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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Thrown into the river and left for dead by the mining company on Mount Kire, Motheater was pulled from the waters by Bennie. A former employee and current investigator, Bennie hopes that this unidentified woman will be the lynchpin for exposing White Hills for their deadly mining practices that have killed dozens of people since the early 1990s. However, while Motheater struggles to remember her full name, her bones remember Kire and the power she pulls from the land.
Lyrical and atmospheric, MOTHEATER tackles the idea of what people are willing to sacrifice in the name of progress and who has to pay the fee. Part literary fiction, part fantasy, part eco-horror-- this book brings together the old practices and lore of Appalachia Neighbors and the continued struggle with environmentalism v. progress.
This book moves slow, but deliberate; the best parts for me were the flashbacks to Ester's life, while the modern-day plot line with Bennie began to feel monotonous by the end. The characters were well-developed and motivated, and I think Codega did a wonderful job explaining actions through character-building and dialogue. But the best part by far was the world building-- the magic system was intriguing and rooted in old practices, the Appalachian setting was an excellently executed character in and of itself, and the eldritch horror component of this world kept me on my toes.
Thrown into the river and left for dead by the mining company on Mount Kire, Motheater was pulled from the waters by Bennie. A former employee and current investigator, Bennie hopes that this unidentified woman will be the lynchpin for exposing White Hills for their deadly mining practices that have killed dozens of people since the early 1990s. However, while Motheater struggles to remember her full name, her bones remember Kire and the power she pulls from the land.
Lyrical and atmospheric, MOTHEATER tackles the idea of what people are willing to sacrifice in the name of progress and who has to pay the fee. Part literary fiction, part fantasy, part eco-horror-- this book brings together the old practices and lore of Appalachia Neighbors and the continued struggle with environmentalism v. progress.
This book moves slow, but deliberate; the best parts for me were the flashbacks to Ester's life, while the modern-day plot line with Bennie began to feel monotonous by the end. The characters were well-developed and motivated, and I think Codega did a wonderful job explaining actions through character-building and dialogue. But the best part by far was the world building-- the magic system was intriguing and rooted in old practices, the Appalachian setting was an excellently executed character in and of itself, and the eldritch horror component of this world kept me on my toes.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
No
Motheather isn't a soft book. It shouldn’t be. The effects of mining are devastating. The rage of subjugation and forced submission by capitalistic greed is bitter. The loneliness of being a powerful woman full of conviction is sharp. This book has teeth and the characters bite.
From the first pages, I was swept up in Benny’s perspective as she struggles to solve mysterious circumstances surrounding local miners’s deaths, including her best friend, in the Kiron mine. Benny’s unabashed doggedness in pursuing this truth was inspiring. The way she immediately entertains Motheather’s powerful magic as a tool to be harnessed instead of rejecting it because it is arcane and cruel won me over. I like a heroine who’s not afraid to embrace the dark and get a little dirty to achieve their goals.
Motheater is not a witch to be trifled with and oh, how I love her. She is jagged and raw. She represented Appalachia itself, as I, an outsider consider it. A unique, often mischaracterized, place many have tried to subdue filled with mystery and danger.
Coda brings to life the unique culture of Appalachia through distinct dialogue and speech patterns. Benny’s narration is so comfortable and cohesive with other aspects of the novel and is one of my favorite features of this book. The use of flashbacks fills readers in about a small portion of the oppression Appalachia has experienced without becoming a lecture. The magic is earthy without appropriating Indigenous spiritual practices and is just as brought as the wielder. I honestly could not ask for more from this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Classism
I thought this was a really unique debut story about a queer witch trying to protect her Appalachian home! I enjoyed the characters, and the writing flowed naturally.
Dislikes:
- Too long. Needed to be cut about 50 pages.
- Writing needed some minor refinement. Multiple times throughout its 400 pages I found myself reading the same exact sentence.
- At times the writing was SO STRONG but I feel like the author tried to beef the book up with unnecessary scenes that felt weaker and slowed the story down immensely.
Overall a very great debut and would recommend to people looking for an easy fantasy novel taking place in a small town!
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Bennie is a bit of a sore thumb in her Appalachian town. Not only is she one of the few Black women, but she's also aiming to take down a coal mining company after the mysterious deaths of several miners, including her best friend.
While out trolling for clues of wrong doing she spots a woman in a creek and pulls her out thinking, this is yet another victim of the industry. But who she's pulled out is a witch who's spent about 150 years in the heart of the mountain.
I appreciate that out main perspective (Bennie) is unique to the area and industry, it makes it fresh. I can also understand the delicate balance of coal in Appalachia as both a bringer of survival (jobs) but also destruction (nature).
The romance comes across as a bit one side until suddenly (for no reason) it isn't. I wish that had been built up a little more. There was a secondary romance (at least I'm pretty sure) that sparked without ever being explored.
However the pacing is super slow and frankly chunks of this book are boring. The ending isn't quite as satisfying as I'd have liked and there are several loose ends I'd have liked to seen tied up.
While out trolling for clues of wrong doing she spots a woman in a creek and pulls her out thinking, this is yet another victim of the industry. But who she's pulled out is a witch who's spent about 150 years in the heart of the mountain.
I appreciate that out main perspective (Bennie) is unique to the area and industry, it makes it fresh. I can also understand the delicate balance of coal in Appalachia as both a bringer of survival (jobs) but also destruction (nature).
The romance comes across as a bit one side until suddenly (for no reason) it isn't. I wish that had been built up a little more. There was a secondary romance (at least I'm pretty sure) that sparked without ever being explored.
However the pacing is super slow and frankly chunks of this book are boring. The ending isn't quite as satisfying as I'd have liked and there are several loose ends I'd have liked to seen tied up.
“Protect what you love”
4.5/5 stars
This is a complex story, beautiful and haunting, witchy, queer, and unique. Weaving Appalachian folklore with heartache, and grief. Blending the turmoil and anger of watching what industry can do to our world, and the battle of trying to a balance between protecting our people and protecting our environment. How anger can hurt and love can heal. I absolutely loved the unique experience I felt while reading this story, the way it tugged at my own heart, the author slowly tore my heart to shreds and I’m okay with that, the end feeling was one of rawness and hope. This is not a story for everyone, I can immediately see that. However if you love a blend of earth magic, powerful creatures, the pulse of life in a mountain, the joy of finding great love no matter how much time you may have. If you want a story that is going to make you feel, that will permeate your being like the very veins of coal running through this titan of a mountain in the authors story. I recommend this one. My only real issue was in some of the pacing, but I felt that worked itself out 20% or so into the book and then I was absolutely hooked.
Disclaimer:
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
4.5/5 stars
This is a complex story, beautiful and haunting, witchy, queer, and unique. Weaving Appalachian folklore with heartache, and grief. Blending the turmoil and anger of watching what industry can do to our world, and the battle of trying to a balance between protecting our people and protecting our environment. How anger can hurt and love can heal. I absolutely loved the unique experience I felt while reading this story, the way it tugged at my own heart, the author slowly tore my heart to shreds and I’m okay with that, the end feeling was one of rawness and hope. This is not a story for everyone, I can immediately see that. However if you love a blend of earth magic, powerful creatures, the pulse of life in a mountain, the joy of finding great love no matter how much time you may have. If you want a story that is going to make you feel, that will permeate your being like the very veins of coal running through this titan of a mountain in the authors story. I recommend this one. My only real issue was in some of the pacing, but I felt that worked itself out 20% or so into the book and then I was absolutely hooked.
Disclaimer:
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.**
Actual rating: 4.5
Linda H Codega (they/them) presents Motheater, a queer literary fantasy rooted in Appalachian folk magic and conjure. Readers follow Benethea "Bennie" Mattox as she seeks to discover what is causing miners to die on Kire Mountain. When Bennie finds an unconscious woman in the river, she quickly learns that the woman, Motheater, has lost her memory but not the power that ties her to the mountain. A dual timeline perspective follows Esther a century and a half earlier, fighting the same fight against industrial mining that Bennie fights in the present day. After so long enduring insult, the mountain is prepared to fight back.
