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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
tense
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received an ARC through NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Motheater is an Appalachian witch out of time, stuck between her community and nature. Can we survive without taking from nature? How much is too much? Where is the balance? And whose side should she take?
A story told in two timelines, in present time and a hundred and fifty years into the past, with a cast of queer characters. The romance itself is pretty slowburn, and I wouldn't really call this a romance book, but the love is still very much important to the endgame. Romantic love, friendship love, love for community, love for nature, and all of that.
The present-time POV character is a Black woman who is investigating mysterious mining deaths on the mountain. I loved that Bennie and Zach are exes who are both bisexual - good for them.
Only four stars because I couldn't immerse myself fully, the Bible verses and Appalachian accents/slangs was pretty far from my experience. Somebody who is closer to the culture might enjoy this more, for me the Bible verses are an automatic turn-off. Still, I enjoyed the rest of the book.
Motheater is an Appalachian witch out of time, stuck between her community and nature. Can we survive without taking from nature? How much is too much? Where is the balance? And whose side should she take?
A story told in two timelines, in present time and a hundred and fifty years into the past, with a cast of queer characters. The romance itself is pretty slowburn, and I wouldn't really call this a romance book, but the love is still very much important to the endgame. Romantic love, friendship love, love for community, love for nature, and all of that.
The present-time POV character is a Black woman who is investigating mysterious mining deaths on the mountain. I loved that Bennie and Zach are exes who are both bisexual - good for them.
Only four stars because I couldn't immerse myself fully, the Bible verses and Appalachian accents/slangs was pretty far from my experience. Somebody who is closer to the culture might enjoy this more, for me the Bible verses are an automatic turn-off. Still, I enjoyed the rest of the book.
Motheater was not what I was expecting in the slightest. There's a lot I enjoyed about it and some things I didn't.
To start, I wouldn't have classed this as a fantasy. It reads as a lyrical literary fiction with hints of folk horror and fantasy. Which i appreciate. The prose was great, and as a sucker for religious folklore, I really enjoyed the mixing of Christian scripture with pagan witchery.
I loved the setting and the characters, both Bennie and Motheater were interesting, although all bits of Motheater POV were set in the past, it was enough to give us a good understanding of who she is. The Appalachian mountains were a perfect scenario for this tale, and the text was burst full of history about the area and its mining past.
A couple of things that didn't really tickle my fancy were for one, the sheer number of times the word "Motheater" was on the page. It was so many times it kind of lost its meaning. I don't know if this was on purpose, but if it was, I don't really understand why. Another thing that didn't flow as I expected was the romance aspect. While for Bennie, it all made sense as we had her POV set in the present, for Motheater to reciprocate her feelings felt a bit out of the blue, and it just didn't quite fit. A shame, really.
Lastly, I regret to say that the ending wasn't for me either. There was no satisfaction factor at all in it, no great climax on the setting that was put forward. The elements of female rage and the perpetual battle between capitalist progress and nature fell flat with a less than compelling ending.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable reading, and the prose was just the way I like, and I would recommend it to people who like a folk tale and badass women.
Thank you, NetGalley, for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
To start, I wouldn't have classed this as a fantasy. It reads as a lyrical literary fiction with hints of folk horror and fantasy. Which i appreciate. The prose was great, and as a sucker for religious folklore, I really enjoyed the mixing of Christian scripture with pagan witchery.
I loved the setting and the characters, both Bennie and Motheater were interesting, although all bits of Motheater POV were set in the past, it was enough to give us a good understanding of who she is. The Appalachian mountains were a perfect scenario for this tale, and the text was burst full of history about the area and its mining past.
A couple of things that didn't really tickle my fancy were for one, the sheer number of times the word "Motheater" was on the page. It was so many times it kind of lost its meaning. I don't know if this was on purpose, but if it was, I don't really understand why. Another thing that didn't flow as I expected was the romance aspect. While for Bennie, it all made sense as we had her POV set in the present, for Motheater to reciprocate her feelings felt a bit out of the blue, and it just didn't quite fit. A shame, really.
Lastly, I regret to say that the ending wasn't for me either. There was no satisfaction factor at all in it, no great climax on the setting that was put forward. The elements of female rage and the perpetual battle between capitalist progress and nature fell flat with a less than compelling ending.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable reading, and the prose was just the way I like, and I would recommend it to people who like a folk tale and badass women.
Thank you, NetGalley, for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sometimes, you get into a book and you’re hooked right from the very first page. Motheater is not one of those books. Admittedly, this was a very rough start for me—questionable character behaviour, exposition heavy dialogue, murky world building—but there was just something about the writing that made me want to stick it out. Thankfully, my instincts were correct. While the first 20 or so pages are middling, at best, the narrative does very quickly start to catch up with itself, and eventually blooms into a dynamic tale of magic, corruption, and mystery.
I think my main problem with the beginning of the novel was Bennie’s illogical trust and acceptance. When confronted with Motheater’s sudden appearance and supernatural abilities her immediate reaction isn’t one of fear (despite Motheater attacking her), but rather a very contrived approach of relaying the horrors of the mining corporation she’s investigating. Yes, later both women come to an understanding, but it is this initial motivation that feels so inorganic. It was almost enough to put me off the rest of the book.
However, I did continue, and once over that first hump of the protagonists’ introduction to one another I did feel that the pacing and flow of the plot took on a decidedly better quality.Things developed slowly, and the reader was given more information regarding the mountain, the mining corporation, and Motheater’s history until the alternate timelines converged and the conclusion struck.
Overall, because the actual meat of the narrative was so enjoyable, I would still recommend this, but that recommendation does come with the warning that the first two chapters are not so great. In my opinion, if you love media that explores nature versus industry, magical realism, or sapphic somewhat-toxic relationships you might like this.
I think my main problem with the beginning of the novel was Bennie’s illogical trust and acceptance. When confronted with Motheater’s sudden appearance and supernatural abilities her immediate reaction isn’t one of fear (despite Motheater attacking her), but rather a very contrived approach of relaying the horrors of the mining corporation she’s investigating. Yes, later both women come to an understanding, but it is this initial motivation that feels so inorganic. It was almost enough to put me off the rest of the book.
However, I did continue, and once over that first hump of the protagonists’ introduction to one another I did feel that the pacing and flow of the plot took on a decidedly better quality.Things developed slowly, and the reader was given more information regarding the mountain, the mining corporation, and Motheater’s history until the alternate timelines converged and the conclusion struck.
Overall, because the actual meat of the narrative was so enjoyable, I would still recommend this, but that recommendation does come with the warning that the first two chapters are not so great. In my opinion, if you love media that explores nature versus industry, magical realism, or sapphic somewhat-toxic relationships you might like this.
until dawn but in the woods. stop messing with nature
thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc
thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc
Pacing moving like a glacier aand idgaf about any of the characters
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Holy holy holy Lord Almighty this book was a wild ride. Every word on every page was so good and special.
Motheater is a tale of a young black woman in Appalachia who is looking into a dangerous mining operation. She stumbled across the discarded body of a witch and they tumble into a mystery of the witches past and Appalachia's future.
This book had me riveted, I couldn't shut up about it. I couldn't stop thinking about it. The ending near had me in tears. This was my most anticipated read of 2024 when I received the ARC, I am so, so blessed to have been able to love these characters. Thank you, Lin Codega, your mind is brilliant.
Motheater is a tale of a young black woman in Appalachia who is looking into a dangerous mining operation. She stumbled across the discarded body of a witch and they tumble into a mystery of the witches past and Appalachia's future.
This book had me riveted, I couldn't shut up about it. I couldn't stop thinking about it. The ending near had me in tears. This was my most anticipated read of 2024 when I received the ARC, I am so, so blessed to have been able to love these characters. Thank you, Lin Codega, your mind is brilliant.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
No
This dense, rumbling novel, blending Appalachian folktale, eco-horror, and literary fiction, is a testament to community and sacrifice. It is a love letter to a people and place both neglected and exploited, without shying away from the thorny complications and rough edges such love entails.
The characters were richly detailed and nuanced, and I was able to really feel their presence. This is especially true for the two central characters but also for many of the ancillary characters. The overall story was compelling, and I appreciated the moving back and forth between past and present, with the mystery doled out and revealed in good measure. The exploration of magic and how it relates to the environment, the sacrifice that magic entails and what one might need to give up in order to serve a community they love, even when spurned in response, was beautifully done, a rich vein of thought and contemplation. The writing itself was strong and steadfast, and it felt like it paralleled the depth of the story, the despair, tenacity, determination, and hope that the characters carry with them. The world was really-well realized, through the characters and their aspirations as well as the writing itself, and it created a great atmosphere that really carried the story.
The pacing was a little slow. The moving between past and present across chapters helped keep things moving, but it needed a little more. I don’t know if this means maybe trimming the page count or if there just needed to be something, especially through the middle section, which gave a little forward momentum. I was never bored, it wasn’t a matter of being disinterested, I was invested in the characters and story the whole time, but there were sections that felt a little sluggish. Additionally, the romantic subplot at the end felt like an unnecessary addition, and indeed felt like something that came out of left field instead of being organic and deliberate. Given the state of the characters at that point, where they had come from and what they were facing, it was hard to believe those characters would fall into that at that time. It didn’t detract from the story, I suppose, but it felt out of place and was a little distracting, and it didn’t feel like it added much.
Both of those are small quibbles, though. The story feels like it draws on a deep well of love for a place and its history, and that is shaped by an evocative and lush language and an exciting type of faith & magic. This story feels like it comes from the earth, a story of intimacy, sacrifice, and devotion. It is definitely a fun read, and if you are able to go along with a little bit of languid pacing through the second act then there is a lot of joy and meaning to mine in this tale.
I want to thank the author, the publisher Kensington Publishing | Erewhon Books, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
mysterious
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:
No
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.75 stars out of 5.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for for the free copy of this book and the opportunity to read it before release.
Motheater is one of those books you pick up because you like the cover, and the synopsis sounds intriguing enough for you to hope for a hidden gem of a story. On many points the book does deliver exactly this; a fantasy and horror with a lot of folklore elements set against an Appalachian backdrop with a lot of important themes discussed and shown as the story progresses.
When Bennie’s best friend dies in Kire Mountain, Bennies decides to take matters into her own hand and find out what’s killing the miners. During one of her expeditions to uncover more clues, she finds a half-drowned woman in a dirty mine slough and brings her with. Simply because it’s the right thing to do. Instead it brings yet another mystery to Bennie’s front door, as the woman can’t remember her true name, nor how she’s gotten there. All that is known to her, is the name Motheater, that she is a witch and that she has a connection to the mountain. Suddenly uncovering the deaths of Kire Mountain isn’t just about getting justice for the lost, but also about uncovering Motheater’s memories.
In many ways Motheater is very good at creating an atmosphere and a culture I would expect in a smaller, disconnected town. It’s hard to say how realistic it is, because my cultural reference point is different to the American one, but as an outsider looking in, I think the book does a very good job at not being too shallow in its intended audience, while still having things strewn in, I would assume, would be smaller love letters to the area the book is set in. It unfortunately never really connected with me.
I have a big love for the usage of flashbacks and the current setting, and the parallels it creates in the story. The theme of industry vs. nature, and to some degree the environmentalism and connection to folklore works really well, and makes for a rich story with a lot to offer.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for for the free copy of this book and the opportunity to read it before release.
Motheater is one of those books you pick up because you like the cover, and the synopsis sounds intriguing enough for you to hope for a hidden gem of a story. On many points the book does deliver exactly this; a fantasy and horror with a lot of folklore elements set against an Appalachian backdrop with a lot of important themes discussed and shown as the story progresses.
When Bennie’s best friend dies in Kire Mountain, Bennies decides to take matters into her own hand and find out what’s killing the miners. During one of her expeditions to uncover more clues, she finds a half-drowned woman in a dirty mine slough and brings her with. Simply because it’s the right thing to do. Instead it brings yet another mystery to Bennie’s front door, as the woman can’t remember her true name, nor how she’s gotten there. All that is known to her, is the name Motheater, that she is a witch and that she has a connection to the mountain. Suddenly uncovering the deaths of Kire Mountain isn’t just about getting justice for the lost, but also about uncovering Motheater’s memories.
In many ways Motheater is very good at creating an atmosphere and a culture I would expect in a smaller, disconnected town. It’s hard to say how realistic it is, because my cultural reference point is different to the American one, but as an outsider looking in, I think the book does a very good job at not being too shallow in its intended audience, while still having things strewn in, I would assume, would be smaller love letters to the area the book is set in. It unfortunately never really connected with me.
I have a big love for the usage of flashbacks and the current setting, and the parallels it creates in the story. The theme of industry vs. nature, and to some degree the environmentalism and connection to folklore works really well, and makes for a rich story with a lot to offer.
Listen, I really REALLY wanted to like this book. Magic, Sapphics, and discussions of the environment, sign me up! But this book really just feel short for me unfortunately.
I'll start with the things I did like, the writing is gorgeous, it's incredibly descriptive and really transporting, the scenes were incredibly vivid in my head and I had quite a good understanding of the characters.
This book has a great premise but it just seems a little bit confused, for such a long book our main characters just immediately deeply trust each other despite having just met. The main character also seems to come to the same epiphanies over, and over, and over to the point that it feels like whole scenes of this book could be taken out. On top of that there is supposed to be this kind of mystery as to who our love interest is but, due to the dual timelines we get given this information in the I think fourth chapter, I'm not sure if it's supposed to be some kind of dramatic irony or what, but it just didn't really work. In the same kind of vein, the commentary of mining and it's effects on the environment, which are presented as the themes of this book at the very start are pretty surface level.
My last thing is definitely a little bit more personal, but there is quite a strong theme of religion, specifically Christianity, to the point that one of the characters repeatedly quotes passages from the bible, just in case you forgot how religious they are.
I loved the idea of this book, but unfortunately it's execution just wasn't it for me.
I'll start with the things I did like, the writing is gorgeous, it's incredibly descriptive and really transporting, the scenes were incredibly vivid in my head and I had quite a good understanding of the characters.
This book has a great premise but it just seems a little bit confused, for such a long book our main characters just immediately deeply trust each other despite having just met. The main character also seems to come to the same epiphanies over, and over, and over to the point that it feels like whole scenes of this book could be taken out. On top of that there is supposed to be this kind of mystery as to who our love interest is but, due to the dual timelines we get given this information in the I think fourth chapter, I'm not sure if it's supposed to be some kind of dramatic irony or what, but it just didn't really work. In the same kind of vein, the commentary of mining and it's effects on the environment, which are presented as the themes of this book at the very start are pretty surface level.
My last thing is definitely a little bit more personal, but there is quite a strong theme of religion, specifically Christianity, to the point that one of the characters repeatedly quotes passages from the bible, just in case you forgot how religious they are.
I loved the idea of this book, but unfortunately it's execution just wasn't it for me.