Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom

228 reviews

kate_mull's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I loved the first half. I felt mixed about the second half. I liked the images in the physical book, cool art. I liked feeling empathic towards the “devil” and the idea that

we sort of made the devil ourselves, that he was a beautiful nature god and we ruined it and now he thirsts for revenge

.  And a similar idea for women

that “bad” women are created by their circumstances in life specifically sexism misogyny abuse controlling men etc

.  Giving very feminine rage. If you need some feminine rage in your life (ahem 11/6) this is a good one. 

Cons: Ifound the protagonist a little bit “manic pixie girl” but for the 17th(?) century, I feel like I could tell she was written by a man creating his idea of a “fiesty” woman. It was believable and I liked the character but certain traits were like … really?  Then, I found it way too convenient that

her mother turns out to be an old magic witch. I wouldn’t have minded this realization actually except that it came around like “well when I think about it a guess my mom WAS a witch”. I’d have preferred it to be a secret she kept (she does in a way, the notebook) or a slower realization over the whole book. It was just a fast reveal that left me like … oh well I guess that explains everything neatly. I think it was necessary it was just a bit … too easy?

It started creepy which I loved and once we met Samson it got decidedly less creepy. Almost more whimsical at times which was a bit shift in tone. I finished it though! I just missed the atmosphere of the first half.  

Good book for folks who just dabble in horror, not scary, probably won’t keep you up at night, a little gore, a little murder, but also a beautiful release for the main character, well deserved revenge, interesting plot. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny

Moderate: Gore, Torture, and Murder

mrsmishler's review

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

kmesserli's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This was such an incredible, emotional read. It definitely lives up to all of the hype!

If you’re a fan of the film The VVitch, this is an easy recommendation. Similar atmospheric horror with feminist rage and a deeply satisfying vengeful ending. Oh and you get to read the Devil’s perspective too. 😈

Abitha is a very likable character who you can’t help but root for. And GEEZ is she surrounded by just the WORST people ever (colonial Puritans amiright), so you can’t help but look forward to the gruesome ending foreshadowed on the first page. Samson and the other Team Mother Earth members are sympathetic and tragic and complicated. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how all of their relationships tangled together.

Samson is a fascinating character as well; I really enjoyed the duality of his nature and his struggle with accepting  himself as both a harbinger of death and bringer of life, especially when faced with the strict dichotomy of Christianity. As a pagan myself I really enjoyed Brom’s take on religion and how Samson’s true nature is beyond the Puritanical Christian definition. I liked that this book talked about how nature and Mother Earth are neither all good nor all bad but an endless cycle of Life and Death. Very refreshing

All in all, I think this was a fantastic read. Very happy I read it during spooky season 🎃. Please be mindful of the warnings I added! This is not a lighthearted read and includes a puritan witch trial and all of the ick and yikes that comes with it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Gaslighting

daleee's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

forgedopulence's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The epitome of feminine rage. 
The artwork in the physical book is also absolutely stunning. 
I have so many good things to say that I can't even get them out. Highly recommend literally everyone read this. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

felofhe's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

erica_reads_things's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

4.75

One of my favorite reads of the year, by far! Very clear parallels to the Salem Witch Trials, but with it's whole one stories, incredibly compelling characters, and stunning fantasy elements. I really thoroughly enjoyed it. Honestly, the last quarter of the book

during/immediately after Abitha and Sarah's trial

was scarier and more tense than many of the horror novels I have read. Just the utter realness and knowing what truth it's based on left me with a pit in my stomach. Just so well done!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body horror, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation

Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent

meggles801's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I'll definitely be reading this every year 🖤

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

elxla's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

Gothic, colonial, folk horror, girl power. A really interesting book, that at times felt a little “good for her”. I enjoyed it, though this book is not for the squeamish. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, and Misogyny

coveredinsnow's review

dark emotional mysterious sad 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail