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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
while this has some beautiful writing and an interesting atmosphere of appalachian/southern folk horror in a litfic story, i was disappointed by this personally.
the pacing was quite slow throughout, which made this a slog to read at times. the main characters of motheater and bennie are quite interesting, but i didn't really buy the romance at the end. bennie was definitely mesmerized by this ethereal witch and we had the benefit of more of her POV, but for me motheater had too much going on to really think about romance and her POV was in the past.
this also read more like litfic with folk horror and fantasy elements rather than a fantasy book. which is fine, but i think litfic readers who are feeling like some fantasy/horror will be more satisfied with this than fantasy readers.
i didn't care for the amount of christian scripture and fusion of religion with magic, just personal taste.
ultimately the most disappointing part was that while i loved the female rage and themes of corporate capitalism destroying the environment and nature fighting back, we don't really get that triumphant victory of nature > capitalism ending that would've been v satisfying.
the pacing was quite slow throughout, which made this a slog to read at times. the main characters of motheater and bennie are quite interesting, but i didn't really buy the romance at the end. bennie was definitely mesmerized by this ethereal witch and we had the benefit of more of her POV, but for me motheater had too much going on to really think about romance and her POV was in the past.
this also read more like litfic with folk horror and fantasy elements rather than a fantasy book. which is fine, but i think litfic readers who are feeling like some fantasy/horror will be more satisfied with this than fantasy readers.
i didn't care for the amount of christian scripture and fusion of religion with magic, just personal taste.
ultimately the most disappointing part was that while i loved the female rage and themes of corporate capitalism destroying the environment and nature fighting back, we don't really get that triumphant victory of nature > capitalism ending that would've been v satisfying.
an honest arc review ♡
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Sapphic Appalachian horror-adjacent book that says fuck the capitalist mining corporations, sign me right on up! And this ended up being such a phenomenal book. It was slow and quiet in some ways, and I wouldn’t necessarily consider it horror, but as the world is developed and the characters’ nuances are developed, this became hard to put down. I don’t want to give too much away, but Bennie and Motheater are such complex women trying to do their best when forces outside them are making things harder, and the way they work towards their goals, it’s really such an excellent book. I look forward to more stories from Linda H. Codega and definitely would not mind seeing what happens next for Bennie!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
This is what real magic looks like. Not the wicca-kind with shiny rocks and pretty cards. This magic is blood and bones and darkness. And I love it.
In "Motheater" by Linda H. Codega, we are introduced to Bennie, who in her search for both justice and revenge on the local mining companies finds the unconscious body of a witch. Motheater has forgotten who she is, but her purpose in this world is clear; protect the Appalachian mountains.
As the story goes on, we get several POVs (or do we?) and through the eyes of the main characters, we are thrown right into the battle between nature and industrialism. "Motheater" takes us for a ride in a thought-provoking, emotional roller coaster, and offers constant reminders that it's not witchcraft that makes our world dark. The use of magic in this book is going to be a punch in the face of certain religious groups who once thought it acceptable (and still do in some areas) to eliminate women solely based on their skills and knowledge, and I am all here for it.
If you are a fan of powerful magic, environmentalism, characters who only get more complex with time, and a slow-burn romance that is intense, but doesn't take over the entire story - then this book is for you.
* * *
Huge thank you to Kensington Publishing for making this book available through NetGalley.
All opinions are my own.
In "Motheater" by Linda H. Codega, we are introduced to Bennie, who in her search for both justice and revenge on the local mining companies finds the unconscious body of a witch. Motheater has forgotten who she is, but her purpose in this world is clear; protect the Appalachian mountains.
As the story goes on, we get several POVs (or do we?) and through the eyes of the main characters, we are thrown right into the battle between nature and industrialism. "Motheater" takes us for a ride in a thought-provoking, emotional roller coaster, and offers constant reminders that it's not witchcraft that makes our world dark. The use of magic in this book is going to be a punch in the face of certain religious groups who once thought it acceptable (and still do in some areas) to eliminate women solely based on their skills and knowledge, and I am all here for it.
If you are a fan of powerful magic, environmentalism, characters who only get more complex with time, and a slow-burn romance that is intense, but doesn't take over the entire story - then this book is for you.
* * *
Huge thank you to Kensington Publishing for making this book available through NetGalley.
All opinions are my own.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book!
