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kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While I found this book interesting & at times intriguing, I did not find it compelling enough to eat it up as quickly as I could have. I thought it was interesting and I liked the characters but I think it just lacked a certain spark that I can’t really identify.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
creolelitbelle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Books set in Louisiana or with Louisiana culture (done right) hook me every time. I was curious how this narrative could work with the majority of the story set in California, but Augusta's memories of life in New Orleans really make the story come alive. The events in the book are not plentiful but more of an everyday life sequence with the voodoo tied in, which might sound boring, but the POVs from 3 generations of Montrose women keeps everything exciting. Willow provides a good balance between her sister Victoria, her mom Madelyn, and her niece Nickie, and I felt the calming nature she brings to the family. Normally, I would wonder how a character who never speaks can propel her part of the plot forward, but Gallant by V E Schwab taught me everyone can communicate somehow with the other characters and their environment; Augusta is no different. I wish there was a little more magic voodoo in the book, but that is not necessary to give a full picture of the Montrose history or present. I have yet to read the book Practical Magic but still attest to the cursed love reminding me of its movie adaptation. The only aspect keeping me from rating this a little higher to 5 stars is the bit of predictability in some parts. I highly recommend the book as a good mix of history, a little magic, and New Orleans flavor with family as a core theme... plus a side of romance. Case in point - I read the whole book in 3 days. I could barely put it down with short chapters and sections divided by months.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
alysereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The premise of the book was great and I enjoyed it! I liked the exploration of magic, family, and generational trauma (through a curse). I listened to it as an audiobook and thought the voice actor did a great job. While I found the characters interesting, I found it a bit slow at times, but still worth reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction
jaz_gets_literary's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, publisher, and HearOurVoices book tours for the arc of this book. Black Candle Women follows several generations of women in one family. They all reside in a home together and stay to themselves. Mostly because of a curse, which will kill anyone that the women fall in love with. 17 year old Nickie is having a hard time with the rules that her mother is putting on her especially after she meets a boy that she likes. Her mother does everything she can think of to get them apart even hoodoo. Nickie doesn’t understand because no one in the the household has told her about the curse. That is until someone lets it slip out but they still never tell her the full story so she searches for answers herself. While reading this book, I kept asking myself why don’t any of the women in the house just explain to Nickie about the curse especially her mother. If you’re trying to protect a child from something you have to be able to explain it to them because they are naturally going to have questions. Yes she probably would have still made some rash decisions to try and rebel against her mother’s reins but it wouldn’t have been as bad as them sitting her down and talking to her. Like she’s 17. She should have been told about the curse when she hit puberty. The ending was a bit abrupt for me. And I don’t want to give any spoilers but I agree with Willow about the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Car accident, and Abandonment
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Grief, and Car accident
Minor: Pregnancy
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