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starstruuk's review against another edition
fast-paced
5.0
I DEVOURED this book!! It was so good and I will definitely be rereading this in the future.
ali_w15's review against another edition
3.0
I throughly enjoyed three stories in this book. They were empowering, inspiring and met my expectations. The rest I felt were a bit of a let down. Some were very bizarre and had little connection to witchcraft. A book with a lot of potential that sadly did not live up to its claims.
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
In this young adult anthology, editors Jessica Spotswood and Tess Sharpe celebrate the witchy wisdom and power of women. The collected stories cover a broad range of history and fantastical locations and include lighthearted tales as well as deadly serious ones.
Any short story collection is going to be a bit uneven but I truly enjoyed the vast majority of these. I would like to read novels based on some of these characters and I will be seeking out longer works by some of these authors. I appreciated that the writers are a culturally-diverse group and their characters reflect that. I also liked that some characters are LGBTQIA+. Representation matters.
After listening to this collection, I can’t say that narrator Amy McFadden is my favorite reader but she did read the stories capably. A lot of the stories blended together because her tone was so similar throughout. She did read with appropriate accents, which sounded fine to my untrained ear, but a lot of stories felt like they were being told by a snarky teen, which wasn’t necessarily accurate. The end of one story and the beginning of the next blurred together as well, which seems like a flaw (as I see it) of the production, not her. Just a few more seconds of silence would have clued me in that I had reached the ending.
Speaking of endings… I am okay with ambiguous endings. I won’t claim to be a huge fan but if I see a purpose, I’ll roll with it. Some of the stories seemed to stop for no apparent reason. That drives me crazy.
I recommend this for readers who enjoy short stories, women’s issues, and representation. When I look back on my Halloween reads, male authors always dominate the list. I enjoyed including a group of talented women this year, especially since they focused on important issues as well.
This is a good place to stop reading this review, but I always feel compelled to review each story as well. Here goes:
“Starsong” by Tehlor Kay Mejia–3 stars–I might have enjoyed this more in print. This was one of the stories that came across as snarky largely because of the narrator. Luna is sixteen and she almost died recently from a bad mixture of pills and alcohol. She’s finding her way forward with the help of her powers and the stars. She’s lonely though–until she meets @futureNASAqueen on Instagram and they begin discussing their mutual love of, but wildly different approaches to, the stars.
“Afterbirth” by Andrea Cremer–3 Stars–Cremer is one of two authors from this collection whom I’ve read previously (Nightshade). This wasn’t my favorite story although it largely felt all too real. Deliverance is an apprentice midwife. Her mentor, Miriam Ley, is on trial for witchcraft after a mother dies in childbirth and a snooping busybody, concerned neighbor reports that the child she gave birth to was really a devil.
“The Heart in Her Hands” by Tess Sharpe–4 Stars–I would like to read more about this world. Bettina Clarke is from a family of witches who are each gifted with a mark on their skin when they meet their soul mates. Bettina isn’t content to let someone else decide her fate so she fights every way she can. I really liked her and Auggie, her best friend.
“Death In The Sawtooths” by Lindsay Smith–4 Stars–Possibly my favorite story of the collection. I’d like a novel and maybe even a series about Mattie, a witch who prepares the dead for burial and helps them settle their unfinished business. She’s never really fit in with the other, more glamorous witches, and they bullied her mercilessly in school. She finds out that witches who have followed in her footsteps haven’t been treated any better but they aren’t as accepting of the pecking order.
“The Truth about Queenie” by Brandy Colbert–3 Stars–This one had a bit too much…troubled teen love?… for my taste. Others will like it more than I did. Queenie is a witch but she has only explored her powers one time previously with disastrous consequences. When her famous best friend (who she’s secretly in love with) asks her to use her powers for a good cause, she’s afraid that she won’t be able to help.
“The Moonapple Menagerie” by Shveta Thakrar–3 Stars–This is a pretty little fantasy about a group of shape-shifting witches putting on a play. Shalini is supposed to be writing the play but she has a terrible case of writer’s block and self-doubt. There’s a message here about asking for help when you need it but mostly it just felt like a sweet little romp through a pretty fantasy world.