I am a resident of Maryland who works in Virginia, but my inherited family homestead is in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Appalachian Virginia. My grandparents married on the Natural Bridge. The mountains that make up Appalachia are one of the settings I run to for peace and rest. I acknowledge that this book probably spoke to me in ways that wouldn't happen for people without those ties, but that makes it all the more special for me.
It is inherently obvious that Codega
has done solid research into the land and the culture of Virginian Appalachia. I have never before read a fiction book that so seamlessly weaves together the influences of the church and the land. The pacing of the book is slow and the writing is rich with description. It's a Southern drawl of a book. It can't be rushed and it has plenty to say, even if the message is only truly picked up on later reflection.
Bennie and Motheater are easy leads to follow through the disorientation of the woods and the wild. I appreciate that Codega let the book be naturally queer rather than forcing a front and center romance that would have been unnecessary and potentially detracted from the core plot.
My only real complaint was a bit of a fast wrapup at the end compared to the relatively steady build to that point. This ultimately was the reason for the half star deduction, but I have reason to think this story will take root and grow to be one I only love more over time. I have already pre-ordered a physical copy.
I am thrilled to have had the joy of reading this book and am even more excited to escape into the mountains. Looking forward to whatever Codega writes next.
Actual rating: 4.5
Linda H Codega (they/them) presents Motheater, a queer literary fantasy rooted in Appalachian folk magic and conjure. Readers follow Benethea "Bennie" Mattox as she seeks to discover what is causing miners to die on Kire Mountain. When Bennie finds an unconscious woman in the river, she quickly learns that the woman, Motheater, has lost her memory but not the power that ties her to the mountain. A dual timeline perspective follows Esther a century and a half earlier, fighting the same fight against industrial mining that Bennie fights in the present day. After so long enduring insult, the mountain is prepared to fight back.
I am a resident of Maryland who works in Virginia, but my inherited family homestead is in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Appalachian Virginia. My grandparents married on the Natural Bridge. The mountains that make up Appalachia are one of the settings I run to for peace and rest. I acknowledge that this book probably spoke to me in ways that wouldn't happen for people without those ties, but that makes it all the more special for me.
It is inherently obvious that Codega
has done solid research into the land and the culture of Virginian Appalachia. I have never before read a fiction book that so seamlessly weaves together the influences of the church and the land. The pacing of the book is slow and the writing is rich with description. It's a Southern drawl of a book. It can't be rushed and it has plenty to say, even if the message is only truly picked up on later reflection.
Bennie and Motheater are easy leads to follow through the disorientation of the woods and the wild. I appreciate that Codega let the book be naturally queer rather than forcing a front and center romance that would have been unnecessary and potentially detracted from the core plot.
My only real complaint was a bit of a fast wrapup at the end compared to the relatively steady build to that point. This ultimately was the reason for the half star deduction, but I have reason to think this story will take root and grow to be one I only love more over time. I have already pre-ordered a physical copy.
I am thrilled to have had the joy of reading this book and am even more excited to escape into the mountains. Looking forward to whatever Codega writes next.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“And then, under her hand, Bennie felt Kire breathe.”
3.25☆|5
Sometimes there are books out there that you want to read so much and that look really nice, and full of potential. So you try and try, but for some reason, it just doesn’t entirely make it. I fear that Motheater by Linda H. Codega might fall into that category for me.
I wouldn't say that I have disliked it, but let's say that I was expecting to love it and that instead I simply liked it. However, I don't have big issues with this book; if anything, I have positive things to say.
First, I really, really liked the setting and the story ideas. The themes of nature and witches were interesting, and it was really nice to read! Likewise, I really liked some characters. I had some troubles with Bennie at some point — she seemed a bit… inconsistent somehow? — but I have ended up liking her as well. And Motheater, oh dear gods. I adore her. She was bewitching, lacking better terms, and I think the flashbacks were my favourite parts of the novel. Also, for some unknown reasons, I really liked Jasper; he seemed nice!
The point that is responsible for the fact that this hasn't done it for me was probably the pacing. The author had everything. A charming plot idea; good characters; their writing is fascinating and makes you want to go deep down into the book, but it seemed to me that the main problem was the pacing. The first half was… a bit slow? It took me a really long time to get into this book, and it's a shame because the potential was there! I really got into it for the 2nd half, and yet, I have found some parts to go too fast. But it was mostly the slowness that broke it for me, preventing me from fully entering the plot.
But also, I do think that this is Codega's debut novel, therefore I am still looking forward to their next one, as I really liked their writing style and the way they constructed their plot. I do believe that some people can and will enjoy this book. In fact, I did enjoy it, just less than I thought I would. So I would still recommend it, somehow. Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC, this one goes out on January 21st!
3.25☆|5
Sometimes there are books out there that you want to read so much and that look really nice, and full of potential. So you try and try, but for some reason, it just doesn’t entirely make it. I fear that Motheater by Linda H. Codega might fall into that category for me.
I wouldn't say that I have disliked it, but let's say that I was expecting to love it and that instead I simply liked it. However, I don't have big issues with this book; if anything, I have positive things to say.
First, I really, really liked the setting and the story ideas. The themes of nature and witches were interesting, and it was really nice to read! Likewise, I really liked some characters. I had some troubles with Bennie at some point — she seemed a bit… inconsistent somehow? — but I have ended up liking her as well. And Motheater, oh dear gods. I adore her. She was bewitching, lacking better terms, and I think the flashbacks were my favourite parts of the novel. Also, for some unknown reasons, I really liked Jasper; he seemed nice!
The point that is responsible for the fact that this hasn't done it for me was probably the pacing. The author had everything. A charming plot idea; good characters; their writing is fascinating and makes you want to go deep down into the book, but it seemed to me that the main problem was the pacing. The first half was… a bit slow? It took me a really long time to get into this book, and it's a shame because the potential was there! I really got into it for the 2nd half, and yet, I have found some parts to go too fast. But it was mostly the slowness that broke it for me, preventing me from fully entering the plot.
But also, I do think that this is Codega's debut novel, therefore I am still looking forward to their next one, as I really liked their writing style and the way they constructed their plot. I do believe that some people can and will enjoy this book. In fact, I did enjoy it, just less than I thought I would. So I would still recommend it, somehow. Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC, this one goes out on January 21st!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Death
Minor: Racism, Religious bigotry, Classism
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
This was an absolute masterpiece showing the power of love, speaking intention, and the acceptance of grief. I finished this book the last day of the year and it easily became my favorite read of 2024. This rewrote my entire being twice over and broke my soul in the very best of ways.
There is a very strong religious undertone present here, but I didn’t feel it to be preachy or over the top. Instead, it added a deep level of mysticism and familiarity to the plot, one that I found myself loving over and over again. The magic system is one that I can confidently say is the most unique one that I have ever experienced in a novel. This is deep Appalachia at its core- it’s gritty, it’s powerful and it is filled with love and mystery. It took a while to grasp onto the concept since it is also very philosophical, but the more we learn about Motheater the deeper we dive into the mountain of both her life and her magic call to Kire Mountain.
I fell in love with these those two quicker than they did themselves. Both are so unique and at times worlds apart, but both have deep and unfathomable pain that brings them together. It is very slow burn, but I loved every moment of Bennie’s falling for Moth and how she tries to gain traction on not catching feelings. She fails but of course it’s cute 😂
The overall plot in itself was a masterpiece. I really like the split timeline between my theater’s life before and after bunny and I think it brought so much depth to the story. Prepared to be confused till about 50% of the way through, but I promise everything makes sense the end, and it is a journey in itself to discover the end of their story.
mysterious