katiedalton's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I really really wanted to like this. The start was so strong. Loved the alternating perspectives of Helen and Juliet. Learning about the curse, the witch history.
It lost me when we went into each of Helen’s past lives in detail. Especially the point where they learn about the curse and in repetitive detail tell the reader what we learned in the first third of the book with Helen and Juliet’s stories.
The last third of the book picked up the pace but felt weird after the slow repetitive feeling of the middle section. Plus there was some weird out of character actions thrown in with Sandra. That felt very out of place with the rest of the story.
Pair that with a 3 hour long chapter (I listened to the audiobook) and none of the book flowed. It could’ve been amazing with a great editor or a new eye of “what the fuck is going on? Let’s rework this”
Also very graphic detailing of rape and sexual assault that I was not prepared for going into this book. That I would argue served no purpose to the overall storyline.
It lost me when we went into each of Helen’s past lives in detail. Especially the point where they learn about the curse and in repetitive detail tell the reader what we learned in the first third of the book with Helen and Juliet’s stories.
The last third of the book picked up the pace but felt weird after the slow repetitive feeling of the middle section. Plus there was some weird out of character actions thrown in with Sandra. That felt very out of place with the rest of the story.
Pair that with a 3 hour long chapter (I listened to the audiobook) and none of the book flowed. It could’ve been amazing with a great editor or a new eye of “what the fuck is going on? Let’s rework this”
Also very graphic detailing of rape and sexual assault that I was not prepared for going into this book. That I would argue served no purpose to the overall storyline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Gore, Death, and Abortion
Minor: War, Suicide, Murder, and Drug use
renettereads's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
“‘All I ever want is time with you.’”
In 2012, Helen is living her fourth life. Not that she knows it, of course. At the beginning of this book we meet her some months after having separated from her husband Roger. When she goes on a blind date with Luke, she starts to remember snippets from a previous life. As it all starts to slot into place, she realises she’s cursed to live through a doomed romance time and time again before dying, and is now at risk of running out of time to finally break the cycle.
This was such an interesting read for me. It gave me quite an Invisible Life of Addie LaRue vibe in that it was really atmospheric, isolated to a small cast of characters, and journeyed through a stretching timeline. I loved seeing how each iteration of this person was so vastly different and how each of those parts influenced one another.
The plot isn’t overly complicated and yet it felt like a lot was happening because we were basically catching up on four lifespans. Parts of this book was definitely a little dark, but it usually didn’t last very long and never felt unnecessary. Not when it all outlined struggles women face on the daily and I could appreciate that the author wanted to incorporate some of those heavier topics to create depth of character. Overall, I was gripped by the fresh take on witches and I particularly liked the pecurliarity of the love story.
In 2012, Helen is living her fourth life. Not that she knows it, of course. At the beginning of this book we meet her some months after having separated from her husband Roger. When she goes on a blind date with Luke, she starts to remember snippets from a previous life. As it all starts to slot into place, she realises she’s cursed to live through a doomed romance time and time again before dying, and is now at risk of running out of time to finally break the cycle.
This was such an interesting read for me. It gave me quite an Invisible Life of Addie LaRue vibe in that it was really atmospheric, isolated to a small cast of characters, and journeyed through a stretching timeline. I loved seeing how each iteration of this person was so vastly different and how each of those parts influenced one another.
The plot isn’t overly complicated and yet it felt like a lot was happening because we were basically catching up on four lifespans. Parts of this book was definitely a little dark, but it usually didn’t last very long and never felt unnecessary. Not when it all outlined struggles women face on the daily and I could appreciate that the author wanted to incorporate some of those heavier topics to create depth of character. Overall, I was gripped by the fresh take on witches and I particularly liked the pecurliarity of the love story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Suicide, Rape, and Physical abuse
manuella's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Abortion
whatthelauj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A fun jaunt through time though very dark and confronting in places. Ending was hopeful and had some nice light moments to break it up. A good, solid read, wonderfully written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Abortion, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Homophobia, and Gun violence
Moderate: Drug abuse and Sexual content
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