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beehoule2's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Blood
Minor: Self harm
kananineko's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I want to start by saying this is not a terrible book and i think there will be lots of people who will love it. However, it just simply felt meh to me. Very mid. I also think I am starting to get too old for YA fantasy. The plot and location was interesting, but tbh the worldbuilding fell kinda flat for me. (I also was rushing a bit while reading, so that might be my fault for potentially skipping some things).
The characters were hit or miss for me. I didn’t like Logan at all and her dynamic as the “baby witch” was kinda annoying and i didn’t really get why the others invited her into their group? I actually did really like Iris, and kinda wish she was the main character. I loved what we saw of Jaila but I wish we got more or her—I feel like her story was underdeveloped. And I didn’t really like Thalia either although unlike Logan I couldn’t really tell you why. Both of the male characters were bland AF and I didn’t really care about them at all. None of the romances were compelling either, the only one I was semi invested in was Iris and that guy (forgot his name) but I only grew into caring about them a little bit (but not enough to read the next book lol).
The plot was pretty weak imo. I feel kinda bad giving 2.5 stars bc tbh I still enjoyed the book overall and I read it pretty quickly, it held my attention. But tbh it was much worse than some books I've given 3 stars... Someone said it was like a bad CW show and I agree. So if you like those kinds of shows, if you like YA fantasy and stuff, I think you’ll like this. I also kinda hyped this book up in my head a lot bc the description sounded so cool to me and it took me like a year to actually get my hands on it, so the disappointment factor is there too.
One last note, the word “witchy” was used wayyyy too often and annoyed me so much. Like literally everything was described as witchy, like a “witchy book” rather than a “witch book” or "witch's book" idk why but that annoyed me? Def a personal pet peeve but just wanted to say it lol.
The characters were hit or miss for me. I didn’t like Logan at all and her dynamic as the “baby witch” was kinda annoying and i didn’t really get why the others invited her into their group? I actually did really like Iris, and kinda wish she was the main character. I loved what we saw of Jaila but I wish we got more or her—I feel like her story was underdeveloped. And I didn’t really like Thalia either although unlike Logan I couldn’t really tell you why. Both of the male characters were bland AF and I didn’t really care about them at all. None of the romances were compelling either, the only one I was semi invested in was Iris and that guy (forgot his name) but I only grew into caring about them a little bit (but not enough to read the next book lol).
The plot was pretty weak imo. I feel kinda bad giving 2.5 stars bc tbh I still enjoyed the book overall and I read it pretty quickly, it held my attention. But tbh it was much worse than some books I've given 3 stars... Someone said it was like a bad CW show and I agree. So if you like those kinds of shows, if you like YA fantasy and stuff, I think you’ll like this. I also kinda hyped this book up in my head a lot bc the description sounded so cool to me and it took me like a year to actually get my hands on it, so the disappointment factor is there too.
One last note, the word “witchy” was used wayyyy too often and annoyed me so much. Like literally everything was described as witchy, like a “witchy book” rather than a “witch book” or "witch's book" idk why but that annoyed me? Def a personal pet peeve but just wanted to say it lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, Violence, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Religious bigotry, Death, Grief, Murder, Body horror, Death of parent, and Gore
Minor: Cursing and Fire/Fire injury
kkreads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
This was a good debut novel with a diverse set of characters and extra witchy vibes. The plot picked up as the book went on, and I raced through the last few chapters. I enjoyed the seamless inclusion of queer characters. Because there were so many POVs, some of the character development was rushed, and I especially would have liked more from Jailah. I originally thought this was a standalone though, so I look forward to how things progress in book 2!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Religious bigotry and Self harm
kingrosereads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
A witchy teen book set in Florida at a magic school. There’s four badass witches and a curse.
The books follows four witches and two “mundanes” as they set to break their town’s hundred year curse. The curse causes an annual “Haunting” where supernatural wolves awaken and spend two moon cycles killing witches and mundanes alike. Our young witches and their mundane friends set out to end the curse once and for all. But with everyone keeping secrets and centuries of animosity between witches and mundanes, can they trust each other and come together to defeat the true evil in their town?
I really enjoyed this book and hope there’ll be another set in this universe. I really liked the magic system and the characters were written well. It feels like we’ve only scratched the surface with this world and these characters though! I was happy to see BIPOC witches just basking in their Witchery while still recognizing that POC have additional struggles. I was disappointed that this was advertised as lgbtqia+ when only one character was identified as queer (it wasn’t specified if she was gay/bi/pan/etc) and she just has a really problematic ex, and there’s also a side character that was non-binary.
I was also disappointed that the build up had inconsistent pacing and the climax and resolution felt rushed.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I REALLY want more! Not at all bad for a debut!
The books follows four witches and two “mundanes” as they set to break their town’s hundred year curse. The curse causes an annual “Haunting” where supernatural wolves awaken and spend two moon cycles killing witches and mundanes alike. Our young witches and their mundane friends set out to end the curse once and for all. But with everyone keeping secrets and centuries of animosity between witches and mundanes, can they trust each other and come together to defeat the true evil in their town?
