Light Love Rituals: Bulgarian Myths, Legends, and Folklore by Ronesa Aveela

Light Love Rituals: Bulgarian Myths, Legends, and Folklore Reviews

• 
  Neil Campbell

  Let there be light
  
  Brought up in the perpetual gloom of an Edinburgh manse in an atmosphere of ultra-strict Calvinism one is reminded, while reading this exquisite book, that whatever energies the Reformation might have released, it isolated a large slice of mankind from spirit nourishing ritual and ceremony. My soul opened up to the celebrations of the numinous in every aspect of life recounted here.
  
  Under no circumstances should one presume to label any of the beliefs and practices so delightfully described as irrational. Integrated with nature and the supernatural, and informed with recognition of the underlying divinity of all phenomena, each ritual possesses its own logic, rooted in poetic truth of practices which incorporate the breathing pores and beating heart of humanity.
  
  'After the horse race, girls collect the first rain that pools in the hoof prints. They use this or straw from the manger when they wash their hair – guaranteed to make their hair grow long and thick like a horse’s mane.' Guaranteed, yes, of course. What else? One just knows this will work. In the context, the advice makes sense, and what is life if not context? Snakes and birds represent the continuation of life and eternity, their shedding skin and moulting of feathers representative of life, death, and rebirth. Of course, that too. Whether of feasting or fasting the underlying theme is celebration, of love, life, of being alive, of family, continuity. ‘Without plenty of crops our ancestors would starve’.
  
  Provision is made for every mishap and hazard. Nothing is left to chance, no contingency is unprovided for and should such arise, the resourcefulness, ingenuity and wit of these imaginative descendants of Thrace can be relied on to provide a suitable preventative or remedy.
  
  One is struck by the detailed spiritual management of every aspect of their time and environment and the beauty of their traditions, the good cheer, the can-do approach. Each ritual possesses a practical side too. Not only does smoke expel evil spirits and demons from the home but also spiders and snakes, though not the snake which protects the family from harm and lives under the threshold by the front door.
  
  The word that continually springs to mind while reading this enchanting, sun-orientated, life affirming, book is beauty, an impression renewed on every page.
  
  I received a copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.
  
  
• 
  Lisa Reads & Reviews

  
  It is best to approach this as a work of nonfiction where the purpose is to inform the reader about Bulgarian customs and folklore--rather than entertain or draw us into a fictional world. For informational purposes, I was satisfied. The book is filled with details describing rituals and superstitions from primitive times when mankind tried to employ their own actions to influence forces of nature and to, in general, make sense of the world around them. The authors are respectful and loving towards their subject, adding tidbits of academic-style background, recipes, and an accompanying slice of life involving a fictional family meant to illustrate how people would function throughout the year. The quality of research, layout, and editing efforts are reflected in my star-rating.
  
  What I have not included in my rating is that I was a bit jarred by the unevenness of the work as a whole. The work is a collaboration between 2 authors, so some disparity is expected. However, the range seemed extreme--from professional academic excepts to the fictional family sections with wooden and information-dumping dialogue which bordered on middle grade level reading. The fictional characters moved and spoke simply to illustrate and explain the rituals, or simply chattered. I was reminded of shows I've seen using Turkish shadow puppets. Actually, the old-fashion flavor of shadow puppets is congruent with the subject matter, even if I personally did not enjoy that component. In any case, if one is looking for a compilation of Bulgarian culture, this is an excellent resource.
  
  
• 
  Uma

  Whenever I see the word 'Bulgaria', I immediately think of Nina Dobrev! LOL! What can I say? I'm a huge fan of The Vampire Diaries. And to top it off, one of the 'Did you know...?' facts stated this: Cornel wood is powerful enough to use as a stake to kill vampires :-)
  
  Okay! Okay! Let's get to my review! The book is broken into five parts - Winter, spring, summer, fall and Maria's kicthen. I truly loved the 'Did You Know...?' facts! A lot of research was definitely put into introducing the Bulgarian folklore, myths and legends to the world via this book. It would suffice to say that I now know what a year in Bulgaria would be like.
  
