Rating: 
Summary: The ULTIMATE Book of Shadows
Review: My roomate just resently bought this book. It's definally the Ultimate Book of Shadows for young Witches. Once you've picked it up it's hard to put down. It has everything, a very good reference book. Lots of information. My only problems with it is, that it's called Solitary Witch, but many of the recipes are obviously ment for large groups of people. But that's easily overlookable.
Rating: 
Summary: It's big, but.....
Review: The size of the book will grab your attention. The contents are something to be desired though. This book is a very good example of what happens when you take a lot of "new age" garbage and put the word Wicca or Witch in front of it.It is marketed for the teen. It does more to blur the lines of Wicca and Witchcraft than it does to explain it. Simply, there are other books out there that do a better job. A lot of other books. Save your money.
Rating:
Summary: All ye who enter here are in trouble
Review: I had read some titles by Silver RavenWolf, and purchased this one. I can NOT recommend this book to anyone is good conscience, and I have so many problems with this book; I hardly know where to begin. Ms. RavenWolf is into getting you to practise her spells instead of giving you the knowledgs and tools to write your own. Simply reading the words without your intent and energy behind them; you might as well say Hocus pocus!, Shazam!, Abracadabra!, etc. I am very disturbed by the fact that the author did not even devote one sentence to discussion of the Rede, and teaching the newbies the "ethics" of magic. All magic has a boomerang effect. What you send out is visited on you. I need to speak to a few matters in the book. Page 20: "She is the Maiden, Mother and Crone, Shr is the sacred trinity of all religions, Indeed, She is the Holy Ghost" I am a devout Pagan, and have no love lost for the religion calling itself "christianity" today. However; this sounds as if the author is trying to confuse young people that Wicca is compatible with "christianity". Before a person has reached adulthood; Neither I nor anyone else have the right to interfere with the spiritual guidance of your parents or guardians. Page 122: altar layout illustration The altar layout is entirely too complex. Many people do not have all of the tools or feel the need for some of them. Do not become concerned that you can't do magick because you do not have hundreds of $ to spend on tools. Start where you are. Cut a limb from a tree and use it as a wand, use tealight or votive candles, use a kitchen knife for an athame, pick up two rocks to represent the God and Goddess, you might visit yard sales, and pick up ceramic figurines of birds, etc. Page 173: "Most magical people begin working with totem animals by choosing their favorite creature." I thought this was to be a book about Wicca instead of a book on Shamanism. Furthermore; the totem animal chould choose to work with you; not the other way around. Page 320: "Reiki is s channeled form of energy healing that originated in Japan" I am a Master/Teacher or higher in five different forms of Reiki, and can state categoricaly that Reiki is not part of the Wicca system or vice versa. Page 372: "To understand where the concept of demons comes from, we have to look deep into history and the split between the Pagan belief system and Christian superstition used as a vehicle to control the people." I have no use for "christianity", but I am deeply offended that the author gives her belief credence; but relegate "christianity" to superstition. Page 435: "Citrine Purpose: Anti-nightmare, protection, psychism". The Author has Citrine and Amethyst confused here. Citrine is healing, and works withthe 2nd and third chakras. Citrine is one of four stones that do not need to be cleansed of negativity. The other three stones are Kyanite, Obsidian, and Selenite I sincerely recommend that you leave this book on the book shelf. If you are insterested in Wicca; see my Wicca listmania list, or investigate the writings of Scott Cunningham, Amber K, Marian Green, Paul Tuitean and Estelle Daniels, and Dorothy morrison.
Rating: 
Summary: Eh...
Review: When I saw this book, I said "Hey, that's a big book." That's the main reason it was worth the $... It was a bit better than most of her books. She still seems to be talking to teens, despite her saying it was for both beginners and the experienced. She also continues to make the same mistake of using the words witch and Wiccan interchangably. Still, she did her research on this one, so it isn't too bad.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book but not the best
Review: How many times can the same thing be said in a different way? Well, apparently at least one more time. I have to admit that this book is not as nice as author's usual work. And although Silver's writings appear to still be targeting the Teen Market.
i have nothing wrong with this but one thing and reason i gave it a 3 is the fact true folks, magickal timing is very important in rites. i think for some people who are new to craft they might go "huh" in that chapter i thought for some newbies may get lost and the book does give ref's in back but expect to spend more to understand i think that moon phases are important but when she talks about planets on day of week and month may confuse some reading who bought this book as their first book
Still, I think some of the topics covered in this book like spells for acne, which would have been great for her teen witch book. But i do like her open mindedness on her writing but some of things in her book maybe be alittle to advanced for a person new to craft. Still overall not bad a book was fun to read but i bought this book to see her style of writing and view on craft not bad but not a end all on the craft but as for acne spell issue if it work great for you just view all book as a author opinion. Her eclectic style was nice to see. Not best beginner guide but not the worst and some nice imfo overall. Blessed Be:
Rating:
Summary: Not a bad book
Review: Solitary Witch: The Ultimate Book of Shadows Not a bad book over all some of ideas are nice and fun way of looking at things, However some of parts in book on magickal timing are a royal pain for a teen and even for a newbies to the craft I been practicing the craft for 10 years and looking for books to teacher my students. I have quite of few books in my courses but this book is cute and can help teens but not everone is a teen either if she wanted acne spell then she needed to put teen witch book.I do agree with her on some points using creativity in rites is a great idea but some of stuff seems to complex for some (hint) Some of most powerful,effective rites come from within. like all books they are opinions take them at face value and use what works for you.
Blessed Be;
Rating: 
Summary: variety of information
Review: I'm a beginner, and although some people have mentioned that this is a better reference book than a beginner's book, I found it a nice blend of both. The index has every topic I could think of. The best part is that this book incorporates different spiritual ideas besides just Wicca, such as Reiki, which I found very helpful. A lot of the information is pretty basic, but she makes it easy to understand, and encourages readers to read more about the areas that we're interested in. It's not a structured book, which is a nice change and allows the reader to explore on his/her own. I recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Pass the blender please!
Review: If you're looking for a re-hashed conglomerate of all the books on the craft out there, then go ahead and buy this book. Here, Silver has successfully minced up her old works, thrown in some bogus information to taste, and hit the puree button on the proverbial blender. Personally, I wouldn't bother with the investment. I borrowed the book from a friend, and returned it disgusted, not wanting to buy it for myself. In this book, there are places where Silver begins to Christanize some of the Pagan ideas... in my opinion, she's just selling out her craft. If you're looking to get started in the craft, I would absoluely recommend some of her earlier books, like "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" and "To Stir a Magick Cauldron." These books are excellent, and essential additions to the library of any serious Witch. This new book, however, is defiently one that my bookshelf will be happier without!
Rating: 
Summary: Umm....
Review: For what the book offers it is well organized and useful in format. Unfortunately the material itself is the standard watered-down and distorted Craft content designed for teens that we've seen time and time again. There is however something curious that arises in this book. Here Ravenwolf presents the Charge of the Goddess, and remarks that this version appeared in The Grimoire of Lady Sheba (published in 1972). However, she alters the original text without indicating this was done. This is not only extremely improper protocol for an author when quoting another, but also raises the question of professional ethics. The omitted passage originally read "...and as a sign that ye be really free, ye shall be naked in your rites and ye shall sing..." Ravenwolf alters the text to read "...and as a sign that ye be really free, ye shall sing..." While the author is certainly entitled to her own inhibitions, this does not extend to altering the meaning of another author's work. On page 71 Ravenwolf writes about ritual nudity (skyclad) saying: "...skyclad has fallen out of favor in most Wiccan groups." which is apparently wishful thinking on the part of this author. All in all the book is essentially a compilation of the author's earlier works, promoting "Next Generation Witchcraft" which is the author's own invention and is tailored to attract the teen market whose disposable income is a target for many.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Mislabled & Often Inaccurate...
Review: I would have given this particular vitrol 0-stars, if I could have. *sigh* Because, it's not worth the money for it, while there are so many much better books out there! By such authors as Laurie Cabot, Janet & Stewart Farrar, and Doreen Valiente, etc. (All of whos work I emphatically recommend!) Now, I will admit that, although it truly isn't saying a whole lot, it is better than her previous books. Because, we should truly expect much better from authors amid the Pagan community! And, it is in this vein with which I write this review. Frankly, as a Witch, I cannot imagine that she would have called this book any "Ultimate Book of Shadows", because it certainly is no (truth be known) workable Book Of Shadows, becauyse of what simply is not within it's pages! If you look at any of the Outer Court Material (pre-Initiate training & published Books of Shadows) or the material from various Books of SHadows (such as Gardners or the Farrars' books) you'll see exactly what I'm referring to. This alleged "Ultimate Book of Shadows" bears no resemblance to treating Wtchcraft as a religion, and is sadly a disservice. Also, in that vein, there were several inaccuracies, which I would like to take the time to correct: * The majority of it can be found in her previous books, about 80-90%, in fact! * She makes several errors, such as stating that "Rede" is old english in origin. When, in fact, it is Saxon in origin and means "counsil" or "advice". * And, another error is that she claims "Theoretically, black is not a colour- it's the absense of light." Not so- according to physics. As it was told to me by a Physics tutorial, the reason we percieve an asphalt road as black (their example) is because it's sub-atomic structure is pulling in and absorbing every frequency and colour in the spectrum! So, yes, black is a colour- it's the combonation of all colours! Or, put another way, black is the result of total light wave absorption! * She also makes a mockery of The Science Trad. of Witchcraft which I follow! And, her so-much as claiming to have studied physics is odd when one see's that she referrs to the reader over & over as an "observer". When according to physicists we are a "participator". And, the very word "observer" MUST be written off the books! This is one of the first things I learned in studying The Science Tradition of Witchcraft, founded by Laurie Cabot (I have also read the works of a variety of very well respected physicists and the latest theories thereof). Not to mention the fact that she severly downplays physics, entirely, stating that it's just simple processes, rather than using it to explain a Universe which makes sense to The Witch, which it can (and has) done! * Her history wasn't very good. After all, why read a paraphased version of history, by mere quotes from Hutton's work, rather than reading the whole book? You'd be better for it. He's a ttrue scholar, albeit biased (he once mistranslated Cerridwen's name to mean "Crooked Woman"). Although, that doesn't mewan there is no value to his books- quirte the opposite! "The Stations Of the Sun" and "The Triumph of the Moon" ought to be on every dedicated Witch's library! * Her alleged "spells" are off kilter, often, as well. Many of them are not, in actuality, "Wiccan" (which is what they are labled as). The majprity of them are, in fact, Pow-Wow Folm Magic (note how I've spelled magick). And, another thing, which would make some very Traditional Witch's gasp in horror (if I may be perfectly blunt) is that many of them call, for a red plastic dinner plate, and other el-cheap-o, unnatural, and non-religious items. Becauise, quite bluntly, non-natural items cannot hold a psychic charge for any real length of time. And, this is a religion, remember. We don't use plastic dixy cups to pour out our libation to The Gods, after all!
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