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tranquiltides's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’m in my early 30s now, and YA fiction doesn’t always capture me the way it used to. It’s hard to find the protagonists relatable when they are half your age.
But this book. Man… This book sucked me in. I wanted to do nothing but read it.
The story was well written and engaging. There were little twists and turns through the whole thing, and while I never claim to be the kind of person who can smell a plot twist from a mile away, the twist at the end of this book really truly and genuinely caught me by surprise.
A great book to get lost in, cozied up under a blanket with a hot tea. High recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, fantasy, magic, and mystery.
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child abuse, Dementia, and Gaslighting
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
To have a magic system that manifests in it's users after a traumatic experience was a powerful choice, and given the time frame the story is set in, traumatic experiences (especially for women and girls) abound. Frances's story was likely a similar and common one, unwelcome sexual advances by an older man, but then hearing stories like Lena's with the Indian school and being ripped away from her family like that; my heart ached. "What's the best way to kill an entire people? Take their children." And her response later in that scene when she "reclaimed" or at least restated that she was of her people (I listened to the audiobook, so I don't have the exact line to share), what a visceral moment. I started to tear up a bit in the car as I listened.
And the quasi-romance subplot with Finn and Oliver. Oh Frances, what options! Like Frances I, too, was taken by that sweet Irish brogue, mischievous smile, and sparkling eyes. But Oliver was such a solid choice too; steadfast, honest, and knew everything she'd been through, and had been just as heartbroken by losing William. Also the casual queer rep in the lovely kitchen witches as well as Maxine was lovely to see, even if it was swept a bit under the rug (which I also give a bit of a pass because, time period)
I was so glad everyone survived, and that Frances and Oliver will have his time to convalesce to let her bring him up to speed on everything and what that means for them as a couple/pair in the next book. And then that epilogue??? The letter from Finn!! I'm at the same time, thrilled, terrified, and furious that he survived the final encounter and have no idea if his magic will be back the next time we see him, but I can't wait to find out!!
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
calamitywindpetal's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content, Stalking, and Alcohol
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
It's the early 1900s, and Frances Hallowell is a seventeen year old seamstress reeling from the loss of her older brother who was murdered. One night, when her boss attacks her in the empty shop, something Frances can't explain happens and her boss ends up dead. Before the police can cart her away on a murder charge, she is taken by two nurses to HaxaHaven "sanitarium," but it's not a sanitarium at all, but a school for witches. Magic ensues.
There is a lot to like about this book! I thought the writing was simplistic, but beautiful. The vibes of the writing reminded me a bit of one of my favorite authors, Sarah Waters. I wrote down a ton of quotes from this in my reading journal. The side characters, particularly Frances' friends at the school, were probably the highlight for me. I appreciated that Haxahaven is a place that includes people from all backgrounds and identities (more on that later). This book was easy to get lost in and by the end of it, I was excited to read the sequel (releasing in October 2022).
I have some qualms though, and I wish I didn't. This was going to be a 5 star, and then a 4 star, and then a 3.5. Hear me out. While this book has characters from diverse backgrounds and identities, I don't believe that you can claim that this book is incredibly diverse. If the non-white , non-straight characters took center stage at any point, you could. However, that never happens. Two of the non-white or non-straight characters get significant page time, but only in relation to the white main character. At the end of the book, we get a bonus chapter about a lesbian character in the book, and while that's great, it would've been nice to see her actually get to be queer outside of passing mentions of it and then just that one chapter.
Another thing that cost this book a star was the twist. I hated it. I felt as betrayed as anyone else in the book did. I normally wouldn't take off a star for a plot point, but I feel VERY strongly about it, and that's why I'm doing it.
Despite my qualms, I really did like this book and I am interested in the sequel.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
faitherslibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Grief and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
sashiee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Blood, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, and Colonisation
molliemoments's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Minor: Forced institutionalization