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mcc004's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Deadnaming
Moderate: Drug abuse, Transphobia, and Rape
spicycronereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? No
4.0
This is not your usual witchy tale. It has familiar elements, such as characters discovering that they have previously unknown powers / heritage, but magic is almost secondary in this novel that is more about family, both biological and found.
There is a mystery plot and there are magical elements but really the plot centers on a kick*ss group of womxn working together to support Lucky, the multiracial indigenous main character who is tasked with finding a 7th witch to complete their coven. I found elements of Lucky’s backstory with her deceased mother Arnya difficult to read, but also found them extremely relatable, given my own parents’ substance abuse issues. All of that made her relationship with her grandmother Stella all the more special (again, relatable, as my maternal grandmother took us in more than once). And the family she finds among the developing coven rounds out her biological family in a really sweet way.
It wasn’t quite clear to me what VenCo actually does but it doesn’t really seem to matter. The epilogue lays the groundwork for a sequel - perhaps it will become more clear in a follow up. And perhaps we will see more of the magic. There are some really great moments pitting indigenous spells / knowledge against oppressive colonial magic.Lucky is asked if her mother and maternal grandmother were witches and she answers “Better, they were indigenous women.” Definitely a fist pump moment.
No spice in this book but I wasn’t expecting any since that is not really the genre. There is one briefly described seggs scene and a few other allusions / 4play but it is of dubious consent and undertaken by the antagonist (who is actually a villain, rather than a morally grey anti-hero type). So zero 🌶️.
Lots of diverse representation in this book - age, gender, and racial. Characters range from high school age well into se our citizen terrain. Lucky’s newfound coven is quite racially diverse and also includes a trans woman.
Overall I enjoyed this witchy tale that had multiple departures from the typical witch discovering her power plot.
There is a mystery plot and there are magical elements but really the plot centers on a kick*ss group of womxn working together to support Lucky, the multiracial indigenous main character who is tasked with finding a 7th witch to complete their coven. I found elements of Lucky’s backstory with her deceased mother Arnya difficult to read, but also found them extremely relatable, given my own parents’ substance abuse issues. All of that made her relationship with her grandmother Stella all the more special (again, relatable, as my maternal grandmother took us in more than once). And the family she finds among the developing coven rounds out her biological family in a really sweet way.
It wasn’t quite clear to me what VenCo actually does but it doesn’t really seem to matter. The epilogue lays the groundwork for a sequel - perhaps it will become more clear in a follow up. And perhaps we will see more of the magic. There are some really great moments pitting indigenous spells / knowledge against oppressive colonial magic.
No spice in this book but I wasn’t expecting any since that is not really the genre. There is one briefly described seggs scene and a few other allusions / 4play but it is of dubious consent and undertaken by the antagonist (who is actually a villain, rather than a morally grey anti-hero type). So zero 🌶️.
Lots of diverse representation in this book - age, gender, and racial. Characters range from high school age well into se our citizen terrain. Lucky’s newfound coven is quite racially diverse and also includes a trans woman.
Overall I enjoyed this witchy tale that had multiple departures from the typical witch discovering her power plot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Drug abuse and Sexual assault
irenemarie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Dementia
Moderate: Cancer, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
Minor: Transphobia and Deadnaming
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...