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q_bert13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
overall good story, romance seems slightly 'tossed' in (though yes some chemistry is shown). Could easily be fixed with more chapters- but was a great short length to read here and there during the work week!
Graphic: Chronic illness and Misogyny
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Slavery, Sexism, Blood, and Violence
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A thoughtful historical fantasy. I did wish there was more world building to establish the setting more.
📘The Gist 📘: To protest inadequate wages for dangerous work, the girls and women who work the Lowell mills go on strike and sign a magical pact with one another to help them all stay strong in the face of pressure that might cause them to break with the strike.
📒Representation📒: wlw mc, gender inequality
💕 For readers looking for 💕: historical fantasy, working women, powerful female characters, factory work, worker strike
📘The Gist 📘: To protest inadequate wages for dangerous work, the girls and women who work the Lowell mills go on strike and sign a magical pact with one another to help them all stay strong in the face of pressure that might cause them to break with the strike.
📒Representation📒: wlw mc, gender inequality
💕 For readers looking for 💕: historical fantasy, working women, powerful female characters, factory work, worker strike
Graphic: Homophobia, Chronic illness, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Death
chalkletters's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
In comparison to a lot of the books I read for book club, The Factory Witches of Lowell is a short, sweet, uncomplicated story. There’s not a lot of world building to get lost in, but just enough to sell the story of female empowerment and female characters discovering their collective and individual strengths. C S Malerich invites you straight into the story with a spell that genuinely weaves through the plot of The Factory Witches of Lowell in a way that I really enjoyed.
Unfortunately, the climax and the ending don’t quite pack the same punch. The characters face a problem which seems insurmountable, until suddenly they’ve unlocked the whole thing and their primary antagonist folds instantly. I won’t say that there’s no catharsis in that, nor does it come completely out of nowhere, but it didn’t feel entirely satisfying. Similarly, the ending wraps up quickly, despite the hints that there is more struggle still to come.
The strength of The Factory Witches of Lowell is in the way C S Malerich ties together witchcraft, more mundane forms of craft, and women’s work. I particularly enjoyed that defying a man was seen, by at least one man, as a symptom of witchcraft. The images of the women working together, casting their spells and sharing their strengths, are very powerful.
The fact that C S Malerich left us wanting so much more is surely a sign that she’s an author to look out for.
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, and Slavery
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