btaylorb's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
I feel so lucky to have found an ARC of this at my job. I loved Empire of Wild and Marrow Thieves. The copy description on the back of the book hooked me, but the actual story delivers something I think is a little different. This book never really fulfills that description (at least to me). And yet, what this novel did end up delivering was so good!
First, the different American regional approaches to magic - Pennsylvania Dutch pow wow magic and yarb women and granny witches of the Ozarks, Louisiana voodoo. I feel like there's some subtle and incisive commentary about how modern day witchcraft practices are both so westernized as to be bland, and/or they rely on colonized and appropriated aspects of indigenous magical practices. In fact, there's a really gratifying moment where the main character addresses this when she uses the one piece of indigenous knowledge she got from her mother.
The found family element as the coven comes together is so sweet, and the relationship between Lucky and Stella skillfully plumbs some painful depths about living with an elder whose memory is unreliable, without getting too depressing. And overall it's a story about marginalized women reclaiming their power. I'm sincerely hoping there's a sequel in the works that explores more of the inner workings of VenCo and gives Lucky more opportunity to develop as a character and explore her own magical powers.
First, the different American regional approaches to magic - Pennsylvania Dutch pow wow magic and yarb women and granny witches of the Ozarks, Louisiana voodoo. I feel like there's some subtle and incisive commentary about how modern day witchcraft practices are both so westernized as to be bland, and/or they rely on colonized and appropriated aspects of indigenous magical practices. In fact, there's a really gratifying moment where the main character addresses this when she uses the one piece of indigenous knowledge she got from her mother.
The found family element as the coven comes together is so sweet, and the relationship between Lucky and Stella skillfully plumbs some painful depths about living with an elder whose memory is unreliable, without getting too depressing. And overall it's a story about marginalized women reclaiming their power. I'm sincerely hoping there's a sequel in the works that explores more of the inner workings of VenCo and gives Lucky more opportunity to develop as a character and explore her own magical powers.
brulereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
fairiedancr's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
caitlinanncran's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 rounded up!
Ok I am quite possibly in love with Cherie Dimaline!! The ending of this book just SOARED and I am still beaming! When I first heard she was writing a witchy fantasy (fantasy-adjacent?) I was over the MOON with excitement, and am beyond grateful to have had the chance to read the ARC. I knew I’d be a fan for life after The Marrow Thieves series - the best YA dystopian I’ve ever read - and here is proof that her talent in no way ends there, not that any proof was required!
This is a witchy book like none I’ve ever read before - the magic and MIGHT of these women just absolutely lifts off the page. It reminded me of The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin, not plot-specifically per say (kind of though, in some ways??) but in essence, with on-the-pulse social commentary and representation of marginalized groups, along with that sense of rightful reclamation that feels undeniably triumphant. This one has trans rep too, which is lovely! An honour to read all around.
Best of all, I loved the relationship between Lucky and her grandmother woven so prominently throughout every page of this book. The way this relationship is honoured is so beautiful (and often funny) and the way it all comes together = infinitely precious, and infinitely wise.
In short - thank you, book, for the perfect lead-in to my autumn reading season. It’s a good day to hex the patriarchy indeed!!
“…Something passed down to my mom from her mother.”
“They were witches?”
“Better, they were Indigenous women.”
“I am unfamiliar with those practices.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t be so Western in your education. That’s a weakness.”
Again - an honour to read!
Ok I am quite possibly in love with Cherie Dimaline!! The ending of this book just SOARED and I am still beaming! When I first heard she was writing a witchy fantasy (fantasy-adjacent?) I was over the MOON with excitement, and am beyond grateful to have had the chance to read the ARC. I knew I’d be a fan for life after The Marrow Thieves series - the best YA dystopian I’ve ever read - and here is proof that her talent in no way ends there, not that any proof was required!
This is a witchy book like none I’ve ever read before - the magic and MIGHT of these women just absolutely lifts off the page. It reminded me of The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin, not plot-specifically per say (kind of though, in some ways??) but in essence, with on-the-pulse social commentary and representation of marginalized groups, along with that sense of rightful reclamation that feels undeniably triumphant. This one has trans rep too, which is lovely! An honour to read all around.
Best of all, I loved the relationship between Lucky and her grandmother woven so prominently throughout every page of this book. The way this relationship is honoured is so beautiful (and often funny) and the way it all comes together = infinitely precious, and infinitely wise.
In short - thank you, book, for the perfect lead-in to my autumn reading season. It’s a good day to hex the patriarchy indeed!!
“…Something passed down to my mom from her mother.”
“They were witches?”
“Better, they were Indigenous women.”
“I am unfamiliar with those practices.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t be so Western in your education. That’s a weakness.”
Again - an honour to read!
manwithanagenda's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
What 'VenCo' was, to me, was a joyride of a book that let me get away from the misery that was 2022 (I had a preview copy) if only for a moment. There are dark thematic elements, tension, and some truths that are often ignored in the witches just wanna have fun genre, but it was a good time.
Lucky St. James is running out of options. She's working dead-end jobs trying to make ends meet and take care of her grandmother, who is slipping into dementia. She has no other family, and while she is Metis, she has no connection with her tribe. By chance, it seems, she discovers an odd artifact in a tunnel beneath her building and is approached soon after by a prestigious group interested in her writing. This is all too good to be true, but Lucky is being drawn into a deadly race against time. Magic is suddenly present in her world, prophecies, and powerful women.
I had such a good time with this. I know now never to expect the same thing twice with Dimaline.
Lucky St. James is running out of options. She's working dead-end jobs trying to make ends meet and take care of her grandmother, who is slipping into dementia. She has no other family, and while she is Metis, she has no connection with her tribe. By chance, it seems, she discovers an odd artifact in a tunnel beneath her building and is approached soon after by a prestigious group interested in her writing. This is all too good to be true, but Lucky is being drawn into a deadly race against time. Magic is suddenly present in her world, prophecies, and powerful women.
I had such a good time with this. I know now never to expect the same thing twice with Dimaline.
caseythereader's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Cursing, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Ableism, Alcoholism, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, Injury/injury detail, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
strideout's review
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
4.0
aliasgracemarks's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
mrlzbth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0