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annir's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Abortion
Minor: Domestic abuse and Transphobia
claudiamacpherson'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? Yes
5.0
This book was perfect for me: the writing style was beautiful and a little bit meta, with references to storytelling and stories within the story; the characters were vibrant and lovable (and yes, I related to Bella a lot, as an oldest sister and book lover); and the feminist themes. I loved how Harrow altered fairytales—Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel, Rumplestiltskin, and more—and history—the Salem witch trials and the Underground Railroad—to use for her story. I loved the parallels drawn between witching and women's rights, and I especially liked how the story dealt with intersectional issues like race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The setting reminded me of the Harry Potter franchise's Fantastic Beasts movies (though the book takes place about 30 years earlier, just before the turn of the century), with the gritty American city and leaders determined to hunt out witchcraft. I cannot recommend this book enough!
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just my judgement of how happy the ending is because I always wish someone would tell me that before I read books):
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Misogyny
Minor: Abortion, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual assault, and Racism
sacrificarelepus's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Torture
Moderate: Kidnapping and Police brutality
mandkips's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Torture, Animal death, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Child abuse
Moderate: Grief, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Confinement, Animal cruelty, Transphobia, Racism, and Kidnapping