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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
I found the plot in general to be interesting and was intrigued by how all the story lines were intertwined. However, the only character I actually liked was Rowan. I didn't like any of the other characters and had hard time caring about what happened to them. I liked the writing. The story did start to drag a little bit and I started to lose interest (especially when Olive went on her feminist rant about how virginity was made up by the hetero-patriarchy- that had nothing to do with anything and was a little out of character). The relationships, I don't know... it flew past insta- love and went straight to insta-sex and then-bam!- they were in love (this happened to two couples in the same night). Overall, it wasn't bad. Intriguing storyline and good writing. I'll probably read other books by this author.
Edit: SPOILERS AHEAD
I found one part of the book to be a little confusing and I'm hoping maybe someone can straighten something out for me. During one of Olive's chapters near the end (the chapter when Emily comes home, I believe), the beginning states: "Lost: one little brother" (or something like that). This wasn't really addressed. Her brother was not in that chapter (nor was he mentioned). In fact, I don't remember him being mentioned at all throughout the rest of the book. Did her brother actually disappear? Did she lose him in order to get her sister back? Did I miss something? If somebody could explain that, that would be great. Thank you.
Edit: SPOILERS AHEAD
I found one part of the book to be a little confusing and I'm hoping maybe someone can straighten something out for me. During one of Olive's chapters near the end (the chapter when Emily comes home, I believe), the beginning states: "Lost: one little brother" (or something like that). This wasn't really addressed. Her brother was not in that chapter (nor was he mentioned). In fact, I don't remember him being mentioned at all throughout the rest of the book. Did her brother actually disappear? Did she lose him in order to get her sister back? Did I miss something? If somebody could explain that, that would be great. Thank you.
Felt like a fever dream and I was not into it
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gorgeous, beautiful prose. Steer clear if you're uncomfortable with LBGTQ romance. Parents might be wondering Where Are The Parents?? -- as I did! I return to this book over & over, especially audio. I also recommend highly another novel by this author: The Accident Season.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Confinement, Infidelity, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Beautiful book. Contains detailed descriptions of witchcraft rituals and underage teens maintenance drinking. Lots of casual references to shoplifting. Beautiful character development especially between siblings.
I loved it way more than I expected to, the characters were really likeable but all with believable flaws, and their development was lovely to follow as they all learned loads over the course of the story. I felt the different matters handled in the book were done well and I really enjoyed the books whimsical vibe as well as the friendships and romances and family bonding that grew throughout the story.
There was also some absolutely brilliant wlw representation with two bisexual female character and one gay female character, it's so refreshing to read about queer characters that are out and comfortable with their sexuality and experiencing crushes and new relationships in the same way straight characters do.
There was also some absolutely brilliant wlw representation with two bisexual female character and one gay female character, it's so refreshing to read about queer characters that are out and comfortable with their sexuality and experiencing crushes and new relationships in the same way straight characters do.
4.5
HECK THIS WAS SO GOOD. I really loved how the story unravelled, & it was great that there were multiple queer characters. I especially loved thatSpoilerthere were not only TWO bisexual characters, but that one of them ended up with someone of a different gender. You don't often see that, especially in YA, so it was refreshing to see that part of the character's identity acknowledged!
Really really loved this, would recommend.
HECK THIS WAS SO GOOD. I really loved how the story unravelled, & it was great that there were multiple queer characters. I especially loved thatSpoilerthere were not only TWO bisexual characters, but that one of them ended up with someone of a different gender. You don't often see that, especially in YA, so it was refreshing to see that part of the character's identity acknowledged!
Really really loved this, would recommend.
Disappointed.
So many elements that could've made this one of my favourites, but unfortunately, those are not what I will be remembering about this book.
Positives: LGBTQ, magic, witchcraft, Ireland, spells, synchronicities, creepy stuff happening! I actually liked that the MCs were named after plants.
