Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

61 reviews

gnukiwi's review against another edition

dark emotional funny 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Physical abuse

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Classism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Cursing

Minor: Murder and Racism

lunep's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Cursing, and Death

Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Grief, Murder, Bullying, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Misogyny, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Abandonment, and Classism

margaret_k30's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Grief

Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, Death, Death of parent, and Sexual content

Minor: Alcohol, Confinement, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Physical abuse

periwinkle_flora's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.25

The novel felt like a fast-medium paced, simple indie film. 

I agree with 2 things 2 others have said. The book is conversational and the book didn't feel like a warm hug.

but rather... a simple, light, and casual read. 

Mika Moon has a rough life. Her family she finds, Ian, Ken, Lucie, Jamie, and the sisters, had rough lives too. Personality and backgrounds appear frequently throughout the chats between the cast. 

We read what's happening to the characters. but we don't really feel what's happening to the characters.

We are told what's happened in their pasts, but we don't get transferred back in time, to see what it was like. 

Personally, I would've preferred if the book showcased more emotional depth to make me feel something… versus briefly glowing over key relationships that make them who they are. 

Another aspect that felt less cosy were the swearing – which in any other book *works*, but not here – and the shift in the main romance/ conflict towards the end. 

Would I read it again? Likely not. Did it keep me engaged? Yes. 

Overall:
A strong 3. (3|5).

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing

Minor: Grief, Sexual content, and Physical abuse

emfass's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing and Abandonment

Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Death, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Grief

Minor: Xenophobia

bodagirl's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Very cute. I don't think this story is finished though, it felt much more like an introduction to a world rather than a complete story. The plot point I'm most concerned about is the curse that witches dies shortly after they give birth - doesn't give me a lot of hope for Mika and Jamie, unless they decide not to have biological children (which is totally valid).

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Bullying

cassielaj's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

5.0

I finished this book with a literal tear in my eye. It is perfect, and I have nothing to say about it beyond that. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Grief, and Xenophobia

Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse

britwalsh16's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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

4.5

I’m only giving it 4 & a half stars because there are a couple things I wish they had figured out. Like I was seriously hoping they would somehow break the curse that orphaned young witches in the end! Like come on!!! But honestly, besides that, I absolutely LOOOVED this book! It was a great book, especially for the month of October & all my witchy wants! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Death

Moderate: Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Alcohol and Cursing

sustainably_lucia's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This is a story of human connection and how we are stronger together. It is about the search for belonging in a world that doesn't accept us as we are. It is about embracing and expressing who we are, having the courage to love and be loved, finding friends who become family, and learning to trust yourself after being hurt. It is a story about unconditional love and how the truth sets you free on the path toward healing.

The only thing that bothered me was all the swearing. It felt unnecessary and jarring. It took away from the coziness and heartfelt vibe of the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Cursing, and Death of parent

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Alcohol

Language

olivia918's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A big hug in book form. Very sweet story. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse