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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
lighthearted
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Bullying, Fatphobia, Alcohol
adventurous
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Hedgewitch Book is a cute coming of age story that centers around a young protagonist discovering their magical abilities and learning to navigate a world of witches, nature, and the power within themselves. The writing is charming and the characters are endearing, making it an enjoyable read. It earns three stars for being a delightful, if somewhat predictable, journey into the world of hedgecraft and personal growth.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Hedgewitch by Cari Thomas
Is wilting.
This novella feels rather dated. It reminds me of youth novels in the 90s. It seems to think it’s edgy or in tune with teenagers or pre-teens coming of age, but it’s rather a bit muted.
I found the main character a sidekick in her own story. There was a running theme of her body image that was never resolved. The love story and mystery are both nothing of interest. And rather predictable.
How best I can describe this novella is like that one parent who infantilizes their child, and sanitizes their child’s media. It was all just banal.
This novella is not something I would recommend honestly.
lighthearted
mysterious
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
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
A cosy, magic filled coming of age novella that I absolutely adored!
Set before the events of Threadneedle, we follow Rowan (Anna’s garden witch friend) the summer before they become friends. Which sees Rowan spending time with her Hedge Witch aunt in Wales, honing her craft and embarking on an emotional journey that sees her overcome soo many insecurities, deepen her connection with nature and learn to love all the things that make her soo unique.
I really liked Rowan who was such an endearingly relatable protagonist. When we first meet her she’s an energetic ball of chaos who uses her humour and wit as a shield to hide all her fears and vulnerabilities. But as she gets to know Winnie, we see her learn to appreciate Hedgecraft and embrace all the weird awkward teen tendencies that make her soo great.
I know I’m waxing a little poetic here, but it was such a cosily uplifting and witchy, cottagecore-style read that I loved. And having the chance to delve into (and expand on) Threadneedle’s unique magic system was amazing.
But what really impressed me was how much Cari Thomas manages to encapsulate in less than 150 pages. There’s nuanced characters, expansive magical worldbuilding and some intriguingly mysterious events (melting clock faces, disappearing road signs, and strange animal behaviours) that had me gripped until that very satisfying end.
It’s can be read as a standalone, though I feel you’d get the most enjoyment reading this after Threadneedle as this really adds to Thomas’ already established world.
Overall a compelling, feel good read that fans of all things magic-filled and cosy should definitely consider checking out.
Also, thanks to Anne over at Random Things Tours and Harper Voyager UK for the PB copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming
Moderate: Drug use, Fatphobia, Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Toxic friendship
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
a fun read
It was a fun read with magic and a little mystery. A summer vacation, and a fun venture into who Rowan is from Threadneedle. Not sure if it’s meant to be read before or after but I read it after. Hopeful for more from this wondering world building though.
It was a fun read with magic and a little mystery. A summer vacation, and a fun venture into who Rowan is from Threadneedle. Not sure if it’s meant to be read before or after but I read it after. Hopeful for more from this wondering world building though.
lighthearted