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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
tbh this put me in a reading slump. I’m DNFing for now. I might pick it up again later in a different format — either audio or physical if my library gets it
Loveable characters:
Yes
i liked this! nothing mindblowing but the characters are really well-rendered and the writing style is mostly really enjoyable. romance is kinda fast (why are they talking about Love after like 5 days) but so cute i don’t even mind. similarly if it was meant to be a mystery it wasn’t that affective bc it was pretty obvious generally what had happened and the plot was kinda confusing near the middle-end but i don’t really care since the the plot was not what was engaging to me about the book lol
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Appalachian gothic horror is having a moment. There's Alisa Alering's eerie Smothermoss, and Kay Chronister's The Bog Wife.
Motheater by Linda H. Bodega, a nonbinary queer writer,
now joins this group. Their supernatural story brings together African-American Bennie Mattox, who is fighting the coal mining company that killed her best friend, and a holler witch who's over 100 years old.
A witch who was trapped inside a mountain for most of that time. Motheater understands Kire Mountain intimately, and knows the Mountain is waking up to wreck vengeance on the company, on the miners, and on everyone who lives in Kiron, Virginia.
I didn't expect to enjoy this novel as much as I did. The race for Motheater to reawakened her own power in time to save, with Bennie's aid, the townspeople turns into a real page turner. I loved the folklore and history scattered throughout the pages, and the visceral descriptions of the Appalachian landscape. Bennie's and Motheater's growing attraction for each other, and the book's final scene, were very well done.
In short, this was a very entertaining book that will appear to lovers of Appalachia and the emerging genre.
adventurous
emotional
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:
Complicated
I have been struggling since January 20 as I’ve watched people I didn’t vote for dismantle and destroy my country. My representatives don’t speak to me or for me. These days, I only get the occasional form letter from one of my three Congressional representatives. Linda H. Codega’s novel, Motheater, was a badly needed balm. The protagonists of this novel, Motheater and Bennie Mattox, go up against an implacable mining company and a murderous curse. I really needed a story about a powerful, protective witch, fighting an enemy that would feel unbeatable in real life...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Could not get into it. May try again another time
I enjoyed this one. Interesting plot, sweet love story with mystery and adventure mixed in. Strong female characters showing diversity and the courage to be who you are.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had a really interesting concept - old Appalachian witch awoken, exploring the effects of mining both past and preset - but the execution didn’t do it for me. The pacing was a little slow for my taste and the character development was a little inconsistent. The romance felt a little out of place as well. That all being said, I would be interested in reading this author’s future work.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes