Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith

7 reviews

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Stalking and Sexual assault

Minor: Confinement, Racism, Classism, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, and Addiction

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!!

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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

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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

tessduets's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I’m giving this book such a high rating simply because of the vibes, lol. While it isn’t one of the best books I’ve ever read, I just enjoyed it so much and it was really fun. Scratches the Harry Potter itch just a little with a side of dark academia. However was surprised by the almost SA, for a YA book. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Blood, Violence, Racism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation

Minor: Sexual assault

sashiee's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

This book is amazing!! I'm obsessed with Lina and I love how her character was written. The book was super slow and a tad boring at first (first 130-ish pages) but it was so worth it. THE ENDING, THE PLOT TWIST OMG!!! This book gave me trust issues.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Gaslighting, Blood, and Child death

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, and Colonisation

levesc17's review

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Some of the plot points were rushed, I would have happily read an additional 50 pages for things to feel paced effectively. Unclear if there will be a sequel but if there is I would read it because a few of the mysteries weren’t revealed or solved. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, and Toxic relationship

clovelatte's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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? N/A

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Violence, Vomit, Murder, Confinement, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Colonisation, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Gore, Mass/school shootings, Misogyny, and Racism

Minor: Stalking