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wishbea's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Fun concept, enjoyed the inclusion of Cormorants and the spin on Arthurian myth, but the characterisations seemed shallow to me. The first half was better than the second, brilliant atmosphere and intrigue at the beginning, I looked up the author and it turns out she has written horror before so that explains that.
The finale felt unearnt, the way Ivy changes didn't feel believable to me in such a short amount of time and I think Burge's action scenes were very weak, there's also an out of nowhere romance. We haven't defeated the big bad by the end, so it would've been nice if this had been advertised as the start of a series.
The finale felt unearnt, the way Ivy changes didn't feel believable to me in such a short amount of time and I think Burge's action scenes were very weak, there's also an out of nowhere romance. We haven't defeated the big bad by the end, so it would've been nice if this had been advertised as the start of a series.
My main problem is Tom, Ivy's friend. At one point Tom picks up this book describing a man using demon magic to make a woman fall in love with him (evil) and Tom says:
'Shame I didn't know about demon magic. I might've given it a shot.'
When Ivy is offended by this, Tom simply says he's joking and that's the end of it. I half expected Tom to be a surprise villain based on this line, I guess there's room for that in a future sequel, but I don't see that happening with the way this book ended.
That being said, I enjoyed the exploration of the connection between Ivy and Moronoe and the training sequences with the witches, I just wish there had been more depth there. If there is a sequel I'm not sure I'd read it as while I'd like to see more of Ivy, her mum and the witches, Merlin was too cartoony and I dislike Tom a lot.
That being said, I enjoyed the exploration of the connection between Ivy and Moronoe and the training sequences with the witches, I just wish there had been more depth there. If there is a sequel I'm not sure I'd read it as while I'd like to see more of Ivy, her mum and the witches, Merlin was too cartoony and I dislike Tom a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Vomit
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, and Sexual harassment
rangerwing75's review
adventurous
dark
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
If I had to describe this book in a word, that word would be ‘fine’.
Starting with our main characters:
Ivy is fine as a protagonist. I didn’t feel particularly strongly towards her, but she wasn’t unlikeable. She had a few good moments like when she was in the cave with Glitonea trying to learn how to turn into a cormorant and it doesn’t work but on the whole, she’s a bit on the less memorable side of protagonists.
Tom’s more up and down, which in a way makes him better I guess? Some of his jokes did make me laugh a bit, but he also had moments where I kinda wish I could slap him.
Ivy’s mom was my favourite even though, ultimately, she didn’t do much. After telling Ivy her backstory and other bits and pieces of information, she doesn’t have anything to do.
The sisters only show up in the last hundred pages so we get no time to really know any of them very well except for Thiten who was a bit of an asshole.
The plot mainly circles around themes of sexism and sexual harassment/assault. That’s the catalyst if you think about it because Moronoe wouldn’t have died and reincarnated as Ivy if Merlin hadn’t been so eager to possess her. Ivy’s creepy boss at the start is the big one, as well as small comments and moments here and there.
Hot Key Books labels this book’s themes as ‘magic’ ‘sisterhood’ ‘romance’. The only one I agree with is magic. The magical elements are introduced early on. The sisterhood comes in way later, and the romance just starts in the last few pages before Ivy leaves Tom on Earth so she can go to Avalon to join her sisters to find her mom
I do think the story was a fun take on Arthurian legend - at the very least it’s one I haven’t seen before.
The story drags a little at the start. It picks up after a while, but then the ending feels like it was sped through. The final ‘battle’ was very much ‘love conquers all’ to me which would have been fine if it had been developed a little more, but it wasn’t. All it needed was just a few more pages and maybe I would have felt less inclined to put the book down, but it could have been worse.
Uhhhh Merlin’s a dickhead end of review.
Starting with our main characters:
Ivy is fine as a protagonist. I didn’t feel particularly strongly towards her, but she wasn’t unlikeable. She had a few good moments like
Tom’s more up and down, which in a way makes him better I guess? Some of his jokes did make me laugh a bit, but he also had moments where I kinda wish I could slap him.
Ivy’s mom was my favourite even though, ultimately, she didn’t do much. After telling Ivy her backstory and other bits and pieces of information, she doesn’t have anything to do.
The sisters only show up in the last hundred pages so we get no time to really know any of them very well except for Thiten who was a bit of an asshole.
The plot mainly circles around themes of sexism and sexual harassment/assault. That’s the catalyst if you think about it because
Hot Key Books labels this book’s themes as ‘magic’ ‘sisterhood’ ‘romance’. The only one I agree with is magic. The magical elements are introduced early on. The sisterhood comes in way later, and the romance just starts in the last few pages
I do think the story was a fun take on Arthurian legend - at the very least it’s one I haven’t seen before.
