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annorabrady's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
3.0
Overall, I'm not sure how I feel about the story. I gave it a 3 because it was entertaining enough. But this isn't one I am going to revisit.
If you have emotional triggers, be aware and proceed with caution. This hits on a lot of things that could get people. I've done my best to list the ones I can remember.
As an aside, this book is not diverse. Beyond the romance and the ex, there's one closeted character who gets little page time and one gay character who gets an even smaller part. Then there's nothing. Everyone is white. If there aren't white characters, they're not described. In real life, Salem has close to 18% of their population identifying as latine and nearly 4% as black. Surely there could have been a friend, family member, or other recurring character who wasn't white.
It also would have made more sense narratively if he hasn't died, especially in terms of Victoria being left alone after getting her magic back.
Hannah would have saved Victoria regardless of her father's death. She was just as invested in the identity of the witch hunter before and after his death. And his death didn't add to any of her struggles or character development. He just died. And then he had a funeral. And she said she was upset about it.
Losing a parent changes you. Especially if it's a parent you have a good relationship with. It fundamentally changes so much of your life, your beliefs, and your priorities. And I saw none of that reflected in what Hannah did at the end of the book. Hannah was still the same character, she was just down a parent.
Graphic: Hate crime, Grief, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Medical trauma, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Torture, and Toxic friendship
koraisreadingnow's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Stalking, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Blood, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Genocide, and Car accident
Minor: Animal death, Outing, Kidnapping, and Gun violence
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Unexpected villians and betrayals left me shocked and I’m so glad I own the second as ill be reading it asap.
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Homophobia, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Cultural appropriation, Hate crime, Outing, Toxic friendship, Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Lesbophobia, Medical trauma, Medical content, Xenophobia, Grief, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Violence
ka_ke's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Medical trauma, Murder, Toxic relationship, Blood, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Cursing, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Outing, and Homophobia