  What I liked most about the book was how the author introduced the rituals to the reader - by presenting it in a story-like form. It probably would have taken me quite some time to complete it, had it just been facts. But if facts are woven into stories, then I can't stop myself!
  
  A fan of the Greek mythlogy, I was quick to grab this book! And honestly, once I started reading it, I could NOT STOP! At the end of each chapter, the author decides to test readers with quizzes - smartly done! I aced them all :-) It was interesting to know that each day has a special name and rituals associated to it - Palm Sunday, Fig Monday, Holy Tuesday, Spy Wedneday (my favourite name), Maudy Thursday, Crucified Friday and Funeral Saturday. The book is also filled with beautiful illustrations.
  
  All I can say is that I truly enjoyed reading about Bulgarian myths and folklore. Oh, and I'm sure to try out one or two of the wonderful recipes shared :-)
  
• 
  Celesta Thiessen

  I read the Christmas Thief first and was interested in learning more about Bulgarian historical practices. It was interesting how pagan rituals were adapted, basically written-over by ones representing Christianity instead. Some of the more pagan stories were sad or a little horrifying so I skimmed some parts. I especially enjoyed the "Did you know...?" facts and practical tips.
• 
  Valicity Elaine

  This is basically a book that details the mythological history, heritage, and culture of Bulgaria. In my opinion, it fits more into the non-fiction category but the short stories included and the fact that it centers on mythology places it in fiction. It is good but it’s definitely got a targeted audience.
  
  Light Love Rituals reads more like a good textbook than an entertaining novel. The ‘Did You Know?’ facts are cool and some of the aspects of the culture are definitely enlightening, if you believe the material, but it’s interesting at the very least. There are recipes and details about the culture that tie into religions still practiced today. I liked the bit about Christmas, not sure how true it is, but I always love reading about the holidays.
  
  The author also broke down the meaning behind the title; Light Love Rituals at the beginning. To me, that made a lot of sense and gave me a feeling that the rest of the book would flow that way. It definitely did. There was a good stream of information poured into the pages at a leisurely pace. Anyone could pick up this book and understand the material with ease. I appreciated that, as a book full of facts and history, it could have easily bored me but I didn’t have a hard time getting through the pages. I’m the type of person who uses Netflix just to watch documentaries so I wasn’t surprised that I enjoyed the book but I believe others will take an interest in this piece.
  
  The author has a relaxed style of writing that matches really well with such a specific genre. When writing historical fiction, you’d think the book would be rigid but it flows smoothly and all the tidbits of information help improve the flow rather than disrupt it.
  
  The formatting is also great and it looks perfect on the pages. Some authors have a hard time just managing the tabs of their paragraphs but Aveela put together a really great looking book with charts, bubbles, clipart, and more. It looks so professional.
  
  I would recommend this book to any fans of mythology and historical fiction. Those who normally read non-fiction will definitely enjoy it but anyone looking to get familiar with the Bulgarian culture will find this richly informative piece to be a great read.
  
  *I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
• 
  Bonnie McCune

  LIGHT, LOVE, RITUALS: BULGARIAN MYTHS, LEGENDS AND FOLKLORE, Ronesa Aveela . 2015, Bendideia Publishing. Crack open this book and you’ll immediately be submerged in the sights, sounds and people of this delightful Eastern European country with a history going back thousands of years. Scholars, families, folklorists, children, cooks, and those who love a good tale, all will find fascinating stories about a region most of us are not familiar with. Told through the voices of a multi-generation family over the period of a year, the work enables the reader to marvel at the richness of the culture. Trace the ways in which Bulgaria’s traditions and stories differ from ours and come to appreciate their diversity and richness. Activities suitable for kids are sprinkled throughout to encourage them to experience a bit of what Bulgarian children can try their hands at. Especially valuable for travelers setting out or returning from the land of the Thracians.
• 
  Sassa Margot

  
  Light Love Rituals: Bulgarian Myths, Legends, and Folklore
  
  Ronesa Aveela
  
  158 pages
  
  I was given a free copy in exchange for a fair and honest review of this independently published work.
  
