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booksanddopamine's review against another edition
4.0
This was very Practical Magic - two magical sisters with contrasting personalities, one who moves away and ends up in an abusive relationship; small town where the sisters feel like outcasts; eccentric aunt; romance... but I enjoyed it (more than I thought I would, even).
The magical elements are sweet and down to earth. Although there's romance, I'd say the story is more about the relationship between the sisters and their personal self-discovery.
Maybe it's just me, but as an autistic person Claire read like a coded autistic character. She struggles with social situations and reading people, she doesn't like people moving her things around because she likes them in their place, doesn't like change, and experiences a magical sort of sensory overload. She does have trauma and a fear of abandonment, but I still believe she reads as autistic. I get you, Claire!
The magical elements are sweet and down to earth. Although there's romance, I'd say the story is more about the relationship between the sisters and their personal self-discovery.
Maybe it's just me, but as an autistic person Claire read like a coded autistic character. She struggles with social situations and reading people, she doesn't like people moving her things around because she likes them in their place, doesn't like change, and experiences a magical sort of sensory overload. She does have trauma and a fear of abandonment, but I still believe she reads as autistic. I get you, Claire!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Abandonment
kelleykamanda's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Feels just like the movie Practical Magic. Whimsical, cozy, lighthearted. The story revolves around rekindled sisters who learn to not shy away from their family legacy and embrace their gifts. For people who aren’t in romantic subplots, I’d suggest maybe trying a different book. Really enjoyed it though!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
There is a brief mention of sexual assault in the beginning of the book- this doesn’t repeat throughout the rest of the book. On occasion the character will mention how she was abused but this is sparingly.zefancifulreader's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“She suddenly stopped. She turned and looked around. The garden was quiet and damp, the temperamental apple tree at the back of the lot shivering slightly as if dreaming. Generations of Waverleys had tended this garden. Their history was in the soil, but so was their future. Something was about to happen, something the garden wasn’t ready to tell her yet. She would have to keep a sharp eye out.”
I woke up on a Sunday Morning and I knew I needed to re-read a Sarah Addison Allen book. This is one of my comfort books and calls to the whimsical, eccentric parts of my soul. The imagery and use of metaphor is so vibrant I can taste it.
This book is also definitely showing it’s age (it was first published in 2007).
It uses some very gendered language/romance concepts, the “lost without a man” troupe and wanders into the “gay best friend” troupe.
Overall, the book is just as enchanting as I remember and makes me want to dry flowers, read books in the garden, and drink herbal tea sweetened with honey.
I woke up on a Sunday Morning and I knew I needed to re-read a Sarah Addison Allen book. This is one of my comfort books and calls to the whimsical, eccentric parts of my soul. The imagery and use of metaphor is so vibrant I can taste it.
This book is also definitely showing it’s age (it was first published in 2007).
It uses some very gendered language/romance concepts, the “lost without a man” troupe and wanders into the “gay best friend” troupe.
Overall, the book is just as enchanting as I remember and makes me want to dry flowers, read books in the garden, and drink herbal tea sweetened with honey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual content
kpwxx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Abandonment
loving_u_4_ever's review against another edition
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment
hellsbellsbeepbeep's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence, and Abandonment
mzynda's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Abandonment