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barnesbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, the first half of the book was a little hard to get through. Clarke's prose is often a bit violent and visceral, which made it uncomfortable to read sometimes. I also wasn't fully sure what was going on, since some things happened very quickly (the friendship developing between the four) and other things took a while.
Once I got to the second half, it was a much easier and more enjoyable read. I'm interested in following the rest of the story. I'm especially interested in why Maurice doesn't trust Mr. Scratch.
I had expected this book to be a bit more Mean Girls/Heather's than it is, and I'm glad. I like that the girls don't tear others down just for the heck of it.
Once I got to the second half, it was a much easier and more enjoyable read. I'm interested in following the rest of the story. I'm especially interested in why Maurice doesn't trust Mr. Scratch.
I had expected this book to be a bit more Mean Girls/Heather's than it is, and I'm glad. I like that the girls don't tear others down just for the heck of it.
hazel_oat's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.0
MAN this was really good. i inhaled it during a flight. would be 5 stars but starting this feels like you're missing the first three or four chapters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Confinement, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Bullying, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
sarahfoofoo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
utilitywhiskers's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, and Animal death
Minor: Death of parent and Stalking
henriclement's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cynnn's review against another edition
DNF ~20%
Nothing against the idea of the book, the prose just wasn’t doing it for me.
Nothing against the idea of the book, the prose just wasn’t doing it for me.
allysonclark's review
3.0
This book was weird and fun (sapphic witches? yes please), but I found the plot to be inconsistently paced. I read half the book in one sitting, but then took a break when I got bored and didn't feel compelled to pick it back up for 3 months. It's worth noting that I didn't have to review the plot summary or anything I had already read in order to start back off where I was- the book was unique enough to stick out in my memory. Ultimately, this book was just okay for me, but I understand people who reviewed it on both sides of the spectrum.
gigireven's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
chaosandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This book was the girl gang coven book I have been waiting for all these years. The Scapegracers takes the idea of covens like in The Craft that abuse their powers and spins it on its head. It's about girls supporting girls and tackling issues girls face. It's a bit of a slow burn as it leads up to something bigger in the sequel, but this book packs its own punch anyway. There's humor, dynamic characters, meaningful conversations, and all the dark concepts that you want in a book about teenage witches. Fans of the Weird Sisters from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina will love this book.
As for the diversity and LGBT themes, it's packed with them but also handled in a graceful way. The characters have realistic dialogues and reactions, along with woes. The ambiance of small town life and dealing with finding yourself when you feel like you're being crushed by how inescapable the constraints of your home is are represented so well.
The one criticism I have on this book is that it rests on the double-edged sword of purple prose. It's common in fantasy to have purple prose because lush descriptions make the story feel like it's woven in magic itself. However, too much of it can be distracting to the actual plot as the reader focuses more on the imagery than the action. This book wavered back and forth on the edge of this blade throughout. I enjoyed the author's style and tone so much, but at times I needed to go back to reread because I was so caught up in the spell of pretty words that I didn't follow what actually happened. I also saw a few editing mistakes, but that's a rather minor detail.
Truthfully, I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel to this book. It leaves off in a place that left me thirsting for more of what happens since things were just getting to an elevated state of risk.
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As for the diversity and LGBT themes, it's packed with them but also handled in a graceful way. The characters have realistic dialogues and reactions, along with woes. The ambiance of small town life and dealing with finding yourself when you feel like you're being crushed by how inescapable the constraints of your home is are represented so well.
The one criticism I have on this book is that it rests on the double-edged sword of purple prose. It's common in fantasy to have purple prose because lush descriptions make the story feel like it's woven in magic itself. However, too much of it can be distracting to the actual plot as the reader focuses more on the imagery than the action. This book wavered back and forth on the edge of this blade throughout. I enjoyed the author's style and tone so much, but at times I needed to go back to reread because I was so caught up in the spell of pretty words that I didn't follow what actually happened. I also saw a few editing mistakes, but that's a rather minor detail.
Truthfully, I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel to this book. It leaves off in a place that left me thirsting for more of what happens since things were just getting to an elevated state of risk.
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.