  This comprehensive and exhaustively researched book on Bulgarian myths, legends and folklore is a handcrafted labor of love. Organized around the calendar year, the book works its way through the seasons and festivals of each year and shares with the reader the blended pagan and Christian roots of each festival and custom. Using the device of a local family experiencing and learning about each custom, the book also shares local recipes, traditional clothing, tragic love stories and funny bits of folklore with the reader. “Did you know?” inserts share such useful information as the correct wood for driving through the hearts of vampires, the days you really don’t want to die because you will turn into a vampire and other snatches of folk wisdom. Delicate pencil drawings in vibrant colors and ornate designs illustrated nearly every page of the book.
  
  Opening the book was like entering a riotous colorful bazaar of information, all about Bulgarian folklore and myths, going back to the times of the Thracians. The authors deny any claims to scholarly accuracy or academic methods, but the careful and thorough research they did is obvious. They list in the back of the book several pages of links to additional information. I had to chuckle at the line mentioning that the links functioned at the time they did their research, noting that they share with the U.S. Supreme Court the problem of managing “link rot.”
  
  I found the classification as fiction confusing, as this is very much a non-fiction book comprehensively listing and explaining myths, legends and folklore. The authors used the device of a fictional family to illustrate the different customs, but they were clearly embedded in a non-fictional book. For any researcher interested in Bulgarian culture and folklore, this book should be a first step. I was glad to discover the subtitle “Bulgarian Myths, Legends and Folklore” on Amazon when I went to check out the book there, as my free version had only the not-very-descriptive Light Love Rituals title and I worried about discoverability for the book without a clear hook to Bulgarian folklore and culture.
  
  The writing itself was clean and well-edited, and obvious care had been taken in the formatting, with words of the text carefully framing the images and special note sections. The fictional family sections were sometimes a bit stilted, in the way that an “exposition dump” in a novel can feel forced rather than natural, but for the most part, the writing was fluid and had a joyous, light and often humorous tone that was a pleasure to read. There was a home-made quality to some formatting choices, like the insertion of calendar pages to show festival days, but never was there sloppiness or lazy editing.
  
  The recipes for traditional foods looked mouth-watering, with photos of key steps and final presentation to illustrate each recipe.
  
  Review: for travelers, students, mythology and folklore fans who are interested in Bulgarian/Thracian folklore and culture, this is a terrific resource. This book is also a vibrant, joyous example of the wonderful, creative niche offerings from passionate authors that can come into the world through independent publishing, works that would otherwise never make it past gate-keepers looking for the big market opportunity. I had minor issues with a few formatting and writing choices, but overall found the book to be carefully and lovingly crafted, with a vast wealth of interesting information to share.
  
  
  
• 
  Susan Day

  What a charming and interesting book. I was hooked from the start. Our author takes us on an interesting journey to the heart and soul of Bulgaria.
  
  The Introduction states:
  Light Love Rituals describes traditions that are part of the story of Soul’s Journey ... Although much of the content is common knowledge among those who practice these beliefs, I hope even they will discover something new to pass on to future generations.
  
  The chapters are divided by seasons, to reflect the relationship of nature to mankind. Each ritual begins with an overview of the custom, followed by information about its origins ... The rituals, as described here, are a collection of ceremonies practiced throughout the country. They are not representative of any one region. Today, some, like fire-dancing, are performed mainly as tourist attractions; others are a compilation of traditions found in various parts of the country.
  
  Mixed in with the rituals are legends, related information, and fun “facts.” At least for the moment, suspend your beliefs and imagine you live among people who once believed, or perhaps still do, that spirits, vampires, and ancient gods existed.
  
  
  The details in this book made me feel as if I was in this ancient and marvellous country. There are instructions to make crafts and, being a story teller at heart, I loved the anecdotal passages. They is also a charming collection of delicious recipes. I loved the illustrations. I thought they added to the excitement and energy of each of the customs.
  
  
  This book will appeal to a wide audience from children to grandparents whether you are from Bulgaria or not. It’s educational, fun and very entertaining. I recommend it highly.
  