“The Legend of Stone Mary” by Robin Talley–4 Stars–Wendy’s family of women has a reputation as witches, stemming from an incident that occurred at the end of the Civil War. Wendy’s great-great something supposedly cursed the town. The curse has died down but now that Wendy is visiting the statue the town erected in an attempt to appease “Stone Mary’s” spirit, it feels like the curse may be coming back stronger than ever. I liked the small town mythos here and Wendy’s complicated friendship with Karen.
“The One Who Stayed” by Nova Ren Suns–This one is hard to rate. I personally didn’t care for it but it’s a powerful piece that’s going to linger with me. It will be a trigger for some readers. A group of women (Witches?Ghosts? I was never clear) watch as a young teen is preyed upon and relive the memory of another girl in a similar situation the year before.
“Divine Are The Stars” by Zoraida Córdova–3 Stars–I was interested enough in the world that this family of witches inhabit but I’ve already largely forgotten it. The elderly matriarch has summoned everyone to her home for their inheritance but the family does not find what they expected.
“Daughters of Baba Yaga” by Brenna Yovanoff–4 Stars–Ms. Yovanoff is the second author whose work I’m familiar with in this group (The Replacement). Stony, a teen from an immigrant family, knows life in America is hard for anyone who is even slightly different. Harmony, a girl who thinks they’re both witches, befriends her. Harmony believes in using her powers for good. Stony, on the other hand, believes in justice.
“The Well Witch” by Kate Hart–4 Stars–This is another strong contender for my favorite story of the collection. Elsa is a water witch living in an oasis of her mother’s creation in the dry Texas plains. Trouble comes to her door in the form of three drifters, apparent deserters from the armies of the Civil War. I admired her for her resilience and reliance only on herself.
“Beware of Girls with Crooked Mouths” by Jessica Spotswood–4 Stars–This felt like a smaller piece of a family saga and I would like to read that saga. There can only be one matriarch in each generation of women in the Campbell family. Jo has a vision that she thinks will allow her and her sisters to avoid the fatal fate of their forebears.
“Love Spell” by Anna-Marie McLemore–4 Stars–I liked this story for its belief in love against the odds. A young woman is learning the art of healing broken hearts from her tía. Even though they’re women of faith, the local priest refuses them Communion, calling them brujas. But un acólito notices the young woman and begins serving them Communion in their home on Sunday afternoons.
“The Gherin Girls” by Emery Lord–4 Stars–I enjoyed this story but, given its superficial similarity to both Practical Magic and Garden Spells, that’s to be expected. I love that the sisters are so wholeheartedly on each other’s side, no questions asked. Middle sister Rosie has been out of a slyly abusive relationship for about a year when she runs into her ex and feels her world collapsing around her. I would like to read more about The Gherin Girls.
“Why They Watch Us Burn” by Elizabeth May–This is another difficult one to rate. I personally didn’t love it but it’s a truly powerful allegory about women who’ve been preyed upon by men and then crucified in the court of public opinion.
Any short story collection is going to be a bit uneven but I truly enjoyed the vast majority of these. I would like to read novels based on some of these characters and I will be seeking out longer works by some of these authors. I appreciated that the writers are a culturally-diverse group and their characters reflect that. I also liked that some characters are LGBTQIA+. Representation matters.
After listening to this collection, I can’t say that narrator Amy McFadden is my favorite reader but she did read the stories capably. A lot of the stories blended together because her tone was so similar throughout. She did read with appropriate accents, which sounded fine to my untrained ear, but a lot of stories felt like they were being told by a snarky teen, which wasn’t necessarily accurate. The end of one story and the beginning of the next blurred together as well, which seems like a flaw (as I see it) of the production, not her. Just a few more seconds of silence would have clued me in that I had reached the ending.
Speaking of endings… I am okay with ambiguous endings. I won’t claim to be a huge fan but if I see a purpose, I’ll roll with it. Some of the stories seemed to stop for no apparent reason. That drives me crazy.
I recommend this for readers who enjoy short stories, women’s issues, and representation. When I look back on my Halloween reads, male authors always dominate the list. I enjoyed including a group of talented women this year, especially since they focused on important issues as well.
This is a good place to stop reading this review, but I always feel compelled to review each story as well. Here goes:
“Starsong” by Tehlor Kay Mejia–3 stars–I might have enjoyed this more in print. This was one of the stories that came across as snarky largely because of the narrator. Luna is sixteen and she almost died recently from a bad mixture of pills and alcohol. She’s finding her way forward with the help of her powers and the stars. She’s lonely though–until she meets @futureNASAqueen on Instagram and they begin discussing their mutual love of, but wildly different approaches to, the stars.
“Afterbirth” by Andrea Cremer–3 Stars–Cremer is one of two authors from this collection whom I’ve read previously (Nightshade). This wasn’t my favorite story although it largely felt all too real. Deliverance is an apprentice midwife. Her mentor, Miriam Ley, is on trial for witchcraft after a mother dies in childbirth and a snooping busybody, concerned neighbor reports that the child she gave birth to was really a devil.
“The Heart in Her Hands” by Tess Sharpe–4 Stars–I would like to read more about this world. Bettina Clarke is from a family of witches who are each gifted with a mark on their skin when they meet their soul mates. Bettina isn’t content to let someone else decide her fate so she fights every way she can. I really liked her and Auggie, her best friend.
“Death In The Sawtooths” by Lindsay Smith–4 Stars–Possibly my favorite story of the collection. I’d like a novel and maybe even a series about Mattie, a witch who prepares the dead for burial and helps them settle their unfinished business. She’s never really fit in with the other, more glamorous witches, and they bullied her mercilessly in school. She finds out that witches who have followed in her footsteps haven’t been treated any better but they aren’t as accepting of the pecking order.
“The Truth about Queenie” by Brandy Colbert–3 Stars–This one had a bit too much…troubled teen love?… for my taste. Others will like it more than I did. Queenie is a witch but she has only explored her powers one time previously with disastrous consequences. When her famous best friend (who she’s secretly in love with) asks her to use her powers for a good cause, she’s afraid that she won’t be able to help.
“The Moonapple Menagerie” by Shveta Thakrar–3 Stars–This is a pretty little fantasy about a group of shape-shifting witches putting on a play. Shalini is supposed to be writing the play but she has a terrible case of writer’s block and self-doubt. There’s a message here about asking for help when you need it but mostly it just felt like a sweet little romp through a pretty fantasy world.
“The Legend of Stone Mary” by Robin Talley–4 Stars–Wendy’s family of women has a reputation as witches, stemming from an incident that occurred at the end of the Civil War. Wendy’s great-great something supposedly cursed the town. The curse has died down but now that Wendy is visiting the statue the town erected in an attempt to appease “Stone Mary’s” spirit, it feels like the curse may be coming back stronger than ever. I liked the small town mythos here and Wendy’s complicated friendship with Karen.
“The One Who Stayed” by Nova Ren Suns–This one is hard to rate. I personally didn’t care for it but it’s a powerful piece that’s going to linger with me. It will be a trigger for some readers. A group of women (Witches?Ghosts? I was never clear) watch as a young teen is preyed upon and relive the memory of another girl in a similar situation the year before.
“Divine Are The Stars” by Zoraida Córdova–3 Stars–I was interested enough in the world that this family of witches inhabit but I’ve already largely forgotten it. The elderly matriarch has summoned everyone to her home for their inheritance but the family does not find what they expected.
“Daughters of Baba Yaga” by Brenna Yovanoff–4 Stars–Ms. Yovanoff is the second author whose work I’m familiar with in this group (The Replacement). Stony, a teen from an immigrant family, knows life in America is hard for anyone who is even slightly different. Harmony, a girl who thinks they’re both witches, befriends her. Harmony believes in using her powers for good. Stony, on the other hand, believes in justice.
“The Well Witch” by Kate Hart–4 Stars–This is another strong contender for my favorite story of the collection. Elsa is a water witch living in an oasis of her mother’s creation in the dry Texas plains. Trouble comes to her door in the form of three drifters, apparent deserters from the armies of the Civil War. I admired her for her resilience and reliance only on herself.
“Beware of Girls with Crooked Mouths” by Jessica Spotswood–4 Stars–This felt like a smaller piece of a family saga and I would like to read that saga. There can only be one matriarch in each generation of women in the Campbell family. Jo has a vision that she thinks will allow her and her sisters to avoid the fatal fate of their forebears.
“Love Spell” by Anna-Marie McLemore–4 Stars–I liked this story for its belief in love against the odds. A young woman is learning the art of healing broken hearts from her tía. Even though they’re women of faith, the local priest refuses them Communion, calling them brujas. But un acólito notices the young woman and begins serving them Communion in their home on Sunday afternoons.
