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A review by clockworkstars
Motheater by Linda H. Codega
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
“And then, under her hand, Bennie felt Kire breathe.”
3.25☆|5
Sometimes there are books out there that you want to read so much and that look really nice, and full of potential. So you try and try, but for some reason, it just doesn’t entirely make it. I fear that Motheater by Linda H. Codega might fall into that category for me.
I wouldn't say that I have disliked it, but let's say that I was expecting to love it and that instead I simply liked it. However, I don't have big issues with this book; if anything, I have positive things to say.
First, I really, really liked the setting and the story ideas. The themes of nature and witches were interesting, and it was really nice to read! Likewise, I really liked some characters. I had some troubles with Bennie at some point — she seemed a bit… inconsistent somehow? — but I have ended up liking her as well. And Motheater, oh dear gods. I adore her. She was bewitching, lacking better terms, and I think the flashbacks were my favourite parts of the novel. Also, for some unknown reasons, I really liked Jasper; he seemed nice!
The point that is responsible for the fact that this hasn't done it for me was probably the pacing. The author had everything. A charming plot idea; good characters; their writing is fascinating and makes you want to go deep down into the book, but it seemed to me that the main problem was the pacing. The first half was… a bit slow? It took me a really long time to get into this book, and it's a shame because the potential was there! I really got into it for the 2nd half, and yet, I have found some parts to go too fast. But it was mostly the slowness that broke it for me, preventing me from fully entering the plot.
But also, I do think that this is Codega's debut novel, therefore I am still looking forward to their next one, as I really liked their writing style and the way they constructed their plot. I do believe that some people can and will enjoy this book. In fact, I did enjoy it, just less than I thought I would. So I would still recommend it, somehow. Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC, this one goes out on January 21st!
3.25☆|5
Sometimes there are books out there that you want to read so much and that look really nice, and full of potential. So you try and try, but for some reason, it just doesn’t entirely make it. I fear that Motheater by Linda H. Codega might fall into that category for me.
I wouldn't say that I have disliked it, but let's say that I was expecting to love it and that instead I simply liked it. However, I don't have big issues with this book; if anything, I have positive things to say.
First, I really, really liked the setting and the story ideas. The themes of nature and witches were interesting, and it was really nice to read! Likewise, I really liked some characters. I had some troubles with Bennie at some point — she seemed a bit… inconsistent somehow? — but I have ended up liking her as well. And Motheater, oh dear gods. I adore her. She was bewitching, lacking better terms, and I think the flashbacks were my favourite parts of the novel. Also, for some unknown reasons, I really liked Jasper; he seemed nice!
The point that is responsible for the fact that this hasn't done it for me was probably the pacing. The author had everything. A charming plot idea; good characters; their writing is fascinating and makes you want to go deep down into the book, but it seemed to me that the main problem was the pacing. The first half was… a bit slow? It took me a really long time to get into this book, and it's a shame because the potential was there! I really got into it for the 2nd half, and yet, I have found some parts to go too fast. But it was mostly the slowness that broke it for me, preventing me from fully entering the plot.
But also, I do think that this is Codega's debut novel, therefore I am still looking forward to their next one, as I really liked their writing style and the way they constructed their plot. I do believe that some people can and will enjoy this book. In fact, I did enjoy it, just less than I thought I would. So I would still recommend it, somehow. Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC, this one goes out on January 21st!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Death
Minor: Racism, Religious bigotry, and Classism