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minervacerridwen's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
To be honest, I doubt I would have finished the read if I hadn't started it for a book club. The concept really appealed to me when I read the short summary, but from the very start, the first-person pov switching between two characters made it hard for me to connect to either of them. I also didn't find these characters very likeable or interesting, and in the beginning of the book the question of what Annie’s father had been hiding was dragged out for a long time. I think the intention was to build a sense of mystery, but the problem was that it was very easy to figure out what his big secret would be in this context, and I was simply waiting to be proven right.
Then there was a “love at first sight” situation, which at the best of times is difficult for me as an aro ace reader to relate to, but after that point, I didn’t really have the feeling that the reader was made to fall in love with the characters along with them. All we knew was that Emmeline looked great in her “man’s suits”, but none of the characters really seemed to be good people. They were constantly ready to blame everything and everyone else, rather than taking responsibility for their own actions. And many of the bad decisions didn’t feel like there was a good reason for them in-story—they only furthered the plot.
The best part of the story, to me, were the flashbacks. The story of the younger versions of the characters rebelling against their "saviour" was empowering, even if they're going through horrible things, and made me wish the book had focused on that particular tale instead. However, I’m also quite confused by Emmeline’s arc in these flashbacks. A large point is made of her suits and the fact she feels more comfortable in them, and in the fact that a (debatably) “less feminine” name felt better for her, but in the end all this seems to serve is the reveal that the Lilith in the flashbacks is really her. The gender journey I expected for her never comes.
The worldbuilding, the magic system, the queer representation: there was so much potential in all these concepts, but it never quite hit the spot for me.
I want to give a special shoutout to the artist who created the cover, as that one is a piece of art in itself. Absolutely gorgeous!
List of content warnings under the following spoiler cut:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Self harm, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Abortion, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, and Body horror
Minor: Vomit
kodi_rae's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Definitely, as many reviews state, a witchy, sapphic slow burn that will remind you a lot of The Great Gatsby (But also Practical Magic, in my opinion. Did anyone else get that vibe?). Even though the pacing was slow, I was still left wishing for some things (and characters behaviors/motives) to be flushed out more and some questions left unanswered. Maybe that’s the point or maybe it’s a sign of future, related books. At any rate, a really enjoyable, dark and sexy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Body horror, and Child abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Vomit, War, Miscarriage, and Abortion
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