Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - The Witch of Tin Mountain

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.

Content Warnings

sarahh1984's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

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

Content Warnings

srivalli's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

3.75

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Atmospheric but drags a little

1931, Arkansas

Nineteen-year-old Gracelynn helps her adoptive grandmother, a healer and a midwife, treat the citizens of Tin Mountain. The arrival of Reverand Bellflower triggers a series of events that determine her fate and that of the land. Can Gracelynn understand the truth from the past and acknowledge her powers to settle the scores forever?

The story is presented in two timelines, with the third as an interlude. The narration is in Gracelynn and Dierdre’s POVs in their respective timelines.

What I Like:

The book starts with a bang. The prologue and the first chapter are equally engrossing. The setting comes alive on the pages. It has a solid spooky atmosphere (but I need more power, considering the themes).

Gracelynn is definitely easier to like. Her adopted granny does what a witchy granny would do. I rather like Ebba’s character arc, though Esme shows potential before fading away.

The hypocrisy of villagers (and people in general) comes out very well in how they interact with Gracelynn. The references to natives and the fear of ‘witches’ (while still approaching them for help) really stand out.

The book deals with LGBT themes using multiple characters. While it feels repetitive, it is cohesive and blends into the overall plotline.

What Could Have Been Better for Me:

The premise requires both timelines to have certain similar events. However, too many elements feel the same in both. Given how temperamental the narrators sound, it gets confusing to keep the tracks separate in my mind. Somehow, using first-person and third-person POVs didn’t help much.

While I like books that can be speed-read, my primary intent as a reader is to NOT speed-read and enjoy the story. But this one reads better when I up the pace, which points out the drawn-out narration in some places (things seem to go in circles at one stage).

The climax is the key books like this. I want that impact to resonate and linger for a while. Here, the build-up is stronger than the actual climax. (I slowed to a normal pace to savor the scene, but it was done a little too soon).

To summarize, The Witch of Tin Mountain is an atmospheric novel that presents witch trials with an interesting plot. The author’s note provides more insights into the story and the land.

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #TheWicthofTinMountain

***

P.S: Rating this was hard as I continued to waver between 3.5 and 3.7 stars. The theme is something I like, and the fact that I could speed-read without missing vital information makes it a 3.7-star book. So, here we go and round it up to 4 stars.

Content Warnings

rylee2157's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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? No

4.75

I had this book in my TBR list waiting for it to release, and I checked my email the to find it was a first reads pick from Amazon. I read this in one sitting and it was fantastic.

" 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.” "

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