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amariexciryatan's review
4.0
3.5/5⭐️
I wish the book would’ve been 100 pages longer, just so the second half didn’t feel as rushed as it did. I do hope there will be a second book though.. I need answers!
I wish the book would’ve been 100 pages longer, just so the second half didn’t feel as rushed as it did. I do hope there will be a second book though.. I need answers!
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A powerful and emotive spin on the Welsh mythos, focusing on the retelling and crafting of a feminist story of Morgan le Fay's youngest sister and the reimaging of Merlin's character in a devious light.
I adored what Burge did with brining the Arthurian legend to life in the present day through our main character Ivy, who had gone 17 years feeling unwanted and truly unknown, only finding glimpses of joy in her current job at the butterfly house.
I really liked Ivy as a character and I think she showed such a strength and resilience, especially as the sisters came into the picture and she was adamant she wouldn't let her identity get lost behind who they knew. That took a lot of power, but what was also empowering was opening up, admiting when you need help and letting people in despite the risks of rejection because it's all part of the human experience. This was shown beautifully in a literal and metaphorical way through the use of demons.
I ended up loving the blossoming friendship between Ivy and Tom, and although I still don't by into him doing the extent of all this for her, I think it was an example of a kind person that clearly cared for her wellbeing. I also loved the relationship that was starting to form between Ivy, Morgan and the others. I wish we got a chance to see what is in store for them all.
It looks like this is being left as a standalone and although the open endednwss hasn't bothered me as much as usual, I still think there are so many questions I'd rather have answered: does Ivy find her mum, does she grow a relationship with Tom and her sisters, how does she navigate both worlds? So many things I would love to see an expansion on, especially just to explore the world of Avalon!
Nevertheless, this was a fantastic read!
blondevalkyrie's review
4.0
Mythology, sisterhood and a touch of romance
Although a YA book, as an adult I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing flows well and is easy to read with enough depth to not be superficial. I try not to give the story away in a review, only general comments. A tale of an “abandoned” daughter trying to find her mother and finding her real roots along the way intertwined with Arthurian Legend. The setting on a remote island is perfect for a supernatural story involving Merlin and his search for the lead character. It adds to the eerie atmosphere and because of how it is written you can easily visualise yourself there with Ivy on this desolate island fighting the bad powers for the sake of the good powers. The bonding of sisters showing combined strength of the females along with a little bit of romance of course to help it all along. A thoroughly enjoyable read with an ending, whilst being complete, leaves scope for more to follow
Although a YA book, as an adult I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing flows well and is easy to read with enough depth to not be superficial. I try not to give the story away in a review, only general comments. A tale of an “abandoned” daughter trying to find her mother and finding her real roots along the way intertwined with Arthurian Legend. The setting on a remote island is perfect for a supernatural story involving Merlin and his search for the lead character. It adds to the eerie atmosphere and because of how it is written you can easily visualise yourself there with Ivy on this desolate island fighting the bad powers for the sake of the good powers. The bonding of sisters showing combined strength of the females along with a little bit of romance of course to help it all along. A thoroughly enjoyable read with an ending, whilst being complete, leaves scope for more to follow
raye_loves_reading's review
4.0
I have never read any books by Rachel Burge before, but I am really happy that I read this one.
For some reason, the concept of the story really appealed and though part of me expected the novel to have aspects of books like The Ex Hex and Not the Witch You Wed, it was more about the characters than it was a love story.
It had a few elements that made me think it was closer in themes to one of my all-time favourite novels, The Changeover by Margaret Mahy. A young woman discovers that magic is real and to save someone she loves (in this case her mother), she draws upon powers she didn’t know she possessed to come to the rescue.
Ivy doesn’t know who she is, despite that, she has made something of her life, she works, she keeps very much to herself, and she remains determined that she is going to find the mother who abandoned her to the foster system.
When she finally hears from her mother, the contact isn’t what she expects, but she takes it on the chin and heads off with Tom, a young man who seems to want to befriend Ivy, to an island off the coast of Wales that is rumoured to be the site of Avalon…yes, that Avalon.
The development of the characters and the slow growth of the bond between Ivy and Tom is wonderful to read. The book isn’t a flat-out romance, but it has a role to play in the story. However, as I don’t do spoilers in my reviews it’s not something I am going to go into.
I really enjoyed the mix of Celtic mythology and fantasy, the merging of Merlinian tale and strong women. It was interesting to see the way that the author managed to change the story enough that it wasn’t a simple re-telling. It’s definitely going to have me looking at alternative versions of the stories that I grew up with - because I am sure they’re out there.
I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to read something a little darker, a little less romantically focused and more about character development and story building.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For some reason, the concept of the story really appealed and though part of me expected the novel to have aspects of books like The Ex Hex and Not the Witch You Wed, it was more about the characters than it was a love story.
It had a few elements that made me think it was closer in themes to one of my all-time favourite novels, The Changeover by Margaret Mahy. A young woman discovers that magic is real and to save someone she loves (in this case her mother), she draws upon powers she didn’t know she possessed to come to the rescue.
Ivy doesn’t know who she is, despite that, she has made something of her life, she works, she keeps very much to herself, and she remains determined that she is going to find the mother who abandoned her to the foster system.
When she finally hears from her mother, the contact isn’t what she expects, but she takes it on the chin and heads off with Tom, a young man who seems to want to befriend Ivy, to an island off the coast of Wales that is rumoured to be the site of Avalon…yes, that Avalon.
The development of the characters and the slow growth of the bond between Ivy and Tom is wonderful to read. The book isn’t a flat-out romance, but it has a role to play in the story. However, as I don’t do spoilers in my reviews it’s not something I am going to go into.
I really enjoyed the mix of Celtic mythology and fantasy, the merging of Merlinian tale and strong women. It was interesting to see the way that the author managed to change the story enough that it wasn’t a simple re-telling. It’s definitely going to have me looking at alternative versions of the stories that I grew up with - because I am sure they’re out there.
I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to read something a little darker, a little less romantically focused and more about character development and story building.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
lauxxlau's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
sgall75's review
4.0
Waking the Witch is a fast paced, YA novel, that delves into strong feminist themes. Ivy is working in a butterfly house, living with foster carers after she'd been abandoned as a baby. She never lets anyone gets close and is desperate to find out where she came from and who she belongs to. She discovers her birth mother is living on a remote island off the coast from Wales and when she's fired from her job, she sets off with the kindly Tom to find her Mum, only her mother is terrified that the shadows of the past will harm Ivy if she comes to visit.
This book was a quick, dark yet fun read. I love that I'm starting to see more books set in Wales, using our culture and mythology as a backdrop to stories. This novel has strong, feminist themes, highlighting how females are still seen as objects by some men. I also enjoyed how the book took on some of the Arthurian legends and myths and melded them together.
Ivy was a strong character. She hides her emotions and refuses to let anyone in and yet she's partnered with Tom, who is warm and desperate to break down the walls that Ivy has built around her. The two characters had a great dynamic.
I'm assuming there's going to be a sequel...it really can't end like that! But it does read as a good standalone too.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an e-arc in return for an honest review.
This book was a quick, dark yet fun read. I love that I'm starting to see more books set in Wales, using our culture and mythology as a backdrop to stories. This novel has strong, feminist themes, highlighting how females are still seen as objects by some men. I also enjoyed how the book took on some of the Arthurian legends and myths and melded them together.
Ivy was a strong character. She hides her emotions and refuses to let anyone in and yet she's partnered with Tom, who is warm and desperate to break down the walls that Ivy has built around her. The two characters had a great dynamic.
I'm assuming there's going to be a sequel...it really can't end like that! But it does read as a good standalone too.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an e-arc in return for an honest review.
ying251's review
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
alicia1603's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lucylivesinbooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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
4.25