nyquilsquirrel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
daffodill37's review against another edition
4.0
This book contridicts book 1 a couple of times but it's generally not crucial to the story, with the exception being the aunts. There are 3 aunts in the first book and 2 in the second.
This book is unexpectedly and delightfully queer, I enjoyed.
Ultimately, it's a sweet story of family and love of many varieties; familial, friendly, romantic.
This book is unexpectedly and delightfully queer, I enjoyed.
Ultimately, it's a sweet story of family and love of many varieties; familial, friendly, romantic.
queencarolrules's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
thebookishbohemian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.0
ekopaskie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
aliencatl0rd's review against another edition
2.0
I'm so sad because I love the story and concept but I hate Hoffman's style. She doesn't take us along for the ride, she tells us everything. I want to experience it with the characters, not be told like a rambling tangent.
Also, as others pointed out, there are far too many characters and none of them are particularly distinct (except Ian I guess, because of his tattoos) or have likeable personalities. They're all so boring and huffy it's hard to connect with them. Even at the emotional highs and lows for the main characters I just feel nothing because they're so flat!
Hoffman also retells us irrelevant details on repeat. If I went back and tried to count how many times she wrote, "Red is for love," or "Red is for magic," I'd scream. She also rambles on and on about love, lost love, true love, and sisters to the extent you roll your eyes and want to throw the damn book.
I like all the components that this book has, just not how it's done. It's so frustrating, unrelatable, and boring. And when it does get exciting because they're casting magic etc it's so short lived and clearly not an important aspect in Hoffman's eyes. Yet she clearly knows a lot about plants, symbolism, and witch history.
It's just sad. :(
Also, as others pointed out, there are far too many characters and none of them are particularly distinct (except Ian I guess, because of his tattoos) or have likeable personalities. They're all so boring and huffy it's hard to connect with them. Even at the emotional highs and lows for the main characters I just feel nothing because they're so flat!
Hoffman also retells us irrelevant details on repeat. If I went back and tried to count how many times she wrote, "Red is for love," or "Red is for magic," I'd scream. She also rambles on and on about love, lost love, true love, and sisters to the extent you roll your eyes and want to throw the damn book.
I like all the components that this book has, just not how it's done. It's so frustrating, unrelatable, and boring. And when it does get exciting because they're casting magic etc it's so short lived and clearly not an important aspect in Hoffman's eyes. Yet she clearly knows a lot about plants, symbolism, and witch history.
It's just sad. :(
ellenigraves's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
audriew9's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
3.75
I enjoyed this second book to practical magic. It was a little darker than I would have liked, but i love following the sisters. This one had more heart as well.
mary_juleyre's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jen_16's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0