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readwithria's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I’m so sad that this book is over. It is an excellent exploration of redemption, self identity, gender politics, morality, addiction, and so much more! I love this series, and Juno Dawson has given us a world with high stakes where anything can happen and nothing is as simple as it seems.
I cannot wait for book 3! Five stars
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Violence, Sexual content, Blood, and Misogyny
Moderate: Murder and Cursing
keya_caivalur's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Torture, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Addiction, Drug abuse, Grief, Blood, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Miscarriage, Infertility, Adult/minor relationship, War, Misogyny, and Child abuse
Minor: Hate crime, Death of parent, Dementia, Genocide, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Child death, Bullying, and Cursing
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Bullying, Murder, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Body horror, Blood, Cultural appropriation, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Death
foxwish's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
We get Theo, Chinara and Luke POVs here. I liked Theo's a lot, but found Luke's so boring that I started skipping his POVs when they came up (except for the very last one).
You can really feel the loss of the characters who died in the last book. I found it difficult to care about the characters or the plotlines, Ciara's one was okay, but Leonie's was boring, Theo's was just to set up the cliffhanger and Elle's was for shock value.
Hale took a dive from a potentially interesting villain in book 1 to a generic evil-doer that is hard to take seriously in this book.
I do think my main issue is Ciara. I don't know what to make of her. She has a lot going on mentally, yet I feel like she lacks depth and she isn't compelling to read. Also she
I felt like I had a good grasp on how the magic works in book 1, but there were points where I was incredibly confused by it in this book.
I've completely lost interest in this series and will not be reading the third book when it comes out.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Murder, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Kidnapping, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Transphobia
writeronherway's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Murder, Animal death, Torture, Sexism, Cursing, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
mariasmusings's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've heard of the name Juno Dawson in the fantasy genre for a number of years and reviewers seem to have raved about her books for YA, so I was uber excited two years ago to read "Her Majesty's Royal Coven ", the first book in her trilogy for adults. I loved it and referred to HMRC as the group of witches that Hermione Granger wants to join!
The series encompasses a powerful, intelligent, diverse and sassy as hell group of witches, that are tough, in charge and not afraid of their emotions.
The group of Leonie, Chinara and Elle are struggling to accept the aftermath of events from the previous novel. And of course, Ciara has now secretly returned and is intent on revenge, while Holly, Theo and Milo are facing their own problems.
Dawson sets her story in a contemporary setting, a world that is easily recognisable to readers and does not shy away from tackling issues such as Racism, Transphobia, and Homophobia, along with examining the problematic, and often cruel treatment of people of colour and inclusion issues. She does so very effectively by providing her characters with the opportunity to express and explore their own identity with the story. Actually allowing the character to grow, rather than simply placing them in a box with labels. And one of my favourite aspects is that Dawson represents that world around us - so yes, the LGBTQIA+ community are represented, and two of our protoganists are women of colour. The portrayal of being a young trans person and the confusion felt by Theo is shown through her confusion and internal conflict is shown.
Likewise the attitudes of society are shown through the characters and there are several amusing moments of social commentary, especially when the politicians put in an appearance.
The bonds between the original group has been sorely tested and are now facing their greatest test.
The e-audiobook is narrated by Nicola Coughlan who brings the characters to life: she perfectly embodies the characters that she narrates.
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Cursing