“The Gherin Girls” by Emery Lord–4 Stars–I enjoyed this story but, given its superficial similarity to both Practical Magic and Garden Spells, that’s to be expected. I love that the sisters are so wholeheartedly on each other’s side, no questions asked. Middle sister Rosie has been out of a slyly abusive relationship for about a year when she runs into her ex and feels her world collapsing around her. I would like to read more about The Gherin Girls.
“Why They Watch Us Burn” by Elizabeth May–This is another difficult one to rate. I personally didn’t love it but it’s a truly powerful allegory about women who’ve been preyed upon by men and then crucified in the court of public opinion.
ajb24's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I started this book mostly because I knew it was on my to-read shelf and I saw it was available at the library so I rented it. But I was skeptical that I would enjoy the topic of witches/witchcraft right from the start (I added it to my list because my ex was into witch stuff so I thought I would read it for "perspective" or whatever...reviews said that it had gays too so obvs I got intrigued)
That being said, there were some stories that I genuinely really enjoyed and held my interest in a way where the ~magic~ elements didn't bother me. Others however...not so much. Not that I think that they're bad stories or anything (though some are weaker than others quality-wise) but it's just...sometimes I just can't get behind the whole idea of universes where witches exist. There's that one story where like, a witch girl starts chatting with the science/NASA girl. Yeah, I'm like the NASA girl (but less intense because science is hard and i'm not into that) But conceptually like...I can appreciate that people believe in this stuff but usually it's just not for me. If I had to list my favorites from best to worst it would go like this:
1. The Gherin Girls
2. Death in the Sawtooths
3. Why They Watch Us Burn (this might be a tie for second because I really appreciate the underlying social commentary)
4 (tie) Love Spell
4 (tie) The Legend of Stone Mary
5. The Heart in her Hands
ok and then after this I don't know if I can really rank them because they either weren't compelling enough for me to remember them or I just don't like them.
I could probably rank my bottom 3 actually
3. The Well Witch
2. The One Who Stayed
1. The Moonapple Menagerie
Any others I didn't rank are stuck in that middle section of "I don't care enough to have a distinct opinion"
I took notes after each story (not extensive, just my general feelings so I could remember for this review...obviously that didn't work out totally well lol) BUT anyways I think I'm funny sometimes and I wanna preserve what I wrote so I'm gonna copy/paste them down below (there is NO consistency in what I comment on for each, sometimes I wrote it during and other times after, but anyway...)
Starsong
- rolled my eyes but it gay so,,,
Afterbirth
- kept me intrigued
The Heart in Her Hands
- gf came to save her from a hetero fate!!!!!
Death in the Sawtooths
Definitely my favorite so far, so interesting and liked the concept
The Truth About Queenie
Boring heteros :/
Eh, don't like the abrupt ending (maybe it's abrupt cuz I'm just listening to it and don't have a concept of how long it is)
Weird cheating motif and I dont rly get it
The Moonapple Menagerie
Goddamn these witches are furries
Hey question wtf is going on
I don't understand it
[like, OK, I /get/ that it's a different culture and I was trying to be open to the whole plot and what was happening, but I was just so confused and didn't like it]
The Legend of Stone Mary
The gays!!!
The One Who Stayed
What???? Don't like it :/
Divine Are the Stars
Eh
Daughters of Baba Yaga
New concept, a bad witch, was OK. Don't understand the communist bit tho or why that was included
The Well Witch
Partial to this one only cuz I recently read the Sebastian Barry book set in civil war time, but not much else impresses me
Eh actually not really it was boring and not a lot of witchyness
Beware of Girls with Crooked Mouths
Hmph
But there were some gays that was nice
Love Spell
I read an article in medical anthro about susto once so this one is cool to me
Also just am into the story more which is surprising since the other book I've read by this author I didn't like
Def can see this author's magical realism style coming thru
The Gherin Girls
"Small warm relief sets in" - sounds like a description of if u peed urself even tho i know it's not
Oooo I really liked this one!!!
All the sexuality representation!!! But also family love!! Yay!!
