Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

A Lullaby for Witches by Hester Fox

1 review

msradiosilence's review

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dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

TLDR; 2 rating, I’m just…upset.
Content warnings at the bottom. :)

I got this book on Indie Bookstore Day, and I was so excited to read it. I should’ve known that since it had a pretty cover, I was gonna be disappointed. Tsk tsk!

I liked….not a whole lot. The atmosphere felt true to Massachusetts, or at least Salem (where I have visited, mind). The writing wasn’t terrible (when it wasn’t dialogue). And I loved the interest in history/historical buildings. That was nice. 

But there was a lot I didn’t like. The dialogue was HELLA clunky. There were moments where it felt like Fox had never talked to another person before? Like…real people having conversations don’t sound like that. It just completely took me out of the story (which, to be honest, wasn’t hard). 

The back blurb promises “something sinister unfurl[ing] from its sleep” and “everything [Augusta] knows and loves — including her very life — could be lost forever.” You wanna know when THAT starts? Pages 232-233. The book is only 311 pages long! And Fox took 74.6% (check my math, I dare you) of it setting up for her back blurb! At that point, just vaguely mention sinister happenings, but for most of this book, it’s a romance with a historical mystery subplot.

Speaking of subplots, JESUS CHRIST.
What the fuck happened to Chris? He shoved Augusta, ran into her and Leo at the fair, and then just ceased existing, I guess?
TW for eating disorders for this next spoiler.
Augusta’s very obvious eating disorder is just…never actually addressed? There’s one comment Leo makes to Margaret in Augusta’s body, but no one else says ANYTHING. For the love of GOD.
Maybe I just missed it, but HOW THE FUCK is Augusta related to Margaret? She fucking DIED before she had her baby??? How? HOW??
Margaret (as Augusta) FULLY robbed and desecrated a grave. Augusta acknowledges that she’s gonna have to deal with those consequences. AND THEN DOESN’T??
Augusta and Leo just don’t address where Margaret has gone? Augusta’s apparent magical abilities? Augusta basically answers Leo’s “where’d she go?” question with a shrug and y’all are OKAY with that?? She tried to KILL YOU BOTH. WHAT THE FUCK.
Also Jack was just…concussed out of Leo??
And on and on. I just want answers, please. PLEASE.

I found all of the characters incredibly annoying. Phebe and Claudia were just background fodder to pull in a line of social commentary on racism (and subsequently after the commentary, being pushed aside in favor of the white ghost witch), Henry and George were flat, Jack and Margaret annoyed the fuck out of me, and Augusta and Leo were living out their romcom fantasies in my ghost witch book. Dead Romantics did it better and I didn’t even like that one much either!

I just…I read it. It’s for sure a book. I’m sure this book will find the people that enjoy it, but that sure as hell wasn’t me.

Rating: 2
Would I recommend? Not really.

Content warnings: <b>Graphic:</b> Toxic relationship(s), Emotional abuse (in the form of manipulation, in a relationship), Manipulation (verbal, physical), Death, Eating disorder, Murder (by stabbing). <b>Moderate:</b> Pregnancy, Death of a child (fetus, not miscarriage). <b>Minor:</b> Cancer, Death of a parent (father, mother), Suicide (possible), Drug use (mentioned), Drug overdose (mentioned). 
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