Negatives: It was hard for me to get into it, I didn't connect with the characters at first.. and I felt like by the end it was all a mess. Stuff kept coming up and I was thinking "yeah, sure". People ("close friends") lying to each other about PRETTY IMPORTANT stuff ("oh, I thought it would be best not to tell you that I know you think you killed your parents, but actually, I know for a fact that your mother is in rehab.. but I want you and your brother to stay here as my friends so I just didn't tell you about that all this time"). At the end they find out something quite creepy about someone (probably the one person who's at the core of everything) and they just don't look into it.
So many elements that could've made this one of my favourites, but unfortunately, those are not what I will be remembering about this book.
Positives: LGBTQ, magic, witchcraft, Ireland, spells, synchronicities, creepy stuff happening! I actually liked that the MCs were named after plants.
Negatives: It was hard for me to get into it, I didn't connect with the characters at first.. and I felt like by the end it was all a mess. Stuff kept coming up and I was thinking "yeah, sure". People ("close friends") lying to each other about PRETTY IMPORTANT stuff ("oh, I thought it would be best not to tell you that I know you think you killed your parents, but actually, I know for a fact that your mother is in rehab.. but I want you and your brother to stay here as my friends so I just didn't tell you about that all this time"). At the end they find out something quite creepy about someone (probably the one person who's at the core of everything) and they just don't look into it.
I gave it four stars because the ending left the reader hanging.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I didn’t really know what to expect from this book when I started, and at first I found the large cast of characters somewhat confusing. But I kept reading because I was intrigued, and I’m so glad I did. The protagonists and their friends really grew on me, and I loved all of the character dynamics between them.
I also loved the vibes of this book—the small town, the magic, the mystery—it was very atmospheric and at times eerie, perfect for spooky season but not scary. It was fun to get sucked into. I rarely knew what was actually happening, but it felt intentional rather than poor writing or a badly executed plot.
This story is definitely character-driven, but it was so easy to get attached to the characters. There was quite an intriguing mystery afoot as well, and lots of unexplained occurrences. The final third of the book ended up being quite a ride, with a couple of different plot twists I absolutely did not see coming.
I wouldn’t call this a favorite, mostly because there was just some sort of missing piece, if that makes sense? For me, when a book ends up a favorite of mine, there’s this feeling, this vibe, that I didn’t have as I read this. Even though I did a crappy job explaining it, I think most readers will understand what I mean.
Nonetheless, I did really enjoy this book, and I know for sure that I want my own copy. I definitely recommend it, and I’m looking forward to reading more from the author!
Representation
I also loved the vibes of this book—the small town, the magic, the mystery—it was very atmospheric and at times eerie, perfect for spooky season but not scary. It was fun to get sucked into. I rarely knew what was actually happening, but it felt intentional rather than poor writing or a badly executed plot.
This story is definitely character-driven, but it was so easy to get attached to the characters. There was quite an intriguing mystery afoot as well, and lots of unexplained occurrences. The final third of the book ended up being quite a ride, with a couple of different plot twists I absolutely did not see coming.
I wouldn’t call this a favorite, mostly because there was just some sort of missing piece, if that makes sense? For me, when a book ends up a favorite of mine, there’s this feeling, this vibe, that I didn’t have as I read this. Even though I did a crappy job explaining it, I think most readers will understand what I mean.
Nonetheless, I did really enjoy this book, and I know for sure that I want my own copy. I definitely recommend it, and I’m looking forward to reading more from the author!
Representation
- bisexual protagonist with single-sided deafness that uses a hearing aid*
- lesbian protagonist
- Irish-Indian bisexual side character
- sapphic romance (f/f)
*As someone who’s recently gone deaf in one ear and has used a hearing aid in the past, this rep meant a lot to me. I’ve never read another book with it, and although it’s not a significant part of the story, it warmed my heart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Blood, Alcohol
Minor: Racism, Sexual content, Dementia
Sexual assault: off-page to a prominent side character, mentioned semi-frequently. Domestic abuse: prior to story, in regards to side characters. Alcoholism: the twins’ mother is an alcoholic. Alcohol: the twins and their friends frequently drink despite being underage. They smoke as well. Self-harm: for magical purposes. Sexual content: consensual, two brief fade-to-black scenes. Racism: minor occurrences in regards to a prominent side character. Dementia: briefly mentioned a few times, in regards to a grandparent we never meet.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes