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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a weird and meandering plot to nowhere, I never really liked Joe or Ronnie because they were both toxic but I finished the book because I was rooting for Joe.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to love this book because the concept is so good, but I think the execution let it down. the characters feel kind of half-formed, and the plot is also not fully fleshed out. I think it was aiming for mystical and funny but ended up landing somewhere between that and confusing. I wish there was more disco and more witches and also that the romantic relationships were expanded on so that we had a reason to root for them. that said, I liked the characters and I really felt for joe. this book had some really touching moments, and I laughed at some of the narration. I wish this had maybe more of an editor and more of a cohesive plot, instead of being largely vignettes. it took me a long time to read this. and I think that is because there was such a large disconnect between the objective, straightforward narration and the emotional tone the plot was aiming for. I felt like I could set the book down and didn’t need to pick it back up. I’m glad I did, because this isn’t bad at all, it just didn’t wow me
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Sexual content, Grief
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
emotional
hopeful
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
When Joe joins his friend Ronnie for a summer trip to Fire Island, he has no idea that it's going to be lifechanging. He lives with two disco witches, Howie and Lenny, who are trying to find the chosen one to protect while they're down and out a final member for their coven. Their fifth member, currently, is dying of AIDS and governmental neglect. Joe is also trying to get over his relationship which ended with AIDS as well. But somehow, he gets a job at a small dive bar, becomes friends with the sometimes stand-offish ferryman Fergal, and lives his best life...with plenty of ups and downs.
Each chapter begins with a quote from the Disco Witch manifesto, setting the stage for what's to come. And what's to come is mystical, campy, and filled with plenty of parties and alcohol--and sometimes even assimilationist assholes.
This book is absolutely delightful and should be crowned the summer beach read of 2025. I'm also not normally big on historical fiction, but this felt just as important in this day and age as it would have 40 years ago.
Each chapter begins with a quote from the Disco Witch manifesto, setting the stage for what's to come. And what's to come is mystical, campy, and filled with plenty of parties and alcohol--and sometimes even assimilationist assholes.
This book is absolutely delightful and should be crowned the summer beach read of 2025. I'm also not normally big on historical fiction, but this felt just as important in this day and age as it would have 40 years ago.
medium-paced