I really enjoyed this book and hope there’ll be another set in this universe. I really liked the magic system and the characters were written well. It feels like we’ve only scratched the surface with this world and these characters though! I was happy to see BIPOC witches just basking in their Witchery while still recognizing that POC have additional struggles. I was disappointed that this was advertised as lgbtqia+ when only one character was identified as queer (it wasn’t specified if she was gay/bi/pan/etc) and she just has a really problematic ex, and there’s also a side character that was non-binary.
I was also disappointed that the build up had inconsistent pacing and the climax and resolution felt rushed.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I REALLY want more! Not at all bad for a debut!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Death
caseythereader's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Gore, Animal death, Blood, Self harm, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
karina_dreamsinwords'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? Yes
4.5
Wow. I was absolutely bewitched by The Witchery from beginning to end! Filled with dark magic, enchanting prose, and the baddest witch squad in town- this book delivered not only the fantastical but a dash of horror as well.
If you are searching for your next witchy read for spooky season, PICK THIS UP IMMEDIATELY!!
If you are searching for your next witchy read for spooky season, PICK THIS UP IMMEDIATELY!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Religious bigotry, and Self harm
Minor: Racism
karcitis's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Car accident, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Religious bigotry, Mass/school shootings, Genocide, Drug use, Child death, Self harm, and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, Addiction, Classism, Animal death, Alcohol, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Confinement
amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
Moderate: Self harm, Grief, Religious bigotry, Body horror, and Car accident
Minor: Racism, Child death, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
bookstarbri's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
What I loved about this story, I REALLY loved. Iris, Thalia, and Mathew were the stars of this for me. Anytime it was their chapter POVs, I was at an all time high. If I could've stayed with them the whole time, I think it would've been a solid 5 stars. I also really loved the central mystery. I was really interested in the wolves and how they were connected to the witches. I also think Iris might be one of my favorite characters of all time. I adore her. Honestly, I'd read an entire book on her and Mathew doing necromancy stuff together and give it an immediate 5 stars.
I see some people saying there were too many POVs. There were 6 and while that is more than I read in most books (especially at this shorter length), I didn't mind that and it actually made sense to me for it to be set up that way! I think my issue was that I just didn't like the other characters as much or they didn't feel as fleshed out as the aforementioned three. Where Iris, Thalia, and Mathew were more likable and had more interesting backstories, Logan, Trent, and Jailah needed a little bit more. I liked Jailah, but we just didn't get as much from her. Logan kind of faltered for me about halfway through. Also, I really wanted Logan and Jailah to be romantically linked and idk why I thought they would be but I'm really disappointed it didn't go in that direction bc Jail's girlfriend sucks.
What I mainly didn't love was the pacing was really odd sometimes. A lot of time passed in this that didn't feel like needed to pass? I think the stakes would've felt higher if the Hunting Season was shorter. Since it was drawn out for months, it just didn't feel all that important sometimes (they even go on winter break and stop speaking for like a month at one point and that felt really unnecessary ).
Those gripes are relatively moderate and I honestly don't think I'd have them if this book was a series/duology. I TRULY hope it is because it ends with a lot of questions and, frankly, I want to dive even further into this world. It *feels* like a first book in a series and I DESPERATELY want answers. Even with my little complaints, I really enjoyed this and I want more from this author! I have to commend S. Isabelle on the rep too. It was so nice to have so many Black characters in a book :') it made my little Black girl heart SOAR. Black girls with wands and magic is all I've ever wanted. This book was so fun and dark and such a cool take on witches!
I see some people saying there were too many POVs. There were 6 and while that is more than I read in most books (especially at this shorter length), I didn't mind that and it actually made sense to me for it to be set up that way! I think my issue was that I just didn't like the other characters as much or they didn't feel as fleshed out as the aforementioned three. Where Iris, Thalia, and Mathew were more likable and had more interesting backstories, Logan, Trent, and Jailah needed a little bit more. I liked Jailah, but we just didn't get as much from her. Logan kind of faltered for me about halfway through. Also, I really wanted Logan and Jailah to be romantically linked and idk why I thought they would be but I'm really disappointed it didn't go in that direction bc Jail's girlfriend sucks.
What I mainly didn't love was the pacing was really odd sometimes. A lot of time passed in this that didn't feel like needed to pass? I think the stakes would've felt higher if the Hunting Season was shorter. Since it was drawn out for months, it just didn't feel all that important sometimes (
Those gripes are relatively moderate and I honestly don't think I'd have them if this book was a series/duology. I TRULY hope it is because it ends with a lot of questions and, frankly, I want to dive even further into this world. It *feels* like a first book in a series and I DESPERATELY want answers. Even with my little complaints, I really enjoyed this and I want more from this author! I have to commend S. Isabelle on the rep too. It was so nice to have so many Black characters in a book :') it made my little Black girl heart SOAR. Black girls with wands and magic is all I've ever wanted. This book was so fun and dark and such a cool take on witches!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Self harm
Moderate: Blood and Death
venetiana's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
This was A Ride, I loved it! Although I'll be very sad if there isn't a follow-up ;)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Murder, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Classism, Self harm, Stalking, Abandonment, Car accident, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Gore, Grief, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Murder, and Suicide