Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

105 reviews

nicospitsjive's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I think this is probably a 4 star book for folks who truly enjoy this genre, I'm exploring to see if it's for me, and I believe it may not be. Really sweet and fun! Moments of emotion peeking through at times. Would make a great film, it almost felt like reading an adaptation of one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Death of parent

mairead_parade's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted 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

3.0

This is pretty much a TJ Klune book, which is not a bad thing, I just kept hoping it would surprise me a bit more. (If, on the other hand, you enjoyed this and have somehow not read Klune, you’re missing out). It’s sweet, cozy and peripherally Christmas-y, and the characters are very lovable - it is a pleasant if not especially challenging read. The audio narrator was quite good, especially in differentiating the three children without getting too cloying. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment and Child abuse

Minor: Death of parent, Xenophobia, and Homophobia

thehobbitbarbie's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

This book has been on my fall TBR since it published, and it absolutely delivered on the promise of a cozy fall read! This is such a feel-good book with a lovely English setting and a charming cast of characters. At times, it does suffer from having too many characters, but each of them is so lovely and feels so fully realized that it's hard to stay mad about it. 
My biggest complaint is that this book, like so many new adult romance novels, makes great use of tropes, but still seems embarrassed by them. When I pick up a romance novel like this, I expect and want to see tropes. When a book points out how ridiculous its tropes are, it completely rips me out of the world and makes me feel like I'm being ridiculed for enjoying it. Romance novelists, it's okay to be a little corny! That's why we're here! 
Soap box aside, this is a fantastic cozy fantasy that will give you all the warm fuzzies to carry you from fall into the cold, dark winter months. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Abandonment, and Alcohol

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

wickedgrumpy's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.75

This was a very welcome softer read.  It had the found family, the magic, life passions/ambitions, the kids were cute, and let's not forget the swoony words!

I don't know if I would change the rating if I reread it but since it's the first in a series I will continue when more books are released, there's a chance.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Cursing, Confinement, Outing, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Violence

lectricefeministe's review

emotional lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Abandonment, and Religious bigotry

glitterdeww's review

emotional 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

3.5

A very sweet and cozy story! This had lovely characters, charming magic, and with anything British, so... MUCH... TEA. This book is predominantly about the vibes and the comfort. There are stakes laid out for plot, but at no point did I feel truly worried or unsure of what was going to happen. 

Also, and without looking up any press that may have covered this with the author... Mandanna 100% wrote Ian McKellen as one of these characters, right? 🤣

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Content Warnings

Minor: Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia

craftysnailtail'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

4.5

A delightful cross between House In the Cerulean Sea and Pride and Prejudice. A light read that was rather predictable, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable. I loved every character and the cottage/witch-core scenery was aimed at a very particular audience. And I am that audience. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Death, Grief, Homophobia, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Abandonment

tea_at_mole_end's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content

Minor: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent

boba_n_books's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

This book was like a warm hug. Each personality was so distinct but worked with the others so well to create a beautifully diverse family in more ways than one. 

I loved Mika and the way she was able to work through her trauma and even help Primrose with hers. Mika was able to create space for everyone around her including the three young witches who needed it most. The slow burn between Jamie and Mika was really sweet and showcased the grumpy x sunshine trope well. 

Overall, I came to love each of the characters and the way they fit into the family. Was it a tad predictable? Sure. But was it heartwarming and fun? Absolutely. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Sexual content

Moderate: Death and Child abuse

Minor: Racism and Homophobia