I love Matyszak’s way of non-fiction story-telling, making antiquity highly accessible. The subject of this particular work is also very dear to me, and I can’t believe I missed it. Come to think about it, looking at the publication date, I can’t help but wonder if he wrote it specifically for me after an online conversation we had about ghost stories, around the time I wrote In Numina. (I know he didn’t, but it certainly feels like it 😊)

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Quick aside: did you know that two of my short stories have been published in the just-released anthology It Takes A Village? Two stories, one sci-fi and one fantasy, about the meaning of caring for others. If you care about social justice, you owe it to yourself to check it out!

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What to Expect

Matyszak focuses on the ancient’s mindset, where magic wasn’t quite the “super”-natural thing it is today, but woven into every aspect of life (such as the lack of any distinction between medicine and magic). This review is written charmingly and engagingly, with lots of “practical” advice, albeit with the warning that “readers do not try such a ritual at home. At best, the experiment will fail, wasting both your time and several bucketloads of sheep’s blood. At worst – you might succeed.”

The areas covered are talking to the dead (both how and why you might want to), the various people who practiced it and the various types of magic, the slim distinction between love potions and curses, mythological beasts and how to use them, defending oneself and loved ones from all the dark arts flying about, and divining the future.

The people and techniques covered are from all over the Greco-Roman world, from mythological heroes and witches like Jason and Medea, to real-life people who studied the natural world like Pliny and Cicero. He brings in many samples from varied sources, and presents them in an engaging way.

What I liked

I love Matyszak works in general, for making antiquity so accessible. Using fictional non-fiction, he tell a story as much as he teaches. He makes the subject feels relevant, familiar, and interesting.

Felix’s Review

Felix agrees with the general sentiment, but — coming from a world where those were indeed real — had some quibbles on details. He knows for a fact (having done so in Murder In Absentia) exactly how to use the various inner organs of a griffin for spells, and how to cut down on those long-winded invocations to reach the parts that matter. He admires Matyszak for his research into the original sources, but postulates that perhaps this is the reason why magic doesn’t work as predictably in our world as it does in his.

Summary

On a personal level, it’s heartening to see how much I got right in building the world of Egretia. I knew I’d never be a scholar and get all historical details right, and instead always focused on the mindset and the question of “what if” the magic was real. I’m quite proud of the result, as this work confirms I got it right.

It’s a fun, quick read that will help anyone with an interest in classical antiquity to better get into the minds of those lived then (both figuratively, and — with the right spells — literally). Highly recommended.

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Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He’s the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.

Come meet Felix and his world on the free short stories and novels!