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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
How is a coven formed in these modern times ? This was a great listen. Lots of characters and plenty of action. Hope there is a sequel.
I was hoping for a little bit more. The characters felt more like caricatures than real people to me. I always felt like I was waiting for something to happen until maybe the last 80 pages.
I got the biggest kick out of this book, mostly because of the relationship between Lucky and Stella! Stella reminded me so much of my grandmother (a little more wild than mine but the feeling was still there)
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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:
No
Give me all the witch fiction! Great cast of characters. I could spend more time with all of them and more of this world, please! It all went too fast.
This is a fun story with lots of twists and turns: I never quite knew where it would take me, and I enjoyed being along for the journey. There's a strong sense of place identity throughout the book, so if you're familiar with the locations, you can picture where events are happening in real life, down to the address. The author goes out of her way to be inclusive of Trans, Indigenous, and Queer characters, but there are times it borders on ostentatious, rather than feeling organic. The dialogue is awkward, and one of the biggest reasons I'm marking down on stars.
I really struggled to get into this book. It’s so surprising because it is everything I want in a book. But the first few chapters were a real struggle for me.
The counterpoint is that the very end of this book impressed me enough that I adjusted my rating up to a 4 star.
After reflecting, however, I really think it should be a 3 star for me. While the cast of characters were interesting, the pacing was off. It felt like nothing was propelling the plot forward. I picked up and put down this book for months because the initial chapters fell a little flat and I had no attachment or interest pursuing the story.
Once I was able to get into it, I found the symbolism to be quite poignant and effective. The storytelling style is non-linear and feels extremely reflective of my understanding of the Indigenous Oral Tradition. The plot essentially providing a landscape for historical and social commentary and doing so effectively.
Unfortunately, it feels like an uphill battle to that point and large number of people may abandon ship along the way.
The counterpoint is that the very end of this book impressed me enough that I adjusted my rating up to a 4 star.
After reflecting, however, I really think it should be a 3 star for me. While the cast of characters were interesting, the pacing was off. It felt like nothing was propelling the plot forward. I picked up and put down this book for months because the initial chapters fell a little flat and I had no attachment or interest pursuing the story.
Once I was able to get into it, I found the symbolism to be quite poignant and effective. The storytelling style is non-linear and feels extremely reflective of my understanding of the Indigenous Oral Tradition. The plot essentially providing a landscape for historical and social commentary and doing so effectively.
Unfortunately, it feels like an uphill battle to that point and large number of people may abandon ship along the way.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
No
Coming soon to https://www.spiritboundpress.com/literary-craft-editorial?category=Literary%20Craft%20Editorial%20Review%20-%20Column
You may know Cherie Dimaline from her hugely popular, award-winning YA novel, The Marrow Thieves, and its recent follow-up, Hunting By Stars, but VenCo is her magical story centering witchy women everywhere.
Featuring a Métis millennial main character named Lucky, the story is about VenCo, a secret underground network of witches just waiting for the time when they can rise up and reclaim their power. That moment may be nigh as Lucky finds what could be the seventh spoon needed to unite the witches and reignite their flame. But Lucky and her grandmother must road trip to New Orleans, face a deadly witch hunter, and reckon with the past in order to determine the future.
This is a kaleidoscopic, evocative book that you might finish in one sitting. Or sit back and take it in slowly, with its charm, detail, and magic. Be it VenCo, The Marrow Thieves, or any of Dimaline’s books, you can’t go wrong with her electrifying, haunting, and signature voice.
You may know Cherie Dimaline from her hugely popular, award-winning YA novel, The Marrow Thieves, and its recent follow-up, Hunting By Stars, but VenCo is her magical story centering witchy women everywhere.
Featuring a Métis millennial main character named Lucky, the story is about VenCo, a secret underground network of witches just waiting for the time when they can rise up and reclaim their power. That moment may be nigh as Lucky finds what could be the seventh spoon needed to unite the witches and reignite their flame. But Lucky and her grandmother must road trip to New Orleans, face a deadly witch hunter, and reckon with the past in order to determine the future.
This is a kaleidoscopic, evocative book that you might finish in one sitting. Or sit back and take it in slowly, with its charm, detail, and magic. Be it VenCo, The Marrow Thieves, or any of Dimaline’s books, you can’t go wrong with her electrifying, haunting, and signature voice.