Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches by Kate Scelsa

48 reviews

crunchycrystals's review against another edition

• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Hate crime, and Homophobia

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Vomit, and Sexual harassment

pipn_t's review against another edition

sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This did not feel like a romance as it was mostly about the MC’s ex.  Didn’t feel like there was much if any character development.  I felt super uncomfortable with the reveal of what the MC did after her ex broke up with her and didn’t enjoy the book after that point.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Alcohol

j_nell's review

challenging emotional hopeful informative lighthearted reflective sad tense 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

Protagonist was very whiny and very difficult to tolerate. Otherwise the plot was super cute and reasonable. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Biphobia, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

frankenstens13's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective tense 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? Yes

3.75

I really liked the style of it and it was really engaging! But it wasn't exactly what I was looking, There was also not a lot of magic, I was expecting a fantasy world travel sort of book (with a queer romance along for the ride) and I got a contemporary queer romance which don't get me wrong was quite good! It just wasn't what I was looking for

If you'er looking for a contemporary queer romance (with it's fair share of drama) with a little fantasy music mixed in then I would highly recommend! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, and Drug use

Minor: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship

isnt_it_pretty's review

inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Biphobia, Chronic illness, Lesbophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Minor: Bullying and Sexual assault

portalpylon's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Sexual assault, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail

mrowrow's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Bullying, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

cboddie's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

HS & up

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Drug use

Moderate: Sexual assault

julesthebookdragon417's review

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use

myranda_the_bookwyrm's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I found this rather compellingly told, with the structure of the tarot guide book used as you move through the arc, and with good depth for a YA romance/social fiction. If you are looking for a fantasy-romance or even romance-fantasy/paranormal, I wouldn't exactly put this in those categories. While the characters practice witchcraft, we aren't called upon as readers to believe it exists in this world (or ours) if that makes sense. There are some of the usual foibles of miscommunication that are standard for the romance genre, and I can see where there's room for improvement on the author handled Eleanor's response to heartbreak that could be interpreted as leaning into harmful stereotypes, but overall I also feel like that is countered by the first person narration, where readers also are reminded that how Eleanor sees and interprets other people's responses to her is heavily coloured by her own insecurities. Honestly, I was expecting a cutesy little fantasy romance for teens and instead got a YA romance with some surprising depth that cut me just right. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Biphobia, Drug use, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Lesbophobia