Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Witches of New York by Ami McKay

5 reviews

explorachel's review

mysterious slow-paced

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

3.25

The world building, character introductions, and descriptions of various spells, potions, and superstitions made the first half of this book very interesting. However, about halfway through, the plot becomes very predictable and lackluster. I would recommend listening to this via audio book as something interesting to have on in the background as opposed to investing more time reading a copy of the book. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Murder, and Torture

Minor: Domestic abuse

cwerber'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It started off slow for me and unfortunately, I got Eleanor and Adelaide confused several times. 

But once I got to the middle then it picked up. I think the last quarter of the book with the preacher was the worst because he was an odious character. 

Anyway, I recently discovered that there is another book. So, I guess I will check it out and read it.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Confinement, Blood, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, and Sexism

Minor: Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Bullying, Child death, Domestic abuse, Classism, and Grief

amberinpieces's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Religious bigotry, Suicide, and Violence

Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Blood, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, and Torture

Minor: Excrement, Misogyny, Sexism, Body shaming, Abortion, Animal cruelty, Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Vomit, and Classism

abominablesnowaro's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Lesbophobia, Murder, Suicide, Torture, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Confinement, Infidelity, Death of parent, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, Drug use, Child death, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic relationship

jourdanicus's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious reflective 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 book was just what I didn't realize I wanted from a story about witches. I love when there's a balance between magic being a normalized part of the world vs many characters still being skeptical/persecuting of those who do magic, and McKay for sure brought that. She wrote about witchery in a way that makes you believe in it for real, at least in the magic women's power and knowledge can hold. Many other elements of the story make this a great read - found family, normalizing/accepting disability, a well researched historical setting, and interesting but not too flowery prose. And the fact that it's set in October is just the icing on the cake for a perfect spooky season read.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement

Minor: Misogyny and Domestic abuse