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corsetedfeminist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is a magical murder mystery novel, featuring 3 best friends- a tall bi girl with chronic pain and fatigue, a nonbinary bug nerd, and a short, fat lesbian who gets all the girls and wears heels that unsheathe to reveal knives. (Yes, I am obsessed with that last member. I love all of them, but I would instantly marry Diana.)
Rounding out the group is a semi-corporal ghost of a forensic scientist who died wearing costume cat ears and is the sweetest, out of pocket gay ghost one could ever imagine, and who mentors our three girls throughout their investigation.
I loved this book. The mystery itself took repeated turns that I couldn’t predict, and the worldbuilding is complex but revealed as needed. The author also does a good job of using interviews for the case to give us back story without it being boring.
The plot is also interwoven with the developing and realistic friendship between our main characters and the struggle of a girl to accept being disabled while still saving the day.
This book is if Nancy Drew books were a little older, openly magic, and a lot gayer. What else do you need to know
Moderate: Death, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
fionamclary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
However, I found the lore to be frustratingly thin. It didn't make sense to me how many seemingly basic aspects of magic were unknown to Occulture before the events of the story
Also, I really want a movie version now just so that Nathan Foad can play Theodore. I think that would go so hard.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Kidnapping, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Violence, Medical content, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
blewballoon's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Fire/Fire injury
starrysteph'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
3.25
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
fromjuliereads'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
4.0
Let's get the minor notes out of the way first. I think that this definitely had a slower pace than I expected as a fantasy mystery. There are a few spots in the middle that lagged - but the characters do keep you interested! I think this might be more a debut thing since the author has written more short stories previously. And nothing against the book, but I did guess the villain earlier than the characters.
But my list of good far outweighs those notes!!
- I really loved these characters! They are quirky, badass, and relatable! Mallory is taller than average, Cornelia wears glasses and is blunt, and Diana is plus-size and THEY ARE ALL SMART IN THEIR OWN WAYS. They have their strengths and distinct personalities and they all love each other for who they are. It's honestly one of my favourite friendships I've read.
- queernormative characters - like, lots of them. And there are multiple nonbinary characters with they/them pronouns on page.
- chronic illness rep. Mallory has fibromyalgia and it is part of her character and the plot in a realistic way. It was great to see it part of the story and how it affects her, both physically and mentally. While I don't have chronic illness, I have migraine and pain days and Mallory felt really relatable to me in a lot of ways. Which is amazing to see in a fantasy novel!
- while I did see who the villain was going to be, the backstory and WHY, how it's revealed, were all a surprise to me and well done! I didn't see that route coming honestly.
- Theodore.
While I don't think everyone will LOVE this book, there are definitely people who will appreciate everything I listed above with the mix of magic, witches, and the occult.
Moderate: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Toxic relationship, Blood, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Bugs, room full of bugs