. You're never truly alone. Spirit is always there. Always. 

Trust that the Universe has your back too" (198).

 

A reminder, do the work and practice: 

"Magic is a skill, and like any other skill from calligraphy to woodworking to juggling, you only become proficient with practice" (251).     

 

 

Book qualifies for the 2026 Netgalley/Edelweiss Reading Challenge: 

 

Book Review: The Outcast Dead

Graham McNeill, The Outcast Dead. Nottingham, UK: Black Library, 2011.  ISBN: 9781849700863.

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: Horus Heresy, Book 17

Format: e-book

Source: I own this one  

 

To be honest, I was already feeling lukewarm about this novel, but since I am reading through the series, I picked it up. It just did not really grab me, and it felt like a drag to read. 

Astropath Kai Zulane is sent back to Terra to rehabilitate from trauma. He arrives at the City of Sight, basically the headquarters of the Astra Telepathica. The Imperium may officially dislike psykers, but they sure depend on them and use them regularly for various things including space communications and navigation. The Astra Telepathica is a faction we rarely read about, and we are not going to get much about them in this book either. 

Kai is just not an interesting character, and to be honest I did not care for him much. I did not care that much for the other characters either nor their machinations. A lot is going as they are just finding out about Horus's betrayal. 

The other big event is the imperial arrest of the Crusader Host, an honor guard composed of members of all the 18 Space Marine legions. Since some of them of legions now considered traitors, they just arrest the whole group to be sure. A small group of them manages to escape, and they take Kai with them since he has a crucial secret in his mind. 

The novel just does not feel coherent. Also, as I mentioned, it is just not that interesting. The parts about the commoners eeking out a living around the imperial palace are not that much better either. Overall it's a cast of characters I found that I did not care for them. One ironic note, if you will, is that Roxanne reads history books that tell of poverty and inequality in the Old Earth (i.e. our time now); her tutors tell her this is all in the past, but given the slums now she can see nothing has really changed. 

This one that folks can skip and not miss much. Completists will likely read it anyway, so keep the expectations low. I would not recommend this. 

On a side note, McNeill's record for me in Horus Heresy books is mixed. I liked Mechanicum and Fulgrim well enough, but I did not care for Thousand Sons nor this book. (Links go to my reviews.) Still, I will be picking up the next book in the series down the road: Deliverance Lost. 

 

1 out of 5 stars.  

 

Book qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge: 

 

 

Book review: Esther's Army

Katie Gaddini, Esther's Army: the Christian women who power the American right. New York: W.W. Norton, 2026.

Genre: politics, women

Subgenre: U.S. politics, American history

Format: e-book galley

Source: Edelweiss Plus  

 

Let's start with a brief description of the book, from the publisher: 

"How and why right-wing Christian women have risen to the forefront of American politics."  

I read this book in part because I am a believer in knowing my enemy, and right wingers who seek take away my rights and those of others in my circle certainly are an enemy. Within that bunch, right wing conservative women are seriously dangerous. It is not because they are loud, boisterous, and carry guns-- though some do carry guns. It is because very often they use a wholesome motherhood image to manipulate others and get their way. I am getting ahead of myself, so let's look at the book. 

This book looks at the rise and powerful prominence of right wing Christian women in conservative politics in the United States. The book is arranged as follows: 

• An introduction.
• Six chapters. Each chapter covers one type of right wing conservative women: college women (mainly educated at Liberty University), Black conservative women, the "Mama Bears," the anti-feminist political powerhouses (who often, ironically perhaps, use feminist methods to get ahead without calling it that), the social media influencers, and the white suburbanites.
• An epilogue, notes, and an index. 

The author has an "in" into these women's world because she was a right wing Christian conservative woman. This was her world, so she knows their ways and language. She also still has contacts in that sphere, which facilitated her research. Unlike other "guided safari" books seeking to explain American conservatives, this author as a guide once was one of the natives so to speak. She knows her way around and how to speak to the current folks in that sphere. 

