Scan barcode
victoria_2002's review against another edition
medium-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
Wow this book ticked so many boxes for me! I loved the dystopian feel, it reminded me of the hand maids tale. I loved how it was a mix of both horror and fantasy. It managed to be disturbing and gory whilst also beautifully and lyrically written. I loved how witchy it was, the lesbian representation made me so happy too! There was also a non binary character! Overall this was a great book and I will definitely be reading more by this author!
redwing's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexism, Misogyny, Blood, Murder, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
5.0
The one thing I love most about walking through a bookstore, apart from being surrounded by the smell of books of course, is discovering books I had never heard about. During the latest shopping trip with my mother I discovered this book on a table in Antwerp. I was intrigued by the cover and I didn't even really bother to complete reading the blurb. I was pretty damn sure this was gonna be a book for me. It turns out I was right.
I was sold from the very first chapter and that's partly because of the writing style. Although the book is not hard to read, on the contrary actually, every word and sentence seems to set the atmosphere. I could feel every word and sentence. I knew those words and sentences were written down like this for a reason. At times the book almost read like one big spell where the way the words were woven together helped me to get entranced by the story.
But it wasn't just the writing style keeping me hooked. It was also the intriguing plot and the world building. We discover quite soon that this is a dystopia and that a few men have used the end of the world to found a new city where they blame the end of the world completely on women. And despite the fact that we all know that what they do is wrong I could easily believe why the girls and women in the village believed every word they were told and obeyed every command they were given.
I also really loved the mythology behind the Extasia and the way our heroine of the story learns to use it. I don't wanna give away too much of course, since books like this are better experienced when knowing as little as possible about it, but despite the fact that the explanation does still feel a little vague in the end it also in a way feels very satisfying. Just like our heroine's journey might not end like everyone would want but does end in a very satisfying way.
I will certainly check out other books by this author!
I was sold from the very first chapter and that's partly because of the writing style. Although the book is not hard to read, on the contrary actually, every word and sentence seems to set the atmosphere. I could feel every word and sentence. I knew those words and sentences were written down like this for a reason. At times the book almost read like one big spell where the way the words were woven together helped me to get entranced by the story.
But it wasn't just the writing style keeping me hooked. It was also the intriguing plot and the world building. We discover quite soon that this is a dystopia and that a few men have used the end of the world to found a new city where they blame the end of the world completely on women. And despite the fact that we all know that what they do is wrong I could easily believe why the girls and women in the village believed every word they were told and obeyed every command they were given.
I also really loved the mythology behind the Extasia and the way our heroine of the story learns to use it. I don't wanna give away too much of course, since books like this are better experienced when knowing as little as possible about it, but despite the fact that the explanation does still feel a little vague in the end it also in a way feels very satisfying. Just like our heroine's journey might not end like everyone would want but does end in a very satisfying way.
I will certainly check out other books by this author!
slow_sloth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
misha_ali's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I didn't expect this to be as engaging as it was. Sapphic witches, religious dogma, women bearing the burden of sin, and female rage. I think the actual Extasia magical system was the weakest part of this book for me. Everything aside from that was excellent. I loved the unnamed protagonist's original name never being shared until she sheds it for her Saint name. Every part of Haven's treatment of women is chilling but terribly grounded in real-life attitudes. I also appreciate the nuanced approach to female rage as a result of years of cruelty. I don't want to spoil anything else so I won't say anything further, but this was really interesting and the twist at the end adds to it. I wish there was a sequel exploring what happens beyond the area and time we see in this book.
shieldat's review against another edition
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
A hint of The Village, a sprinkle of The VVitch, a healthy pinch of the Gemma Doyle trilogy. Great vibes in this one.
frozenfrog's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0