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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
The narration was compelling and well done. Our Scottish main character, Nellie, is highlighted with a Scottish accent. But the narrator does a great job switching accents throughout. High praise for Siobhan Waring’s talents.
The story itself utilizes witchcraft and the historical perspective of witches to highlight the misogyny then and now and why modern feminism is so important. Additionally, if you’ve ever taken a guided tour in Edinburgh, you’ll find all the information included in this book. We follow the Journey of a fearful Nellie encountering witchcraft and falling in love in 1820’s Edinburgh. We take a time hop to the 21st century where we continue to see that despite feminist advances, we still have a long way to go in fighting the patriarchy.
I would have preferred a bit more character development and nuance regarding the overt feminist themes. I can appreciate that this book exemplifies how change happens slowly in small moments, but my heart was aching for grand “fuck the patriarchy” moment.
Thank you Marielle Thompson, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for this Audio ARC
The story itself utilizes witchcraft and the historical perspective of witches to highlight the misogyny then and now and why modern feminism is so important. Additionally, if you’ve ever taken a guided tour in Edinburgh, you’ll find all the information included in this book. We follow the Journey of a fearful Nellie encountering witchcraft and falling in love in 1820’s Edinburgh. We take a time hop to the 21st century where we continue to see that despite feminist advances, we still have a long way to go in fighting the patriarchy.
I would have preferred a bit more character development and nuance regarding the overt feminist themes. I can appreciate that this book exemplifies how change happens slowly in small moments, but my heart was aching for grand “fuck the patriarchy” moment.
Thank you Marielle Thompson, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for this Audio ARC
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"The Last Witch in Edinburgh" is a powerful tale of resilience and rebellion, blending historical fiction and magical realism to bring 17th-century Scotland to life. Against the atmospheric backdrop of Edinburgh’s cobblestone streets, the story follows a compelling protagonist as she fights against the patriarchy and the superstitions that threaten her existence. With vivid prose and empowering themes of justice and individuality, this is a spellbinding tribute to forgotten voices and the enduring struggle for equality.
This book was released August 20th, but I received my audio arc on 8/27. Thank you to Net Galley #netgalley and Tantor Audio for my advance audio. Here is my honest review: The story begins in Edinburgh in the 1820s and it is not safe to be a woman. If you are left-handed or cause upset to someone, especially someone in power, or if someone becomes ill after speaking to you, you can and will be accused of being a witch and you will hang for it. The main character, Nellie, and her love, Jean, are both bisexual and there is a transwoman witch as well. The witches are accepting of all people as they are and that is a huge theme in this story - coming together, women supporting women. They, of course, have to show extreme caution, but danger lurks and eventually discovers them culminating in an enormous fire. Nellie flees and for two hundred years wanders the earth before returning to Edinburgh in 2022. In this current timeline, women need to come together to support each other to protect each other from the danger that still haunts Edinburgh. As the women come together, they discover their voices and their power. I gave this book 4 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy of The Last Witch in Edinburgh by Marielle Thompson!
'There is little opponent for an angry woman.'
The atmosphere in the beginning half of this story was unmatched. Edinburgh in 1824? Bisexual witches? Gothic atmosphere? It had it all!
In many ways, this book had my attention from the beginning. Towards the middle and later half, I slowly began to lose interest.
PROS:
- The narration was FANTASTIC! OMG, the narrator's accent made me feel like I was right there with Nellie (our Main Character) the entire time.
- Writing & prose was full and beautiful.
- The description was so well thought out and detailed I felt like I was right there in Edinburgh.
Things I wasn't a fan of:
- The romance in the beginning half of this story felt so well-crafted and fit the characters and their arcs. As the story progressed and the stakes grew higher and higher, the ongoing romance felt so misplaced. In scenes where we were in the midst of the conflict and at the peak of the story it would shift to, "But, does she *like* like me though?" I wish the story had stayed more focused on the 'end of the world' problem at hand.
- It felt like this book tried to do too many things at once. I loved the representation of women and the LGBTQIA+ community! But balancing that as well as the story at hand, Witches in Edinburgh trying to destroy an evil entity, it felt like the story was being eclipsed.
- I would have preferred it if the first half and the second half of this book were developed separately.
All in all, this was not a bad book, and I'd recommend it for the spooky gothic atmosphere, the representation it brought, and the witchy vibes.
2.75 ⭐️ (rounded up)
'There is little opponent for an angry woman.'
The atmosphere in the beginning half of this story was unmatched. Edinburgh in 1824? Bisexual witches? Gothic atmosphere? It had it all!
In many ways, this book had my attention from the beginning. Towards the middle and later half, I slowly began to lose interest.
PROS:
- The narration was FANTASTIC! OMG, the narrator's accent made me feel like I was right there with Nellie (our Main Character) the entire time.
- Writing & prose was full and beautiful.
- The description was so well thought out and detailed I felt like I was right there in Edinburgh.
Things I wasn't a fan of:
- The romance in the beginning half of this story felt so well-crafted and fit the characters and their arcs. As the story progressed and the stakes grew higher and higher, the ongoing romance felt so misplaced. In scenes where we were in the midst of the conflict and at the peak of the story it would shift to, "But, does she *like* like me though?" I wish the story had stayed more focused on the 'end of the world' problem at hand.
- It felt like this book tried to do too many things at once. I loved the representation of women and the LGBTQIA+ community! But balancing that as well as the story at hand, Witches in Edinburgh trying to destroy an evil entity, it felt like the story was being eclipsed.
- I would have preferred it if the first half and the second half of this book were developed separately.
All in all, this was not a bad book, and I'd recommend it for the spooky gothic atmosphere, the representation it brought, and the witchy vibes.
2.75 ⭐️ (rounded up)
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the blend of historical fiction and fantasy in this tale! It’s a difficult time to be a woman- witches are being hunted in Edinburgh and no one is safe from the patriarchal eye. Nellie is trying to navigate a situation stacked against her— her father is an alcoholic, her mother died in childbirth, she’s taking care of her younger brother & trying to find a way to support everyone in the space where being a woman, and an attractive one at that, is a dangerous game. In a time of need, she makes the acquaintance of a local group of witches and things quickly grow more dangerous for all involved!
I enjoyed the blend of historical fiction and fantasy in this tale! It’s a difficult time to be a woman- witches are being hunted in Edinburgh and no one is safe from the patriarchal eye. Nellie is trying to navigate a situation stacked against her— her father is an alcoholic, her mother died in childbirth, she’s taking care of her younger brother & trying to find a way to support everyone in the space where being a woman, and an attractive one at that, is a dangerous game. In a time of need, she makes the acquaintance of a local group of witches and things quickly grow more dangerous for all involved!
challenging
dark
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Really enjoyed the history and lore. Adored the second chance and how the younger generation fought for what they believed in. This was really good!
dark
inspiring
mysterious
slow-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
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
Yes