Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy

7 reviews

tangleroot_eli's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

This book has an intriguing premise and gets off to a good start. The settings are beautifully described, and some of the minor characters are quite vividly drawn. But the vast similarities between Deirdre and Gracelynn, as well as the large chunks of Deirdre’s story that we're told in Gracelynn’s sections made me feel like I was reading the same book twice at once. I really liked how the story(ies) resolve, but I definitely slogged through the middle.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, Police brutality, Abortion, Abandonment, and Colonisation

Graphic: Religious trauma Moderate: Slut shaming

dae_as's review against another edition

emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual assault

teatunesandtales's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Alcoholism, Hate crime, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Blood, and Abandonment

Minor: Abortion and Classism

redheadorganist's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Pedophilia and Rape

mhairi_reads's review against another edition

dark 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? No

4.5

Do yourself an favour - DON’T READ THE BLURB - IT CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!

A definite 5 star read❤️! If you love yourself a witchy tale I would highly recommend Paulette Kennedy’s The Witch of Tin Mountain.

Steeped in Ozark folklore this story was hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric. A fantastic work of historical fiction, dipped in horror and fantasy. Steeped in witchcraft, dark folklore and full of powerful women this book is bound to keep you turning the page and will stay with you long after you closed the book.

An unforgettable story of family, witchcraft, love and power. I read this bad boy in two days. This is a story you don’t want to miss.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

POV: Dual - Deirdre (YEAR) & Gracelynn (YEAR)

⚠️ Content Warnings: As provided by the author. References to child abuse and neglect (including sexual and physical abuse). Sexual assault, dubious sexual consent, self-harm/suicide, addiction, alcoholism, death and dying, racism, homophobia, murder, attempted murder, fire/arson, and abortion. 

Adoption, and childbirth are also mentioned within this novel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Infertility, Police brutality, Abortion, and Injury/Injury detail

bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

Set in the Ozarks in Arkansas, the book focuses on three generations of women. I really enjoyed the switching timelines between Deirdre in 1881 and Gracelynn in 1931. 

I was happy to see that the author included trigger warnings in the beginning of the book. Kennedy said she was inspired by the Bell Witch haunting in Tennessee, which is one of my favorite legends! She also included stories from her own family and their history in the region. Her writing clearly shows this as she puts her heart into the setting and folklore descriptions!

I was pulled into the story right away! I loved the characters and plot twists-Each character is strong and has their own voice, I loved all 3 women equally. I also loved the main antagonist! He showed how charming and clever evil can be and how it can be used to manipulate others.

Although this is a historical horror novel, there’s a little romance (mainly sapphic!) as well, but it’s not a main focus. The story builds up to the climax and resolution but without making it too slow leading up to the big events, and also not rushing the ending. The pacing was really well done!

I loved the folklore and forest witch vibes which added to the haunting atmosphere of the novel! The nature and weather descriptions added to the spooky vibes of this book, creating tension in the plot. To the point where I couldn’t have my YouTube “haunted woods” ASMR video playing in the background because I ended up scaring myself 😂 

Finally I liked the happy ending, and closure. It’s rare to have a “happily ever after” in a horror novel but I liked that bit of hope in the end!

Just wow- I loved this book so much and the cover!! 😍 I just have so many feelings and indescribable words for how much I adored this book! This is definitely my top read of the month💗 I just hope I don’t end up with a book hangover after this and I’ll definitely be picking up a physical copy to add to my shelves!  Plus I can’t wait to go back and read Kennedy’s debut.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Infidelity, Racism, and Abortion

jenmcreads's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This book was a wonderful and immersive read. The sense of setting is extremely vivid and atmospheric, and it is clear the author writes from a lot of deep knowledge and respect for the region. I found the voices of the women to be distinct and nuanced. The gender dynamics of the book were very moving, particularly the difficulties of queer love in the times this book was set (1881 and 1931, primarily). The folkloric style of the magic involved felt right to the setting and the story. I loved this book, and look forward to its release date so I have others to discuss it with!

I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Outing, Abandonment, and Classism