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lillie444's review
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Minor: Death
veggiestrawenjoyer13's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
Personally, I liked this book more than the first one. All the new plot points tied in really well and didn’t feel randomly added in, they felt planned. The modern media references continued to throw me off, but there were less so it was easier to read. I really enjoyed the conflicts and personal struggles each character went through. They felt realistic and relatable. The plot twists towards the end of the book had my jaw dropped and I didn’t know who to trust. I would say the only thing that I disliked was (minor spoiler about a new character’s background) Manon’s source of power. Gods were never mentioned before this, so it felt very random. It seemed like a way to give the group a super powerful ally (because they desperately needed one.) Otherwise, I think the plot moved at a good pace and I enjoyed all the characters. It’s not a literary masterpiece, but it’s still a really good sequel and a nice casual read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Blood, Transphobia, and Self harm
Moderate: Misogyny, Dysphoria, Homophobia, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, and Fire/Fire injury
runes_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.75
The cover art and art within the book was gorgeous just like the first one. This takes place directly after All Our Hidden Gifts, with a lot of similar themes. There are some differences in the content warnings, so I would look at them.
There are a few storytelling differences between this and the first book. I feel like this one didn't focus on character flaws as much, but it still was a pretty big focus. We got some more lore/knowledge about the magic in this one, which I really liked. I felt that the protagonist, Maeve, had less character development than in the first. This wasn't a bad thing, she still had a lot.
I'm very excited to read the third book in this trilogy!
Most of the characters are in the equivalent of United States senior year of high school in the story. There's a recurrent worry for them about change and the future, something any teenager can relate to. Please look at the content warnings for this story, it's a YA, but a heavy one. I'd recommend it for ages 15+, so upper YA, verging on New Adult but not quite there.
I read this one in one day, I couldn't put it down! (Also it was a library book so I had a time limit, lol). I haven't decided on a star rating, definitely 4 stars at minimum. I think it's a 4.75 for me, there's nothing wrong with it, and I would highly recommend it. It just wasn't life changing for me personally. It was a great read, and I'll definitely remember it.
There are a few storytelling differences between this and the first book. I feel like this one didn't focus on character flaws as much, but it still was a pretty big focus. We got some more lore/knowledge about the magic in this one, which I really liked. I felt that the protagonist, Maeve, had less character development than in the first. This wasn't a bad thing, she still had a lot.
I'm very excited to read the third book in this trilogy!
Most of the characters are in the equivalent of United States senior year of high school in the story. There's a recurrent worry for them about change and the future, something any teenager can relate to. Please look at the content warnings for this story, it's a YA, but a heavy one. I'd recommend it for ages 15+, so upper YA, verging on New Adult but not quite there.
I read this one in one day, I couldn't put it down! (Also it was a library book so I had a time limit, lol). I haven't decided on a star rating, definitely 4 stars at minimum. I think it's a 4.75 for me, there's nothing wrong with it, and I would highly recommend it. It just wasn't life changing for me personally. It was a great read, and I'll definitely remember it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Violence, Sexual content, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Cursing, Confinement, Transphobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Deadnaming, and Death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Vomit
mrsjones2's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
w0mbles's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Self harm, and Homophobia
Minor: Death
icarrion's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
booklooksbyjenna's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
jilljemmett's review against another edition
5.0
The four friends in Kilbeg Ireland have magic powers that they use together to get stronger: Roe can pick locks, Fiona can heal any wound, Lily can create sparks, and Maeve can read minds. Roe and Maeve are officially dating too. However, their old enemies are still around. The Children of Brigid cult is infiltrating their school and trying to recruit girls to join. Aaron is still showing up wherever Maeve goes, and there is a new counselor in school who is eager to befriend Maeve. When their gifts begin to get weaker, the friends have to work together to figure out who or what is draining them.
This was a great second book in the series! It’s been a while since I read the first book, but the events in that one were referenced many times so I remembered what happened. The four friends came up against the extremist Christian cult Children of Brigid. Their beliefs directly attacked Roe’s queer identity. I liked how Roe was still figuring out his identity. So often teens in novels already know their identity or instantly know they’re queer, but two books into this series, Roe is still figuring it out like many kids and adults in the real world.
The Gifts That Bind Us is a great witchy novel!
Content warnings: homophobia, self-harm, parental abandonment
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Homophobia, and Abandonment
meganpbell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
This series is just so fantastic at capturing the feelings and growing pains and interpersonal challenges of the teen years, all while fighting religious fundamentalism with witchcraft, queer love, and the power of friendship. This installment especially excels with representations of queer, racial, neurodivergent, and disability marginalization—and with portraying the suffering so often behind the worst actions—and it’s just a fun ride!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Self harm, Transphobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Deadnaming, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Blood, Car accident, and Death
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content
graperuth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Xenophobia, Ableism, and Transphobia