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morganperks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
can you say Hocus Pocus vibes? Persephone is a gem. smash that patriarchy babe.
Graphic: Misogyny, Transphobia, and Police brutality
Moderate: Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Deadnaming, Death, and Death of parent
bookforthought's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
The Witches of Moonshyne Manor was the perfect read to transition from summer to autumn, with its witchy vibes, delightful characters, and a healthy dose of patriarchy smashing!
I have to admit, it took me a while to fully get into this as we are plunged into Moonshyne Manor in the midst of a crisis, meeting (almost) all the sisterhood members in close succession. I needed a few beats to remember who was who, but once I did, I soon became really attached to them. I loved how each witch had a special talent and an affinity for a different type of magic (plants, animals, inventions, seduction…) and how different all their personalities were.
It also quickly became clear that there was more, much more, lurking beneath the surface, with multiple risks for the sisterhood and old secrets coming to light. The author did an excellent job of spreading the clues around for me to pick up like tiny breadcrumbs drawing the trail to that beautiful ending. There were quite a few things I hadn’t seen coming, so I was very pleasantly surprised, but also kept wanting to read to finally understand how all the pieces fit together.
The alternating POVs worked really well to help me see things from the different sisters’ perspectives, and I liked how smoothly it all flowed: even though at times the writing was slightly repetitive, these sections were never prevalent and were improved by developments further down the line.
This book was so many things! It combines some of my favourite things, like witches, heists and secrets, as well as some tropes I love such as found family. It also tackles a wide range of themes, like ageing and the relationship between older and younger generations; the importance of friendships and family; love and forgiveness; and, above all, sisterhood. Mix them all together, sprinkle in a good dose of humour and magic, and you have a great, heartwarming, autumnal witchy read!
Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book as part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours and Harper360. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Graphic: Misogyny, Transphobia, and Police brutality
Moderate: Dementia and Grief
Minor: Death
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
This was a great modern day witch story centered around a group of women in their late 70’s / early 80’s. This story is more than just about a group of women who are behind on their mortgage payments. This revolves around sisterhood, abandonment, death, ageism, sexism, tinges of racism, gender identity and sexual identity as well. This does sometimes felt a little too “woke” when it came to dialogue / certain scenarios when Persephone is brought into the story (the teenager who immerses herself with this group.) I’m glad Ursula is not painted as someone who needed to be redeemed too. But a good palette cleanser if you don’t want anything to horrifying but still in the spooky / witchy realm
Moderate: Dementia, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Deadnaming, Death, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Alcohol
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