It's a Coven, Jim, but not as some of us know it...... - Rated 
If I were new to witchcraft and looking for a coven, this would certainly put me off. The High Preistess is apparently expected to act like a bossy school marm, and the coven members (call them what you will) must ask her permission to work magic, must show her their Book of Shadows, do their homework, learn their rituals, not talk about witchcraft outside of the group...... well, you get the idea.
If they misbehave, they will Be Punished -- anything from doing the washing up after a sabbat to receiving a dose of The Scourge (oddly enough, apparently, lots of them prefer that, but when you learn that the scourge consists of cords or ribbons, you begin to wonder if this isn't some kind of "in" joke.)
Kate West admits that she trained with Gardnerians and Alexandrians, so this probably explains some of the rituals -- and there are far too many detailed here.
If you're planning to run a coven, you should be a sensible adult, you'll know most of the advice given here already and, if you haven't got your own rituals worked out, what are you doing planning to teach/help others? You shouldn't need a book.
If you don't know what coven life is like, read the book (from the library, perhaps)and then contemplate the fact that it isn't necessarily like this at all.
Sterile - Rated
Perhaps I just can't stand her style. But to me this book was devoid of any passion for the craft and failed to inspire at all. The way the author writes about ritals and rites at the beginning is irritating and made me want to put down the book before I had even started it. I have tried several times to read through this book and enjoy at least parts of it, but every time I have found it a task too difficult to accomplish. I think it's the way that her witchcraft practices seem so finite, like this is the way to cast a circle and it will be cast like this every single time. It's formal and dull. I was most dissapointed by the rituals side; all coven orientated, and all about rites of passage and initiations. I think that if a coven were to initiate a whatever degree witch, they'd make up their own, more personal spell, than take one directly from a book anyway. These coven spells took up half the book.
This book is no good for a solitary or a more spontaneous witch.
The Real Witches' Coven? - Rated
In regards to this book, the Farrar's 'The Witches Bible', includes a better understanding of the Coven. The Craft is a religion that uses rules as guidelines, rule one of Wicca Rituals and Covens is 'do what you feel is right'. In regards to this book, a reader interested in running/joining a coven would be well advised to consult the Farrar's or Doreen Valiente's book and forming their own opinions and rules for a coven, better still, find a coven and learn their rules.
Nicely written. - Rated 
An undeniably useful tool for those who are hoping to start their own coven. Example Initiation rituals, first and second degree, and advice on how to expand, and how to attract the right people. There is even guidance on how to set the right rules for your coven, and what to do when your members aren't quite acting like witches.
Unfortunately, for the more experienced Wicca covenor or coven leader, there really is nothing here for you. It really is a "Get Started With" book, and is a bootstrap for those with no clue at all, and in that respect, I found it very useful.
The Real Witch's Book of Spells and Rituals - Rated 
Having read The Real Witch's Handbook, I bought this title to complete my collection of Kate West books. I enjoy her style of writing, and her spells and rituals are laid out in a clear and concise manner, listing all tools and ingredients you will require and how to prepare them. There are spells for every kind of situation in this book, and instructions on how to create your own spells for other needs. There are also rituals for each Sabbat and Esbat. However, these have been written with the Coven in mind, and not a solitary witch like myself. I was very disappointed that I would need a group to follow these rituals, as I have no intention of ever finding let alone joining a Coven. All in all, the rituals in The Real Witch's Handbook were preferable for a solitary! I'd still recommend this book to any witch who wants to learn more about spells however, as the spells section is very useful. Shame about the rituals section!
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