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seriouslynerdy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The book is slow paced, things happened gradually and not suddenly. The book follows 17 year old seamstress Francis Hallowell taking in 1911 New York City. She is in the process of grieving her brother who was mysteriously found dead and she is unable to search for answers as to what happened. While working one night an act of violence causes law enforcement to be involved and Francis thinking she will be hauled away by them, she was correct that she was being hauled away but it was to a sanatorium in Queens instead of prison. The sanatorium isn’t what she originally thinks it is, it’s an academy for witches and Francis had triggered her magical ability.
The book is well written, it took me a while to get into it around 100 pages they only reason it's loosing .5 stars in my opinion but once the world was built, the magic became known and the characters started to grow. Once I emerged into the story I could not put it down, their emotions felt raw through the pages and I hurt for them or laughed with them. There was love, and heartbreak, a coven, spells and betrayal and I couldn't have asked for more with this book.
I highly recommended this book to anyone who loves magic and history.
Graphic: Mental illness, Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Blood, and Alcohol
courtnoodles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Sexism, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Death, Grief, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcohol, Body horror, Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment and Mental illness
anoveldestination's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Grief, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Stalking and Sexual assault
Minor: Confinement, Racism, Classism, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, and Addiction
shyleek'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? No
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another 5 star book for me!
You ever finished a book and hated the author because that is NOT how the story was supposed to go? This was that for me.
Fast paced (if I wasn't reading this for October book club I would have had this done in probably less than a week).
I can't wait to pick up the second one.
Seriously if you like witchy magical things this book will keep you guessing.
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual violence, and Sexism
thereadinghammock'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
4.25
To have a magic system that manifests in it's users after a traumatic experience was a powerful choice, and given the time frame the story is set in, traumatic experiences (especially for women and girls) abound. Frances's story was likely a similar and common one, unwelcome sexual advances by an older man, but then hearing stories like Lena's with the Indian school and being ripped away from her family like that; my heart ached. "What's the best way to kill an entire people? Take their children." And her response later in that scene when she "reclaimed" or at least restated that she was of her people (I listened to the audiobook, so I don't have the exact line to share), what a visceral moment. I started to tear up a bit in the car as I listened.
And the quasi-romance subplot with Finn and Oliver. Oh Frances, what options! Like Frances I, too, was taken by that sweet Irish brogue, mischievous smile, and sparkling eyes. But Oliver was such a solid choice too; steadfast, honest, and knew everything she'd been through, and had been just as heartbroken by losing William. Also the casual queer rep in the lovely kitchen witches as well as Maxine was lovely to see, even if it was swept a bit under the rug (which I also give a bit of a pass because, time period)
I was so glad everyone survived, and that Frances and Oliver will have his time to convalesce to let her bring him up to speed on everything and what that means for them as a couple/pair in the next book. And then that epilogue??? The letter from Finn!! I'm at the same time, thrilled, terrified, and furious that he survived the final encounter and have no idea if his magic will be back the next time we see him, but I can't wait to find out!!
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Minor: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Colonisation, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Stalking, Misogyny, Classism, Sexism, Violence, Abandonment, and Gun violence
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Racism, Colonisation, and Sexual assault
calamitywindpetal'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
3.5
Graphic: Sexism, Blood, Murder, Death, Misogyny, and Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Confinement, Racism, Gore, Vomit, and Sexual violence
Minor: Stalking, Alcohol, and Sexual content
bandysbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Racism
sashiee's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Gaslighting, Blood, and Child death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, and Colonisation
levesc17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, and Toxic relationship