It's incredible how much I identify or feel "seen" in the Willa/Ingrid scenario...just like, the description of what she loves about Ingrid and how they lie next to each other I /feel/ that, yknow?? Cuz like, after some of these hetero stories it's like, holy shit, I do NOT understand that I'm SO gay
It's almost like...representation matters 🤔 *insert Pikachu face meme*
Why They Watch Us Burn
Oof this is powerful
That being said, there were some stories that I genuinely really enjoyed and held my interest in a way where the ~magic~ elements didn't bother me. Others however...not so much. Not that I think that they're bad stories or anything (though some are weaker than others quality-wise) but it's just...sometimes I just can't get behind the whole idea of universes where witches exist. There's that one story where like, a witch girl starts chatting with the science/NASA girl. Yeah, I'm like the NASA girl (but less intense because science is hard and i'm not into that) But conceptually like...I can appreciate that people believe in this stuff but usually it's just not for me. If I had to list my favorites from best to worst it would go like this:
1. The Gherin Girls
2. Death in the Sawtooths
3. Why They Watch Us Burn (this might be a tie for second because I really appreciate the underlying social commentary)
4 (tie) Love Spell
4 (tie) The Legend of Stone Mary
5. The Heart in her Hands
ok and then after this I don't know if I can really rank them because they either weren't compelling enough for me to remember them or I just don't like them.
I could probably rank my bottom 3 actually
3. The Well Witch
2. The One Who Stayed
1. The Moonapple Menagerie
Any others I didn't rank are stuck in that middle section of "I don't care enough to have a distinct opinion"
I took notes after each story (not extensive, just my general feelings so I could remember for this review...obviously that didn't work out totally well lol) BUT anyways I think I'm funny sometimes and I wanna preserve what I wrote so I'm gonna copy/paste them down below (there is NO consistency in what I comment on for each, sometimes I wrote it during and other times after, but anyway...)
Starsong
- rolled my eyes but it gay so,,,
Afterbirth
- kept me intrigued
The Heart in Her Hands
- gf came to save her from a hetero fate!!!!!
Death in the Sawtooths
Definitely my favorite so far, so interesting and liked the concept
The Truth About Queenie
Boring heteros :/
Eh, don't like the abrupt ending (maybe it's abrupt cuz I'm just listening to it and don't have a concept of how long it is)
Weird cheating motif and I dont rly get it
The Moonapple Menagerie
Goddamn these witches are furries
Hey question wtf is going on
I don't understand it
[like, OK, I /get/ that it's a different culture and I was trying to be open to the whole plot and what was happening, but I was just so confused and didn't like it]
The Legend of Stone Mary
The gays!!!
The One Who Stayed
What???? Don't like it :/
Divine Are the Stars
Eh
Daughters of Baba Yaga
New concept, a bad witch, was OK. Don't understand the communist bit tho or why that was included
The Well Witch
Partial to this one only cuz I recently read the Sebastian Barry book set in civil war time, but not much else impresses me
Eh actually not really it was boring and not a lot of witchyness
Beware of Girls with Crooked Mouths
Hmph
But there were some gays that was nice
Love Spell
I read an article in medical anthro about susto once so this one is cool to me
Also just am into the story more which is surprising since the other book I've read by this author I didn't like
Def can see this author's magical realism style coming thru
The Gherin Girls
"Small warm relief sets in" - sounds like a description of if u peed urself even tho i know it's not
Oooo I really liked this one!!!
All the sexuality representation!!! But also family love!! Yay!!
It's incredible how much I identify or feel "seen" in the Willa/Ingrid scenario...just like, the description of what she loves about Ingrid and how they lie next to each other I /feel/ that, yknow?? Cuz like, after some of these hetero stories it's like, holy shit, I do NOT understand that I'm SO gay
It's almost like...representation matters 🤔 *insert Pikachu face meme*
Why They Watch Us Burn
Oof this is powerful
thebookishunicorn's review against another edition
5.0
Actual rating 4.5 stars
"Here's how to fulfill a prophecy: you are a woman, you speak the truth, and the world makes you into a liar." -Why They Watch Us Burn
I really really loved this collection of short stories! They are all so different from one another but still feel like they belong together. The cultures and characters are so diverse, a ton of own voices, and amazing LGBTQ+ representation. It's a great spooky read, while also bursting full of female empowerment.
"Here's how to fulfill a prophecy: you are a woman, you speak the truth, and the world makes you into a liar." -Why They Watch Us Burn
I really really loved this collection of short stories! They are all so different from one another but still feel like they belong together. The cultures and characters are so diverse, a ton of own voices, and amazing LGBTQ+ representation. It's a great spooky read, while also bursting full of female empowerment.
nabiis's review against another edition
5.0
Toil & Trouble is a collection of stories about witches, but more importantly, it is a collection of stories about finding yourself, learning to love yourself and others, and using your greatest talents for what you believe is right.