• 
  Matt Abraham

  In Light Love Rituals Ronesa Aveela details a what a year's worth of living must be like in Bulgarian, but the rituals aren’t just outlined as in a text book, but are presented in story/fiction form, and unfold like a timeline throughout the changing season. This technique grabs the reader's attention and shows that this is a vibrant, living culture in a very organic way. And I have to admit that I've had little exposure to this history before, but Ms. Aveela brings the beliefs to life in a way that’s clever and evocative. There are blurbs with facts every few pages that further enlighten the reader, and because they’re linked to a story you’re reading they don’t feel cumbersome, but rather help to give the tale more depth.
  
  My favorite one was of the Samodiva, wild women of the forest who do both good and evil, and have many different versions (depending on who you talk to). Like apparently if you steal one’s robes while they bathe they’re bound to you, a tale in my opinion worthy of Neil Gaiman, but one that also parrots the Furies and the Muses, and I think that’s what I liked most about the book, it told tales that were distinctly Bulgarian, but also relate to every person regardless of religion, creed, or age and reminds the reader of how much we all have in common in a way that isn’t preachy or heavy handed, just sweet and informative.
  
  Oh, and it’s also a cookbook. There are a few recipes in the back if you feel the need to fill your kitchen and home with the smells and tastes from the novel, and I'd suggest the baklava. It was surprisingly easy to make (so says my wife. I can't cook) and tasted great.
• 
  Delinda McCann

  I found this delightful book fun and informative.
  
  Caution! Aveela’s book may cause crafting. If you are subject to bouts of crafting, you may find yourself chin deep in glue, glitter, yarn, paper and felt. You may also find yourself enjoying wine along with your crafting.
  
  Those who never fall into fits of crafting, will find a delightful well researched story of Bulgarian customs. Aveela traces the roots of folk rituals in Bulgaria back to their roots in Greek mythology and adds how they changed in meaning with the advent of Christianity. Her use of a fictional family living through their rituals helped me remember and keep track of what happens when. I found Nikki especially endearing with his enthusiasm for stories of the old days and customs.
  
  Beyond the surface of learning about history, customs and crafts lies a deeper importance to this story. In a world shrunk by the internet, jet travel and global conflicts, it becomes increasingly important to understand the history and reasoning of people in different cultures. In the West we are not at all familiar with the Eastern Orthodox religion. Although the Patriarchies differ between branches of the Orthodox, much of the background is common. I learned a great deal about that background through this story.
  
  This is a great book to read in the twenty minutes before falling asleep at night. It will bring you sweet but vivid dreams of strange places and customs.
  
  
• 
  Jo Sparkes

  This book tells of the many customs and rituals within the Bulgarian culture. These are presented in the form of holidays, beginning with those in the winter, and progressing through the year. Even though much of the traditions discussed are in reference to the holiday, we learn more as we witness a fictional family’s experience of the holidays, complete with a wise grandmother who tells stories and explains traditions to the children.
  
  The presentation worked very well. After explaining the holiday, the author took us through the day or several days of the family, allowing us to watch these things in practice. I found it very interesting to observe the intertwining of Christian beliefs with older Pagan traditions, and to see just how many superstitions there are. And while this is not a novel, there were a few threads of interest that carried from holiday to holiday. The characters did come across as real personalities.
  
  The author also includes some beautiful illustrations and interesting recipes for some of the traditional food we saw prepared. My only complaint was I was never sure the time period of the family – reading something that made me believe they were modern day on one page, and something hinting at an older period another.
  
  I enjoyed this, and learned from it. If you have any interest in myths or traditions, this will be a good read.
  
• 
  L.N. Denison

  
  I found this book fascinating. The author has done a good job of combining both Non-fiction and fiction elements within the same book. The book is exactly as you would expect. It’s full of Bulgarian rituals, folk lore, and what I would call superstitions more than anything. The author does a great job of explaining each rite in full detail, and then uses the fictional ‘Pavlov Family’ to bring the point across even further.
  
  She covers everything from marriage rituals, rituals to keep you healthy, rites to give prosperity and a good harvest, the list goes on. She pretty much covers everything. Even down to giving the recipes of all the food mentioned throughout the book.
  
  The author goes in-depth with her explanations of the meanings of each holiday, and when they occur, and what rituals occur within those holidays.
  I loved the fictional side of this book, and there was a comic element to it as well that made me chuckle a few times, and they all involved the youngest child, Niki Pavlov. Some of the stories she put across were quite heartbreaking. I found myself shedding a discreet tear on the odd occasion.
  
  I found this book a real page turner. I enjoyed everything about it…even the ‘Did you Know’ segments were enjoyable to read.
  
  I highly recommend this book to anyone…I loved it.
  
• 
  Janis Hill

  I would like to thank Bendideia Publishing for providing me with a free ARC of this book, via Netgalley, in exchange for an open and honest review.
  
  Sadly this is a DNF book as I just couldn't get into this book. I have tried for a few months to get into it and just can’t seem to connect and get interested.
  
  I know other people will give a book a bad/low mark for being a DNF, but as an author myself I know how bad that feels. So I hope my no score is less painful. I’m not going to score this book as I don’t want to give it a bad score - as I don’t feel it deserves one. Nor do I want to give it a high score for the same reason.
  
  Basically, this book was not for me. There is nothing wrong with the writing; I just couldn’t get into it. From other reviews I have read, people have loved this book. To me that proves it’s good… for the right audience.
  
  This does not make it a bad book, and I really want to emphasise this. Despite not liking it and not being able to get into it, I did see potential. I, the reader, and this book just weren’t matched and I refuse to mark it down because of my own faults. :-)
  
• 
  Gloria Ng

  This is a gem of a read that delves into Bulgarian mythology, legends, folklore and origins of traditions, superstitions, and celebratory rituals. Quite fitting that the text opens up with winter, as I am reading this book in the midst of winter! So it's nice to warm up with the passing of each holiday.
  
  The structure of the book was thoughtful, each section beginning with a special day, its significance and origins. Fun facts are interspersed with actual rituals provided through storytelling. The combination of narration, creative fiction and nonfiction works really well to draw the reader into an immersive world that allows for deepening our understanding and appreciation of the culture.
  
  The authors' sensitive approach to the subject matter enables us to grasp a meaning far deeper and wider than only to the Bulgarian culture. As I compared and contrasted with my own culture, I saw huge similarities that made me assert once again just how interconnected humans are and how much we desire connection with each other and the universe around us.
  
  Overall, a highly recommended read.
• 
  Alex Morritt

  This is an enchanting book about Bulgarian folklore, legend and mythology and a very good example of why it is important that stories are handed down from generation to generation in order to preserve what is rich in any given culture.
  
  It is the perfect antidote to an all pervasive monoculture encroaching on communities worldwide, stripping them of their uniqueness.
  
  The book is entertainingly written and beautifully illustrated with the changing of the seasons and their respective rituals brought to life via three generations of the fictitious Pavlov family.
  
  The addition of Bulgarian recipes associated with seasonal festivities is a nice touch particularly for those 'foodies' among us.
  
  The subject matter has clearly been well researched and is detailed in content, yet the book feels surprisingly accessible to a wide readership, regardless of age or preferred sphere of interest.
  
  The authors are clearly passionate about their topic and it shows. I wish them well in their literary endeavours and I look forward to seeing what else emerges from this duo.
  
  I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
  
  
• 
  Anthony Stancomb

  This is a wonderful book for anyone with a great interest in the ancient ways of the Balkan countries.
  Not a book for those wanting a political or sociological view of the area, it is a very closely observed picture of how things functioned in rural communities – and we should remember that Bulgarians were a primarily rural people until very recently.
  The images the author gives us of everyday life show just how heavily the Bulgarians were entrenched in their ancient lore. It’s extraordinary to think that until recent time this is how life went on in most families, even in the twentieth century.
  I’m not sure that the format in which the book is written is quite right. Somehow telling the stories through the eyes of one family as they go about their daily business makes the impact less forceful – but that’s just my opinion. Nevertheless, the book is an extraordinary well documented chronicle of the rites and rituals that made up the everyday life of the people, and as such, it deserves great praise.
  
