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house_of_hannah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
I really wanted to give this book 5 stars, but it just didn't stick the landing at the end. The book was wonderful from page one though, and I was able to feel fully immersed into the story. The descriptions of the witches were fantastic, and the image of them in my mind was indeed creepy. I think the interactions with them were my favorite aspect of the book.
Be prepared to be angry at a majority of the characters. This is a very patriarchal society where a woman even knowing how to read is considered a sin, and the men have multiple wives. There are moments of betrayal, hypocrisy, and just pure frustration, so the book did a really good job of showing how damaged this town/society was.
However, I think this is part of the reason why I feel uncertain about the ending. The conflict in the book is essentially Town vs. Immanuelle vs. Witches, and by the end I was kinda on the side of the witches 🤷♀️
With that said I devoured this book in two days, and had a wonderful time reading it. I was on the edge of my seat through the second half even. I will definitely be picking up the sequel when it releases, and cannot wait to read more about this world.
Be prepared to be angry at a majority of the characters. This is a very patriarchal society where a woman even knowing how to read is considered a sin, and the men have multiple wives. There are moments of betrayal, hypocrisy, and just pure frustration, so the book did a really good job of showing how damaged this town/society was.
However, I think this is part of the reason why I feel uncertain about the ending. The conflict in the book is essentially Town vs. Immanuelle vs. Witches, and by the end I was kinda on the side of the witches 🤷♀️
With that said I devoured this book in two days, and had a wonderful time reading it. I was on the edge of my seat through the second half even. I will definitely be picking up the sequel when it releases, and cannot wait to read more about this world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Pedophilia
kayleyhyde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia, Violence, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Minor: Torture and Murder
doomluz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Loved this historical, fantasy, horror mix. It reminds me of The VVitch film in aesthetic, but set in a world the author created. The themes were strong. I kind of get how it felt like a YA because of the love story, but I didn’t mind it. I like that it connects and explicitly talks about the menstrual cycle. It shows how women are seen through their fertility, but it also connects it to a curse.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Rape, Confinement, Death of parent, Grief, Blood, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Murder, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
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