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nataliaf4's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 stars! This book gripped me from cover to cover. I adored the characters and gothic setting and the main friendship in this is one of my favorite literary female/female friendships to date!
TW: descriptions of miscarriage and stillbirth, animal death, gaslighting, blood, and mentions of sexual abuse of a minor.
TW: descriptions of miscarriage and stillbirth, animal death, gaslighting, blood, and mentions of sexual abuse of a minor.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Misogyny, Sexism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
bybookandbone's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
slow-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
4.5
I don't think I have the words to describe everything I loved about The Familiars. Fleetwood is an incredibly sympathetic character. Just as I was getting irritated with her inaction, we discover that she is only 17, been married for four years and is pregnant with four miscarriages behind her. That's just so much for a young person to take. Plus the childhood neglect and abuse... absolutely horrific.
Throughout the book, Fleetwood has to deal with being seen as nothing more as an interactive uterus in an expensive dress.
I don't want to say much more than that without spoiling the story, though I wish it had ended with the violent murder of her husband, Richard, and his friend Rodger.
Alice is one of the women accused of witchcraft and Fleetwood's only friend, as well as the only midwife who has actually helped her with her difficult pregnancy.
Don't be fooled into thinking this book is about the Pendle trials, it's set around them but at the end of the day, it's Fleetwood and Alice's story. I still wish they ran off together
Throughout the book, Fleetwood has to deal with being seen as nothing more as an interactive uterus in an expensive dress.
I don't want to say much more than that without spoiling the story, though I wish it had ended with the violent murder of her husband, Richard, and his friend Rodger.
Alice is one of the women accused of witchcraft and Fleetwood's only friend, as well as the only midwife who has actually helped her with her difficult pregnancy.
Don't be fooled into thinking this book is about the Pendle trials, it's set around them but at the end of the day, it's Fleetwood and Alice's story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexism, and Blood
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Sexual assault
Minor: Body horror, Confinement, and Abandonment
samijean's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book was definitely a good-not-great kind of thing for me. I was definitely invested and I read the whole thing, but something about it was just kind of flat. I was expecting more outright witchiness; it was much more subtle than I thought it would be. I can't say I was super attached to any of the characters, but I did definitely feel for them. Wouldn't read it again, but I don't regret getting it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault