Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

67 reviews

thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition

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4.5

I adored this. The found family, y'all. PERFECTION. And gotta say, I didn't see a twist coming!
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astropova's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book is so sweet!! A witchy book about found family and healing, with some grumpy/sunshine trope thrown in. Also has House in the Cerulean Sea vibes. I loved every single character (except Edward lol)!
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crystalleighwrites's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

One of the most delightful, sweet, and surprisingly emotional books I’ve ever read. 
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caitlinemccann's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-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

3.0

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jenmcreads's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

5.0

This is THE cozy, witchy fall read of the year (it’s early in the season but I’m willing to call it). I loved the cast of characters, and the beautiful sense of chosen family throughout this book. The slight slow burn on the romance was perfectly paced. The characters were both diverse and sensitively written, with just the right level of eccentricity. In the first half the stakes perhaps felt low, but once some secrets came out, the stakes were clarified and I was hooked for the rest of the book. 

The themes in this book- such as home, belonging, found family- were fairly explicitly stated and perhaps lacking in subtlety, however with how well written the characters were to back up these themes that didn’t bother me. Overall this was just the book I hoped it would be! 
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thedevilsivy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.75

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is an utterly charming book. It’s sweet and funny whilst also laced with longing, secrets, and a heroine I would love to be best friends with. 

Mika Moon is a quirky vlogger, embracing the witchcore aesthetic whilst hiding the fact that she actually is a witch. She lives a secretive life, never staying long in any one place, obeying the Rules of witching imposed on her by the imposing yet sort of maternal Primrose, until one day she receives an invitation to move to Norfolk. An invitation headed ‘Witch Wanted’. It’s all too mysterious to ignore, so she packs up her magical teas, her dog and her pond and off she goes. 

The story is paced just right, as we are introduced to a family of magnificent characters from the outrageous Ian, to the gorgeous yet guarded Jamie. We follow Mika as she joins their household and gets to know each of these wonderfully diverse people. 

A cosy, fantastical adventure with a rising level of urgency, twists which don’t feel forced, and a very tidy wrap up – it’s a perfect autumnal read, to be enjoyed with a steaming mug of tea whilst watching the leaves begin to fall. 

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purplepenning's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

Author Sangu Mandanna set out to write a "warm, cozy, romantic story about magic and family. A story that was, above all things, about love and human connection." She did just exactly that.

Pick this one up if you're looking for a unique, funny, heartwarming comfort read with witches galore (a studious young orphan, a murderously protective younger orphan, a high-spirited youngest orphan, lonely practitioners, an imperious elder), a mysterious absentee benefactor, a sweet housekeeper, an impish retired actor, a steady gardener, a golden-coated golden-hearted retriever, a floating koi pond, a sexy scowling growling librarian, and magic sprinkled like stardust throughout a found-family story. 
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