• 
  May Panayi

  As a former pagan who converted some years ago to Greek Orthodox, I was very interested to read about Bulgarian Orthodox traditions. Especially since we do have one Bulgarian lady, as well as several Russians, who come to our church. That said, I was surprised how much more pagan integrated the Bulgarian system is. It is one of the things I love about Greek Orthodox, but Bulgarian seems even more so. This book provides a wealth of facts about the mixture of Orthodox and pagan traditions in simple country living. I loved the story that brings it all to life of the family running throughout. It makes it so much more real, it could be a dry topic without those stories interspersing. The recipes at the end, I was of course familiar with. I make the same things and give them Greek names. St Demetrius on October 26 does not feature in Greek tradition, but as it's my birthday, I especially loved that section.
• 
  Kshitij

  This is such a fun book. Cultural enthusiast in me always wants to learn about the new lands, people, their tradition, rituals. And this book was just spot on for me. I feel so learned knowing about a totally new culture and community. The book starts with introducing the readers to Bulgaria, showing its exact geography on a tiny map. And then the myths & rituals are divided into four seasons.
  The ‘did you know’ section is very enlightening, and the conversations and poems are equally interesting. But the standout for me was the Bulgarian recipes. Wish I can try my hands on few!
  Overall, this is a book so informative that anyone could read it and the way things are explained, through stories, makes it a much better alternative to academic books. It sure is ‘learning by playing.’
  With the amount of research & hard work done by the author, I hope the book reaches to more serious readers. It’s a valuable resource!
  
• 
  Jennifer Loiske

  Very interesting read! As a pre-school teacher I saw a zillion possibilities to use this book as an inspirational tool and create a whole theme around it. Depending of its use, this book can be used with a wide age range as I truly believe kids (as well as adults) would enjoy enormously learning about the myths and legends of Bulgaria.
  
  The author skillfully takes the reader through the folklores etc by using a fictional characters. The chapters are well thought through, and it's quite easy to let yourself drown into the world full of wonders of the nature and myths. I especially enjoyed the small ' Did you know...?' sections as well as the well instructed handicraft ideas. There's also a great section full of traditional Bulgarian food recipes, and I'm so gonna try some of them when I have a couple of hours of extra time.
  
  Highly recommended to all teachers, authors looking for an inspiration and readers wanting to learn something new about Bulgaria. Loved this one!
• 
  K.J. Simmill

  As the title suggests, Light Love Rituals, focuses on the Myths Legends and Folklore common to Bulgaria. It is suitable for adult and child alike and rich with stories and information.
  
  Within this book there is something for everyone, this book is a plethora of information, there are facts, stories and even recipes. I particularly liked the did you know sections that appear at intervals throughout the book with brilliant little paragraphs of information. It added a little extra insight, an was a lovely touch. I love all things mythology and this book was right up my street. There were many things within I had not considered, read, or known before. The contents differ from informative to beautifully written stories, to the more informative. At the end of each section is a what have you learned, and I must admit, I can certainly see myself trying some of the recipes. I was very impressed with this book, it is perfectly structured and well-written.
• 
  Johanna Craven

  This is such a lovely book; enjoyable for children and adults alike. It gives a very detailed account of little known Bulgarian traditions, superstitions and myths throughout the year, yet does it in a really accessible and enjoyable way. I have a keen interest in paganism and I found the culmination of Pagan and Christian traditions to be one of the most interesting aspects of this book. Some of the superstitions were really fascinating, such as "Bad Tuesday"- the worst Tuesday in the year and "Crazy Thursday" in which women refrain from spinning wool lest they go insane!
  I thought the explanation of the traditions told through the eyes of a Bulgarian family was a great way to illustrate the material and inclusions like quizzes and recipes make this a really fun, interactive book for all ages. I will definitely be attempting to cook Banitsa this weekend!
• 
  Barbara Land

  History has always been one of my favorite subjects, and Ronesa Aveela’s, Light Love Rituals: Bulgarian Myths, Legends, and Folklore, is a beautiful example of how the history of a place and its people can be shared in an inspired and entertaining way. I have always been fascinated by the ways in which myth and folklore shape modern-day society and the author kept me engaged by the myriad ways in which she told her story, adroitly weaving together the original Pagan rituals with those of Christianity to provide a fascinating look at the history of a people about whom I was previously unfamiliar. The descriptions of the holidays – the occasions when we celebrate our lives – are enhanced by the inclusion of recipes, crafts and customs of the Bulgarian people. A delightful read!
  
