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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
This story is more about family/relationships than it is about magic, which could have worked if I had cared more about the characters. Their traits, thoughts, and reactions felt repetitive rather than revealing, and the pacing moves pretty slowly until the end when everything wraps up all at once.
This one took me a while to get into but once I was past the 30% mark, I was hooked. A tale of setting boundaries, of choosing your own path in life, of forging relationships on your terms; all with the backdrop of magic and family loyalty. This was a great book to read but could have been better paced; for me.
Andrea Jo DeWerd’s What We Sacrifice for Magic is a spellbinding journey through the complexities of family, tradition, and the search for one's true self. Set against the evocative backdrop of 1968 in Friedrich, Minnesota, the novel beautifully weaves together the magical and the mundane, creating a world where the past and present collide in unexpected ways.
What makes this novel truly special is how DeWerd explores the theme of inheritance—not just of magic, but of secrets, responsibilities, and the unspoken rules that govern family dynamics. The tension between Elisabeth and Magda is palpable, and as Elisabeth begins to uncover the darker truths about her family’s past, readers are drawn into a gripping narrative that balances suspense with profound emotional depth.
What makes this novel truly special is how DeWerd explores the theme of inheritance—not just of magic, but of secrets, responsibilities, and the unspoken rules that govern family dynamics. The tension between Elisabeth and Magda is palpable, and as Elisabeth begins to uncover the darker truths about her family’s past, readers are drawn into a gripping narrative that balances suspense with profound emotional depth.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first half of this book felt incredibly slow to me, but I’m pretty happy with the second half and how it ended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse
Minor: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy
Boring as audiobook - try again physical
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this so much and I completely agree that you will too if you’re a fan of Practical Magic.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
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:
No
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Thanks to NetGalley, I've gotten the opportunity to read "What we sacrifice for Magic" by Andrea Jo DeWerd. The story is about a family of witches, who help out the town with their magical powers. When Elisabeth starts questioning her destiny and therefore her grandmother, the family dynamic changes and everything else along with it.
This book is what I would refer to as a palette cleanser, something to turn your brain off and just follow along. There are no heart racing chapters or deeply emotional passages and there are clear indications that this is a debut novel, but all in all it's an enjoyable read.
This book is what I would refer to as a palette cleanser, something to turn your brain off and just follow along. There are no heart racing chapters or deeply emotional passages and there are clear indications that this is a debut novel, but all in all it's an enjoyable read.