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themichellegray's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
A stunning yet devastating story about family, untold stories of mistreated women throughout history, and breaking the cycle. This is truly a beautifully written book that I will return to again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, Rape, Religious bigotry, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide
mrnstrnch's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
ihateprozac's review against another edition
4.0
This was so much deeper and darker than I anticipated ;____; And I freakin adored it.
I love how Moira Fowley-Doyle blends magical realism and contemporary here. For most of the story you can't tell if what you're reading is realistic, allegorical, or pure fantasy. It's not immediately clear whether this is a fantastical quest or a journey of grief.
One of the major themes discussed is how women have been controlled, silenced, and hidden away through history - specifically Ireland's history. CW for rape, sexual assault, homophobia, abuse, and slutshaming It's super heartbreaking and the rage and sadness is palpable.
I can't say more without spoiling it but if you're a feminist please pick up this tragic, magical little novel.
I love how Moira Fowley-Doyle blends magical realism and contemporary here. For most of the story you can't tell if what you're reading is realistic, allegorical, or pure fantasy. It's not immediately clear whether this is a fantastical quest or a journey of grief.
One of the major themes discussed is how women have been controlled, silenced, and hidden away through history - specifically Ireland's history. CW for rape, sexual assault, homophobia, abuse, and slutshaming It's super heartbreaking and the rage and sadness is palpable.
I can't say more without spoiling it but if you're a feminist please pick up this tragic, magical little novel.
ceceewing_'s review
5.0
Unputdownable. This is full of inherited rage, inherited silence, inherited stigma, and so much more. It’s about a past that is only escapable if someone finally dares to speak it out loud. It’s a horrifying masterpiece that demands to look centuries of trauma in the face and scream about it or nothing will ever change. Essential, essential reading.
TW: Homophobia, internalized homophobia, historical homophobia, mentions and discussion of rape and incest
TW: Homophobia, internalized homophobia, historical homophobia, mentions and discussion of rape and incest
kaishatate's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
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
3.75
eatingrottingtoenails's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Beautiful queer representation, the MC slowly unravels a mystery, including important themes of feminism and acceptance, with a major twist! My all time favorite.
mehsi's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know... something was just missing in this one. Throughout the book I just never really truly connected with it. The parts in the past were good and that is what kept me going, just like some of the twists and turns, but the now parts just weren't that interesting to me. I did love that the cast was bi and lesbian. There were some time things that didn't feel like they made sense to me. But I do love the magical elements, I loved the family and seeing how it all came together. I love the cover. I love the ending.
I will write a longer review after my vacation.
I will write a longer review after my vacation.
bnryan95's review
3.0
This book was not at all what I was expecting when I read the summary. I’m still not really sure what I read. It was interesting, but very confusing. It could have been explained better. I found the sections about the past to be much more intriguing then the present sections.
Definitely kept my interest piqued. I wanted to keep reading to find out how it ended.
Definitely kept my interest piqued. I wanted to keep reading to find out how it ended.
other_worlds_than_these's review
5.0
I cried so much
Full Review:
I really loved this story. I related to Deena immediately. I loved her complex relationship with Rachel and Mandy. I loved the spooky element with the Banshees, and I learned alot about Ireland, which was asurprise; I didn't expect this to go into the history of Ireland and the treatment of women but I think it was very important to know not only to understand the story but also understand it in the real world.
Full Review:
I really loved this story. I related to Deena immediately. I loved her complex relationship with Rachel and Mandy. I loved the spooky element with the Banshees, and I learned alot about Ireland, which was asurprise; I didn't expect this to go into the history of Ireland and the treatment of women but I think it was very important to know not only to understand the story but also understand it in the real world.