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kromanuski's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
merricatfromblackwood's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.0
This is a hard one. The TERF having a POV was hard to read. I also wish there was more world building/more time with the magic system. But I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Murder, Sexism, Violence, and Transphobia
giuliasbookshelves's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Racism
dblaq's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
tashawallace95's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Violence, War, and Kidnapping
blover's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
good, fun concept that I feel like does not get the full proper developement ut deserved , specifically Theo's and Leonie'arks(coincidentally the only 2 minorities from the main cast) dont feel fully developed.I get that that id pribably bcs of the existebce of the second book but c mom we could ve gotten more leonie chapters and seen theo s growth more especially when it come to controlling and honing in her powers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
erin_lusk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
really enjoyed this book but WISH there were some spoilers attached at the beginning as i wasn’t prepared for the grief discussions around partner loss nor the transphobia within its pages.
this was a darker book than i initially expected it to be but good nonetheless. the characters grow (some for the worse) and a few twists/surprises leave you wondering what the hell could happen next.
this was a darker book than i initially expected it to be but good nonetheless. the characters grow (some for the worse) and a few twists/surprises leave you wondering what the hell could happen next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Grief
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
sandreline's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
A delightful surprise! A rich and interesting world that is not overly explained. And it's always refreshing to read about a cast of mature women.
The politics are about as subtle as a brick to the face. It was a bit weird to hear 30-something Black lesbians talking "Intro to Feminism" with their Irish friend. But hey, some audiences need that. 🤷
I hope the next book spends some more time breaking down the binary between witches and warlocks, cause it seems quite silly to me.
The vibes reminded me a lot of "The City We Became."
The politics are about as subtle as a brick to the face. It was a bit weird to hear 30-something Black lesbians talking "Intro to Feminism" with their Irish friend. But hey, some audiences need that. 🤷
I hope the next book spends some more time breaking down the binary between witches and warlocks, cause it seems quite silly to me.
The vibes reminded me a lot of "The City We Became."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Animal death and Racism
Minor: War
emilywrayburn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I started this book in audio format, but I am finding lately I haven’t had a lot of time to invest in listening to books, so I decided to switch to the paperback. I’m so glad I did, because after taking at least a couple of weeks to listen to the first 40%, I read the other 60% in a matter of days, and I’m pretty sure I enjoyed it all the more for being able to properly absorb myself.
HMRC draws on a lot of English witchy folklore, with references to Pendle Hill and such, but also examines the ways in which witchcraft narratives have developed over the years to favour certain types of stories. The four main characters are bound by childhood oaths but they are now very different people, hardened by a war that made them grow up too quickly, with different values and different attitudes to the world around them.
I was impressed with Dawson’s ability to handle the different POVs in this book, particularly those who are in opposition to her own values. Niamh was definitely my favourite character, though I enjoyed Leonie and Elle’s perspectives too. Helena is a compelling character to read even though she is an absolute piece of work. Seeing her transformation from “Well, she’s wrong but maybe we could sit her down and explain why she’s being unreasonable” to “wow, she went completely off the rails” made for some compelling reading.
I know that some people are going to say that Dawson was “heavy-handed” because I found myself thinking that, too, before reminding myself that discussions of issues affecting marginalised people are allowed to be there on the page. An author doesn’t have to seamlessly weave their exploration of issues into the story and never explicitly mention it for it to be acceptable.
The cliffhanger ending does feel a little cheap or unearned, but I am keen to see where the next volume takes us! I already had it on hold at the library before I had finished this one and I’ll be diving into it soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, War, Murder, and Transphobia
Moderate: Death and War
Minor: Animal death and Sexual content
mc860's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Modern witches in the UK with issues that mirror modern issues between progressive and conservative values.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia