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foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this one, although less of a thriller than I was expecting and more of just a historical fiction read with some magical elements imbued. It was good, maybe not my favourite ever, but a solid 4 stars, and definitely scratched my witchy itch for the season.
Things I liked:
- The dual POVs and timelines between Margaret and Augusta
- The curatorial vision and eye at Harlow House
- New England setting
- Gothic vibes
Things I didn’t like:
- Augusta’s character felt underdeveloped
- The repetition in Margaret’s chapters
- How everything wrapped up
- Could’ve gone further with the magic and thriller elements
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Violence, Eating disorder, Murder, and Death
Minor: Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Sexual content
sunflower_soph's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Two dimensional poorly developed characters and foreshadowing that has all the subtlety of a slap to the face makes this book a flat predictable read. Points give for an interesting setting and context but there are undoubtedly books that do this blend of historical fiction and witchcraft better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Abortion and Eating disorder
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
sirissacgluten's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
A Lullaby for Witches is a great new twist on both haunted house stories and split-timeline historical fiction. It follows Augusta, a mild-mannered museum worker yearning for more meaning in her life, as she begins to unravel the secrets of her new workplace and finds herself entangled in a 150-year-old quest for revenge.
In 1870s Tynemouth, the beautiful and tempestuous Margaret Harlowe, the only daughter of a wealthy Massachusetts shipping dynasty, seeks solace in nature and hones her hidden skill for magic. She runs an underground operation distributing herbs, advice, and occasionally spells to local women, but longs for more meaningful companionship. She falls fast and hard for a local shopkeeper, but their love story is doomed from the start.
In the present-day, Augusta Podos finds herself stuck in a dead-end relationship and wasting away at a mind-numbing tour guide job in Salem. When the opportunity to work at a historic house in Tynemouth arises, she jumps at the chance. As she combs through the archives, pages through local history books, and wanders through the creaky house, she begins to glimpse flashes of the past. The longer Augusta spends in the house, the greater Margaret's power grows, and soon the two women are irreversibly intertwined.
4/5: A spooky story about women's agency, legacy, and tenacity. Would appeal to fans of classic witchy stories as well as those looking for a fresh take on the genre.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
In 1870s Tynemouth, the beautiful and tempestuous Margaret Harlowe, the only daughter of a wealthy Massachusetts shipping dynasty, seeks solace in nature and hones her hidden skill for magic. She runs an underground operation distributing herbs, advice, and occasionally spells to local women, but longs for more meaningful companionship. She falls fast and hard for a local shopkeeper, but their love story is doomed from the start.
In the present-day, Augusta Podos finds herself stuck in a dead-end relationship and wasting away at a mind-numbing tour guide job in Salem. When the opportunity to work at a historic house in Tynemouth arises, she jumps at the chance. As she combs through the archives, pages through local history books, and wanders through the creaky house, she begins to glimpse flashes of the past. The longer Augusta spends in the house, the greater Margaret's power grows, and soon the two women are irreversibly intertwined.
4/5: A spooky story about women's agency, legacy, and tenacity. Would appeal to fans of classic witchy stories as well as those looking for a fresh take on the genre.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Murder
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Addiction, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Incest, and Racism
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