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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A magical family with secrets, and the effect they have on their small town - this book was right up my alley. Will Elisabeth accept her role in the family’s legacy or will she follow her own path? And what happens if she turns her back on her destiny? Loved it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for a free copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for a free copy.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
It’s 1968 and in the small town of Friedrich, Minnesota, the Watry-Ridder family is both feared and respected as the town’s witches. Farmers seek out their water charms and the teenagers, their love spells. As the eldest daughter, Elisabeth, recent high school graduate, is set to take over for her grandmother, marry her high school sweetheart, and live the rest of her life in Friedrich. But as the time draws closer and closer, all Elisabeth can ask is, why her? Why is her path so set in stone?
Elisabeth soon discovers magic isn’t the only thing inherited by her family, and that said magic comes with a much greater price than she realized. The more she digs for the truth, the more questions she has, and the less she trusts her grandmother.
As she ventures out, Elisabeth must find out who she is without her family - without their secrets and magic.
This novel had a super messy family, one filled with jealousy, small mindedness, and miscommunication. Elisabeth was raised by her grandmother, Magda, to be the one to take over, therefore she was more superior than her sister, Mary. She would talk about how talented Mary could be in the same sentence she would undermine her.
This novel definitely brushes upon gatekeeping and the benefits of sharing information and skills.
Overall, this magical realism read about a young witch adventuring out on her own to find herself is perfect as a cozy read.
*Thank you Alcove Press and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Entertaining and pretty enjoyable but it felt a bit scattered and disconnected. It was a little bit hard to hold the through-line at various parts in the story.
Honestly, this book could have used some editing. The pacing was off and it really dragged in the middle. Also, the fact that the sister and mother knew things and they wouldn't just tell the main character was an annoying plot device to drag out the mystery.
What We Sacrifice For Magic couldn't be a more perfect name for this magical coming of age novel. A commentary on familial obligation and self-discovery. It's time for Elisabeth to step up and take over as the lead witch in the family, but she fears she will have to give up her chances of ever being in love if she does. She believes that being the matriarch will bind her heart to her magic and leave no room for romance. Does she stay with her family and choose magic, or does she flee and choose herself over everything else? With a family show down of epic proportions Elisabeth worries that she has ruined her families reputation and set into motion the unravelling of everything they have worked so hard for.
A great read for fans of Practical Magic and the soon to be released Strange Folk.
A great read for fans of Practical Magic and the soon to be released Strange Folk.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
So many Minnesotan gems in this book ☺️. Once I got into the characters the book picked up. I wish the author had explained the central conflict earlier in the book, I don’t really get why she waited until the last part to tell us what Magda did and why. The why was also not super clear. Fun story of witches told in a completely non-spooky way!