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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I didn't find the writing or storytelling engaging. The fantastical element didn't go much further than that there were witches- I didn't feel myself being captivated by the magic.
The political themes of racism and misogyny were heavyhanded so I didn't feel like they were resonating or I was learning much from it.
The main character was self-sabotaging and apathetic about her future which makes sense given her situation but it bummed me out a lot so wasn't the right time for me to appreciate it.
It was moderately well-written and had progressive political themes, but not enough to keep me going. I would recommend readers to Nalo Hopkinson, NK Jemisin, Rebecca Roanhorse, P Djeli Clark, RF Kuang for really amazing authors of colour who examine race, gender and queerness in their writing with fantastical elements.
The political themes of racism and misogyny were heavyhanded so I didn't feel like they were resonating or I was learning much from it.
The main character was self-sabotaging and apathetic about her future which makes sense given her situation but it bummed me out a lot so wasn't the right time for me to appreciate it.
It was moderately well-written and had progressive political themes, but not enough to keep me going. I would recommend readers to Nalo Hopkinson, NK Jemisin, Rebecca Roanhorse, P Djeli Clark, RF Kuang for really amazing authors of colour who examine race, gender and queerness in their writing with fantastical elements.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
inspiring
reflective
adventurous
emotional
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:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
I wanted to love it but the allegory was a little too on the nose and at times it felt like she was beating me over the head with progressive politics (and that's coming from me, a die hard socialist). It felt less like an enjoyable novel and more like a chance for the author to make a point, and she wasn't about to make the point require any interpretation, she just hands it to you and if you miss it the first time, don't worry, every element of this allegory is presented on a platter multiple times.
The plotting is also weird. The pace is slowwwwww for the first half and then the second half is just "and then all this stuff happened." Why spend all that time building the world if you're just going to info dump the plot in the second half? Also the world occasionally has the weirdest holes, like why do some witches get to register and some get burned? That was completely unclear to me.
And I really can't relate to the narrator's choices or perspective at all. She just makes the most bizarre decisions. None of the characters are particularly believable because their actions aren't based on their character development but on what needs to happen to serve the message up to you. Again, you are not escaping this novel with your own interpretation. The author has a POINT and you WILL GET IT.
I mean, basically if you read the description you know exactly what to expect and nothing about it will surprise you, but it's entertaining enough to read and nod along about how the world really is messed up towards women. I just wish it had felt less superficial.
The plotting is also weird. The pace is slowwwwww for the first half and then the second half is just "and then all this stuff happened." Why spend all that time building the world if you're just going to info dump the plot in the second half? Also the world occasionally has the weirdest holes, like why do some witches get to register and some get burned? That was completely unclear to me.
And I really can't relate to the narrator's choices or perspective at all. She just makes the most bizarre decisions. None of the characters are particularly believable because their actions aren't based on their character development but on what needs to happen to serve the message up to you. Again, you are not escaping this novel with your own interpretation. The author has a POINT and you WILL GET IT.
I mean, basically if you read the description you know exactly what to expect and nothing about it will surprise you, but it's entertaining enough to read and nod along about how the world really is messed up towards women. I just wish it had felt less superficial.