What an enchanting read. Motheater feels like a promising and unique debut that had me spellbound from the start. Set in the atmospheric Appalachian mountains, the reader is immediately immersed in the gritty, wild, coal-mining town of Kiron and its somewhat haunted past.
When I first picked up Motheater, I expected some fun witchcraft. What I didn’t anticipate was the beautiful and evocative prose at the center of an important conversation about the conservation of nature, the exploitation of workers in high-risk fields, race, industry, and love. There is so much being said in this novel without detracting from the central story of Bennie and Motheater—two very different women from very different points in time who find each other in this hurricane of a story.
While I deeply enjoyed my time in the Appalachian mountains, there are a few aspects that could use some tightening up. Some of the localisms and dialect might feel a bit inaccessible to international readers, requiring more context clues, especially in the flashback passages. I also found the pacing to be somewhat uneven. Bennie’s chapters move slowly and can be quite repetitive with her inner monologue, while chapters from other characters’ points of view are more snappy, defined, and offer deeper insights into the characters themselves. The first two-thirds of the book drag a bit, whereas the last third moves at a rapid pace, with most of the present-day plot unfolding in the final chapters. As a result, Bennie’s character doesn’t carry as much weight as she could. The potential is there, but it needs a bit more polish. Additionally, some of the important messages—particularly those related to race and queerness—felt somewhat tossed in rather than integrated with intention.
If you’re expecting an in-depth romance, this might not be the book for you. The love story at the center of this novel is nuanced and delicate, woven richly between the characters. My heart burst at the novel’s ending, but if you’re anticipating a traditional romance, be prepared for something more complex. I loved how tentatively these characters intertwine, and through Bennie’s eyes, you begin to fall in love with Motheater yourself.
Despite these quibbles, I found Motheater to be a wonderful read. The portrayal of magic is unique—wild, messy, and intangible. I truly love anything esoteric, and if you appreciate Christian imagery fused with natural witchcraft and the dirt and grime of something much older, this book will appeal to you. It has elements of gore and horror without delving too deeply into darkness, and the vaguely eldritch panic that settles over the story is utterly captivating.
I hope Codega continues their journey into authorship. This book was imaginative and gripping, and I look forward to reading much more of their work in the future.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
Yes
I received this novel's ARC through NetGalley (a huge thanks!) and I couldn't be be more overjoyed that I was given this opportunity because for me, "Motheater" was an extremely positive reading experience due to of a multitude of factors.
Firstly, Linda H. Codega has an amazing writing flow, which is consistent throughout the entirety of their novel. In addition, their subtle, natural humour made the read very enjoyable. Codega's language isn't overly complicated either and is even further enhanced by their beautiful writing quality and style.
Secondly, I immediately fell in love with the lively personalities of the protagonists. Both Motheater and Bennie immediately bewitched me, and they only grew closer to my heart as the novel continued. Even the secondary characters were well fleshed out and had me genuinely interested in their stories.
Furthermore, the plot confronts the reader with an awareness of the nature around us, which I deem very important. Codega describes the soul of nature in such a way that genuinely made my heart ache as I was confronted with the daunting effects of its destruction.
Fourthly, I was thrilled by the POV switches, which I had not been expecting. Motheater's chapters had me constantly on the edge of my seat despite knowing how her past would ultimately end! The switches of perspective were also very refreshing and added a lot to the story.
To conclude, when I first picked up Motheater, I had never heard of the author, Linda H. Codega, before rest assured, I will purchase any future books of theirs as I loved the book from beginning to end! 10/10 would recommend. I will purchase a physical copy as soon as the novel is released!
Firstly, Linda H. Codega has an amazing writing flow, which is consistent throughout the entirety of their novel. In addition, their subtle, natural humour made the read very enjoyable. Codega's language isn't overly complicated either and is even further enhanced by their beautiful writing quality and style.
Secondly, I immediately fell in love with the lively personalities of the protagonists. Both Motheater and Bennie immediately bewitched me, and they only grew closer to my heart as the novel continued. Even the secondary characters were well fleshed out and had me genuinely interested in their stories.
Furthermore, the plot confronts the reader with an awareness of the nature around us, which I deem very important. Codega describes the soul of nature in such a way that genuinely made my heart ache as I was confronted with the daunting effects of its destruction.
