m_ren_watson's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
turrean's review
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Rather like eating not just a spoonful of sugar, but the whole bag.
The book has a lighthearted, whimsical tone sometimes at odds with the gravity of some of the characters’ experiences (including domestic violence and rape.)
It was a strangely old fashioned kind of tale, very focused on romantic love as a woman’s best and most natural destiny. In this magical, quirky town, lots of families have special gifts and abilities, but they’re mostly focused on romance, attraction, and fortune telling. One family’s gift is the sexual prowess of their women; in another clan, men always marry older women. A third family has abundantly fertile women, who often have midlife crises involving immodest clothing and too much perfume, as if the world has no better reward for a mother of six. The main characters’ gifts of magical cooking and hairdressing are very traditionally feminine.
One of the male characters is of the “You told me to leave but I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart!” variety, which seemed distasteful since the villain in a parallel love story is a cruel abuser who refuses to accept a woman’s rejection.
The book has a lighthearted, whimsical tone sometimes at odds with the gravity of some of the characters’ experiences (including domestic violence and rape.)
It was a strangely old fashioned kind of tale, very focused on romantic love as a woman’s best and most natural destiny. In this magical, quirky town, lots of families have special gifts and abilities, but they’re mostly focused on romance, attraction, and fortune telling. One family’s gift is the sexual prowess of their women; in another clan, men always marry older women. A third family has abundantly fertile women, who often have midlife crises involving immodest clothing and too much perfume, as if the world has no better reward for a mother of six. The main characters’ gifts of magical cooking and hairdressing are very traditionally feminine.
One of the male characters is of the “You told me to leave but I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart!” variety, which seemed distasteful since the villain in a parallel love story is a cruel abuser who refuses to accept a woman’s rejection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Gun violence
earlygrey's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Practical Magic, but in a sunny garden in North Carolina. If that appeals to you, you'll love it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
anastasia_priscilla's review
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, and Rape
itsjadenbaby's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Impeccable! Genuinely such a comforting read despite some of the difficult topics touched upon. I would be happy to enter the world the author has created!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gun violence, Classism, Grief, and Stalking
Minor: Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Self harm, Death of parent, Misogyny, Violence, and Suicide attempt
booksanddopamine's review against another edition
4.0
This was very Practical Magic - two magical sisters with contrasting personalities, one who moves away and ends up in an abusive relationship; small town where the sisters feel like outcasts; eccentric aunt; romance... but I enjoyed it (more than I thought I would, even).
The magical elements are sweet and down to earth. Although there's romance, I'd say the story is more about the relationship between the sisters and their personal self-discovery.
Maybe it's just me, but as an autistic person Claire read like a coded autistic character. She struggles with social situations and reading people, she doesn't like people moving her things around because she likes them in their place, doesn't like change, and experiences a magical sort of sensory overload. She does have trauma and a fear of abandonment, but I still believe she reads as autistic. I get you, Claire!
The magical elements are sweet and down to earth. Although there's romance, I'd say the story is more about the relationship between the sisters and their personal self-discovery.
Maybe it's just me, but as an autistic person Claire read like a coded autistic character. She struggles with social situations and reading people, she doesn't like people moving her things around because she likes them in their place, doesn't like change, and experiences a magical sort of sensory overload. She does have trauma and a fear of abandonment, but I still believe she reads as autistic. I get you, Claire!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, and Rape
marybethgrice's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
fdj_25's review
adventurous
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A pleasure to read, especially on a warm sunny day. The characters were loveable and their personalities are well explored. However be aware that the topic of domestic abuse/violence is a running theme throughout the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence
kelleykamanda's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Feels just like the movie Practical Magic. Whimsical, cozy, lighthearted. The story revolves around rekindled sisters who learn to not shy away from their family legacy and embrace their gifts. For people who aren’t in romantic subplots, I’d suggest maybe trying a different book. Really enjoyed it though!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Death
There is a brief mention of sexual assault in the beginning of the book- this doesn’t repeat throughout the rest of the book. On occasion the character will mention how she was abused but this is sparingly.kryskross's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident