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kimalah's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A Spell of Rowans is different from most books that I read. I thought it was a tightly written mystery with magic and family dysfunction thrown in. Vic, the main character, has a distinct voice that allows us to see her, warts and all. There is content that may be hard for some people to read, but I thought it was handled well, served the story, and was not gratuitous.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. My opinion is my own.
CW/TR: child abuse (on and off page), attempted sexual assault, suicide, murder, drowning, bullying by community
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Moderate: Murder
knowthy_shelf's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
ashleyraye's review
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A Spell of Rowans had a lot to offer. It had mystery, family drama, romance, and magic. There was a lot I liked about it.
To begin with, the author's writing style. There is a flow to it that sweeps you along and doesn't let go. I basically read the book in one sitting because it hooked me from the very beginning. Even though the story talked about a lot of dark subjects, it was done in a way that was light and didn't bring you down. I personally didn't have a problem with anything, but some more sensitive readers might have some trouble, so pay attention to the trigger warnings. The most detailed scene was the assault scene, but the other ones weren't described in a ton of detail, just enough that you get a clear image of what happened.
Then we have the characters and all the trauma they were dealing with throughout the story. This was done in a truthful way. The trauma response and the way it affected each sibling was unique to them individually, they didn't all have the same reaction. I find that most books that have trauma similar to this book tend to make the symptoms of the trauma appear the same in each character, and that just isn't how it works. But, this book really showed each character as their own person, even beyond the trauma. They each had their own personality and powers.
What amazes me about the story is how the mother had such a huge part to play, even though it was her death that began the story. She truly is the perfect villain. She has altered the lives of everyone she comes into contact with, and that is going to continue even after her death. Her presence was always there, she was inescapable. I couldn't stand her, but I can admire how well she was written.
I have a lot of respect for how the author handled the characters. This was honestly some of the best characters I have read. I could probably go on and on about the characters alone, but I hate giving out spoilers, so I will stop talking about them.
The setting…
It matched the characters and the story. The setting didn't overshadow the story, but came along and supported it. A lot of what was going on, either with the characters or with the plot, was reflected in the setting. Most people wouldn't notice this, but it helps to shape the tone of the story subconsciously.
The reader was given enough details to clearly picture the setting of each scene, without all of the extra description that slows us down and forces us to see exactly what the writer is envisioning. I personally love this because it allows my mind to work unhindered and really place me within in the scene instead of watching it from the outside.
Now, I've gone on and on about what I loved about this book, but I haven't explained why it is only rated at four stars. While I loved so much about the story and truly think it is some of the best writing I have read, there were some cliches. The ending and how everything ended up was pretty easy to guess from the beginning, but I knew that the journey to get there was going to be a little wild. Which it was, there was a lot of aspects to the story and something new was always being revealed. But, overall, it wasn't very surprising. The writing style carried the story and almost made me not care that everything turned out how you would expect it, but the longer I think about it, the more cliches I see. Because of that, it didn't reach the five stars I really wish I could give it.
Ultimately, I highly recommend this book based on the writing style and the way it draws you in. It is the type of book that I would really love to have a book club discussion for, there is just so much about it to talk about. I plan to make people read it for that very reason.
I received an ARC of this book for free, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
To begin with, the author's writing style. There is a flow to it that sweeps you along and doesn't let go. I basically read the book in one sitting because it hooked me from the very beginning. Even though the story talked about a lot of dark subjects, it was done in a way that was light and didn't bring you down. I personally didn't have a problem with anything, but some more sensitive readers might have some trouble, so pay attention to the trigger warnings. The most detailed scene was the assault scene, but the other ones weren't described in a ton of detail, just enough that you get a clear image of what happened.
Then we have the characters and all the trauma they were dealing with throughout the story. This was done in a truthful way. The trauma response and the way it affected each sibling was unique to them individually, they didn't all have the same reaction. I find that most books that have trauma similar to this book tend to make the symptoms of the trauma appear the same in each character, and that just isn't how it works. But, this book really showed each character as their own person, even beyond the trauma. They each had their own personality and powers.
What amazes me about the story is how the mother had such a huge part to play, even though it was her death that began the story. She truly is the perfect villain. She has altered the lives of everyone she comes into contact with, and that is going to continue even after her death. Her presence was always there, she was inescapable. I couldn't stand her, but I can admire how well she was written.
I have a lot of respect for how the author handled the characters. This was honestly some of the best characters I have read. I could probably go on and on about the characters alone, but I hate giving out spoilers, so I will stop talking about them.
The setting…
It matched the characters and the story. The setting didn't overshadow the story, but came along and supported it. A lot of what was going on, either with the characters or with the plot, was reflected in the setting. Most people wouldn't notice this, but it helps to shape the tone of the story subconsciously.
The reader was given enough details to clearly picture the setting of each scene, without all of the extra description that slows us down and forces us to see exactly what the writer is envisioning. I personally love this because it allows my mind to work unhindered and really place me within in the scene instead of watching it from the outside.
Now, I've gone on and on about what I loved about this book, but I haven't explained why it is only rated at four stars. While I loved so much about the story and truly think it is some of the best writing I have read, there were some cliches. The ending and how everything ended up was pretty easy to guess from the beginning, but I knew that the journey to get there was going to be a little wild. Which it was, there was a lot of aspects to the story and something new was always being revealed. But, overall, it wasn't very surprising. The writing style carried the story and almost made me not care that everything turned out how you would expect it, but the longer I think about it, the more cliches I see. Because of that, it didn't reach the five stars I really wish I could give it.
Ultimately, I highly recommend this book based on the writing style and the way it draws you in. It is the type of book that I would really love to have a book club discussion for, there is just so much about it to talk about. I plan to make people read it for that very reason.
I received an ARC of this book for free, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, and Blood
emilymac17's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
This book had everything I loved! Between the aspects of murder-mystery, magical talents, sibling healing, and even a bit of romance, this book was hard to put down. There were lots of likable characters and many surprises throughout the plot. I was invested in the story from beginning to end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Suicide
Minor: Sexual assault
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