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sadwitch's review
- 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
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
minimaiasaura's review
- 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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Murder, Toxic relationship, Blood, Drug use, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: War, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Classism, Abortion, Addiction, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
epithetofthemoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Domestic abuse, Murder, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Miscarriage
Minor: Rape
scam_lark's review
- 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
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
ad1t1s's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
minervacerridwen's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Self harm, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Abortion, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, and Body horror
Minor: Vomit
lesty_gibbs's review
- 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
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.
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
- 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
Moderate: Murder, Death, Torture, and Physical abuse
Minor: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
ellenigrace's review
4.5
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
natashaleighton_'s review
- 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
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.