Reviews with content warning for Transphobia - Las brujas de Su Majestad

Reviews tagging 'Transphobia'

Las brujas de Su Majestad by Juno Dawson

469 reviews

fae_sarelfi's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The description is misleading. The story is less about in-fighting and more about intersectional feminism/inclusivity/bigotry. It surprised me, and I was THRILLED. In the end, I think we don't get to know the Chosen One character as much as I would like, and I also think it doesn't stick the landing in the climactic moment as far as the integrity of its themes. Arguably, theme development depends a little too much on preaching and not enough on fruition. But the plot is developed well and the writing is mostly good. Characters are unique individuals, but many feel flat. The magic is fun, a little lacking in pizzazz. I look forward to the sequel.

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thebooklender's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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hotwaterbottle's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

A modern fantasy novel focused on exploring the fault lines in contemporary feminism. Wondering how a magical matriarchy might address (or not) their duty towards non-white, non-straight, and non-cis witches? Want to reflect on how childhood friendships develop as you age? Looking for more Spice Girls references? This book has it covered.

Steady pace until the last quarter, which absolutely ripped along. Some developments felt like they were teased too early, or picked up and put down a few times before they were realized. I'm guessing the ending is a bit controversial

—that tends to happen, when you kill off (!?) a main character as the credits roll.

Definitely book one of a series—you've been warned!

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elys3's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

For a book about feminism and sisterhood none of these girls are a girls' girl.

Not enough witchy vibes. This feels like X-Men super powers in every fight scene. I want more spells, cauldrons and the actual 'craft' in witchcraft.

Way to many PoVs and characters all at once. 35% of the book just to establish the story and characters.

Even after reading the whole book I'm confused about the organisational structure that is HMRC and how it functions.

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blewballoon's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Gonna get a bit more "political" than I typically do, since this is a quite "political" book. If you are the type of person who asks yourself "I don't know, I feel like the stuff JK Rowling says in her tweets isn't that big a deal?" and you are genuinely curious to know why it is a big deal, then this might be a good book to help explain it to you. If you are a TERF, you will hate this book. I didn't like this book either, but not for that reason. I didn't like this book in the same ways I didn't like The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin: dwelling on the power that racists/sexists/homophobes/transphobes/etc have just bums me out. I know things suck. I read to remind myself that sometimes people don't suck. I read to keep myself from falling into a pit of despair about the state of the world. Apart from Niamh, Theo, and Holly, I didn't really like any of the characters. I absolutely hated the ending. I felt like I knew what was coming the whole time and just wanted it to be over. I gave it 3 stars because of the intention, the world-building, the setting, and there were some funny lines. I don't think this is a bad book, it just didn't suit me even though I agree with its message. The narrator for the audiobook was really fantastic, I'll be looking for more books narrated by them.

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chrisb913's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Please check trigger warnings.

I really wish I liked the book better. Unfortunately the villain of the story was so realistic and believable I found myself upset and pissed for most of the story. On top of that, for a book all about sisterhood and feminism, for 2 of the main characters to be so meh about letting one of their "sisters" be treated like absolute garbage because they don't want to upset her? Where was the outrage?

Lastly, that ending was just utter crap. I do want to read the 2nd book and HOPEFULLY the character development in book 2 will turn the series around (or at least be present).

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mladerer's review against another edition

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emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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cranewife's review against another edition

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3.0

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sara_reads_and_wines's review against another edition

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challenging emotional medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

So much about this story I loved - the queer, POC, and trans representation, the magic systems and the covens, the emphasis on sisterhood and acceptance.

But, I just didn't love how the story ended up playing out, especially the ending, and it made me not invested enough to even continue the series.

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araebird's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

It took me a while to get into this book, but I was really excited as I love a witchy story. The beginning reminded me of the premise of 'The Cursed Child', but then very quickly it was not like that at all (actually the exact opposite in the most meaningful and ironic way). If you're going to read this book, after you get to know Theo a little bit more, I would highly recommend diving into the background of the author a little bit more. After I did this, the story was so much more meaningful and heartbreaking.

I so admire how Dawson turns being trans into a LITERAL SUPERPOWER throughout this story. The fact that Theo is so strong because she is a trans girl is so empowering and insightful, and an incredibly profound perspective to have on being trans (coming from a very humble cis-woman)

. I'm very excited about the world that Dawson is creating, and am really looking forward to the next one!

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