A strength in the book is how well the author embeds herself in these women's world. She does interviews. She connects and networks. She attends rallies and events. She observes, and she listens. She also let's the women talk and tell their stories. The author may comment or make some observations, but for the most part she allows the women to speak for themselves and show you who they really are. If you are a liberal, here's your warning that a lot of what these women say and do may cause you to cringe: a lot of it may confirm the concern that often the female is really the most dangerous of the species. 

Many Americans think right wing Christian women are brainwashed, submissive, and silent in relation to their husbands. There may be one or two women like that, but overall this book should disavow readers of that idea. These women, each in their own way, can and do wield a lot of power and influence while wrapping themselves in domesticity, motherhood, often using feminine charms (for example, Fox News blondes, read the book for details), and wrapping themselves in the American flag. These are complex women who use various tools and abilities, within a very misogynistic political realm, to rise in power and continue their right wing religious conservative agenda. Does it sound contradictory at times or paradoxical? That is part of the deal. 

The book if anything reveals that while some women may be conservative due to family raising, for others it is a more active choice, often to preserve or gain some power and/or privilege. Thing is they do so while making the men believe they are going along in the submission, but in reality they got the control in their realms. 

Another strength of the book is that the author blends in history with current events. These women and their power politics did not just suddenly appear. These women are the successors of conservative Christian women who came before them. Some of those names, like Anita Bryant, you might recognize or recall, but others may be new to you. 

Another thing the book does, from the view of conservatives, is point out constant mistakes Democrats make and why Democrats often low key certain votes like the women vote. Now, Democrats can gripe all they want, but the observations are not wrong. Republicans wooing this women vote know women care for issues other than abortion and feminist theory, and they calibrate their message accordingly. To be honest, a lot of Democrat damage is self-inflicted, and they refuse to listen. 

The book is a relatively easy read. It is accessible and well documented. It pretty much read it a chapter at a time, and the narrative just moved along. 

Overall, I think this is a good solid read. We often hear of conservative men and Christian right wing men. The women are not just at the side of those men. As this book shows, they are often ahead of the men, even if the men don't quite realize it. Liberals and the Left really need to read this book and heed its lessons. One reason is that very often these women cannot find a place in the American Left, and the Right is more than happy to fill the void for them. 

 In the end, for some this may not be an easy read, but it is a necessary read. Recommended for public and academic libraries. Academic programs in political science, U.S. history and politics, religion, and women and gender studies may want this book. I'd order it for our library. 

 4 out of 5 stars. 

Additional reading notes:  

On the women who got Trump his second presidential term:  

"They pulled it off, I thought.  From the Mama Bears who prayed at state capitals for the past year, in driving rain, swirling snow, and blistering heat; the social media influencers who gathered millions of followers and praised Trump's commitment to make America healthy again; the White suburbanites, who warned their Bible study friends that immigrants were flooding the southern border and assaulting women and girls; the Black activists who traveled door-to-door in Alabama, explaining to other African Americans that Trump understood them, that he too faced an unfair, biased criminal justice system; the college women who convinced other students that Trump would recognize only two genders; and the powerhouses, who ran for office so they could carry out Trump's mandate on the local level, to ensure his second administration wouldn't be hindered by any obstacles" (2) 

As I often say, give the devil their due: they sure can organize and play the serious long game. This is an area where Democrats fail miserably, especially in recent times. Also note that when critics say Trump has a "woman problem," it mostly means left leaning liberal woman. As the above shows, he certainly did not have a "woman problem" with women in his base. As the author goes on to write, 

"...he made gains with almost every group of women, including  those who are Black, White, Latina, and Gen Z" (2). 

To be honest, in my humble opinion, if he had not done stupid stuff like starting an unnecessary war, he'd likely have kept the GOP in full lockstep instead of the party's current fragmentation. 

 

On the contradictions of right-wing women. I would add that those women suffer from some serious cognitive dissonance: 

"These results are even more puzzling when you consider that some of these voters disavow feminism yet borrow from feminist rhetoric and strategy to make their political claims. They praise intensive, stay-at-home motherhood, yet frequently prioritize their political careers over their kids. Many work to reform the country's public education system, yet send their own kids to private Christian schools (or homeschool them).  They are simultaneously disadvantaged by womanhood within their religious communities and deeply committed to advancing them" (3). 

