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scam_lark's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Abandonment, Abortion, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Murder, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts
matilda_holroyd_'s review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A stunning sapphic story about
- witches
- the power of magic
- finding yourself
- found family
- love and loss
I liked the parallels I drew of magic being like alcohol during the 1920s prohibited.
This book had a gorgeous whimsical feeling which I adored.
- witches
- the power of magic
- finding yourself
- found family
- love and loss
I liked the parallels I drew of magic being like alcohol during the 1920s prohibited.
This book had a gorgeous whimsical feeling which I adored.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Physical abuse and Death
Minor: Murder
A stunning sapphic story about - witches - the power of magic - finding yourself - found family - love and loss I liked the parallels I drew of magic being like alcohol during the 1920s prohibited. This book had a gorgeous whimsical feeling which I adored.karingforbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Beautiful writing. Lyrical. Definitely feels Gatsby inspired. Loved the setting and the magic system. Enjoyed the romance (sapphic). Definitely a dark book so please check the trigger warnings but it was woven together well and not fetishized. Not necessarily a new favorite but one I’d recommend to someone who likes historical fantasy for sure
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Blood, War, Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Abortion
lesty_gibbs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The writing is really gorgeous, and I adore the premise. 1920's sapphic witchy great gatsby vibes? Phenomenal. It took me a while to connect with the characters, and I was only really enjoying Annie once she was leaning into her own character arc.
I loved the growth in the relationship between Annie and Emeline. They were great, and the way their characters were explored was really interesting. I couldn't stand Bea though, which I felt let the ending down because of how integral her safety, and the characters caring about her safety, was to the final plot. Things would have been far smoother if they just removed Bea from the equation, and I couldn't find myself justifying why she was there. She had a moment towards the end suggesting growth, but it felt too little too late.
I also wished the plot with Annie's dad could have been more fleshed out, I actually found myself forgetting about him and the story surrounding it, which left me scrambling to pick myself back on track for Annie's personal growth. It also made one of the final plot points feel quite shoehorned for me, since it hinges on the dad plot line, yet it's so drawn out that I felt like that part of the story was put on the back burner.
That being said, I really did love how some the themes were handled, and again, the prose itself was so beautiful. Overall, I loved Annie's growth, how her belief system was challenged, and how she was changed by the end. Emmeline was phenomenal, and I loved how it explored her self doubt, her grief, and the continuing impact of her childhood abuse. The magic system was really cool, and I especially loved how it explored the consequences of ones actions, and how it was used as an allegory for other issues, such as sexuality, etc.
I loved the growth in the relationship between Annie and Emeline. They were great, and the way their characters were explored was really interesting. I couldn't stand Bea though, which I felt let the ending down because of how integral her safety, and the characters caring about her safety, was to the final plot. Things would have been far smoother if they just removed Bea from the equation, and I couldn't find myself justifying why she was there. She had a moment towards the end suggesting growth, but it felt too little too late.
I also wished the plot with Annie's dad could have been more fleshed out, I actually found myself forgetting about him and the story surrounding it, which left me scrambling to pick myself back on track for Annie's personal growth. It also made one of the final plot points feel quite shoehorned for me, since it hinges on the dad plot line, yet it's so drawn out that I felt like that part of the story was put on the back burner.
That being said, I really did love how some the themes were handled, and again, the prose itself was so beautiful. Overall, I loved Annie's growth, how her belief system was challenged, and how she was changed by the end. Emmeline was phenomenal, and I loved how it explored her self doubt, her grief, and the continuing impact of her childhood abuse. The magic system was really cool, and I especially loved how it explored the consequences of ones actions, and how it was used as an allegory for other issues, such as sexuality, etc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Violence, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Abandonment and Sexual assault
qraveline's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death, Torture, and Physical abuse
Minor: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
gothbaby's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I started this book hoping that it would be a 5 star read based on the cover, the blurb, and the writing in the first few chapters. I felt like the story was building on itself quite nicely so I was very disappointed when it fell flat.
I will start with the plot, since that was my biggest source of frustration. I was so happy to pick up a sapphic adult fantasy book. The fact that it was about witches felt like a true lottery win for me. However, the plot was so flat that I kept having to ask myself whether or not I was expecting too much of certain plot points.The first being the constant allusion to Emmeline’s “darkness.” I put that in quotations because there was nothing indicative of that in the book… she was perfectly kind if not moody. I expected her to literally bathe in blood and perform salacious spells based on the way Annie described her. Instead, the actual magic factor was almost inexistent.
Based on Annie’s visions and the tether, I also expected her to come to great power but there was nothing of the sort. She was meek and showed no interest in actually practicing magic. I found it strange that the author kept referring to all of her senses and the pull of the tether but never had her explore any of it. It felt like a really underdeveloped magic system and plot overall.
Personally, I wanted the crows to have a larger significance. I expected the book to be darker and more intense, more thrilling, but there was none of that. Along with the whole Bea/Arthur blood debt thing (which I found boring and a weak conflict), this was my main source of apathy towards the whole book.
The sapphic subplot was engaging until it wasn’t. I feel like the author relied too much on Annie’s and Emmeline’s tether to construct a believable relationship between the two. I wanted Emmeline to be mysterious and for that plot point to feel physically real to me, but instead the book ended with me feeling like Emmeline would leave Annie because she didn’t love her as much.
The author’s choice to reiterate people’s magic scent was very repetitive. I started to anticipate it any time characters interacted and it seemed like the author had nothing else to use in terms of describing the character’s presence. Again, it felt shallow.
I’m so disappointed by the feeling that this book just wasn’t executed to its fullest potential. That the story wasn’t exciting to me.
I will start with the plot, since that was my biggest source of frustration. I was so happy to pick up a sapphic adult fantasy book. The fact that it was about witches felt like a true lottery win for me. However, the plot was so flat that I kept having to ask myself whether or not I was expecting too much of certain plot points.
Based on Annie’s visions and the tether, I also expected her to come to great power but there was nothing of the sort. She was meek and showed no interest in actually practicing magic. I found it strange that the author kept referring to all of her senses and the pull of the tether but never had her explore any of it. It felt like a really underdeveloped magic system and plot overall.
Personally, I wanted the crows to have a larger significance. I expected the book to be darker and more intense, more thrilling, but there was none of that. Along with the whole Bea/Arthur blood debt thing (which I found boring and a weak conflict), this was my main source of apathy towards the whole book.
The sapphic subplot was engaging until it wasn’t. I feel like the author relied too much on
The author’s choice to reiterate people’s magic scent was very repetitive. I started to anticipate it any time characters interacted and it seemed like the author had nothing else to use in terms of describing the character’s presence. Again, it felt shallow.
I’m so disappointed by the feeling that this book just wasn’t executed to its fullest potential. That the story wasn’t exciting to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Gore
ellenigrace's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Child abuse, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pregnancy, Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Gun violence
Minor: Abortion and War
tigerlilliereads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
Wow! This was rollercoaster ride of a book. Dark and bewitching the whole way through.
This book Initially gives you a gender switched Gatsby feel but… I am allowed to say better? With witchcraft, blood debts and sacrifices, evil spirits, creepy crows and complex relationships. This book focuses on the main character of Annie, whose estranged father dies and she goes to the island he has been living on to settle his affairs. There she reconnects with her lost friend Bea, discovers family truths and a strange beautiful neighbour that throws parties that are not strictly legal…
Honestly didn’t have any expectations going into this book, I had just seen it talked about so much. But this book is definitely darker and more wicked than I anticipated, the characters are complex but I loved them and the way the story unfurled. Very dramatic, dark and creepy at times… I love a witchy book, this one was outside my normal comfort zone but I loved it.
This book Initially gives you a gender switched Gatsby feel but… I am allowed to say better? With witchcraft, blood debts and sacrifices, evil spirits, creepy crows and complex relationships. This book focuses on the main character of Annie, whose estranged father dies and she goes to the island he has been living on to settle his affairs. There she reconnects with her lost friend Bea, discovers family truths and a strange beautiful neighbour that throws parties that are not strictly legal…
Honestly didn’t have any expectations going into this book, I had just seen it talked about so much. But this book is definitely darker and more wicked than I anticipated, the characters are complex but I loved them and the way the story unfurled. Very dramatic, dark and creepy at times… I love a witchy book, this one was outside my normal comfort zone but I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Toxic relationship and Confinement
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Homophobia, Blood, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Abortion, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Drug use, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
A gloriously witchy, Great Gatsby meets Practical Magic gothic sapphic fantasy, blending the glamour and decadence of the Jazz age with Francesca May’s haunting prose to create a dark and atmospherically immersive tale of secrets, scandals, blood magic and romance that’s utterly unputdownable! In the aftermath of WW1, a young woman (Annie) is swept into a glittering world of magic, romance, blood debts and murder after moving to the mysterious Crow Island, where magic is whispered about—in order to collect her inheritance and sell her estranged late father’s estate. But she never expected her enigmatic new neighbour to be a witch. After witnessing a confrontation between her best friend Bea and the infamous Emmeline Delacroix at one of Emmeline’s extravagantly illicit parties, Annie is drawn into a glittering haunted world. A world where magic can buy what money cannot; a world where the consequence of a forbidden blood bargain might be death. I absolutely loved this, in fact I practically devoured it! The world-building was perfectly enchanting and absolutely obsessed with the gothic- like atmosphere of Crow Island with its wild beauty and wickedly dark magical lore. I really enjoyed all the lush details including all those crows which really upped the creepy, gothic witchy vibe that I loved soo much. I also enjoyed the choice of era—at the height of decadence and wealth in an alternate 20th C USA, as it’s loosely based in The Great Gatsby there were a few similarities (the light that Emmeline looks out at mirroring Jay Gatsby as does the shirt scene and the yellow car.) But, the plot is vastly different—and dare I say— superior to F.Scott Fitzgerald’s indictment of Captalism. May instead takes more of a feminist slant, with a magic prohibition in place and a foreboding (all male) council of magic users passing judgement (and occasionally death sentences) upon the island’s female population—especially those who refuse to bow to society’s conventions. I loved how exquisitely complex and full of depth all the characters were but Annie, Emmeline, Nathan and Isobel were my absolute faves. The level of detail in their motivations and backstories was incredible and really made me empathise with all of them, I even emphasised with Bea (Annie’s bestie) who I initially wrote off as just a selfish social climber. Also, the romance between Annie and Emmeline was literal perfection—their chemistry was definitely swoon worthy and the tension was thoroughly addictive. I must also warn that there are graphic scenes involving: murder,drug & alcohol use, self harm, anxiety/panic attacks, homophobia,domestic abuse,neglect & sexual assault. So if any of these are TW it’s probably best to steer clear. Overall, it’s wicked, wild and spellbindingly addictive and fans of decadently lush and magnificently witchy fantasies are going absolutely love this! Also, thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for the e-arc.
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