Savoy Brown is a British blues rock band formed in the 1960s. Their music is characterized by a unique blend of blues, rock, and even hints of folk. One of their most enchanting songs is "Witchy Feelin'," which captures the essence of their sound and takes the listener on a mystical journey. From the opening chords, "Witchy Feelin'" sets a haunting and captivating tone. The combination of Kim Simmonds' powerful guitar riffs and the atmospheric organ creates an otherworldly feel. The song's slow and steady tempo adds to the enchanting ambiance, allowing the listener to sink deeper into the music.
Magic Marks the Spot is fun, light and a delight to read. It’s a linear narrative but peppered throughout (at the end of each chapter) with clippings from newspapers, excerpts from guides (like the “Young Lady’s Guide to Augustan Society” or “Treasure Hunting for Beginners”) as well as the incredibly awesome letters between Hilary and Clare – all of those adding important backstory without cumbersome in-story info-dumping.
Magic Marks the Spot is set in an alternate world where the world s greatest treasure is magic ore which can be transformed and adapted to be used by the ones lucky enough to possess it. Caroline Carlson s hilarious tween novel The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates 1 Magic Marks the Spot is perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket s Series of Unfortunate Events and Trenton Lee Stewart s Mysterious Benedict Society.
The song's slow and steady tempo adds to the enchanting ambiance, allowing the listener to sink deeper into the music. The lyrics of "Witchy Feelin'" further enhance the song's mystical aura. The words paint vivid images of witches, spells, and magic.
Mark of the Fool: I love it.
TLDR: I am such a sucker for good magic academy books, and this is one of the greats. So much depth, so much character development, and done so gracefully.
Tags: in-progress, magic school
Links: OG Review · Amazon · Goodreads · Royal Road
As of writing this review, I have read the KU release and up to chapter 200, which is about half-way through the available chapters.
So here's the premise: Alex Roth is one of five chosen Heroes that need to defeat a reoccurring villain: The Ravener. Alex, however, is the Fool. His Mark, instead of making him a combat savant, powerful spellcaster, etc, makes him really great at learning things that are outside of combat and spellcasting… but will actively interfere with his abilities if they are not.
Instead of playing the Fool, Alex, his sister, and romantic interest Theresa leave the country, to study in the great wizard academy in Generasi.
The Mark is a great premise, simple to understand and something no doubt all of us would wish for in our own personal lives. After all, I don't have much use for combat these days, but man would the Mark help me in my professional career. Hell, just having something that would help me remember a paper I read ten minutes ago would be magical enough for me. Anyway, the mark helps Alex too, and he pulls ahead in his academic subjects, while inventively trying to solve the whole "no combat" side of his Mark by—sometimes literally—dancing around combative behaviour. Of course, no real details, because spoilers, but I really appreciated how innovative the approach to fights is.
Once we get to the academy, the stakes for the book lower, and if you don't like books with classes, coursework, and all that comes with it, you will not have a good time. As it turns out though, I bloody love that stuff, and so I devoured the first book, saw the second book was not available on KU, grumbled to myself, and jumped onto Royal Road. The characters are distinct, people have their own motivations outside the MC, characters grow as people, grow in power, and some (like Alex's sister, Selina) also grow in height.
I read over some prior reviews to see what others though, and most of the RR complaints are about pacing. So let's be clear here: I'm 200 chapters in (about 3 hefty novels worth), and yes, we still haven't returned to the overarching fight against the Ravener. I, personally, do not care, but if you are one who doesn't mind school arcs but doesn't want to be consumed by them… fair warning.
If you liked Arcane Ascension, you'll love this. Similarly, if you enjoyed Mage Errant, The Scholomance Series, Forge of Destiny, The Enchanter, Art of the Adept or other school/academy/sect focused books, give this one a try.
Pirates! Magic! Treasure! A gargoyle? Caroline Carlson’s hilarious tween novel The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates #1: Magic Marks the Spot is perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events and Trenton Lee Stewart’s Mysterious Benedict Society. Hilary Westfield has always dreamed of being a pirate. She can tread water for thirty-seven minutes. She can tie a knot faster than a fleet of sailors, and she already owns a rather pointy sword. There’s only one problem: The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates refuses to let any girl join their ranks of scourges and scallywags. But Hilary is not the kind of girl to take no for answer. To escape a life of petticoats and politeness at her stuffy finishing school, Hilary sets out in search of her own seaworthy adventure, where she gets swept up in a madcap quest involving a map without an X, a magical treasure that likely doesn’t exist, a talking gargoyle, a crew of misfit scallywags, and the most treacherous—and unexpected—villain on the High Seas. Written with uproarious wit and an inviting storyteller tone, the first book in Caroline Carlson’s quirky seafaring series is a piratical tale like no other..
They evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue, drawing the listener into a world where anything is possible. The vocal delivery is both evocative and soulful, with the singer pouring their emotions into every word. Throughout the song, the band showcases their exceptional musicianship. Each instrument has its moment to shine, with solos that are both impressive and full of emotion. The guitar solos, in particular, are masterfully crafted, showcasing Kim Simmonds' technical prowess and ability to convey a wide range of emotions through his playing. "Witchy Feelin'" is more than just a song—it's an experience. It takes the listener on a journey through a world full of magic and mystery. The enchanting feel of the music, combined with the evocative lyrics and exceptional musicianship, creates a captivating and immersive listening experience. For fans of Savoy Brown, "Witchy Feelin'" is a perfect example of their unique sound. It embodies the band's ability to blend blues, rock, and folk into something truly special. Even for those new to the band, this song is a gateway into their enchanting world. In conclusion, Savoy Brown's "Witchy Feelin'" is a song that captivates the senses and transports the listener to a place of enchantment. The combination of haunting music, evocative lyrics, and exceptional musicianship creates a truly mesmerizing listening experience. Whether you're a long-time fan of the band or new to their music, "Witchy Feelin'" is a must-listen for anyone who enjoys the beauty and mystery of blues rock..
Reviews for "The Enigmatic Charms of Savoy Brown's Witchy Feel: A Musical Exploration"
1. Jane - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Enchanting feel of savoy brown witchy feelin". I found the whole album to be quite dull and monotonous. The songs all seemed to blend together and lacked any distinctiveness or originality. Additionally, the lyrics were uninspiring and seemed half-hearted. Overall, this album failed to captivate me and left me feeling bored and unimpressed.
2. Mark - 2 stars
I wanted to like "Enchanting feel of savoy brown witchy feelin", but I struggled to connect with the music. While I appreciate the attempt to create a witchy atmosphere, I found the songs to be too repetitive and lacking in depth. The melodies felt predictable and the overall sound was underwhelming. Although there were some moments that showed potential, the album as a whole failed to deliver a truly enchanting experience.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Enchanting feel of savoy brown witchy feelin" but was left feeling disappointed. The album lacked originality and the songs felt like generic imitations of other, more successful artists. The production also felt lackluster, with poor mixing and mastering. While there were a few enjoyable moments, overall, the album felt uninspired and forgettable. It's a shame because I really wanted to like it, but it just didn't live up to my expectations.
4. Tom - 1 star
"Enchanting feel of savoy brown witchy feelin" was a complete miss for me. The songs lacked any depth or substance, and the entire album felt like a forgettable background noise. The vocals were unremarkable at best, and the instrumentation failed to create any sort of atmosphere or emotion. I found myself waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never came. Overall, this album was a disappointment and I cannot recommend it.