When I requested to receive an ARC for this book, all I knew was there were gay witches. GAY WITCHES. It sounded exactly like what I wanted in my life and guess what? It was! It was everything I wanted and hoped for and so so much more. My favorite stories were "Love Spell" by Anna-Marie McLemore, "The Gherin Girls" by Emery Lord, and "Why They Watch Us Burn" by Elizabeth May.
Overall, I am giving this book five stars!!! I will also rate each story individually below and add where lgbt+ rep can be found.
"Starsong" by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Rating: 4 stars
Rep: f/f
"Afterbirth” by Andrea Cremer
Rating: 2.5 stars
“The Heart in Her Hands” by Tess Sharpe
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: f/f
“Death in the Sawtooths” by Lindsay Smith
Rating: 2 stars
“The Truth About Queenie” by Brandy Colbert
Rating: 3.5 stars
“The Moonapple Menagerie” by Shveta Thakrar
Rating: 3.5 stars
“The Legend of Stone Mary” by Robin Talley
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: f/f
“The One Who Stayed” by Nova Ren Suma
Rating: 5 stars
TW: sexual assault
“Divine Are the Stars” by Zoraida Córdova
Rating: 4 stars
“Daughters of Baba Yaga” by Brenna Yovanoff
Rating: 4.5 stars
TW: gore
“The Well Witch” by Kate Hart
Rating: 3 stars
TW: racisim, animal death
“Beware of Girls with Crooked Mouths” by Jessica Spotswood
Rating: 4 stars
Rep: side sapphic character
TW: mentions suicide
“Love Spell” by Anna-Marie McLemore
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: trans love interest
“The Gherin Girls” by Emery Lord
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: two main sapphic characters
TW: abusive relationship
“Why They Watch Us Burn” by Elizabeth May
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: f/f, trans side character
TW: sexual assault
This honestly was a beautiful anthology and I highly recommend that everyone reads it!!
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I requested to receive an ARC for this book, all I knew was there were gay witches. GAY WITCHES. It sounded exactly like what I wanted in my life and guess what? It was! It was everything I wanted and hoped for and so so much more. My favorite stories were "Love Spell" by Anna-Marie McLemore, "The Gherin Girls" by Emery Lord, and "Why They Watch Us Burn" by Elizabeth May.
Overall, I am giving this book five stars!!! I will also rate each story individually below and add where lgbt+ rep can be found.
"Starsong" by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Rating: 4 stars
Rep: f/f
"Afterbirth” by Andrea Cremer
Rating: 2.5 stars
“The Heart in Her Hands” by Tess Sharpe
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: f/f
“Death in the Sawtooths” by Lindsay Smith
Rating: 2 stars
“The Truth About Queenie” by Brandy Colbert
Rating: 3.5 stars
“The Moonapple Menagerie” by Shveta Thakrar
Rating: 3.5 stars
“The Legend of Stone Mary” by Robin Talley
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: f/f
“The One Who Stayed” by Nova Ren Suma
Rating: 5 stars
TW: sexual assault
“Divine Are the Stars” by Zoraida Córdova
Rating: 4 stars
“Daughters of Baba Yaga” by Brenna Yovanoff
Rating: 4.5 stars
TW: gore
“The Well Witch” by Kate Hart
Rating: 3 stars
TW: racisim, animal death
“Beware of Girls with Crooked Mouths” by Jessica Spotswood
Rating: 4 stars
Rep: side sapphic character
TW: mentions suicide
“Love Spell” by Anna-Marie McLemore
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: trans love interest
“The Gherin Girls” by Emery Lord
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: two main sapphic characters
TW: abusive relationship
“Why They Watch Us Burn” by Elizabeth May
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: f/f, trans side character
TW: sexual assault
This honestly was a beautiful anthology and I highly recommend that everyone reads it!!
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
booklover160's review against another edition
5.0
Yes, I’m starting another anthology because I have no chill... and my boss handed it to me and I couldn’t refuse.
Starsong by Tehlor Kay Mejia
4 stars
A magical story of a bruja recovering from addiction and meeting someone online. Super cute, super well written, and I wish there was more!
Afterbirth by Andrea Cremer
5 stars
I really liked the format of this one; first person POV interspersed with dialogue from a trial. I thought this was super interesting and eerie and totally cool. I really liked it!
The Heart in Her Hands by Tess Sharpe
2 stars
I liked it but it was boring and long. Just not for me.
Death in the Sawtooths by Lindsay Smith
4 stars
This one felt like an episode of Bones meets Supernatural. I liked the eerie morgue setting and I found the magic system interesting. I didn’t like that it felt like we ended pretty much in the same place we started in terms of people’s prejudice. I hoped to see that maybe the town was easier on our heroine.
The Truth About Queenie by Brandy Colbert
4 stars
Only because I want to know what happened next. I really liked this one (maybe 4 stars is unfair. It could be 5 stars) and mostly because I loved Queenie. She’s in love with her semi-famous best friend who’s just revealed his girlfriend of two months. Queenie gets put into a tough situation where she has to reevaluate herself, her relationships, and who she is. And she handled it so well! One of my favorites so far!
The Moonapple Menagerie by Shveta Thakrar
5 stars
I loved the magical language and the descriptive writing! I could easily be entertained by another 200 pages of this story! I will be adding more Shveta Thakrar novels to my TBR!!
The Legend of Stone Mary by Robin Talley
3.5 stars
Not bad, but not stellar. Predictable but cool. It was okay.
The One Who Stayed by Nova Ren Suma
3 stars
TW: Rape
This one was hard to read but pretty good. If I could have revenge... I don't think I could do it. But my case wasn't as brutal as Mirah's. Again, pretty good but difficult to read.
Divine Are the Stars by Zoraida Córdova
3 stars
It was kinda weird and not in an easy to follow way. The blend between what's real and what's fantasy was a little too blurred for me.
Daughters of Baba Yaga by Brenna Yovanoff
4 stars
I liked this little arc. I want more actually. I couldn't tell if it was actual magic or cleverness that made up our heroine's witch (her friend is more of a cleverness is her magic than actual magic). I liked that the kids got what was coming for them.
The Well Witch by Kate Hart
5 stars
Feels like Holes meets Westworld (before you learn Westworld is an amusement park). I loved it. I want another two books about Elsa please!
Beware of Girls With Crooked Mouths by Jessica Spotswood
3 stars
I feel like this one needed a bit more fleshing out. It felt like a bare bones story, maybe still in drafting phase, and I needed more "meat". I liked it well enough, but I think it certainly could have been better.
Love Spell by Anna-Marie McLemore
3.5 stars
My religious trauma made this one bittersweet. I really loved that Adrian was trans and I loved the relationship with the main character. I liked their style of witchcraft too. Overall, a bittersweet story.
The Gherin Girls by Emery Lord
5 stars
I think this one is my favorite. A beautiful story about three sisters who love one another unconditionally. I certainly identified with the middle sister, not only as a middle child, but also her situation. I LOVED it.
Why They Watch Us Burn by Elizabeth May
5 stars
This one made me emotional and I had to set it down every so often. It gave me a rage that could only be magical. I am a witch too.
Overall, a great collection of witchy tales. Particular favorites are ‘The Gherin Girls’, ‘The Moonapple Menagerie’, ‘Afterbirth’, ‘The Well Witch’, and ‘Why They Watch Us Burn’. Highly recommend!!
Starsong by Tehlor Kay Mejia
4 stars
A magical story of a bruja recovering from addiction and meeting someone online. Super cute, super well written, and I wish there was more!
Afterbirth by Andrea Cremer
5 stars
I really liked the format of this one; first person POV interspersed with dialogue from a trial. I thought this was super interesting and eerie and totally cool. I really liked it!
The Heart in Her Hands by Tess Sharpe
2 stars
I liked it but it was boring and long. Just not for me.
Death in the Sawtooths by Lindsay Smith
4 stars
This one felt like an episode of Bones meets Supernatural. I liked the eerie morgue setting and I found the magic system interesting. I didn’t like that it felt like we ended pretty much in the same place we started in terms of people’s prejudice. I hoped to see that maybe the town was easier on our heroine.
The Truth About Queenie by Brandy Colbert
4 stars
Only because I want to know what happened next. I really liked this one (maybe 4 stars is unfair. It could be 5 stars) and mostly because I loved Queenie. She’s in love with her semi-famous best friend who’s just revealed his girlfriend of two months. Queenie gets put into a tough situation where she has to reevaluate herself, her relationships, and who she is. And she handled it so well! One of my favorites so far!
