Reviews tagging 'Hate crime'

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

2 reviews

catorureads's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I've read a lot of Adrienne Young's work and with the majority of them, I've had a really good time. This one definitely had the autumn witchy vibes I was looking for. I've seen a few complaints that there wasn't really 'witchy' or 'magic' vibes. The magic in this book is not the kind where people wave with their wands or conjure fire out of nowhere. It's more the wicca kind of spells with herbs, the moonphases et cetera. I enjoyed the magic part but there could have been a bit more of it. 

The main story is more a mystery novel than a witchy novel. I've read most of this on the bus and while waiting for the train. It did its job of keeping me occupied and interested. I wanted to know who had done what. I don't dislike this book but with her other books, especially Fable and Namesake, I enjoyed it a lot more. I had fun with those books while this one was just good for the autumn vibes. I willl still read Adrienne Young's other works because I do really love her as an author.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lovelymisanthrope's review

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I received this book in a FairyLoot box, and I was very excited to give it a read!
"Spells for Forgetting" follows Emery, a young woman who as a teenager swore, she would never stay in her hometown of Saoirse Island. On the eve of her planned escape into the real world, her best friend is found murdered, and the court of public opinion places the blame on Emery's one true love: August. Now, well into their adult years, August has returned to the island to lay his recently deceased mother to rest. Can Emery and August rekindle what was stolen from them and uncover the truth about what happened decades ago?
This book is the perfect fall read, and I wish I would have picked it up in October. August's family owns an orchard and all of the details and descriptions about the island and orchard made me crave changing leaves and sweet apples. Small town, close-knit stories about places like Saoirse Island also always make me think of cooler weather.
This story was well-crafted and interesting. From the beginning, I was sucked into the story and committed to proving that August was set up and someone was hiding something far more sinister. I loved that this felt like Emery and August were getting a second chance, but their "love story" did not overshadow the mystery of this book.
I had a really great time reading this, and I look forward to picking up more from Adrienne Young in the future. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...