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eadrianschmitz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Incest, Violence, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Emotional abuse, Grief, Police brutality, Death, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Murder, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, and Physical abuse
artemishi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment, Police brutality, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Racism, Sexual assault, Vomit, Violence, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Child death, Blood, and Body horror
greenclovers75's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Violence, and Sexual content
teatunesandtales's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Rape, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Child death, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infertility, Hate crime, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Blood, Infidelity, and Misogyny
Minor: Abortion and Classism
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
- 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
“Life’s just one burden after another, till we die. But it’s the happy things – the good things – that make it all worthwhile.”
Read this if you like;
• Witches & Demon
• Strong Female Heroine
• Gothic atmosphere
• Magical Realism
I really enjoyed the author’s debut novel; ‘Parting the Veil’. So I was very excited to read this book and suffice to say I thoroughly enjoy reading this one!
The plot is told in multiple POVs and dual timeline, which followed three different women whose unknowingly interconnected with one another by blood and the same enemy.
A well written story and well-crafted world building that brings out the gothic atmosphere throughout the story with the mysterious whispers and curses that will raise your goosebumps.
The characters are likeable but also flawed which makes them so realistic. I easily connected with them and also adore how they try to survive in those times.
There’s only one thing that makes me didn't full enjoy reading this book, it’s how similar both female main characters. Both sounds similar since they are experiencing the same troubles and fears but in different time which makes it difficult to differentiate them at times.
The ending is wrapped up nicely with that epilogue which lets the readers have a glimpse of how the characters lived their life.
Overall, this is a remarkable story about love, family and magic. It also has a great LGBTQ+ representation and covered a lot of heavy topics inside.
This book is highly recommended for those looking for a historical fiction with witchy elements and powerful women!
I’ll definitely look out for new books from this author in the future!
“There’s all kinds of love, and one ain’t any better than the other.”
I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, thank you to the author and Let’s Talk Books Promo for having me on this book tour. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Graphic: Murder and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion, Child death, and Bullying
sarahh1984's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Child death, Miscarriage, Rape, and Sexual violence
rylee2157's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
" Hidden inside his grandfather’s trunk, the boy remains. And the book remembers. "
The dual timeline is set in 1881 and 1931 and follows two girls. I liked how the magic wasn't the main focus considering it was the premise of the book. The author did a great job of explaining everything as it went along (medicine, tinctures, a succubus etc.) without making it feel like a textbook.
" What the hell kind of name is Bellflower, anyway? "
It was almost a fairytale ending which wasn't bad but I wanted to be emotionally destroyed after reading it. Overall, I think it was a great book, it isn't advertised as a queer book but that is the underlying plot in some areas. It worked well, but again was a bit fairytale.
" “Life’s just one burden after another, till we die. But it’s the happy things—the good things—that make it all worthwhile. Things like kisses.” "
Graphic: Child abuse, Lesbophobia, Pregnancy, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Abortion, Bullying, Child death, Medical trauma, Rape, Death of parent, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Murder, and Cursing
mhairi_reads's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual content, Bullying, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol
Minor: Abortion, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Infertility, and Child abuse
abi224_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Homophobia and Child death
Minor: Child abuse
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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!
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Death of parent, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Rape, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
Minor: Infidelity, Abortion, and Racism