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reb_curt's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Homophobia, Deadnaming, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Classism, and Racism
deleore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Murder, Transphobia, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Dysphoria, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
hobbithopeful'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
5.0
I went into this book not sure what to expect, I've only ever read Dawson's nonfiction works before, so I wasn't sure how that would translate to a fantasy story. I did kind of expect (or hope!) for there to be elements of queerness, identity, and transness explored. To say I was blown away would be an understatement! Her Majesty's Royal Coven explores transphobia, feminism, race, the corruption of power, and fear.
People always seem to forget that hate doesn't just appear out of nowhere one day. People don't just turn around and decide to be evil and hateful. It is more like a slow shift, people fall down different pipelines, or don't deal with their past trauma. Maybe they are around unhealthy environments that unintentionally (or intentionally) push an agenda of power and fear. The characters in this are all still reeling from the Witch civil war, and grieving in their own ways. Whether that leads them to insulate in their own communities, push people away, or become power hungry tyrants all depends on the individual and their support system.
I feel like I am making this sound like some dark and emotional book that is going to lead you traumatized, and that couldn't be further from the truth. While there are a lot of difficult topics and themes, at its heart is such a thread of hope and found family. Proving that no matter what happens, as long as you allow yourself to trust and be loved everything might just turn out to be okay.
This is a book that I want to bring out of my pocket when there are conversations around representation and intersectionality. (Look kids it's possible for a white author to write good representation!)
I am a self professed cliff-hanger hater, this is the only exception where I can say it was done well and I enjoyed it. (Though I am lucky to be in possession of the second book, so there was definitely a cushion there)
I would 100000000000000000000000% recommend this, perfect for anytime of the year be it spooky season, or just something to really fall into, I can't wait to read the second book.
Graphic: Murder, Transphobia, Toxic friendship, Violence, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Racism
Minor: War, Infidelity, and Child abuse
hematthews's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Medical trauma, Outing, Violence, Hate crime, Gaslighting, Transphobia, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Deadnaming, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Car accident
neni's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
1 - The biggest flaw for me was the writing. I'm aware this can be somewhat of a personal preference, but the writing style felt juvenile, empty and overly descriptive. There were often massive chunks of info-dumping about the world-building that could have been introduced in other ways, as well as long descriptions of common place objects/concepts intersperced with unnecessary pop culture references that just added clunk to the flow of the story. This is a great example of "telling, not showing". Everything was told to us in the same tone, so that descriptions of outfit colours and characters emotional status felt like they had the same weight.
2 - I went into this not knowing anything at all about the story, so I was quite surprised by the themes in the second half of the book. Not in a negative way. Trying to be as spoiler free as possible here, I think this was an interesting setting to explore the "arguments" that get thrown around when approaching the subject, and I wish we could have focused more on this instead of trying to do 10 other things with the story and the characters. It felt like the author wanted to cram as much representation and equality issues as possible in there, while also keeping it fun and light, and also dramatic and adventurous at the end. It all just felt shallow and not developed enough. I would have prefered to see Theo's story developed in a more sensible, complex way, instead of having the theme thrust upon the reader out of nowhere and have one of the main characters turn into an obnoxious Disney movie Villain half way through. I think it took away from the emotional connection the reader might have had with the characters, and it all ended up feeling a bit like those run of the mill adventure action movies you go see in the theater and immediatelly forget after. Then again, if you're looking for a fun fast read about LGBTQIA+ witches I suppose this isn't a bad choice.
3 - That ending! Brought the writing down half a point I'm sorry to say. I HATE it when author's do that. Just completely unnecessary, out of the blue, plotwist cliffhanger just so the reader feels compelled to immediately jump into reading the next book. I'm sorry. That's cheap af and I will not be continuing on.
Finally, and this isn't really a criticism, more of a funny observation - after the developments of the second half of the book, I cannot, for the life of me, not picture J.K.Rowling anytime a certain white rich TERF bitch is in a scene and that's kinda funny and probably on purpose lol
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Body shaming, Outing, Cursing, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Transphobia, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Animal cruelty
lintybird'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
4.25
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Outing, Emotional abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, Hate crime, and Transphobia
tiredcreature's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexism, Child abuse, and Transphobia
Moderate: Hate crime
Minor: Kidnapping and Car accident
frmeden'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
4.5
Graphic: Grief, Transphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Car accident, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual content, War, and Racism
lacyparrish's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Hate crime, Murder, Gaslighting, Transphobia, Confinement, Homophobia, Violence, and War
alexiab's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
While there are a ton of excellent commentaries happening throughout this story about racism, homophobia, transphobia, and sexism there is also an INCREDIBLE fantasy plot with exciting action and heartstopping twists. I can't BELIEVE the exciting and emotional way it ended, and I am champing at the absolute bit for the next book. I'm obsessed with this writing, the balance of character study/women's fiction aspects, world building, and fast paced plot is fabulous. I would read another one of these books for the characters alone, but THAT PLOT! OOOOH THAT PLOT SHE IS SPICY SHE IS EXCITING SHE IS DESTROYING MY VERY SOUL FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
And god, the social commentary on trans women and their place in women's spaces? The white feminism and how it doesn't benefit women of colour? The raging white women fighting for "women's rights" but only women who look like her?! GOD. JUST AMAZING.
A huge part of me thinks this book was written as a direct response to JK Rowling and her bullshit TERF rhetoric, and my god is it incredible. The setting, the fantasy elements, and the themes work so beautifully together and paint the biggest "fuck you" to every TERF out there, I couldn't be more thrilled.
A huge part of me expected Helena's story to go a very different direction, and I am SO thrilled that this didn't remotely pander to the "we're better than them, show them kindness" bullshit that some people spew. every TERF deserves to burn in hell, I'm not sorry. RIP Helena, you crusty bitch.
Graphic: Transphobia, Cursing, Abandonment, Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Grief, Hate crime, Sexual content, Infidelity, Kidnapping, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol and Self harm