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bravebarnacle's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
Overall a decent reading experience, however I had few issues with the pacing (especially after 2/3, I felt the pacing could have picked up a bit) and I think the book requires a trigger warning for transphobia at the beginning. The audiobook at least didn't have trigger warnings. I started reading the book without looking into it beforehand, and that's definitely on me. But if I had know I would be spending large portions of the book in the mind of a TERF, I wouldn't have read it. Niamh's death (?) at the end was also a bit of wtf moment. Sure it's built up for the sequel but it did make everything that had happened in the course of the book feel bit redundant.
On a positive note, the narrator did an excellent job! I also loved most of the characters and the world building. I liked that even a bit of the history of covens were explained. It made the world of HMRC seems more believable. The author really achieved in creating a witchy atmosphere.
On a positive note, the narrator did an excellent job! I also loved most of the characters and the world building. I liked that even a bit of the history of covens were explained. It made the world of HMRC seems more believable. The author really achieved in creating a witchy atmosphere.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Racism
felicia_rose's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think that I loved the last 10% of this story but otherwise it was an entertaining ride. I was hooked and really wanted to know what would happen next. Things I didn't love: some of the dialogue came across very cringe and yeah the last bit seemed very off...lots of logic was missing from everyone's critical thinking skills and so that felt very off. I loved the characters and the found family and the friendships. Helena was a good villain, I hated her. Can't wait to see where the next book takes us.
becca_clifford's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
books_tea_and_fantasy's review against another edition
3.0
3 ⭐️
Characters: 5
Atmosphere: 6
Writing: 4
Plot: 7
Intrigue: 6
Logic: 6
Enjoyment: 6
Characters: 5
Atmosphere: 6
Writing: 4
Plot: 7
Intrigue: 6
Logic: 6
Enjoyment: 6
heddas_bookgems's review against another edition
4.0
“'Her face was beautiful, not down to bone structure or features – although those were beautiful – but because she seemed so entirely at ease. Open, effortless as a summer daisy. ‘This is who I am in my head.’”
In Her Majesty’s Royal Coven witches live in modern society. They work for an organization HRMC that was founded by Anne Boleyn. It follows four childhood friends, some part of the coven some that have quit. When the oracles receive a prophecy about the demonic child that will destroy the coven and the world, the coven is anxious. As what happens when the child appears to be a transgender witch?
I went in completely blank with this one. I never realized I was diving into an atmospheric, witchy, but political read.
Because this book isn’t only about witches it discusses also in depth trans rights. Juno Dawson, transgender herself, felt the need to write about these rights. And witches seemed to be the most logical example to discuss it as they also have been overshadowed by prejudice. Does this mean that this book is solely political? No, but it can, in a way, be seen as a response to the opinions of the famous author that shall not be named.
And although it was quite saddening and intense, it also had a pretty thrilling story to hold on to. Was it the best book that I ever read? Maybe not. I missed some elements, like a strong magical system, in depth characters and it did feel a bit flat the first half of the story. But it left an impression nonetheless. A book that touched me, made everything more clearer than it already had and most importantly a book that gave transgenders a voice.
In Her Majesty’s Royal Coven witches live in modern society. They work for an organization HRMC that was founded by Anne Boleyn. It follows four childhood friends, some part of the coven some that have quit. When the oracles receive a prophecy about the demonic child that will destroy the coven and the world, the coven is anxious. As what happens when the child appears to be a transgender witch?
I went in completely blank with this one. I never realized I was diving into an atmospheric, witchy, but political read.
Because this book isn’t only about witches it discusses also in depth trans rights. Juno Dawson, transgender herself, felt the need to write about these rights. And witches seemed to be the most logical example to discuss it as they also have been overshadowed by prejudice. Does this mean that this book is solely political? No, but it can, in a way, be seen as a response to the opinions of the famous author that shall not be named.
And although it was quite saddening and intense, it also had a pretty thrilling story to hold on to. Was it the best book that I ever read? Maybe not. I missed some elements, like a strong magical system, in depth characters and it did feel a bit flat the first half of the story. But it left an impression nonetheless. A book that touched me, made everything more clearer than it already had and most importantly a book that gave transgenders a voice.
megareads42's review against another edition
3.0
Dude. This was cruising for a solid four stars and then...the afterword. Or epilogue or post script or whatever. Seriously?? It suddenly made all the events in this book feel as if they transpired for nothing, especially as they KILLED OFF the main character! Sad that I wasted time rooting for the budding relationship between Niamh and Luke only to have it all be for nothing. Thought it was a neat urban fantasy that examined some interesting angles as far as POC and queerness in the fantastical realm. The take on transgender witches was interesting, but I didn't love that it resolved with a 'poof' now your outsides magically match your insides and would have preferred to see groups in power have to continue to struggle with the notion of non-binary folks. It's going to take me some recovery time before I decide whether or not to read the next one, I'm soooo bummed about the way this one ended.
wlkperkins's review against another edition
2.0
So tedious. There were great ideas on here, but the author was so busy showing off all the work put into her worldbuilding that the story and characters suffered.
That the characters also spent vast swaths of the book being mouthpieces for social issues didn’t help. Potentially complex and interesting characters were constantly reduced to stereotypes, which is rather ironic considering what they were mouthpiecing.
That the characters also spent vast swaths of the book being mouthpieces for social issues didn’t help. Potentially complex and interesting characters were constantly reduced to stereotypes, which is rather ironic considering what they were mouthpiecing.
persephone11's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a re-read for me before picking up The Shadow Cabinet. I really enjoy the world that Dawson builds and the characters that we follow. I loved that these characters weren't teenagers or twenty year olds saving the world. These women had already fought in a war in their twenties and are now in their 30s living out their normal lives. They have partners, kids, careers. These women have grown up together and were all once close friends. And, since they have grown up, they have also grown apart, their differences becoming more apparent. Leonie, Niamh, and Elle are all drastically different people but I love seeing them work together. I love Niamh will happily support her in protecting Theo. After that ending, I have so many questions and can't wait to read the next book.
kenziejordan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
mcnimz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
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
4.5