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ashp's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Pregnancy
The story is written well and meets every layer it entered. Compelling characters, plot development with a tie to history set the story off as well.hannahri0's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Torture, Racial slurs, Violence, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Hate crime, Racism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage
jordanbolker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Hate crime, Murder, Violence, Blood, Domestic abuse, Genocide, and Misogyny
Moderate: Miscarriage, Classism, and Colonisation
hopeadinfinitum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, Grief, Alcohol, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Rape, Racism, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, Death, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal death, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Colonisation, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Murder
ruthmoog's review
3.25
Having said that, all the action happens in the last few chapters. After the storm at the beginning - the very interesting premise! - it plods slowly through the life of a timid protagonist... Over half way through the book I felt like nothing had happened.
But given that it's based on actual events in Vardø ther 's only so much you can do to stay true to the story of a village devastated by a storm.
edit: after reading other reviews I would note, I had no idea this was based on true events or about witch trials when I started, I only knew about the storm leaving a village of women be ind
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, and Murder
Moderate: Colonisation and Genocide
Minor: Lesbophobia, Pregnancy, and Racism
Drowningklsreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This book is sad but the subjects are treated with immense tenderness. Will definitely be reading more of Kiran Millwood Hargrave.
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Chronic illness, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Blood, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Vomit
Minor: Animal death and Colonisation
jmitchell20's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The writing is beautiful and the story is heart-wrenching. Read it over two miserable February days- the perfect backdrop.
Graphic: Murder, Rape, Death, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Domestic abuse
eleanora's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Grief, Miscarriage, Racism, Death, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy
vistacanas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
“Many of them seem past caring what is true or not, only desperate for some reason, some order to the rearrangement of their lives, even if it is brought about by a lie.”
Despite having an inherently predictable witch hunt storyline (weak, psychopathic men and women getting rid of the women they can’t control), this book about witch trials in Norway in the 1600s, totally held my interest.
It’s the first historical fiction I’ve ever read about Norway (and it’s indigenous population (the Samí people), which made it intriguing. I learned a lot about how the people living in this part of the world managed to survive in an extremely harsh environment. The characters also had depth and were either very relatable or totally detestable.
This was the author’s first adult book…I think she nailed it! I look forward to reading more.
Highly recommend this book to historical fiction lovers…and, of course, it’s a must read for all my fellow witches (AKA uncontrollable, walk-to-the-beat-of-their-own-drum non-Christians)!
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Misogyny, Abandonment, Bullying, Religious bigotry, Grief, Sexism, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse, Classism, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Animal death, Homophobia, Alcohol, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts
excellent_taste's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Sexism, Murder, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, Torture, Miscarriage, Homophobia, and Death