asipofcozy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The one thing I would call out, is the pacing. It took well over 100 pages for the plot to pick up speed. There was a lot of information at the beginning that I just didn't care much about. It wasn't until around page 150 (well over half the book) where the plot really became intriguing and I flew through the last 100 pages. For such a short book and a stand-alone, the beginning could have done without a lot of unneeded information.
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Death, Animal cruelty, Gore, Murder, Animal death, War, Vomit, Torture, Religious bigotry, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Blood, and Body horror
hownoveljo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Blood, Death, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Violence, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gore, Murder, Torture, and Toxic relationship
solypoly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Animal death
Moderate: Genocide, Gore, Violence, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, and Vomit
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
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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)...
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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...
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the stag and horned god, however even this is misinterpreted as he is not a creature of life... Greek...
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the river Lethe... and Japanese.
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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
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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.kumquats87's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Blood, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Gore, Misogyny, Classism, Death, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Torture
Moderate: Grief, Racial slurs, Fire/Fire injury, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Vomit, Slavery, and Colonisation
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