Reviews tagging 'Pregnancy'

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

58 reviews

universeofdust's review against another edition

dark 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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Racism, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, and Animal death

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Classism, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Confinement, Sexual violence, Rape, and Torture

laurenleigh's review against another edition

dark reflective tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

I found myself rather bewitched by this book. I often had a hard time following the plot, but something about the prose style and the audiobook narration kept me listening. I originally read this for a “witches” reading challenge prompt, but then I realized it was a better fit for the “social horror genre” prompt. (Get Out is largely responsible I think for the renewed interest in this genre.) Henderson makes an important point with her plot. Doing nothing to challenge a status quo that actively harms part of a community is also harm itself. It’s easy to be complicit, which is partly why systems of oppression are upheld. I was interested in how the ending played out and how our protagonist didn’t pick one side, recognizing that both had their flaws. Love the spooky vibes, love the commentary even more.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Gore, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy

Minor: Sexual assault and Violence

missmagic's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.25

I was sorely disappointed in this book because I really wanted to love it. Unfortunately, the characters are shallow and unlikable and the best part was the mystery. Once it was unraveled, the book fell apart and didn't really stand on it's own logic.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Racism, and Blood

decie's review against another edition

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Blood, Body horror, Rape, Sexism, Animal death, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Death, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Violence, Confinement, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Self harm and Racism

steppc2's review against another edition

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

4.0

I love the characters in this book and the budding romance. Also, we love a lil witchery 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pregnancy

Minor: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual assault

charlereads's review against another edition

dark 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

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Sexism, Self harm, Rape, Pedophilia, Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Death, Classism, War, Torture, Terminal illness, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Confinement, Blood, and Animal death

des9120's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Death, Violence, War, and Sexism

Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault

radlizareads's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Pregnancy, Child abuse, and Misogyny

stellenelcielo's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious fast-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? No

5.0

Nowadays, I don't often give five stars to books, not out of a sense of superiority, but usually because there had been an element in the book that irked me enough that I couldn't. 

This is not a case of that. I loved this book.

Immanuelle, while frustratingly forgiving and self-sacrificing, especially around the end, is still a very realistic take on a character whose had piousness drilled into her since she was born. Her empathy for her town (which I may add, do not deserve it in the slightest) was infuriating at times, but understandable. I loved the dark nature of this book, and how although there's the idea that the witches might be misunderstood throughout the story, it very soon becomes clear that they are not, but that they aren't necessarily in the wrong either.

Maybe the only gripe I would have with this book would be that Vera Ward was introduced so late into the story, but then again, it does say that this is book 1 of a series, so I am very hopeful to read more about Bethel, and it's characters. Would especially be interested in knowing more about the Outskirts, and their take on faith, which was described much differently than what Immanuel was accustomed to; as well as the story of Lilith and the other witches.

Since watching the 2015 film, The Witch (with Anya Taylor-Joy) I've been interested in puritanical-criticism/witchcraft theme, and it's always fun finding works that incorporate it. Anyhow, The Year of the Witching was a great book, great plot, characters, and just the right amount of fanatical horror. 

Can't wait to get my hands on the next book.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Misogyny, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Racism, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Child abuse, Blood, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Animal death, Body horror, and Sexual assault

There is brief reveal of past child sexual abuse of one of the characters.

romiress's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.25

I really enjoyed the start, but I think it tripped over itself at the end.

It is so bizarre to have the entire book be like 'The church is wrong and is using its dogma to oppress women' and then A) not really address the fact that the religion is inherently like that (father = good, mother = bad), and B) have them be absolutely right about the witches being unredeemable evil.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Gore, Pregnancy, Blood, and Body horror

Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, and Physical abuse