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nylamaii's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A very nice read. I wasn’t aware for a long time in the book that we were in fact not in America. But it didn’t make it difficult to read which was good in my opinion. It’s crazy I’ve had this book for almost 3 years and I was just know reading it. It took me sometime to finish but that was mostly because I couldn’t find time to read it due to always being tired. But I finished it at work and I’ve been reading it on shift instead of being on my phone. Anywho back to the book, I give it an 8/10 because I loved Maeve’s character development as well as Roe’s and Fiona’s. Also since the main time the book takes place in is about a month so we really get to know our characters. I also like that the book made way for more relationship development between Maeve and Lily, seeing has how Lily wasn’t immediately forgiving of Maeve’s previous action but is allowing her to atone for said actions. I may get the 2nd book just to see how exactly Aaron the asshole gets his ass kicked.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Blood, and Hate crime
deliak03's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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
This book was so interesting! I was really drawn towards the characters and learning more about them, as well as the mysterious magical elements of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Alcohol
missuec's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Hate crime
lucyyaga's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Hate crime, Biphobia, Homophobia, Transphobia, Deadnaming, and Religious bigotry
applejuiceinabox's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
started out very strong, but plot got very messy and grating
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Suicide attempt
veggiestrawenjoyer13's review against another edition
funny
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
3.5
Overall, this book was an enjoyable read and I will definitely be reading the second one. The plot twists were unpredictable and I liked the mystery/suspense. The modern media references threw me off a lot, but they were funny. Some of the dialogue was awkward, but teens are going to be awkward so I can get over that. The romance was cute, I like that it wasn’t the main plot but added more emotional depth to the characters. The diversity and inclusion felt authentic, not forced. The witchy vibes were cool and I leaned a lot about Wiccan traditions. The supernatural aspect was also cool, and it all tied together very well. The only major issue I had was the pacing at the end. It felt rushed after the main conflict was resolved. The concepts of everyone’s gifts were really interesting, I just wish it didn’t seem so sudden. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a casual read who likes modern magical books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death and Cursing
Minor: Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Suicide, and Domestic abuse
zias's review against another edition
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Hate crime
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Suicide
I enjoyed this story and found it easy to read. I loved that the story used tarot cards and magic. I found Maeve to be a bit juvenile at times for being 16, but I also thought she had decent growth through the book, partly due to the events happening in the story and her learning to use tarot and magic as means of self reflection - ie herbs representing positive attributes and her recognizing when she feels episodes of rage or jealousy. I would have liked to read more about where Lily went because it felt both rushed and vague for the end of the book. I’ll definitely pick up the second book in this series.cstefko's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
I really enjoyed this one, and Caroline O'Donoghue is quickly become a must-read author for me. This one was obviously very different from [book:The Rachel Incident|63094957] (adult, literary fiction vs this book's YA fantasy), but there's some crossover in terms of the superb queer rep and strong character development. There were a couple of times I got a little confused about the lore but it all worked out in the end. I'm excited to read the sequels now!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Gore, Xenophobia, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Bullying
erin_lusk's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? No
5.0
This magical, tarot-driven, coming of age queer witch novel is everything I wish I had as a teenager beginning to understand who they were. Now I’m a 36 year old nonbinary witch obsessed with grief (I’m also a widow), tarot, self-acceptance and compassion towards others - and this book made me cry with its graceful portrayal of queer people.
While that isn’t the main focus of the story, it plays an incredibly important role. One that many like me needed to have put on paper. For that, I am incredibly grateful to Caroline O’Donoghue.
As for the meat of this story…it was so deliciously written. Powerful and beautiful and dangerous are the words that come to mind to sum-up the plot. Maeve, with her lack of book smarts, instinctively drawn to the tarot after finding a mysterious deck in her schools basement/storage area, begins to give readings to her fellow classmates at the all-girls catholic school she attends. In the process, she gives a reading to her ex-best friend who ends up disappearing.
What follows is Maeve’s attempts to find her as well as Maeve’s own self-discovery about who she is and what it means to love those around you. She falls for ex-BFFs brother only to find out the boy she knew isn’t a boy at all but a generous and beautiful nonbinary person trying to make their way in a world turning more violent and dark. Maeve also makes friends with Fiona, an aspiring actress who is fighting her cultural connection to healing and caring for others in order to be her own person.
This diverse and stunning cast of characters have left an imprint on my soul. Thank god the next two books are already available.
While that isn’t the main focus of the story, it plays an incredibly important role. One that many like me needed to have put on paper. For that, I am incredibly grateful to Caroline O’Donoghue.
As for the meat of this story…it was so deliciously written. Powerful and beautiful and dangerous are the words that come to mind to sum-up the plot. Maeve, with her lack of book smarts, instinctively drawn to the tarot after finding a mysterious deck in her schools basement/storage area, begins to give readings to her fellow classmates at the all-girls catholic school she attends. In the process, she gives a reading to her ex-best friend who ends up disappearing.
What follows is Maeve’s attempts to find her as well as Maeve’s own self-discovery about who she is and what it means to love those around you. She falls for ex-BFFs brother only to find out the boy she knew isn’t a boy at all but a generous and beautiful nonbinary person trying to make their way in a world turning more violent and dark. Maeve also makes friends with Fiona, an aspiring actress who is fighting her cultural connection to healing and caring for others in order to be her own person.
This diverse and stunning cast of characters have left an imprint on my soul. Thank god the next two books are already available.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Transphobia
klee1317's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
relaxing
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Hate crime and Homophobia