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monlbrown17's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.25
emmajarvis's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
The characters were entertaining enough but the plot was just too chaotic. All the random switching between POVs and the different timelines were just kinda hard to follow.
The characters were entertaining enough but the plot was just too chaotic. All the random switching between POVs and the different timelines were just kinda hard to follow.
annineamundsen's review against another edition
4.0
Diversity challenge: queer characters over 50
I love old women and I love witches. Fun, feelgood, found family, feminist, and positive about ageing
CW: transphobia (eg. mention of trans woman being in a men's prison)
I love old women and I love witches. Fun, feelgood, found family, feminist, and positive about ageing
CW: transphobia (eg. mention of trans woman being in a men's prison)
whatyoutolkienabout's review against another edition
5.0
As always I want to start by saying that I was given an ARC of this to review. My review is honest and left voluntarily and all thoughts are my own. Thank you to Harper360ya for giving me access to this.
The Witches of Moonshyne Manor was honestly a joy to read. I honestly adored seeing older women taking centre stage it was so refreshing. After introducing five of the coven of modern-day witches the novel starts with a bang as an angry mob try to march on Moonshyne Manor, demolition crane and all, due to them having fallen behind on their mortgage repayments. All seems lost even with their aging magic when a young feisty TikToker, who happens to be the mayor’s daughter, agrees to help them smash the patriarchy. What ensues following this tense opening is a heartwarming, sometimes heart-breaking, funny and endearing tale of sisterhood, magic and aging.
As I already mentioned I adore the fact that the novel deals with older protagonists (barring Persephone the TikToker). Some people may find it weird or odd but honestly I found it empowering. I hope I am half as cool as some of these ladies when I am in my 70s and 80s! And while my mother is not exactly near those ages I could see a lot of her spirit in these still powerful women. Marais manages to capture and portray that despite age a person doesn’t really change in spirit while their body may not allow them to do things they once did to the same level their minds are more than willing. It’s a tender and uplifting tale and reclaims this idea and sprinkles in other elements along the way including a magical heist!
There are many micro narratives within the novel including secrets, drama, love and betrayal. Each one ends with it’s own beautiful conclusion and allows closure not only for the characters but the reader as well. As always I don’t like to spoil anything but I will say the that Ivy and Ruby had me close to tears at the end. I truly enjoyed this book and will definitely be getting a physical copy as well. Marais tries and manages to do a number of things in their novel and honestly it was an absolute joy to read.
The Witches of Moonshyne Manor was honestly a joy to read. I honestly adored seeing older women taking centre stage it was so refreshing. After introducing five of the coven of modern-day witches the novel starts with a bang as an angry mob try to march on Moonshyne Manor, demolition crane and all, due to them having fallen behind on their mortgage repayments. All seems lost even with their aging magic when a young feisty TikToker, who happens to be the mayor’s daughter, agrees to help them smash the patriarchy. What ensues following this tense opening is a heartwarming, sometimes heart-breaking, funny and endearing tale of sisterhood, magic and aging.
As I already mentioned I adore the fact that the novel deals with older protagonists (barring Persephone the TikToker). Some people may find it weird or odd but honestly I found it empowering. I hope I am half as cool as some of these ladies when I am in my 70s and 80s! And while my mother is not exactly near those ages I could see a lot of her spirit in these still powerful women. Marais manages to capture and portray that despite age a person doesn’t really change in spirit while their body may not allow them to do things they once did to the same level their minds are more than willing. It’s a tender and uplifting tale and reclaims this idea and sprinkles in other elements along the way including a magical heist!
There are many micro narratives within the novel including secrets, drama, love and betrayal. Each one ends with it’s own beautiful conclusion and allows closure not only for the characters but the reader as well. As always I don’t like to spoil anything but I will say the that Ivy and Ruby had me close to tears at the end. I truly enjoyed this book and will definitely be getting a physical copy as well. Marais tries and manages to do a number of things in their novel and honestly it was an absolute joy to read.
bouldermimi's review against another edition
4.0
Read 11/10/2023 - eBook
Imagine if the Golden Girls were more diverse and had witchy powers! This was a fun read and I don't mind the protagonists are all well-aged women. There was a bit of a tease and all I wanted to was find out the BIG secret. It was starting to frustrate, but damn, what a secret!
Imagine if the Golden Girls were more diverse and had witchy powers! This was a fun read and I don't mind the protagonists are all well-aged women. There was a bit of a tease and all I wanted to was find out the BIG secret. It was starting to frustrate, but damn, what a secret!
lysandrel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.5
sam_gartley91's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.75
Love the cast of characters and the mystery of figuring out what happened and how it will affect the future. The sassiness of the witches was amazing! Loved the take on the fire ball sport. And how it all resolved! Very fall vibes which is perfect to start the season with!
embrcko's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
leasummer's review against another edition
4.0
There’s a lot to love here - older witches, lots of historical names given to character, abandoned children finding a home, a transgender witch, witches of different races, old witches who still have sex (knew that would set some folks off), young witches, familiars. Plus a museum heist, dementia, fighting to save your home, feminism, patriarchy. The author packed a lot of topics into this story but it worked.
I can imagine it wouldn’t work for some. It’s very feminist and very accepting of folks and there’s magic. Very entertaining and enjoyable for me.
I can imagine it wouldn’t work for some. It’s very feminist and very accepting of folks and there’s magic. Very entertaining and enjoyable for me.
ebtdean's review against another edition
3.0
This was a solid 3-star book. It didn't blow me away, and I don't know how long I will remember it. But it was fun while I was reading.