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lunchingonlit's review against another edition
4.0
Fun read. I enjoyed it! Sexist commentaries, great female friendships, lesbian vibes.
audiobebop's review against another edition
4.0
This book was lots of fun and I appreciate all the researched information. Great female characters. I want this to be a series!
misspinkpineapple's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
sergeant_lemon_pepper's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Slow pace through much of the beginning to establish the many plot threads and historical details of New York City in the 1880s. The rich details of place and Victorian culture are one of the book’s strengths. Another is the fascinating and believable details on Eleanor’s herbal kitchen witch practice. Eleanor is a good character, Adelaide is a bit obnoxious, and Beatrice is, unfortunately, such a “Mary Sue” (i.e., two-dimensionally perfect) that she’s uninteresting). The pace is slow and meandering, picking up speed toward the ending. Fans of Dark Academia fiction might enjoy this. But so many loose ends trail off, unresolved! I suspect the author wanted to do a sequel but maybe her publisher quashed it because it’s been ten years since publication.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, and Religious bigotry
jayra's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 for me!
Pretty illustrations, love the lore, spells, even the description of the tea shop makes me crave for teas (although I don't drink much teas). Strong, independent characters.
It was very interesting in the beginning and then it got slow in the middle like why does it take so long? A bit draggy but I got over the slow-paced story then towards the ending it has so many unanswered questions. Probably will be explained in the next sequel?
Will I read it if there's a sequel?
Yes.
Pretty illustrations, love the lore, spells, even the description of the tea shop makes me crave for teas (although I don't drink much teas). Strong, independent characters.
It was very interesting in the beginning and then it got slow in the middle like why does it take so long? A bit draggy but I got over the slow-paced story then towards the ending it has so many unanswered questions. Probably will be explained in the next sequel?
Will I read it if there's a sequel?
Yes.
karionie's review against another edition
3.0
Thoroughly enjoyable story and characters. It meandered without much of a plot until nearly the end, and while McKay did succeed in tying all the little strings together eventually, I felt there was a deftness lacking there. Still, a great story, with a wealth of interesting characters. Worth a read.
rachelselene's review against another edition
2.0
this book was just okay. i love a good witchy story, but many elements in this one fell flat — the characters are one-dimensional and the plot is slooooow. i did like the gothic atmosphere and the scenes of actual magic (and the cover is stunning!).
bananasand's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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