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artimas's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Murder, Gun violence, Violence, and Sexual assault
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m very conflicted about where I stand on this book. The beginning was great, and the twists and turns at the end of the book were extremely compelling. That being said, the middle portion dragged on a bit, and Frances made many decisions that I didn’t necessarily agree on!
However, for fans of witch novels, boarding school settings, and novels about sisterhood, I would still recommend reading:)
However, for fans of witch novels, boarding school settings, and novels about sisterhood, I would still recommend reading:)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Grief, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder, and Death
thinkingcatss's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
sadgirlsidney's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? No
4.0
So did anyone else spend the last 3 minutes of this audiobook screaming? Because I sure fucking did.
I am pleasantly surprised by how well this book managed to win me over. I wasn't completely loving it in the beginning but it picks up quickly enough for me to be sucked in by the stort. Loved the different stories running alongside each other and how they were interwoven together to create a cohesive story. And although I am left with one burning question I had many more answered so it's only got me wanting more!
I am pleasantly surprised by how well this book managed to win me over. I wasn't completely loving it in the beginning but it picks up quickly enough for me to be sucked in by the stort. Loved the different stories running alongside each other and how they were interwoven together to create a cohesive story. And although I am left with one burning question I had many more answered so it's only got me wanting more!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Death
Minor: Sexual assault
courtnoodles's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexism, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Death, Grief, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcohol, Body horror, Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment and Mental illness
kits_little_library's review against another edition
I absolutely should have looked at the TWs. This is completely on me for not doing so.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
anoveldestination's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Stalking and Sexual assault
Minor: Confinement, Racism, Classism, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, and Addiction
shyleek's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another 5 star book for me!
You ever finished a book and hated the author because that is NOT how the story was supposed to go? This was that for me.
Fast paced (if I wasn't reading this for October book club I would have had this done in probably less than a week).
I can't wait to pick up the second one.
Seriously if you like witchy magical things this book will keep you guessing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another 5 star book for me!
You ever finished a book and hated the author because that is NOT how the story was supposed to go? This was that for me.
Fast paced (if I wasn't reading this for October book club I would have had this done in probably less than a week).
I can't wait to pick up the second one.
Seriously if you like witchy magical things this book will keep you guessing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual violence, and Sexism
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.25
This book gave me The Owl House meets coming-of-age meets grief processing vibes and I loved it. The world building felt a bit slow to start for me, however once Frances's magic kicked in, the story picked up well. Once at Haxahaven, I chafed against the "boring" magic they were being taught along with Frances, Lena, and Maxine. What's the point in having this great and awesome power if you're just going to use it for chores?? But I also kept having to remind myself that, as said in the book, "The world doesn't like powerful women." Especially not back in the early 1900s.
To have a magic system that manifests in it's users after a traumatic experience was a powerful choice, and given the time frame the story is set in, traumatic experiences (especially for women and girls) abound. Frances's story was likely a similar and common one, unwelcome sexual advances by an older man, but then hearing stories like Lena's with the Indian school and being ripped away from her family like that; my heart ached. "What's the best way to kill an entire people? Take their children." And her response later in that scene when she "reclaimed" or at least restated that she was of her people (I listened to the audiobook, so I don't have the exact line to share), what a visceral moment. I started to tear up a bit in the car as I listened.
And the quasi-romance subplot with Finn and Oliver. Oh Frances, what options! Like Frances I, too, was taken by that sweet Irish brogue, mischievous smile, and sparkling eyes. But Oliver was such a solid choice too; steadfast, honest, and knew everything she'd been through, and had been just as heartbroken by losing William. Also the casual queer rep in the lovely kitchen witches as well as Maxine was lovely to see, even if it was swept a bit under the rug (which I also give a bit of a pass because, time period)
When Maxine told Frances "I don't trust him." (meaning Finn) I started to have some suspicions, since the sisters of Haxahaven always had each other's backs, especially when the chips were down. I wanted to trust Finn so much, and hearing he had been seeing Frances in his dreams for years had such a romantic air when he first shared it with her. And their date to Coney Island? So sweet!! But then when he just had the binding spell at the ready after the resurrection spell didn't work when Frances tried it alone, and when he didn't repeat the final binding words back to Frances, only for him to STEAL HER POWER FOR HIS OWN GAIN?? Readers, when I tell you I was LIVID and SEETHING on the couch as I listened to the complete change in character as he described his new world order. I was dumbstruck!! I raged with Frances and LOVED how the power of sisterhood was what ultimately brought him to his knees after the final fight at Haxahaven. That she ripped his power from him just has he had her, through the power of love and support from her coven.
I was so glad everyone survived, and that Frances and Oliver will have his time to convalesce to let her bring him up to speed on everything and what that means for them as a couple/pair in the next book. And then that epilogue??? The letter from Finn!! I'm at the same time, thrilled, terrified, and furious that he survived the final encounter and have no idea if his magic will be back the next time we see him, but I can't wait to find out!!
To have a magic system that manifests in it's users after a traumatic experience was a powerful choice, and given the time frame the story is set in, traumatic experiences (especially for women and girls) abound. Frances's story was likely a similar and common one, unwelcome sexual advances by an older man, but then hearing stories like Lena's with the Indian school and being ripped away from her family like that; my heart ached. "What's the best way to kill an entire people? Take their children." And her response later in that scene when she "reclaimed" or at least restated that she was of her people (I listened to the audiobook, so I don't have the exact line to share), what a visceral moment. I started to tear up a bit in the car as I listened.
And the quasi-romance subplot with Finn and Oliver. Oh Frances, what options! Like Frances I, too, was taken by that sweet Irish brogue, mischievous smile, and sparkling eyes. But Oliver was such a solid choice too; steadfast, honest, and knew everything she'd been through, and had been just as heartbroken by losing William. Also the casual queer rep in the lovely kitchen witches as well as Maxine was lovely to see, even if it was swept a bit under the rug (which I also give a bit of a pass because, time period)
I was so glad everyone survived, and that Frances and Oliver will have his time to convalesce to let her bring him up to speed on everything and what that means for them as a couple/pair in the next book. And then that epilogue??? The letter from Finn!! I'm at the same time, thrilled, terrified, and furious that he survived the final encounter and have no idea if his magic will be back the next time we see him, but I can't wait to find out!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Minor: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Colonisation, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
shannnne_reads_words's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Stalking, Misogyny, Classism, Sexism, Violence, Abandonment, and Gun violence
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Racism, Colonisation, and Sexual assault