Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy

4 reviews

tangleroot_eli's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

This book has an intriguing premise and gets off to a good start. The settings are beautifully described, and some of the minor characters are quite vividly drawn. But the vast similarities between Deirdre and Gracelynn, as well as the large chunks of Deirdre’s story that we're told in Gracelynn’s sections made me feel like I was reading the same book twice at once. I really liked how the story(ies) resolve, but I definitely slogged through the middle.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal death, Infidelity, Sexism, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Murder, Alcohol, Death, Drug use, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Classism, Confinement, Racism, Stalking, and Violence

Minor: Domestic abuse, Suicide, Abortion, Cancer, Fatphobia, Incest, Pedophilia, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Police brutality, Rape, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Gun violence

Graphic: Religious trauma Moderate: Slut shaming

mhairi_reads's review

dark 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? No

4.5

Do yourself an favour - DON’T READ THE BLURB - IT CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!

A definite 5 star read❤️! If you love yourself a witchy tale I would highly recommend Paulette Kennedy’s The Witch of Tin Mountain.

Steeped in Ozark folklore this story was hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric. A fantastic work of historical fiction, dipped in horror and fantasy. Steeped in witchcraft, dark folklore and full of powerful women this book is bound to keep you turning the page and will stay with you long after you closed the book.

An unforgettable story of family, witchcraft, love and power. I read this bad boy in two days. This is a story you don’t want to miss.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

POV: Dual - Deirdre (YEAR) & Gracelynn (YEAR)

⚠️ Content Warnings: As provided by the author. References to child abuse and neglect (including sexual and physical abuse). Sexual assault, dubious sexual consent, self-harm/suicide, addiction, alcoholism, death and dying, racism, homophobia, murder, attempted murder, fire/arson, and abortion. 

Adoption, and childbirth are also mentioned within this novel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual content, Bullying, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol

Minor: Abortion, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Infertility, and Child abuse

velsbooknook's review

dark emotional mysterious

4.5

This book follows three generations of women in Ozarks, Arkansas. It switches between the POV of Deirdree in 1881 and Gracelynn in 1931.
The setting was absolutely stunning. The description of characters, weather and nature was so well done and I felt really immersed in the story and world. I loved the magic the witches used and it fitted perfectly into the setting.
The main antagonist was very well written too. He was evil and manipulative but also not too unlikeable in my opinion. The whole character cast was very diverse and the reader also get some queer romance which I absolutely loved!
I was very surprised that I enjoyed this book that much but all three women were equally likeable and strong, the beautiful atmosphere and setting and vivid writing made me really enjoy this book!
It comes out February 1st 2023 and I'm sure I'll grab a physical copy myself. Highly recommend! 

Thank you to Paulette Kennedy, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Sexual violence, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Violence

jenmcreads's review

dark sad tense medium-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

4.25

This book was a wonderful and immersive read. The sense of setting is extremely vivid and atmospheric, and it is clear the author writes from a lot of deep knowledge and respect for the region. I found the voices of the women to be distinct and nuanced. The gender dynamics of the book were very moving, particularly the difficulties of queer love in the times this book was set (1881 and 1931, primarily). The folkloric style of the magic involved felt right to the setting and the story. I loved this book, and look forward to its release date so I have others to discuss it with!

I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Classism, Medical content, Abortion, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Blood, Incest, Misogyny, Death of parent, Homophobia, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Outing, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, and Infidelity