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caitbop5's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Drug abuse and Pregnancy
passionatereader78's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love books about sisters! This story was interesting to read. I love the family drama. The family has been cursed because of their monarch, Augusta. When 17 year old Nikki brings a boy home everyone knows it's time to tell her about the curse. Unfortunately, her mother, Victoria is not ready for her to grow up. When Nikki seeks help from her Aunt Willow it drives a rift between the sisters. Augusta watching the fallout knows she needs to tell the family her secret. Then Madeline, Willow and Victoria's mother shows up unannounced after being absent for 10 years. DRAMA!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
filosophicfoton's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Death of parent
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While I found this book interesting & at times intriguing, I did not find it compelling enough to eat it up as quickly as I could have. I thought it was interesting and I liked the characters but I think it just lacked a certain spark that I can’t really identify.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
wishbea's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really enjoyed the first half of the book, the mystery was interesting and I wanted to find out how the family would solve their problems.
Unfortunately there isn't much of a plot and despite the characterisations being initially really strong, by the end I had to check the chapter title to remember which pov I was reading because they all started to blend together.
Unfortunately there isn't much of a plot and despite the characterisations being initially really strong, by the end I had to check the chapter title to remember which pov I was reading because they all started to blend together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Death of parent
creolelitbelle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Books set in Louisiana or with Louisiana culture (done right) hook me every time. I was curious how this narrative could work with the majority of the story set in California, but Augusta's memories of life in New Orleans really make the story come alive. The events in the book are not plentiful but more of an everyday life sequence with the voodoo tied in, which might sound boring, but the POVs from 3 generations of Montrose women keeps everything exciting. Willow provides a good balance between her sister Victoria, her mom Madelyn, and her niece Nickie, and I felt the calming nature she brings to the family. Normally, I would wonder how a character who never speaks can propel her part of the plot forward, but Gallant by V E Schwab taught me everyone can communicate somehow with the other characters and their environment; Augusta is no different. I wish there was a little more magic voodoo in the book, but that is not necessary to give a full picture of the Montrose history or present. I have yet to read the book Practical Magic but still attest to the cursed love reminding me of its movie adaptation. The only aspect keeping me from rating this a little higher to 5 stars is the bit of predictability in some parts. I highly recommend the book as a good mix of history, a little magic, and New Orleans flavor with family as a core theme... plus a side of romance. Case in point - I read the whole book in 3 days. I could barely put it down with short chapters and sections divided by months.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
alysereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The premise of the book was great and I enjoyed it! I liked the exploration of magic, family, and generational trauma (through a curse). I listened to it as an audiobook and thought the voice actor did a great job. While I found the characters interesting, I found it a bit slow at times, but still worth reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction
fandomsandfiction's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It took me a few chapters, but I eventually fell in love with this magical and heart-warming family saga following the lives of four generations of Creole women who are haunted by a vengeful curse. There's voodoo, hoodoo, generational trauma, and LOTS of drama as secrets unravel. It made for a captivating and emotional read.
The multiple povs are an excellent narrative choice as the story holds so much depth, understanding, and intimacy when viewed through the eyes of different women of varying ages. I would've loved to see the story from Madelyn's pov as well, but I can only imagine how ridiculously challenging it would be to write from FIVE different povs (and possibly confusing for the readers too!). Embodying four characters and telling the story from four separate viewpoints must be challenging enough as it is.
One thing that bothered me about this book is that Nickie (the youngest of the women) frequently skipped meals and it was completely normalized as if teenagers don't need food to survive. I do not think it is a healthy portrayal. (But I am just sensitive to these things, and it might not bother other readers at all).
The ending was slightly anticlimactic, but overall, this is an engaging and well-written debut novel! I heard it's been picked up for a tv show adaption and I am SO EXCITED to see it on screen 🤩
The multiple povs are an excellent narrative choice as the story holds so much depth, understanding, and intimacy when viewed through the eyes of different women of varying ages. I would've loved to see the story from Madelyn's pov as well, but I can only imagine how ridiculously challenging it would be to write from FIVE different povs (and possibly confusing for the readers too!). Embodying four characters and telling the story from four separate viewpoints must be challenging enough as it is.
One thing that bothered me about this book is that Nickie (the youngest of the women) frequently skipped meals and it was completely normalized as if teenagers don't need food to survive. I do not think it is a healthy portrayal. (But I am just sensitive to these things, and it might not bother other readers at all).
The ending was slightly anticlimactic, but overall, this is an engaging and well-written debut novel! I heard it's been picked up for a tv show adaption and I am SO EXCITED to see it on screen 🤩
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Death of parent, and Abandonment
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
maregred's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol