Book Review: Darth Vader-- Legacy's End

Charles Soule, et.al., Star Wars. Darth Vader, dark lord of the Sith, Volume 2: Legacy's End. New York: Marvel, 2018.  ISBN: 9781302907457.

Genre: Star Wars, science fiction

Subgenre: Darth Vader series

Format: trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library  

 

This is part of Charles Soule's run on the Darth Vader comics. This volume features two stories. 

The main story is Vader's hunt for Jocasta Nu. Jocasta was the Jedi librarian, and while she is barely a fighter, her knowledge of the Jedi and their library makes her valuable and a threat to the Empire. She strives to stay ahead as she works urgently to preserve what she can of Jedi knowledge. 

The second story has a couple of mercenaries who have a contract to kill Vader. Who would dare we might ask? When Vader discovers the contract may have come from Coruscant, the imperial capital, things may get complicated.  

I liked the stories, but there was a moment or two I honestly questioned a character or two. At one point, Jocasta has to break into the Jedi temple for some information. She is doing well, about to get away with it, when she notices one of Vader's inquisitors reading some books. Instead of just ignoring it and moving on, she decides to be upset and confront the guy pawing her books. Lady, you had one job to do. They guy was totally unaware of your presence, and instead you decide to play pissy librarian. Needless to say the story goes downhill for her from there. It's not often I get annoyed at characters doing stupid shit, but this was some really stupid shit. 

The second story was good enough, with just enough action and intrigue to keep you reading. 

Overall, I liked the volume. It was a nice and light read, and I read it pretty fast. Would've liked to see more of the librarian, but that did not last. We get a couple of stories that keep the series going, but nothing terribly memorable. This is one to read and move on. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

Qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge: 

 

In 2025, my year in books tag

I saw this prompt over at Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub, and I wrote notes for it in my notebook. I then, as life often happens, forgot to post it on the blog here. I recently was looking through my writing notebook and found it, so I decided to go ahead and post it now. I suppose late is better than never. Prompts are as provided; the books are ones I read last year. Links go to my reviews of the books. 

• 2025 was the year of . . . Lies that kill. 
• In 2025, I wanted to be. . . Be More Vader. 
• In 2025, I was. . . Talking with the Tarot. 
• In 2025, I gained. . .  Fulfillment. 
• In 2025, I lost. . .  The Diary of a Bookseller. 
• In 2025, I loved. . . Hekate: Goddess of Witches. 
• In 2025, I hated. . . Ghost Station. 
• In 2025, I learned. . . The Internet Con. 
• In 2025, I was surprised by. . . Why I Love Horror. 
• In 2025, I went. . . (to the) Eerie Archives (Volume 3). 
• In 2025, I missed out on . . . (being) Hoodwinked. 
• In 2025, my family were. . . Burned by Billionaires. 
• In 2026, I hope it will be . . . Cryptic. 

 

If you did this tag and posted it, feel free to share a link with me, and I will go over and check it out. I am always curious what other people are reading out there. Or if you got any comments, feel free to write them down below.  

 

  

Book Review: Magic from the Hilltops and Hollers

Leah Middleton, Magic from the Hilltops and Hollers. Newburyport, MA: Weiser Books, 2025. 9781578638802.

Genre: witchcraft, magic, folk

Subgenre: regional, memoir

Format: trade paperback

Source: Hutchins Library, Berea College 

I recently finished reading this book that takes you deep into Appalachian roots, magic, and folklore. The author, a practitioner of Appalachian folk magic and a traditional witch, takes us on a regional tour where we learn the lore and its magic. 

The book is arranged as follows: 

• A foreword by Rebecca Beyer, author of the book Wild Witchcraft. (Worldcat link).  
• A note to the reader. 
• An introduction.
• Seven chapters. Topics covered include an overview of the region and its history, witchery, folk healing, and a sampling of regional tales. 
• Epilogue.
• A list of references. You may want to consider some of the sources on this list for further reading. 

This may be one of the nicest books I've read this year. It is accessible and easy to read. It often feels like you are sitting in a rocking chair on a porch listening to an elder share their experiences, their magic, and the knowledge they wish to pass on. The author starts with a regional overview of the people and land. By now I've read a few books about Appalachia, and the regional overview for outsiders is pretty much a requirement. The author manages to make it an interesting read. After that she delves into various folk and magical topics. 

This is a book that draws you in, and you just keep on reading.  You can tell the author has a passion, a devotion, and respect for the region, the land, its people, and the practices. 

I'd say if you need an entry point into the region's folk witchery and magic, this book can provide a start. If you are just curious about the topic, want to read some stories, and learn more, this may be for you as well. If you are like and wish to learn more as a transplant, this book can be for you. 

Overall, I highly recommend this book, especially if you have local interest. I do recommend it for public and academic libraries. My library ordered it, mainly for the regional interest. For me, it was worth reading to learn about some traditions in a land I call home now.

5 out of 5 stars. 

Additional reading notes: 

The author tells us this is not an academic book. Rather it is. . . 

"This is more of a love letter to the mountain magic that survives here and an exploration of how it came to be, and how it can be applied today in a modern folk practice. Understanding the people's history is essential to understanding the foundations of any folk magical practice" (10). 

From her tone and how she writes you can just feel that love. And I've heard that elsewhere and learned it, how in order to understand a people's magic and/or understanding a people in general you need to study and understand their history. I suppose that is one thing I am doing in reading books like this: seeking to understand the people and their history. 

