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mrszeee's review against another edition
5.0
I really didn’t know what this book was about except the title had the word “witch” and it’s a black author. Imagine my surprise when I read the entire book in one sitting. Really really good book.
chickadilly's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. This was well written, engaging, and ... very depressing. It's about someone who has the power to resurrect the dead and I wish it had focused a bit more on the 'fantastical' of it, though to be fair the fact she has this power reverberates through the whole story.
The real horror of the story is not what happens with the dead people she brings back but with the abuse she suffers at home. Her mother is neglectful and her mother's boyfriend beats her, kills her dog, and they both (the mother and boyfriend) blame her for their actions. It's a hard read and had I known it would be a huge factor in this story I probably wouldn't have read it as I'm not really in the right headspace.
But the story kept me reading because I wanted to know how it all ended. All in all I'm glad I read it but I wish it had come with some sort of trigger warning because a few of the scenes really got to me for personal reasons.
The real horror of the story is not what happens with the dead people she brings back but with the abuse she suffers at home. Her mother is neglectful and her mother's boyfriend beats her, kills her dog, and they both (the mother and boyfriend) blame her for their actions. It's a hard read and had I known it would be a huge factor in this story I probably wouldn't have read it as I'm not really in the right headspace.
But the story kept me reading because I wanted to know how it all ended. All in all I'm glad I read it but I wish it had come with some sort of trigger warning because a few of the scenes really got to me for personal reasons.
camilleisreading24's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my god my heart just breaks for Katrell <3 This is such a powerful story.
Read it if you enjoy stories with the following attribute:
-YA horror
-witchy vibes
-serious life struggles
Katrell is 16 but has the problems of an adult. She is flunking her classes because on top of school, she works 30 hours at a diner for minimum wage and has a side hustle as a medium. Her mom is unemployed and it is up to Katrell to make sure they have money to pay for rent, electricity, and whatever her mom's shitty boyfriend wants. After a violent altercation with her mom's boyfriend, Katrell accidentally resurrects her dog and realizes she can charge way more money to resurrect peoples' loved ones rather than simply channel messages from them.
This book is dark. Katrell's home life is so upsetting and she is constantly taking on burdens no teen should ever be saddled with. Her relationship with her best friend Will is so beautiful and a beacon of hope throughout the story. Katrell's motivations are so understandable, and I wanted to reach into the book and pull her out of her terrible situation so many times. I also really loved that she had a nonfamily adult in her school counselor who really cared about her and was there for her. This book is really moving.
Read it if you enjoy stories with the following attribute:
-YA horror
-witchy vibes
-serious life struggles
Katrell is 16 but has the problems of an adult. She is flunking her classes because on top of school, she works 30 hours at a diner for minimum wage and has a side hustle as a medium. Her mom is unemployed and it is up to Katrell to make sure they have money to pay for rent, electricity, and whatever her mom's shitty boyfriend wants. After a violent altercation with her mom's boyfriend, Katrell accidentally resurrects her dog and realizes she can charge way more money to resurrect peoples' loved ones rather than simply channel messages from them.
This book is dark. Katrell's home life is so upsetting and she is constantly taking on burdens no teen should ever be saddled with. Her relationship with her best friend Will is so beautiful and a beacon of hope throughout the story. Katrell's motivations are so understandable, and I wanted to reach into the book and pull her out of her terrible situation so many times. I also really loved that she had a nonfamily adult in her school counselor who really cared about her and was there for her. This book is really moving.
lemonziggy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
joleebunny's review
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Darker than expected, but I enjoyed the story and rooting for the character to succeed.
cherribreads3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Truly enjoyed this book as a poc women myself I have been trying to find books of any kind an this was one I was dying to read on my list. Loved the emotions it had made me feel an how I almost felt like I was in the book with the characters.
emsaul's review against another edition
5.0
I cried all the time, it was great.
Five stars outta five it is.
Five stars outta five it is.
audreyruoff's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book up and could not put it down until I read the whole thing. It’s an exciting, creepy page turner with a witchy vibe and a compelling narrator. I love that it centers friendship and deals with difficult family situations. Even though this is only one teeny aspect of the book, I also really love that it sheds light on how short sighted teachers can be about all the things in their students’ lives that are more pressing than school work, like, in this case, talking to and raising the dead. I say that as a teacher - it’s a good reminder, because Katrell at some points is suffering so much and it sounds like her teachers are mostly just totally unaware.
I think the comp to Chilling Adventures, especially first season, is perfect. I can’t help myself, so I’ve got to say it: this book IS fire.
I think the comp to Chilling Adventures, especially first season, is perfect. I can’t help myself, so I’ve got to say it: this book IS fire.
mdelao630's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
stacieh's review against another edition
Wrong time too depressing/sad/stressful for me right now.