Reviews with content warning for Cursing - The Once and Future Witches

This book. Honestly, I could just stop my review right there because it says it all. THIS BOOK. It has so much power, so much angst, so much feminism, so much history, and so much truth (even though it's a work of fiction).

While the pace might be almost painfully slow, the way it's written is absolutely breathtaking. I hope to do a reread of this in the future because I felt like I needed to rush through it this time around due to it needing to go back to the library really quickly (the only negative side to borrowing books rather than buying them). I know I missed things because I had to skim sometimes to get through it, but I honestly didn't feel like I was lacking anything even at the very end. It was incredibly written.

My first book by Harrow was The Ten Thousand Doors of January, and I immediately fell in love with the whimsy and depth that somehow corresponded so beautifully throughout the story. This felt the same way. There were moments of fantastical insanity (in a good way) but then also times that had my eyes getting glassy with tears.

If you're looking for a really phenomenal, queer, empowered, witchy read - this is it. Seriously, so good.

Content Warnings

lakeh's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful inspiring 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

4.25

I think this is my favorite witch lore. The lawlessness of the magic and the characters really does it for me.

All the characters are so incredibly well thought out and well-rounded. Juniper is fierce but hasty, Agnes loving but frugal, Bella wise but fearful. Their strengths and weaknesses bolster and tear at each other, and they have moments of utmost strength at the worst of times, and silliness at the best of times.

The book didn't seem to take itself too seriously; the story is fun and the characters can be silly. The lovely little spells found at the top of each chapter are whimsical.

There were several parts of the book where tears sprang to my eyes and I got all choked up. But also there were parts where I got a little bored and had to put the book down and take a break. It's not perfect, but what it is, is wonderful.

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logan_readss's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I received this book as an arc and I loved reading it so much. A story of feminism written by a women for women, showing us a cast of diverse women fighting for themselves, their sisters, their daughters, their mothers and anyone else who matters deeply to them.

Set in 1800s America, during the fight for women's suffrage, three witch sisters come together to cause trouble and help women across the country while uncovering the lost magic of their ancestors, stolen from them by men.

This book kept me gripped and entertained all the way through, I never wanted to put it down. There was moments that made me cry, feeling the deep relationship and sisterhood between the sisters of Avalon. Cannot recommend it enough

Content Warnings

mo345's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.5

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