tayrayhay's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Gore
Minor: Sexual content
kaseythefairy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Gore, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Torture, Violence, Gun violence, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail
alite428's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, Murder, Gun violence, Sexual content, Torture, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Grief, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, Cursing, Colonisation, and Blood
liebstebunni'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
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Gore, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
Minor: Cursing and Emotional abuse
dragonaion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
----
Only two examples in the story are 100% accurate to the Native American/Indian folklore of the Pequot (which are referenced and are the local tribe the Puritan village takes place near)...
Spoiler
the description of the Pukwudgies, their antagonizing behavior towards humans, and the portrayal of the Hobomok (although perhaps not the "widjigo" being another name)Spoiler
the word for "net maker" in Algonquin is mamunappeht, but only relates to a spider and there is not a folk entity named so. The mention of an opossum-based creature can be argued, as they are a totem animal of the Pequot, however the portrayal is not a perfect match with the traditional folklore... and the rest appear to be a mix from other cultures around the world, including the Druidic faith...
Spoiler
the stag and horned god, however even this is misinterpreted as he is not a creature of life... Greek...
Spoiler
the river Lethe... and Japanese.
Spoiler
Creek is best described as a youkai, the NingyoLooking for references of Slewfoot as well, what pops up as a primary example is this book. So considering the harshness of the very real Puritan mindset and the reality of the world they were living in, having almost every page be wild fantasy was disappointing.
The botany was at least a little more accurate, but not by much; the Pequot tribe were in the Connecticut area, where the pawpaw tree and mountain ash (rowan) can actually grow together. The irony, however, is the pawpaw and rowan trees in folklore was used for protection against witches, so the folklore attached to the botany is also inaccurate.
As a practicing Wiccan, I also find the examples of witcraft and "magic" (arguably not magick at all) to be biased with a Christian lense, such as the year the story takes place in 1666 (666, a little stereotypical), the snake being used as a symbol of the temptor and a sexual metaphor (while also being Mother Earth) and flying on a broom, to the point of being fantastic "flights" of pure fantasy.
In all, a good spooky read, but I would not put any stock on it being an accurate story.
Edit: Review lowered from 4.0. I reviewed the artwork and realized the characters
Spoiler
SamsonSpoiler
Samson also declared himself as the horned god and a god of life and death in the same breathGraphic: Violence, Torture, Death, Gore, and Misogyny
Moderate: Animal death, Religious bigotry, Violence, Ableism, Bullying, Physical abuse, Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Sexual content, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Cursing, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Self harm, Blood, and Genocide
This is a heavy Christian-based novel, discussing the norms of the Puritan lifestyle, which include a lot of moments that would displease a feminist reader. There is also gore, blood work in witchcraft, horror, and other darker themes.ayereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual content, Blood, Physical abuse, Torture, and Sexism
erynlasbelin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Excrement, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Police brutality, Violence, Gore, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Vomit, Racism, Sexual content, Colonisation, Racial slurs, Alcohol, and Death of parent
mondovertigo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
gingermouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Gore, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Confinement, Murder, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Colonisation, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, Grief, and Cursing