 

In mountain traditions, Christianity, in any number of forms, is not far behind, a lesson I've learned by now. The author now adds, or rather reminds us of animistic beliefs that weren't really left behind when Christianity came in, beliefs that the land is a living and breathing spirit. Practitioners, many of them, adapted accordingly: 

"The spiritual connection between the practitioner, the land, and their Lord established a dual religion-- a belief I like to refer to as mountain faith, where Christianity and animism meet" (67).

 

Purpose of the book: 

"The purpose of this book was not only to continue the conversation of these healing traditions, folkways, and magic, but also to provide a glimpse into Southern Appalachia's history by exploring the context of the ever-growing diverse culture. To dig into the depths of why and how" (213).  

 

Some books from the references list I would like to read, for the TBR list: 

• Casas, Starr, Old Style Conjure: Hoodoo, Rootwork, and Folk Magic. Weiser 2017.
• Harris, Jessica. High on the hog: a culinary journey from Africa to America. Bloomsbury, 2012.
• Hutchenson, Cory Thomas, Fifty-four devils: the art and folklore of fortune-telling with playing cards. 2013.  

 

This book qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge: 

 

Deck Review: Viking Oracle

Stacey Demarco and Jimmy Manton, Viking Oracle. Victoria, Australia: Blue Angel Publishing, 2017. ISBN: 978-0-9872041-4-1.

Genre: cartomancy, divination

Subgenre: Vikings and Norse

Format: card deck and small companion book

Source: I own this one  

 

Promo photo of deck box 

This kit includes a 45-card deck and a companion book. Part of the reason I picked this up is the creative team of Stacey Demarco (author) and Jimmy Manton (artist). They made decks such as the Earth Power Oracle and the Halloween Oracle (links to my reviews). This deck features Nordic runes and other Viking images. 

The book is simply organized. You get an introduction and the card entries. In the introduction, the author discusses her experience reading and learning about myths and eventually making it to Norse stories. We also get a very short overview of Norse mythology. If you are not familiar, consider supplementing the companion book with a good Norse myths and stories book. The introduction then describes the deck's structure, instruction on how to use the deck, and six card spreads. If you want to cast runes, you can do so by using the rune cards only. 

The card entries feature a small black and white image of a card, the card name and number, and interpretation text. For runes there is an explanation of the rune, message, reversed meaning, and element. For the remaining cards you get story and explanation. 

The book is a relatively easy read. A detail I liked was it includes a simple dedication ritual for the cards. The text overall provides the basics of Norse runes and other characters and places of Norse beliefs and stories. You get enough information to learn some basics and do divination with the deck. 

The card art is colorful. People are drawn in a bit of a muscular heroic style with a bit of stern expression on the faces. The faces show emotion, but they are mostly pretty serious. If you already got their decks like Gods and Titans Oracle Cards or Goddesses and Sirens Oracle Cards, it is the same style. For the record, I do not at this time have those two decks. 

I am not sure an intuitive reader can use this deck effectively. I tried reading it that way, but I did need to keep the book nearby. If you are not familiar with Norse myths or have a basic knowledge, like I do,  you'll need to study the book. 

I do like the art overall, but for me this was not an easy deck to use. I used it mostly for single card draws. I probably need to study the book further so I can use the deck for spreads down the road. I may need also to bring my Norse myths and stories book off the shelf to reread. 

The cards measure about 5 1/2 inches by 3 3/4 inches. The cards have a glossy coating that tends to stick, so the cards are not easy to shuffle. The card art in the back is nice, but it is not reversible thanks to a small art design on the warrior's shield. Had they left the shield plain the cards would have been reversible. 

I like the deck, but this is not a deck I see myself using regularly. It may be that I need to read and study more about Norse myths, runes, and stories, but for now not one I feel a need to reach for it. I am thinking I could try using it in combination with the Runic Tarot (link to my review). That Tarot deck does work well for me. While I am happy to have the Viking Oracle, I'd consider it a very optional deck. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

 

This kit qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge: 

 

 

Book Review: The Rose at War

Danie Ware, The Rose at War. Nottingham: Black Library, 2022.  

Genre: Warhammer 40,000, science fiction

Subgenre: Adepta Sororitas

Format: e-book

Source: I own this one  

This collection contains three short novels and five short stories. The tales feature Sister Augusta Santorus and her squad of Battle Sisters from the Order of the Bloody Rose. The stories are presented sequentially so we follow their adventures and missions in order. 

As in most collections, some stories are better than others. "Wreck and Ruin," the story featuring the inquisitor was a bit irritating for me since early on we figure that Inquisitor Istrix is pursuing a personal vendetta, one that cost the lives of a previous squad. Inquisitors in Warhammer 40K are often odious characters, and Istrix is no exception. So we keep reading this story hoping the sisters will make it alive somehow despite the inquisitor's obstinacy and incompetence, traits the inquisitor's enemy exploits. 

The short story "Da Big Mouf" offers a different view. We start with some orks in a space hulk. Initially I was curious why we get an ork's story in a collection of Adepta Sororitas stories. We soon realize there are Battle Sisters on board, and we see them from the orks' point of view. To the orks, the sisters searching for a relic are the invaders. The story was a cool idea. 

The stories are connected, so in a way you can read this book as one big novel. However, for the most part, you can read the stories on their own too. 

Action and pacing are pretty good. The squad has a good mix of personalities. The stories as a whole are entertaining, and the narrative keeps you reading. Even when a story is so-so, like "Wreck and Ruin," once you get past it the tales get better. 

Fans of the Adepta Sororitas will want to read this. For 40K fans wanting to read about Battle Sisters this may be a good entry point. For me it was fun reading that featured different missions from recon to solving a mystery in a convent. 

I really liked it, and I'd recommend it. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

This book qualifies for the following 2026 Reading Challenge: