I finished this on the eleventh of June, but wanted to weigh the story...then reality became extra crazy...and remains frightening.
Warning, the following is a long babbling review.
This read was good, yet nothing like I expected.
There's no rhyme or reason to which book I investigate, nor how much I investigate, before reading.
I didn't give this book much research beforehand. I had learned that it had been banned, possibly even burned.
👇🏼
pickQuite interesting story of Pueblo indians and their customs in old New Mexico before the Spanish came. The writing is somewhat old fashioned and it is rather long, but it is still worth reading if you are interested in the Pueblos. The story has heroes and villains and a love story. It does make you want to know more.
pickI really enjoyed this #DayOfTheDead #ThematicCozies book. I am hoping to find the next one on Libby :) --- Growing up, my family celebrates the Day of the Dead. My husband and I have tried to keep this tradition in VT with a little offering we keep in our home, but I really need to find a better area to put it in our home, so I can tend to it properly.
Pic is from a Doggie Church in VT that reminded me of home.
Would that be a Charley Davidson reference I spy 🤔
I love when authors include little easter eggs of their other other works.
pickEverett has a way of writing characters that just draws me in, even if the plot confuses me. I wish I could identify what it is he does because it's really effective. I really enjoyed this one, although when I got to the third story, I wondered if I'd been reading the whole thing wrong. In the first and third stories, Ogden had been in the army, and in the second, he'd been in the Marines; I assumed this was an oversight, but now I'm not sure.
I am trying out this old novel about cliff dwellers near Los Alamos, NM. Author was a scientist who died in 1914.
After a long day helping set up the high school gym for the Grad Night party, having an awesome time subbing a prealgebra class, and playing tennis with my spouse, I have a precious few minutes to read the tagged under a lovely sky before my kid is done with orchestra rehearsal.
Page 102-103
“Are you afraid?“ she asked in turn. She put her bowl aside and stared into my eyes.
“No,“ I said.
“Why?“
“I don't know,“ I said.
“I will tell you why,“ she smiled. “It is because good is always stronger than evil. Always remember that, Antonio. The smallest bit of good can stand against all the powers of evil in the world and it will emerge triumphant...“
#blessmeUltimareviewedbyanncrystal
#ThinkPositiveBePositive
#binspired
That was a mistake.
I had assumed this was a cozy fantasy about a boy and a magical, grandma-like character.
I mean, there's a kid, how bad could the story be?
This story was NOT a cozy. It's complex, and filled with tragedy.
At times, it feels current, from the prospective of a six year old boy...sometimes it feels removed, events being looked back upon.
1w
I did not like the notion that Ultima's fate was due to her using magic to “help.“
This felt based on the belief that all magic has a price.
Personally, I believe that whatever energies you send out into the world, is the energies that return to you. So be good, be positive, be helpful. The Threefold Law .
👇🏼
(edited) 1w
That Ultima helping was no different than cops protecting victims from perpetrators, lawyers defending clients, medical doctors saving patients, priests saving souls, or good old-fashioned self-defense, etc.
Personally, I do not believe that magic comes with a price when using for good, only when it is twisted into dark magic.
Ultima hadn't been the one to alter fates.
👇🏼
1w
I am Catholic, as known, my God is a jealous God.
Long ago, I came to believe that one can't cheat on a God. This belief allows me to acknowledge other Creators without fear of offending my own.
My mom also raised me to ask myself how I believe Jesus may weigh anything and everything I encountered in life, to ask myself this before seeking answers from our church. Right or wrong, only God Himself could judge me.
👇🏼
1w
I understood Antonio's questions and even his building doubts about the Catholic faith he was born with...
It would've been nice to see a bit more resolve with his Catholic understandings, just a little.
I guess that's unfair. Antonio is only six years old...
Faith is built with time and patience.
My only issue is it seemed strange that this book both penalized magic and critiqued the Catholic faith??
👇🏼
(edited) 1w
My reflections about the banning and burning of this book...
I always felt that when people take such dramatic actions against books, it is because they are trying to prove something to themselves. Believing if they prove their faith publicly, then maybe it would also prove their faith to God.
Again, this is my personal opinion.
As mentioned, I am Catholic. 1w
I'm not new to my faith
I've grown comfortable in my faith. I believe the only proof my God needs from me is the Love I feel for Him.
👇🏼
1w
I figure, hey, if my God can give justice, then I can believe that He can also pass a message of gratitude.
Therefore, I took no personal offense from this book as a Catholic.
Although, I would like to highlight that Catholics do believe that there is no true washing of sins without genuine remorse.
👇🏼 (edited) 1w
I only know English, but have picked up a few words over the years.
It didn't feel like it hindered the storyline, at least not for me. I felt it added atmosphere.
I love stories with healers, and this is my first read with a Curandera...I absolutely loved Ultima.
The New Mexico setting was fully detailed.
There are book warnings 📚⚠️👇🏼.
1w
Child threatened.
Drowning death of a child.
Bullying.
(edited) 1w
#blessmeultimareviewedbyanncrystal
#bannedbooks (edited) 1w