tsapparelli's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Spoiler
I felt moved by the passage where Rebecca described what she imagines her mothers death would have been like, and I wish there was more of that in the rest of the book. I also found the ending where she finds Judith on the boat a bit unbelievable and it took me out of the story a bit.Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Murder, Misogyny, Death of parent, Sexism, Death, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Violence
high_peak_price's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Death of parent, Death, Religious bigotry, and Misogyny
loz1327's review
- 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? No
5.0
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Violence, Death, and Misogyny
morgancleaver's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Child death, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Slavery and Miscarriage
james1star'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? It's complicated
2.5
I was just really not jamming well with the writing, characters or plot of this book. It was alrightish and slightly intriguing but I just didn’t like it. We follow Rebecca in the town of Manningtree in Essex during the civil war, things happen and the residents begin a witch-hunt-esque fearmongering campaign against certain women. There was more but Yhh not for me. The narrative changes from first to third but it’s not always clear until a few pages in - I dunno just quite confusing.
Moderate: Child death, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Grief, Sexual content, Death, War, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, and Violence
maddyontheoffbeat's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Death and Misogyny
Minor: Miscarriage and Animal death
rachelwierick's review
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Blood, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Animal death, and Religious bigotry
ashlyntalksbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Blood, Animal cruelty, Murder, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Animal death
Moderate: Fatphobia, Death, and Child death
issyfrp99's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Animal death, Misogyny, Murder, and Confinement
Moderate: Blood
savvylit's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I readily admit that the subject of Manningtree Witches is fascinating. The execution of the story itself, however, left a bit to be desired. For a book about witches and Puritanical fervor, there is little... excitement. Instead, there is a lot of incredibly period-appropriate sad detail. While reading, I frequently found myself bored. After making it to the end, all I could think was "that's it?!" I wanted more characterization of the accused women beyond Rebecca, the protagonist. I also would have loved a little bit more paranormal activity.
Ultimately, I'm not upset to have read this book - which is very beautifully written. I'm just reminded of how historical fiction is not one of my favorite genres.
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Animal death, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Classism