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louisegraveyard's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Pedophilia, Fire/Fire injury, Lesbophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Rape, Sexism, Gore, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
hbocking's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Rape
dogearedbooks's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Dementia, Grief, Pregnancy, Child death, Sexism, Animal death, Blood, and Rape
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Body horror
Minor: Car accident and Bullying
brittsuek's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Confinement, Child abuse, Rape, Body horror, Toxic relationship, Child death, Cursing, Pedophilia, and Suicidal thoughts
full_kay's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Body horror and Rape
rhi_'s review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Pregnancy, Death, Sexual assault, Body horror, Child death, Rape, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Miscarriage, Lesbophobia, and Medical trauma
Minor: Chronic illness, Suicidal thoughts, Pedophilia, Car accident, and Emotional abuse
tamara_joy's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Pregnancy, and Death
Moderate: Dementia, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Incest, Lesbophobia, Infidelity, Bullying, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Abandonment, Abortion, Classism, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Child death
kimbekaw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexism and Death
Minor: Homophobia, Body horror, Rape, and Child death
thatpreciousplot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
'The lighthouse witches' was one of my favourite reads of last year so to say I was EXSTATIC when I was approached by the publishers to read C.J Cookes newest book 'The Ghost Woods' might be an understatement!
The story itself is set around the creepy, atmospheric grounds of Lichen Hall in Scotland, which stands as a home for unmarried pregnant mothers to go have their babies away from the prying and judging eyes of the public of the time, and arrange for these children to be given up for adoption. It is told from dual perspectives, Mabel in in the 1950s and Pearl in the 1960s, following both as they navigate the mysteries of Lichen Hall, it's inhabitants and uncover the mysteries within...
C J Cooke is masterful at creepy atmospheric writing and capturing the Scottish setting (I am biased being Scottish but I LOVE it!) there was really some truly horrifying imagery throughout the book as well as body horror which made for such a spooky read.
Overall, a very enjoyable read - I would give it a solid 4 stars (my only negative was it involved some content/triggers that I try my best to avoid reading about but I understand for the plot why it was there)
Thanks again to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for offering me the chance of reading the ARC!
Moderate: Child abuse, Infertility, and Body horror
_teoeo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed the storyline and after reading the author's note I understood the plots intentions even more. I liked that it had lesbian representation and a lot of sapphic characters. And the ghothic atmosphere, yes!!
However, what destroyed the reading experience a little for me was the writing. I was really surprised because I've read The Lighthouse Witches and in that book the writing was really good. But in this one it seemed rather loveless, tbh. It's not that I dislike reading first-person-perspective in general but I think a third-person-perspective would suit this book and plot a lot more.
But all in all it was an enjoyable read.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Child death, Pregnancy, Rape, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, and Animal death