The Moonapple Menagerie by Shveta Thakrar
5 stars
I loved the magical language and the descriptive writing! I could easily be entertained by another 200 pages of this story! I will be adding more Shveta Thakrar novels to my TBR!!
The Legend of Stone Mary by Robin Talley
3.5 stars
Not bad, but not stellar. Predictable but cool. It was okay.
The One Who Stayed by Nova Ren Suma
3 stars
TW: Rape
This one was hard to read but pretty good. If I could have revenge... I don't think I could do it. But my case wasn't as brutal as Mirah's. Again, pretty good but difficult to read.
Divine Are the Stars by Zoraida Córdova
3 stars
It was kinda weird and not in an easy to follow way. The blend between what's real and what's fantasy was a little too blurred for me.
Daughters of Baba Yaga by Brenna Yovanoff
4 stars
I liked this little arc. I want more actually. I couldn't tell if it was actual magic or cleverness that made up our heroine's witch (her friend is more of a cleverness is her magic than actual magic). I liked that the kids got what was coming for them.
The Well Witch by Kate Hart
5 stars
Feels like Holes meets Westworld (before you learn Westworld is an amusement park). I loved it. I want another two books about Elsa please!
Beware of Girls With Crooked Mouths by Jessica Spotswood
3 stars
I feel like this one needed a bit more fleshing out. It felt like a bare bones story, maybe still in drafting phase, and I needed more "meat". I liked it well enough, but I think it certainly could have been better.
Love Spell by Anna-Marie McLemore
3.5 stars
My religious trauma made this one bittersweet. I really loved that Adrian was trans and I loved the relationship with the main character. I liked their style of witchcraft too. Overall, a bittersweet story.
The Gherin Girls by Emery Lord
5 stars
I think this one is my favorite. A beautiful story about three sisters who love one another unconditionally. I certainly identified with the middle sister, not only as a middle child, but also her situation. I LOVED it.
Why They Watch Us Burn by Elizabeth May
5 stars
This one made me emotional and I had to set it down every so often. It gave me a rage that could only be magical. I am a witch too.
Overall, a great collection of witchy tales. Particular favorites are ‘The Gherin Girls’, ‘The Moonapple Menagerie’, ‘Afterbirth’, ‘The Well Witch’, and ‘Why They Watch Us Burn’. Highly recommend!!
surreptitiously's review against another edition
5.0
This was so perfect I bought a hardback copy for my shelf.
This collection is so diverse and gay and I love it.
This collection is so diverse and gay and I love it.
helloheyitssara's review against another edition
3.25
Starsong - Tehlor Kay Mejia 3/5
Afterbirth - Andrea Cremer 4/5
The Heart In Her Hands - Tess Sharpe 2/5
Death In The Sawtooths - Lindsay Smith 4/5
The Truth About Queenie - Brandy Colbert 5/5
The Moonapple Menagerie - Shveta Thakrar 2/5
The Legend Of Stone Mary - Robin Talley 3/5
The One Who Stayed - Nova Ren Suns 5/5
Divine Are The Stars - Zoraida Córdova 2/5
Daughters Of Baba Yaga - Brenna Yovanoff 2/5
The Well Witch - Kate Hart 3/5
Beware Of Girls With Crooked Mouths - Jessica Spotswood 3/5
Love Spell - Anna-Marie McLemore 3/5
The Gherkin Girls - Emery Lord 3/5
Why They Watch Us Burn - Elizabeth May 5/5
Afterbirth - Andrea Cremer 4/5
The Heart In Her Hands - Tess Sharpe 2/5
Death In The Sawtooths - Lindsay Smith 4/5
The Truth About Queenie - Brandy Colbert 5/5
The Moonapple Menagerie - Shveta Thakrar 2/5
The Legend Of Stone Mary - Robin Talley 3/5
The One Who Stayed - Nova Ren Suns 5/5
Divine Are The Stars - Zoraida Córdova 2/5
Daughters Of Baba Yaga - Brenna Yovanoff 2/5
The Well Witch - Kate Hart 3/5
Beware Of Girls With Crooked Mouths - Jessica Spotswood 3/5
Love Spell - Anna-Marie McLemore 3/5
The Gherkin Girls - Emery Lord 3/5
Why They Watch Us Burn - Elizabeth May 5/5