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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Alcohol
emotional
hopeful
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:
No
Book 29 of 2025 - ☑️! Thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press & Blair Fell for an ARC of Disco Witches of Fire Island: A Novel by Blair Fell, in exchange for my honest review.
The cover and title of Blair Fell’s Disco Witches of Fire Island instantly pulled me in, though I didn’t have time to really settle in with the book until recently.
Disco Witches of Fire Island takes place in 1989, after so many had already tragically passed from AIDS. Joe Agabian is still processing the loss of his boyfriend, and makes his way to Fire Island - a gay haven - to spend his summer. Shortly after he arrives, the inhabitants of 44 1/4 Picketty Ruff take Joe under their wing. Joe begins to suspect that something is “off” with his new roommates, and it’s revealed that they’re Disco Witches whose purpose is to protect Fire Island, in the midst of horrible tragedy. Due to the AIDS epidemic and losing members of the coven to the horrible disease, the witches powers have been compromised. Amidst all of this, Joe starts to fall for Fergal - a bisexual ferryman who’s also on the island.
I thought Fell did a nice job of balancing the absolute tragedy of AIDS, with the fun, magic, love and hope that appears throughout the book. There was a variety in the representation across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, and this might also be the first time I’ve read a book with an Armenian MC. There are occasional steamy scenes here, though what really stood out to me was Fell’s writing of difficult conversations between the characters.
3.5/5 ⭐️ overall, and 2/5 🌶️’s. 🪩🧙🏝️ #DiscoWitchesofFireIsland #NetGalley
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-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
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
A wonderful premise and lovable characters. I enjoyed the sprinkling of magic into this real world of queer men looking for love on Fire Island during the height of the AIDS epidemic. The writing was uneven here and there with a few corny lines or odd little new writer-isms like an unnecessary epithet or funky tonal shifts in a scene. I was reading the ARC though so it’s entirely possible it underwent a few more editing passes before publication. I loved the story and the characters enough to hand wave those moments and ultimately really enjoyed the read.
dark
funny
informative
sad
slow-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
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An enjoyable summer rom-com with a fun premise and a poignant emotional backbone. The premise was unique and creative and followed through on the set up, I did wish the main character was a liiiitle more likable; he kind of started to get on my nerves at times (normally I don't care about a likeable mc but I think this premise needed one tbh.)