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tranquiltides's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’m in my early 30s now, and YA fiction doesn’t always capture me the way it used to. It’s hard to find the protagonists relatable when they are half your age.
But this book. Man… This book sucked me in. I wanted to do nothing but read it.
The story was well written and engaging. There were little twists and turns through the whole thing, and while I never claim to be the kind of person who can smell a plot twist from a mile away, the twist at the end of this book really truly and genuinely caught me by surprise.
A great book to get lost in, cozied up under a blanket with a hot tea. High recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, fantasy, magic, and mystery.
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child abuse, Dementia, and Gaslighting
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
However, for fans of witch novels, boarding school settings, and novels about sisterhood, I would still recommend reading:)
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Abandonment
aesthetic_bookreader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Gun violence, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Murder, Alcohol, and War
courtnoodles's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness and Abandonment
anoveldestination's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Stalking
Minor: Addiction, Confinement, Racism, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, and Classism
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
To have a magic system that manifests in it's users after a traumatic experience was a powerful choice, and given the time frame the story is set in, traumatic experiences (especially for women and girls) abound. Frances's story was likely a similar and common one, unwelcome sexual advances by an older man, but then hearing stories like Lena's with the Indian school and being ripped away from her family like that; my heart ached. "What's the best way to kill an entire people? Take their children." And her response later in that scene when she "reclaimed" or at least restated that she was of her people (I listened to the audiobook, so I don't have the exact line to share), what a visceral moment. I started to tear up a bit in the car as I listened.
And the quasi-romance subplot with Finn and Oliver. Oh Frances, what options! Like Frances I, too, was taken by that sweet Irish brogue, mischievous smile, and sparkling eyes. But Oliver was such a solid choice too; steadfast, honest, and knew everything she'd been through, and had been just as heartbroken by losing William. Also the casual queer rep in the lovely kitchen witches as well as Maxine was lovely to see, even if it was swept a bit under the rug (which I also give a bit of a pass because, time period)
I was so glad everyone survived, and that Frances and Oliver will have his time to convalesce to let her bring him up to speed on everything and what that means for them as a couple/pair in the next book. And then that epilogue??? The letter from Finn!! I'm at the same time, thrilled, terrified, and furious that he survived the final encounter and have no idea if his magic will be back the next time we see him, but I can't wait to find out!!
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
shannnne_reads_words's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Stalking, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Racism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, and Colonisation
graciejames's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Blood
tessduets's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault
calamitywindpetal's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content, Stalking, and Alcohol