moody_gobling's review against another edition
2.0
I suppose to start I should just say that I saw it in the bookstore, and since I’ve been on a bit of a witch kick lately I decided to check it out if my local library.
I suppose now would be a good time to mention that I don’t like babies. I didn’t get that this book would be incredibly baby-centered when I first picked it up. But soon everything was about the baby! Where were the witches? The mysteries? The magic? Instead pages upon pages of BABY.
Now I get that I’m in the minority. Many people reading this book probably like babies just fine. I also understand that the baby is a pretty important wunderkind and helps move the plot along. But I don’t need to read about a baby gumming bread to death or being sticky/slippery or how pink the baby’s mouth is or how green the babies eyes are unless they further the plot. Unfortunately this baby’s green eyes didn’t shoot lasers and the baby didn’t gurgle backwards Latin to open up a chasm in an old Washington farmhouse. That would have given this review at least another half star from me.
So... why didn’t I just toss the book on my DNF pile and move in with my life? Simple, I wanted to see that Bastard Will get his karmic rewards. I also like reading about farming/cottage life, especially during wartime. It soothes my soul. And adding in a lesbian auntie that was maybe getting the goods on with a famous “flower” painting artist? Okay, I’ll read to the end.
I suppose now would be a good time to mention that I don’t like babies. I didn’t get that this book would be incredibly baby-centered when I first picked it up. But soon everything was about the baby! Where were the witches? The mysteries? The magic? Instead pages upon pages of BABY.
Now I get that I’m in the minority. Many people reading this book probably like babies just fine. I also understand that the baby is a pretty important wunderkind and helps move the plot along. But I don’t need to read about a baby gumming bread to death or being sticky/slippery or how pink the baby’s mouth is or how green the babies eyes are unless they further the plot. Unfortunately this baby’s green eyes didn’t shoot lasers and the baby didn’t gurgle backwards Latin to open up a chasm in an old Washington farmhouse. That would have given this review at least another half star from me.
So... why didn’t I just toss the book on my DNF pile and move in with my life? Simple, I wanted to see that Bastard Will get his karmic rewards. I also like reading about farming/cottage life, especially during wartime. It soothes my soul. And adding in a lesbian auntie that was maybe getting the goods on with a famous “flower” painting artist? Okay, I’ll read to the end.
steven_the_ink_drinker's review against another edition
3.0
The Witch’s Kind ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 stars -written in a the first person from the protagonist’s point of view, Barrie Anne. You are definitely immersed in this historical fiction that begins with the tragedy of WW2- a self conscious girl that is abandoned by her narcissistic husband, while she’s pregnant(this story does touch on miscarriages within the first few pages) The story focuses on Barrie Anne and her Aunt Charlotte (a constant smoker that is witty and takes no BS- I REALLY enjoyed this character more then the main one) both woman descend from a long line of water witches, that can see into the future and gain insighand impressions. I was totally with this story until the middle... when all the sudden aliens are involved and findings at Roswell and fish babies ... yes a baby with gills - the constant moving of past and present was executed nicely but I found myself more interested in the dramatic present- more so then the backstory. Very well written and the characters are round and compelling but the underwater alien-fish baby thing kind of killed it for me.
haliwafa's review against another edition
4.0
TW: Abortion/miscarriage/loss of child.
I enjoyed the character and scenery build. I really do wish the author expanded more into this 'mermaid' theory I had going, however, I do also enjoy the mystery behind it all. It comes from the POV of someone who probably knows more than they are letting on to the readers. I constantly found myself fighting with Barrie in my head, begging her to tell us more of what she knows. Or to use more of her curiosity instead of just pushing forward through everything. I wanted her to FEEL how I felt....but that would make it all too subjective.
Good writing. Slow and steady.
I enjoyed the character and scenery build. I really do wish the author expanded more into this 'mermaid' theory I had going, however, I do also enjoy the mystery behind it all. It comes from the POV of someone who probably knows more than they are letting on to the readers. I constantly found myself fighting with Barrie in my head, begging her to tell us more of what she knows. Or to use more of her curiosity instead of just pushing forward through everything. I wanted her to FEEL how I felt....but that would make it all too subjective.
Good writing. Slow and steady.
gabgarrido's review against another edition
1.0
i'm not really sure what i was expecting with this book but it just wasn't it for me
catladylover94's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book would love to have a book 2 to see where everyone is in several years, and get more story line for Emma and her mom, I hope to see one someday
summer33's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful emotional insight into the main character. Though the events were unusual, the development of the character as she learned to trust her judgment and skills was universal.
bookishlizz's review against another edition
3.0
The Witch's Kind told a different story than I expected. Judging the book by the title and cover, I expected a story about witches ... and it might have had witches, but that simply isn't what the story was about.
I LOVED this book. Seriously, the pacing was slow and melodic (which isn't always to my taste, but it felt relaxing to read this story), the characters were interesting, flawed, and real. The story came alive on the page, which I think it really all you can ask for when reading a story.
I like the picture of life in the 1940s, the house, the clothes, selling at the farmers market, the town's disapproval of poor Barrie. The portrayal of Barrie's pain in losing a child, a loser husband, and then this new mysterious baby coming were such a delightful part of the story for me.
Although I loved the story I got ... it really didn't match up with the description of the story, the title, or the cover. I was expecting something totally different. I'm not mad at it, but I am a little confused. Would I have liked that book more than the one I got? I don't think so. This one was pretty much perfect.
Now that I've obsessed, you might be wondering why only three stars.
Well, first I think your cover, title, and description should match up, I think its important to tell the reader what the story will be.
Second, all the flashbacks I think are shorthand for writers not knowing how to bring the past into the story - or needing to establish some emotional depth. I understand why they are used, I just don't like them in a story because they are hard to follow.
I LOVED this book. Seriously, the pacing was slow and melodic (which isn't always to my taste, but it felt relaxing to read this story), the characters were interesting, flawed, and real. The story came alive on the page, which I think it really all you can ask for when reading a story.
I like the picture of life in the 1940s, the house, the clothes, selling at the farmers market, the town's disapproval of poor Barrie. The portrayal of Barrie's pain in losing a child, a loser husband, and then this new mysterious baby coming were such a delightful part of the story for me.
Although I loved the story I got ... it really didn't match up with the description of the story, the title, or the cover. I was expecting something totally different. I'm not mad at it, but I am a little confused. Would I have liked that book more than the one I got? I don't think so. This one was pretty much perfect.
Now that I've obsessed, you might be wondering why only three stars.
Well, first I think your cover, title, and description should match up, I think its important to tell the reader what the story will be.
Second, all the flashbacks I think are shorthand for writers not knowing how to bring the past into the story - or needing to establish some emotional depth. I understand why they are used, I just don't like them in a story because they are hard to follow.
bemyserene's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t think I would like this book, but I ended up enjoying it more than some of the author’s other books.
kalrea's review against another edition
4.0
Huge number of content warnings in this book, but overall very good and lovely portrayal of the relationship between a woman and her aunt.
cw: child death, physical and emotional abuse by a partner, murder, gaslighting/lying, period typical homophobia, death of a parent=> adoption
cw: child death, physical and emotional abuse by a partner, murder, gaslighting/lying, period typical homophobia, death of a parent=> adoption