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reflectiverambling_nalana's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Toxic friendship, Grief, Outing, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Biphobia, Death, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Mental illness
msradiosilence's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Read my full review at: https://www.rainyreader.com/single-post/witches-of-ash-and-ruin.
Graphic: Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Cursing, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Blood, Death, Dementia, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Outing, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Biphobia, Cannibalism, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
aseel_reads's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Biphobia, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Confinement, Mental illness, Blood, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, and Domestic abuse
beesknees's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Minor: Death, Murder, Biphobia, and Child abuse
candycain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Graphic: Self harm, Death, Abandonment, Dementia, Mental illness, Stalking, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Outing, Religious bigotry, and Physical abuse
halfwaytoaugust's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Murder, and Torture
Moderate: Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry
bi_n_large's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
WHY did this book end with a sequel hook??
As soon as I realized we were headed for sequel territory, I immediately stopped caring about how the book would end.
WHY was my favorite character killed off?
Cora was my favorite of the MANY POV characters because of her ambition and brutality. I would have preferred to read an entire book about her. Sadly, she unwittingly sacrifices herself in the climax and is possessed by a goddess?? Probably?? She was the only character I really liked, so my investment in the sequel is compromised.
WHY did Dayna’s ex-boyfriend have a POV???
At no point did I feel like Sam needed to be in the narrative AT ALL. His true crime obsession didn’t add much to the plot and, OH, HE OUTED DAYNA. AND some of the comments he made throughout the book revealed a biphobic belief system? FUCK this guy!! Why should I care about him??
Because this book tried to set up so much, the plot felt chaotic throughout. I did like the OCD and bisexual rep, though, as well as Dayna’s relationship with her very religious father. If either of those elements had been explored in more depth (as was promised in the plot synopsis), this could have been one of my favorite reads of the year.
I’m of two minds about the sequel. I wouldn’t mind reading more about these messy magic girls.
If, however, it means stomaching 400 more pages of Sam the biphobe, I’ll pass.
Graphic: Biphobia, Outing, Bullying, Mental illness, and Animal death
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Death, and Blood
booksandprosecco's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Thank you to HBG Canada for sending me a final copy of this to read and review!
WoAaR definitely had me intrigued from the beginning. I loved the magic and the magical connections that people had. Not to mention that we get queer witches!
The romance was a bit meh for me, and at times, the plot felt a little obvious. For example, one character would be missing some information, but it would be conveniently provided to us in the next scene.
TW: outing someone - this made me mad. Not just that a character is outed, but that the person who did it doesn’t really face any consequences. I wish this was addressed more.
In general though, the story was well-paced and flowed well. I enjoyed it and definitely still recommend it!
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Physical abuse
Minor: Self harm