The story drags a little at the start. It picks up after a while, but then the ending feels like it was sped through. The final ‘battle’ was very much ‘love conquers all’ to me which would have been fine if it had been developed a little more, but it wasn’t. All it needed was just a few more pages and maybe I would have felt less inclined to put the book down, but it could have been worse.
Uhhhh Merlin’s a dickhead end of review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Toxic friendship
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Waking The Witch is a deliciously witchy, feminist and delightfully creepy YA fantasy that’s full of atmospheric prose and steeped in Welsh mythology and Arthurian legend which I found utterly intriguing.
It follows seventeen year old Ivy, who after year spent in the foster system has finally tracked down her biological mother (who abandoned her at a motorway service station) to a remote Welsh island which some experts claim to be the legendary isle of Avalon.
But, in finding her mother Ivy has uncovered at dark secret about her past. Now, an ancient and corrupt power is stalking Ivy and her only chance of survival to look deep within herself. For not every story in Legend is true and some evils are not what they seem…
It’s an enchanting allegorical tale of female empowerment and sisterhood that I throughly enjoyed. I loved how it subverts a lot of the popular portrayals of Arthurian Legend especially Morgan Le Fay who I really liked.
I loved quite alot of the characters, including our protagonist Ivy who was a well written and endearingly relatable character. She goes through quiet a lot (having to deal with a lecherous and misogynistic boss before anything creepy or strange even happens) but her slow burn friendship with Tom—their witty banter and jokey comments to one another was a real highlight. Watching Ivy navigate her complex emotions surrounding her life in the care system, constantly feeling like she doesn’t belong but ultimately choosing to open up to Tom (and to include him in her emotional journey) was just a joy to witness.
Their friendship dynamic does veer slightly into romance in the second half of the book and I’m hoping this isn’t a standalone as I’d love to see more of Tom and Ivy together.
I also loved her growing bond with Morgan and the other witches (Glitonea and Thiten especially) who are probably some of the first people to truly welcome, encourage and make her feel she belongs for the first time in her life.
The setting was throughly atmospheric and the island, wild and isolated from human life (beside Ivy’s mum) really helped to bring the mythological magic to life, especially the sinister feeling of unease and foreboding which impressively managed to linger for the entire book—I have to say I was definitely on the edge of my seat both dreading and anticipating that something terrible was about to occur.
Overall an engaging, feminist and thoroughly enchanting read that fans of witchy, eery coming-of-age YA fantasy are bound to enjoy. This is the first book by Rachel Burge I’ve ever read and I can honestly say it won’t be the last!
A massive thank you to Molly Holt, Hot Key Books and Kaleidoscopic Tours for the finished copy and for including me on the book tour.
It follows seventeen year old Ivy, who after year spent in the foster system has finally tracked down her biological mother (who abandoned her at a motorway service station) to a remote Welsh island which some experts claim to be the legendary isle of Avalon.
But, in finding her mother Ivy has uncovered at dark secret about her past. Now, an ancient and corrupt power is stalking Ivy and her only chance of survival to look deep within herself. For not every story in Legend is true and some evils are not what they seem…
It’s an enchanting allegorical tale of female empowerment and sisterhood that I throughly enjoyed. I loved how it subverts a lot of the popular portrayals of Arthurian Legend especially Morgan Le Fay who I really liked.
I loved quite alot of the characters, including our protagonist Ivy who was a well written and endearingly relatable character. She goes through quiet a lot (having to deal with a lecherous and misogynistic boss before anything creepy or strange even happens) but her slow burn friendship with Tom—their witty banter and jokey comments to one another was a real highlight. Watching Ivy navigate her complex emotions surrounding her life in the care system, constantly feeling like she doesn’t belong but ultimately choosing to open up to Tom (and to include him in her emotional journey) was just a joy to witness.
Their friendship dynamic does veer slightly into romance in the second half of the book and I’m hoping this isn’t a standalone as I’d love to see more of Tom and Ivy together.
I also loved her growing bond with Morgan and the other witches (Glitonea and Thiten especially) who are probably some of the first people to truly welcome, encourage and make her feel she belongs for the first time in her life.
The setting was throughly atmospheric and the island, wild and isolated from human life (beside Ivy’s mum) really helped to bring the mythological magic to life, especially the sinister feeling of unease and foreboding which impressively managed to linger for the entire book—I have to say I was definitely on the edge of my seat both dreading and anticipating that something terrible was about to occur.
Overall an engaging, feminist and thoroughly enchanting read that fans of witchy, eery coming-of-age YA fantasy are bound to enjoy. This is the first book by Rachel Burge I’ve ever read and I can honestly say it won’t be the last!
A massive thank you to Molly Holt, Hot Key Books and Kaleidoscopic Tours for the finished copy and for including me on the book tour.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment