Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

30 reviews

jillyclaire23's review against another edition

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4.5

This book was so intense. Similarly to The School for Good Mothers, I felt like the sci-fi/magical element wasn’t even necessary for me to grasp the horror of the historically accurate sexism, racism and classism being portrayed. Not that I’m complaining—I love witch stuff. I like how the author weaves in diverse histories of witching, too, not just a whitewashed version. I have so many thoughts about this book… 
1. It’s all about women speaking to each other. We share so much power and crucial knowledge that way. It makes me think about actual old books where women would hide recipes for abortion remedies, etc. There’s a hidden subculture of women’s knowledge and interests, which men overlook as frivolous (or even make fun of or actively hate/target), but the sharing of it between ourselves empowers us. Only in this book, they include spells. I think the magical element highlights the power that women talking to each other provokes.
2. I didn’t love or get the evil shadow thing until a specific image: when the crowd of people watching the witch burnings casts one big shadow that’s under the mayor’s control. The leviathan-like imagery works as a great analogy for crowd mentalities and indoctrination that capitalizes on people’s fear. 
3. At a certain point, I was exhausted by the horrifying, hopeless up and down of this book. How would they ever defeat something so systemically entrenched?? Even though the ending was sad, it gave me the hope I needed - that as long as women talk to each other, we can fight the patriarchy. 
4. Sisters!!!!!! <3 Also the gay love story!! So sweet!

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beckkopp's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

For not being a big fantasy reader, I loved this book! I really enjoyed each sister and how fully built out each one was. I feel like the ending was a bit drawn out, but otherwise I highly recommend!

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littki's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-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? Yes

4.5


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craftysnailtail's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

I could see a certain type of person really loving this book, but it absolutely wasn't for me. The neverending tragic backstory reveals felt incredibly tropey. Show me a woman in this novel and she will be "strong" because she survived so much abuse. Everything in this book was traumatic, depressing, and often ended poorly for all the women involved. I understand the fight against injustice, but it felt too heavy handed for me. 

3.5 stars because the plot was interesting (though far too drawn out), and I enjoyed how magical knowledge is passed down through generations. I even liked the sisters themselves. But for a book with witches and lesbians, I thought I would've enjoyed it much more than I did.

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brttbwrs's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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haleyflight's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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bpol's review against another edition

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adventurous dark inspiring 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? No

5.0


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spineofthesaurus's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-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? Yes

3.5


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jennay's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.5

Very well written/ read.

Would love to see this become a movie - if the producers can capture the emotions of the book accurately. 

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ingridmaria's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring mysterious medium-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? No

5.0

I could see myself in all 3 of the sisters in the beginning of this; in Bellas fear, in Junipers anger and in Agnes' walls. I grew with them, into sisterhood and love and community – and I loved every part of it

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