  I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest non-reciprocal review.
  
• 
  Chris Longmuir

  Light Love Rituals was an unusual and interesting book Using a combination of fact and fiction to explore the many Bulgarian myths, legends, and folklore. It was a fascinating look at a different culture to the one I am accustomed to in the west, and it was full of information which was given factually and then transformed into stories told by a fictional Bulgarian family. The illustrations were beautiful and the recipes at the end made my mouth water, even though I had difficulty reading them. I may go back and view them on an iPad where I can increase the size of the page.
  
  The only criticism I have about this book was that the font of the recipes was so tiny it was extremely difficult to read. Increasing the font size did not work because the recipes were images. Otherwise a really interesting book.
  
• 
  Molly

  This was a complete and treasured surprise find for me. Having read a thriller set in Bulgaria recently, my curiosity on the diverse and mixed culture of Bulgaria got me to pick up this book. A labour of love this is a detailed account of Bulgarian customs and its cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Starting with Christmas Eve the book moves chronologically through the year with insightful explanations of special days: where they originated and how they are being celebrated. There are some fictionalised segments to illustrate the events and bring the stories and folklore to life.
  This is a very insightful and enjoyable read that covers a lot of ground, well researched and informative. Highly recommended.
  
• 
  D.K. Cassidy

  Enlightening
  
  I have to admit, before reading this book I understood nothing about Bulgaria. I knew it was in Europe, but that was the extent of my knowledge.
  
  The structure of the book is quite helpful. The author includes ‘Did You Know’ mini sections. The illustrations are beautiful and help the reader to visualize the rituals and traditions being explained.
  
  Recipes are included and I will definitely be cooking some of the delicious dishes described by the author.
  
  After reading this book, I now have a better understanding of Bulgaria and it’s citizens. This is a fascinating read for anyone wanting to know more about another culture.
  
• 
  Teddy O'Malley

  This lovely book is so much more than just a book of myths and folklore. It has lovely stories to explain the folklore and it also has "Did You Know" facts scattered throughout. The stories are very well written and engaging and I've learned a lot about Bulgarian culture just through reading this.
  
  There are also some fun crafts included in this book. The crafts look pretty simple and make a nice addition to the book. I really enjoyed all the "Did You Know" facts, often one of my favorite parts of a book. There were lots of interested tidbits and also some prayers.
  
  Oh, and I couldn't possibly forget to mention the illustrations. They're wonderful and make a nice addition to the book.
• 
  Kathy Gates

  Thrace - land of myth and legends, warrior horsemen and the god of wine. Such is the rich and colourful heritage of the place we now know as Bulgaria. This charming book details how the heritage is kept alive and honoured through modern day observance. It is also fascinating to read how pagan symbolism has been absorbed into Christian ritual. Food plays a big part, whether through feast or fast; wine and fire also feature. Every activity confirms the importance of staying close to nature. This is a work which is easy to dip in and out of. I'd also recommend it if you are planning a visit to that part of the world.
• 
  C.N.

  This is a fascinating look at ancient rituals and beliefs still practiced by the Bulgarian descendants of the ancient Thracians. Rather than a straight historical format, this was charmingly presented as how a Bulgarian family would live their lives through the year, following the cycle of the sun and the seasons.
  
  There is a wealth of information in an easy to read format. I particularly liked learning the rituals and the reasoning behind them, which brings the various ceremonies and festivities into sharp life. I really loved that there were traditional recipes included in the book as the story progressed through the seasons, and will be trying some of these out for myself.
• 
  Keesha

  Light Love Rituals proved to be an interesting read. I really liked how the author managed to convey the rituals and cultural practices of Bulgaria through the fictitious Bulgarian family. The author has opened my eyes to a whole range of cultural practices that I never knew anything about. I would have to say that the book was indeed informative and ignited a passion in me to learn more about my own culture and why we do the things we do on a daily basis. Through the eyes of the author I have come to appreciate that our past is just as important as our future. Recommended read for those who are interested in Bulgarian culture.