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jayla_hh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I have no notes. This is exactly what I'd want from a story w this premise
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
bribwriter's review against another edition
3.0
I honestly can’t put my finger on what I didn’t like about this novel, but towards the end, when she leaves to the island, everything went downhill from there. I loved the parallels of oppression on women to what is going on now within the world. Like this book holds up, dystopian wise so much so that it’s scary. But when it came to the island where she finally saw her mom, I was not liking it. Everything up til then, the speculation and the authoritative regime that she lived under, I was on the edge of my seat. However, the plot line revolving around her mother really lost me. I don’t understand the point of her father and sometimes who or what Jo really wanted.
marabender's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.0
cb613's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.0
malmeis98's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
lottie1803's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75
rosemwood's review against another edition
3.0
This was basicly a witch tale of feminism and freedom. An alternate America with injustice for women. It was very thought provoking and I felt many questions were left unanswered. The wondering flashbacks where a little annoying and distracting. I wish the story could have held more of my attention. Jo was really the only character that I really liked. I couldn't stand her father nor most of the males in this story.
vengefuldime's review against another edition
4.0
It has an easy and inviting style, in a kind of smooth and meandering way. I kept having moments of recognition- I’ve felt this, I’ve thought of this, or I recognize this. It’s very blatant, and highlights the unfortunate similarities in current racial/gender/political topics. There is a deep love for stories and stories within stories. It’s not all a terrible, terrible time, but the the framework for the entire fictional society is alarming. Actions do not have to be logical, they have to conform and uphold the existing power structures (and foster self-policing). I was half-waiting for a reveal that magic was not real in this world either. In the end, the combination of real magic and nonsense fears may as well have been one concrete thing. The women’s lives were affected so deeply anyway. Although there are several intersectional issues at hand, I thought they were intertwined together well, given breathing space in such a vibes book.
The individual, relationship, and family-ruining effects of the society they are trapped in are very detailed and saddening. The protagonist’s mother was a terrible mother, but she was also never set up for success (and pushed towards an expected child). That doesn’t mean I wasn’t becoming incensed at times. The feeling of not being able, and never going to be able, to get all that someone need from a person is such a frustrating feeling. Her relationship with what could be an optimal partner, maybe, also couldn’t truly get off the ground with the unchangeable imbalance between them. The protagonist just does what she can in a world outside of her full control. I can’t say that the witch world seemed very personally appealing-but it seems to be what she would need and is so different from the alternative. A few things were negative for me- I am skeptical on the existing gay culture in the world mirroring the real one so well with the historical setup, and I have no idea how her mother accomplished the will and doll. Other than that, although it was a surprise literary book for my book club that I wouldn’t have picked for myself, it was stressful, sweeping, clear.
The individual, relationship, and family-ruining effects of the society they are trapped in are very detailed and saddening. The protagonist’s mother was a terrible mother, but she was also never set up for success (and pushed towards an expected child). That doesn’t mean I wasn’t becoming incensed at times. The feeling of not being able, and never going to be able, to get all that someone need from a person is such a frustrating feeling. Her relationship with what could be an optimal partner, maybe, also couldn’t truly get off the ground with the unchangeable imbalance between them. The protagonist just does what she can in a world outside of her full control. I can’t say that the witch world seemed very personally appealing-but it seems to be what she would need and is so different from the alternative. A few things were negative for me- I am skeptical on the existing gay culture in the world mirroring the real one so well with the historical setup, and I have no idea how her mother accomplished the will and doll. Other than that, although it was a surprise literary book for my book club that I wouldn’t have picked for myself, it was stressful, sweeping, clear.