Fourthly, I was thrilled by the POV switches, which I had not been expecting. Motheater's chapters had me constantly on the edge of my seat despite knowing how her past would ultimately end! The switches of perspective were also very refreshing and added a lot to the story.
To conclude, when I first picked up Motheater, I had never heard of the author, Linda H. Codega, before rest assured, I will purchase any future books of theirs as I loved the book from beginning to end! 10/10 would recommend. I will purchase a physical copy as soon as the novel is released!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Abandonment
Minor: Sexual harassment, War, Classism
adventurous
emotional
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:
Complicated
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Benny is a Black woman living in a small Appalachian mountain town, working to expose a crooked mining company after the death of her best friend. She comes across a barely breathing witch, Motheater, who is out of time from the 1880s, freed from inside a mountain during a mining expansion. 150 years later, they are bound by the same vow: to stop the deaths on the mountain.
A dark folk tale with a splash of fantasy elements, this story fails to deliver on its own message: anti-capitalist? Anti-progress? Or perhaps suggesting that progress is sometimes necessary at the expense of the environment? The sapphic elements would have been more enjoyable had they given both Motheater and Benny any real chemistry, rather than just a lot of internal pining. The queer and BIPOC elements, along with the impacts of living in a small, highly religious, and primarily white town, are mostly glossed over. It’s a hodgepodge of themes but never fully fleshed out enough for the reader to sink their teeth into.
This book was fine—it took some incredible folklore and delivered a novel that highlights an often overlooked demographic, leading to my own deep dives into Appalachian history. 3/5 stars.
A dark folk tale with a splash of fantasy elements, this story fails to deliver on its own message: anti-capitalist? Anti-progress? Or perhaps suggesting that progress is sometimes necessary at the expense of the environment? The sapphic elements would have been more enjoyable had they given both Motheater and Benny any real chemistry, rather than just a lot of internal pining. The queer and BIPOC elements, along with the impacts of living in a small, highly religious, and primarily white town, are mostly glossed over. It’s a hodgepodge of themes but never fully fleshed out enough for the reader to sink their teeth into.
This book was fine—it took some incredible folklore and delivered a novel that highlights an often overlooked demographic, leading to my own deep dives into Appalachian history. 3/5 stars.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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 was a nice book, I must admit. The writing was beautiful, enchanting even. It really transported me into the story, even though I was at times annoyed by the typos. I think the book delivered what it promised, however, I assume I wanted something more. Something outstanding, that certain spark to make me scream into the void about it.
Bennie's quick willingness to believe that Motheater was a witch seemed a bit weird and despite knowing that set up the story, I would've liked a bit more questioning. I loved Motheater. With my whole heart. The flashbacks were definitely my favourite part of this book, but that might be because I usually prefer the 1800's setting to modern times.
The romance was nice too. I rooted for our two main characters. They had chemistry and I love me a good wlw relationship.
There are not many things I can say about this. It was okay, but as I said it didn't have that something. Though, it gives off witchy vibes and I appreciated that.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for offering an ARC in exchange for am honest review.
Bennie's quick willingness to believe that Motheater was a witch seemed a bit weird and despite knowing that set up the story, I would've liked a bit more questioning. I loved Motheater. With my whole heart. The flashbacks were definitely my favourite part of this book, but that might be because I usually prefer the 1800's setting to modern times.
The romance was nice too. I rooted for our two main characters. They had chemistry and I love me a good wlw relationship.
There are not many things I can say about this. It was okay, but as I said it didn't have that something. Though, it gives off witchy vibes and I appreciated that.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for offering an ARC in exchange for am honest review.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Appalachia in all its glory with its unique magic and sleeping titan is something I hadn’t encountered prior reading Motheater but somehow this entire book made me fall in love with it.
Benny, Motheater, Zach and Jasper are strong main characters as in that they stand out a lot in their own ways which just makes me like them so much. All of them try to save Kiron from the awaken titan who has been sleeping in the form of Kire Mountain. All while Motheater tries to remember, all while some souls fall in love and all while the things you love, need to be protected most.
It was an adventure, a beautiful one.
Benny, Motheater, Zach and Jasper are strong main characters as in that they stand out a lot in their own ways which just makes me like them so much. All of them try to save Kiron from the awaken titan who has been sleeping in the form of Kire Mountain. All while Motheater tries to remember, all while some souls fall in love and all while the things you love, need to be protected most.
It was an adventure, a beautiful one.