This book was informative and helpful for my current research. Main takeaways:
- Santa Muerte's origins are unclear - many worshipers claim Indigenous heritage, but the author thinks that she came from a version of the Spanish La Parca
- Unlike other saints, she is not a former person, but rather death itself, giving her a power that is simultaneously greater than Jesus/God at times but also more accessible to individuals (she simultaneously represents the "great equalizer" of human life and is perceived as very Mexican [offerings of tequila, cigarettes, water are common])
- Santa Muerte is not recognized by the Catholic church but is worshiped by many self-identified Catholics nonetheless in rituals that mix West African, Catholic, and Indigenous beliefs (lots of votive candles of different colors utilized here, with each color symbolising a different purpose - red for love, white for purity, purple for healing, etc.)
- Often these rituals are for purposes that perhaps you wouldn't ask other saints to help you out with, including protecting gay people or wishing harm upon your enemies (yellow candles for protection from substance abuse)
- Santa Muerte is relatively all-purpose, despite her reputation as the patron saint of drug dealers
- The Mexican government (at the time of publication) was intent on taking down Santa Muerte as a religious figure (likely in large part because of her reputation)
- Worshipers of Santa Muerte are men and women alike, often working class
- Santa Muerte worshipers live in Mexico, but not just in Mexico - increasingly she is worshipped in the US and other countries in Latin America

Reading this book was interesting when paired with my current knowledge about how worship of Santa Muerte has increased post-COVID. The author repeated information frequently, which made for a frustrating read - especially when the final chapter was yet another summary.

An amazing book, well researched and the authors in the very beginning establishes his credentials as to why a white man is writing about a Latino folk saint. His book fills in many gaps and expands on much of the information found online. And he also isn't afraid to say that some of his sources might be slightly questionable because of how new and still decentralized the practice of venerating La Santisma Muerte is. My one qualm is that he makes several arguments about her origin being Spanish and gives some minor arguments for her origin being Indigenous. She is a Mexican folk saint, a mestiza like ourselves, so why not be a combination of both? Buts that just a personal point, although a point that I think might help Chicanos understand and relate to her more so.

Loved the writing. A bit repetitive but now I'm off to buy a candle

This wasn't bad but it wasn't really great either.

First I‘d like to state that before reading this book, I didn‘t know much about Santa Muerte, so I cannot compare it much to other resources about her. The author is a Professor of Religious Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.

His book shows from an anthropological point of view the historical background of Santa Muerte and her veneration today, mostly focussing in Mexico. This folk saint who is a personification of Death is not approved by the Catholic Church, yet her popularity is growing, she has millions of followers in Mexico, the US and other countries. She is especially popular among marginalized groups and several people who live in desperate conditions turn to her for supernatural aid. There are several paradoxes surrounding Santa Muerte – for instance, people turn to her for all sorts of issues very much connected to life (instead of death), like love, passion, abundance, prosperity or legal matters. She also gets venerated by people in prison as well as prison guards or other law enforcement workers.

The author has written down several accounts of devotees about their experiences with Santa Muerte and her miracles and he has done this in a neutral, non-judgmental way. He also has visited several places in Mexico, for instance special shrines and there are also some photos included in the book. He also points out media of pop culture where Santa Muerte is featured – mostly in a very negative or sensationalist way (for instance linked only to Narco culture or satanism - in movies, shows or books).

The book‘s chapters are structured by the colours of candles, like those dedicated to Santa Muerte:
1.Brown Candle: History and Origins of the Cult
2.White Candle: Beliefs and Practices
3.Black Candle: Protection and Harm
4.Red Candle: Love and Passion
5.Gold Candle: Prosperity and Abundance
6.Purple Candle: Healing
7.Green Candle: Law and Justice
Conclusion—Seven-Color Candle: Multiple Miracles

In some of the chapters, there are some prayers and spells included. The last chapter mainly sums up the most important points of the former ones, followed by notes and a bibliography.

The book is written in an easy-to-read style which is rather conversational than academic and it not only is about Santa Muerte but also about society and socioeconomy in Mexico which was interesting to read.

My conclusion: This is a very recommendable read if you‘d like to know more about Santa Muerte, her history and her veneration in Mexico. If you are specifically looking for magic connected to her, there is a bit of that in the book, but not so much.

The book is repetitive and a little clumsily written (and unusually for an academic text it includes the author and his family in the narrative, which is a style choice that is not always interesting or helpful) but it's still a completely fascinating dive into the Santa Muerte folk religion that covers both its history and its current practice and dispels a lot of hysterical myths about the faith.

The paperback edition includes pictures, but unfortunately they're black and white and low-res, so not particularly useful for a book which uses colour as its organising principle. As academic texts go, though, Devoted to Death is both short and readable (and I believe it's the only comprehensive guide in English) so I recommend it for anybody with even a casual interest (like mine!) in folk religions and Catholic syncretism.