By the way, the word "reform" above is doing a lot of charitable work given what these women really do regarding public education. While the author does not demonize these women, she certainly can be very sympathetic and charitable to them and their agendas. This is likely a reflection that she used to be one of them. 

 

How these women perceive themselves: 

"They perceive themselves to be maligned and misunderstood by the Left, like a minority faction under siege; they feel that their place in the country's social order is being dismantled" (7). 

Translation: their privilege is not what it used to be, and they're pissed about it. Plus the usual Christian persecution complex among right wingers. 

 

Christian conservative women over history: 

"Christian conservative moms campaigned against American intervention in World War II in the late thirties, protested busing policies in the fifties and sixties, fought against abortion in the seventies, porn in the eighties, and sex education in the nineties. Often these conservative women explicitly cited their role as mothers to claim a moral authority over their political concerns. Other times, it was just insinuated" (45). 

So basically they've been historically on the wrong side of just about every issue for decades. They justified it themselves by embracing the Christian mom label, and everyone else be damned.  

 

 Book qualifies for 2026 Netgalley/Edelweiss Reading Challenge. 

 

 

Deck Review: Golden Masquerade Tarot

Golden Masquerade Tarot.  Florida: Craft Cards Store. (No ISBN on item; link to publisher. You can also find their decks on Amazon).

Genre: Tarot, cartomancy

Subgenre: carnival, masquerade, independent deck

Format: kit with small book and deck

Source: I own this one  

Two of Swords

I first used this deck in March 2026. This is one of those decks I found by serendipity. In other words, I was looking for something else online, and this came as a suggestion. For a devotee of the Cosmic Joker like me, a deck with a carnival and masquerade theme made sense. So between that and a reasonable to me price for an indie deck I decided to get it. 

Let me get an issue out of the way. A reviewer or two on Amazon have speculated this deck may be AI art. The company neither confirms nor denies, and take an Amazon review for what it may be worth. If the speculation had been confirmed I might have avoided it, but it looked nice enough, and I did not hear about the issue until I got it and used it. This is one where I will let readers decide about the deck. I am reviewing it as I used it. 

The kit comes with a small paperback companion book and the 78-card deck. The book has 96 pages, and it is very basic. It is arranged as follows: 

• How to use the cards. Brief advice on how to use and read the cards. 
• Traditional full Tarot deck. Just a very brief description of a Tarot deck's structure.
• Reversed card position interpretation. A small list of ways to interpret reversals if you choose to use them. 
• Card entries. We get the Major Arcana entries followed by Minor Arcana entries by suit: wands, cups, swords, and pentacles. All entries have same content: a paragraph of upright interpretations and another paragraph for reversed interpretations. 

The book is very basic. Card entries offer basic interpretations and nothing more. No symbols, card descriptions, nor any other additional details are offered. No illustrations are included. It is as plain as they come, but it does the job if you need some guidance. Can you read the cards without the book? Yes, most likely. I read it anyhow, and I can say it can be optional. 

The cards look quite nice, and if you like the carnival and masquerade theme, you might like this deck too. The art is colorful, yet a bit muted; it is not bright art. The faces show a range of emotions. Most faces will have a mask somehow, which can include face painting. IN the end, the deck worked well for me. 

The Magician-I

The card art falls within Rider Waite Smith (RWS) tradition, but there are some cards that do a bit of their own thing. Given the detailed art, which is a bit playful, I'd say it can work for intuitive readers. 

The deck worked for me when I was using it. It it is a decent reader for me. Would I use it again? Yes, I would use it again down the road. This is a deck you could use year round. Not sure yet if I can use it with other decks such as oracle decks, though as I think about it now, a deck like the Divine Circus Oracle could work with this one. I may need to work with the deck a bit more to see what other decks I could use in combination. 

The cards measure about 4 3/4 inches by 2 3/4 inches. The card stock is a bit on the thick side. The thick card stock does feel durable. The art has a soft matte finish, and the cards shuffle with relative ease. The card art is borderless. The deck features a golden gilding. Art on the card back is reversible. 

4 out of 5 stars.