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apple_atcha_reading's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Read via audio on Libby loan.
I have a lot of thoughts about this story. I really enjoyed the found family aspect, of all these women coming together from all corners of North America to create a community centered on uplifting women and marginalized groups, who have historically been preyed on by white supremacy, the patriarchy, and vengeful men.
Stella was the true stand out character for me. Her development as the story progressed was one of my favorite elements of this story. To some it may have been more clear where Stella and the overarching story was heading, but I was pleasantly surprised and teared up when the big reveal took place at the end. I loved the relationship Lucky and Stella had. Having aging family members myself, it felt realistic the way Lucky deeply loved and cared for her aging ailing grandmother, but simultaneously wished she could make her someone else's problem.
What I appreciated the most of the overall story was the diversity of characters within the coven. Different backgrounds, ages, sexualities, there were so many wonderful characters to get to know as we learned the history of the coven and the spoons. I enjoyed the stories each woman told about their discovery of their spoon, and how it led to them joining the coven, allowing their confidence to blossom surrounded by people who understood and wanted them to succeed.
The pacing and depth of this novel is the only reason it’s not a 5 star read for me. I struggled with the pacing around the 65% mark and on, because to me it felt off kilter or somewhat rushed.
There was a sense of elements being rushed, like there was just too many sub plots or characters to give them the time they deserve. Not to say I didn't enjoy what Dimaline wrote, this is my observation and wish for more. My biggest qualm is about the last chapter or two, where I desperately wish we had more context or exposition explaining the what and why about the characters and the spoons. Maybe we'll get a sequel following up with the aftermath of the collection of the spoons (and international covens??) ? One can hope, but I also like my stories to be nicely packaged with more concrete endings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Misogyny, Murder, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Addiction and Transphobia
Minor: Death of parent and Deadnaming
samantha1960's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
A fun modern take on magic! Dimaline has the perfect voice to balance fantasy and reality making her characters relatable and loveable. A perfect read for the autumn season 🕯️🔮
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Kidnapping, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Murder, and Death of parent
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
2.5
DNF @ 65%
I wanted so badly to love this book, but the writing was such a struggle and I finally gave up when my buddy read partner finished it and told me it didn't get any better. I loved the indigenous representation, the inclusion of a fantastic trans woman, casual queer rep everywhere, and the relationship between Lucky and her grandmother Stella... but none of that was able to redeem this book from the fact that it suffered from poor pacing and far too many characters and perspectives. I think VenCo tried to do too many things in too few pages and that ultimately hindered the entire book from succeeding.
✨ Representation: Lucky is Métis, Freya is trans, multiple side characters are queer and/or BIPOC
I wanted so badly to love this book, but the writing was such a struggle and I finally gave up when my buddy read partner finished it and told me it didn't get any better. I loved the indigenous representation, the inclusion of a fantastic trans woman, casual queer rep everywhere, and the relationship between Lucky and her grandmother Stella... but none of that was able to redeem this book from the fact that it suffered from poor pacing and far too many characters and perspectives. I think VenCo tried to do too many things in too few pages and that ultimately hindered the entire book from succeeding.
✨ Representation: Lucky is Métis, Freya is trans, multiple side characters are queer and/or BIPOC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Transphobia, Misogyny, and Homophobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Murder, Addiction, Violence, Grief, and Alcoholism
jackie_marion's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Dementia
Minor: Abandonment, Addiction, Violence, Sexual content, and Murder
cozyscones's review
adventurous
hopeful
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Violence, Death, Dementia, Murder, and Misogyny
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Torture, Transphobia, Sexual assault, Deadnaming, and Addiction
lettuce_read's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Deadnaming, Dementia, and Transphobia
Minor: Addiction
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Before getting into the ins and outs of the plot let me just say that, as always, Cherie Dimaline is a phenomenal writer. She is fantastic at creating vivid imagery without being flowery in her writing. Without even having to try, an image will come to mind while reading, and that is undoubtedly the mark of a skillful author. To evoke imagery in such a way.
For the story itself, I wanted to give four stars, and really felt it would be in the first 40% of the book, but dropped down as the story progressed. The story is full of intrigue from start to finish. We wonder who these characters are, how they play together and what their roles will be, and who is the holder of the final spoon. Histories mesh and collide, as they work as individuals in a much larger organism. However, although those elements work for an entertaining, vivid, and unique story, they fell a bit flat to me. Without giving anything away, I saw the ending coming a mile away. There were so many characters it became hard to keep track of everyone and their backstories. The world building also required a lot of explaining and questioning, because the characters in fact don't know what they're doing most of the time. They're working on a goal that is surrounded by a lot of mystery. Although it didn't come together for me, I do believe plenty of others will be happy and fulfilled with it. I suspect this book will be either a hit or miss for readers all coming down to preferences.
What was most exciting was the individual characters and who they are as people. There is so much diversity in a way that didn't feel like tokenism. There are so many queer characters and characters of different ethnic/racial backgrounds. Although their identities are a focal point for all of them, it isn't the base of their journeys. They exist in their current lives and in their identities while working on their goals which remains part of the big picture. It was a pleasant balance.
I was also quite fond of the overall messaging too. About women empowerment, community, and overcoming an oppressive patriarchy. There's a lot of sexism in the book but it is tackled in every decision and action each woman makes.
Overall, I think this will be a lot of people's new favorite book. For me it wasn't a total hit, but I liked it well enough that I will recommend to friends.
Before getting into the ins and outs of the plot let me just say that, as always, Cherie Dimaline is a phenomenal writer. She is fantastic at creating vivid imagery without being flowery in her writing. Without even having to try, an image will come to mind while reading, and that is undoubtedly the mark of a skillful author. To evoke imagery in such a way.
For the story itself, I wanted to give four stars, and really felt it would be in the first 40% of the book, but dropped down as the story progressed. The story is full of intrigue from start to finish. We wonder who these characters are, how they play together and what their roles will be, and who is the holder of the final spoon. Histories mesh and collide, as they work as individuals in a much larger organism. However, although those elements work for an entertaining, vivid, and unique story, they fell a bit flat to me. Without giving anything away, I saw the ending coming a mile away. There were so many characters it became hard to keep track of everyone and their backstories. The world building also required a lot of explaining and questioning, because the characters in fact don't know what they're doing most of the time. They're working on a goal that is surrounded by a lot of mystery. Although it didn't come together for me, I do believe plenty of others will be happy and fulfilled with it. I suspect this book will be either a hit or miss for readers all coming down to preferences.
What was most exciting was the individual characters and who they are as people. There is so much diversity in a way that didn't feel like tokenism. There are so many queer characters and characters of different ethnic/racial backgrounds. Although their identities are a focal point for all of them, it isn't the base of their journeys. They exist in their current lives and in their identities while working on their goals which remains part of the big picture. It was a pleasant balance.
I was also quite fond of the overall messaging too. About women empowerment, community, and overcoming an oppressive patriarchy. There's a lot of sexism in the book but it is tackled in every decision and action each woman makes.
Overall, I think this will be a lot of people's new favorite book. For me it wasn't a total hit, but I liked it well enough that I will recommend to friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Dementia, Violence, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Drug use, Alcohol, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, and Ableism
Minor: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Cancer, Suicide, Incest, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Vomit, and Terminal illness
Homelessness, necrophilia (up to interpretation), lynching,
More...