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A review by okiecozyreader
The Change by Kirsten Miller
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I ended up really loving (by loving I mean I couldn’t put down) this mystery with three older women (who have gone through the change) and have mystical powers. One senses that there is a ghost in an area, and they arrive there to find a body. Surprisingly, even with a drawing of the child, no one can identify her. The women discover there are other children and when the police don’t offer much assistance, they take the case into their own hands.
This reminded me of a darker Murder She Wrote or a Charlie’s Angels, in which the women were calling their own shots, or maybe a nature-Ocean’s Eleven.
There are parts that are difficult to read though. There are times where I hated the way most of the men were portrayed. But then I thought, does it bother me this much when it’s women being portrayed similarly? And isn’t that the point of this novel, that sometimes men create their own world and women sometimes are invited to have a seat at the table. Unfortunately I still think this can be true today.
In our discussion with @lbtheloverofbooks, Kirsten Miller said “We need to change the narrative about being this age. It is one of the best times of our lives. Do younger women a huge favor and give them something to look forward to.” Laura Beth posted in our group that Kirsten Miller was doing a giveaway and I was lucky enough to get one. Miller was such a generous and fun guest.
I’m on fall break and had some time, but I pretty much read the book this afternoon. Once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down. The 470 pages went by a lot quicker than I thought they might.
There are definitely content warnings for this one, though.
“You’re saying you found a witch like Miss Ella?
I found two. A protector and a punisher.” P97
“‘Witch’ is the label society slaps on women it can’t understand or control.” P113
“Women are allowed everywhere these days. Golf courses, nudie bars, the Racquet and Tennis Club. It would be scandalous if we weren’t allowed. So instead, we’re just not invited.” P180
“The key to getting away with anything is convincing yourself that you’ve done nothing wrong.” P188
“Accept that what you find may be worse than you ever thought possible. And believe you possess the strength to see it.”
“Our lives are designed to have three parts. The first is education. The second, creation. And in part three, we put our experience to use and protect those who are weaker. This third stage, which you have entered, can be of incredible power.” P436
This reminded me of a darker Murder She Wrote or a Charlie’s Angels, in which the women were calling their own shots, or maybe a nature-Ocean’s Eleven.
There are parts that are difficult to read though. There are times where I hated the way most of the men were portrayed. But then I thought, does it bother me this much when it’s women being portrayed similarly? And isn’t that the point of this novel, that sometimes men create their own world and women sometimes are invited to have a seat at the table. Unfortunately I still think this can be true today.
In our discussion with @lbtheloverofbooks, Kirsten Miller said “We need to change the narrative about being this age. It is one of the best times of our lives. Do younger women a huge favor and give them something to look forward to.” Laura Beth posted in our group that Kirsten Miller was doing a giveaway and I was lucky enough to get one. Miller was such a generous and fun guest.
I’m on fall break and had some time, but I pretty much read the book this afternoon. Once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down. The 470 pages went by a lot quicker than I thought they might.
There are definitely content warnings for this one, though.
“You’re saying you found a witch like Miss Ella?
I found two. A protector and a punisher.” P97
“‘Witch’ is the label society slaps on women it can’t understand or control.” P113
“Women are allowed everywhere these days. Golf courses, nudie bars, the Racquet and Tennis Club. It would be scandalous if we weren’t allowed. So instead, we’re just not invited.” P180
“The key to getting away with anything is convincing yourself that you’ve done nothing wrong.” P188
“Accept that what you find may be worse than you ever thought possible. And believe you possess the strength to see it.”
“Our lives are designed to have three parts. The first is education. The second, creation. And in part three, we put our experience to use and protect those who are weaker. This third stage, which you have entered, can be of incredible power.” P436
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Violence
Minor: Eating disorder