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meliemelo's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
I don't know when the (I assume) final book will be out, but I really can't wait for it!
Graphic: Blood, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Death, Animal death, Addiction, Sexism, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Racism, Misogyny, Sexual content, Infidelity, Gore, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Dysphoria, Child abuse, Transphobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Torture
macaronoui's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, and Death
kirstym25's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Ableism
themelleh's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I’m obsessed. I had no idea what to expect but thoroughly enjoyed the ride. I can’t wait for the next book!
Moderate: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, Toxic relationship, War, and Ableism
wordsofclover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's official that the HMRC trilogy is now probably one of my favourites of all time - the two books I've read have just been soooo good and given me everything I wanted, and missed, for a novel about magic and witches but aimed at adults who have been through stuff, just like the readers. I just love and admire how Juno Dawson has brought this world to life - it genuinely feels so real, and the world-building is just so, so good as is the magic - the dark, the good, and the limitations of it.
I'm always so impressed how Juno Dawson brings real world issues into her books and explores them through character actions and how these movements affect and hurt people. In the first book, we saw a main character, Helena, become a full-blown TERF and how it hurt her relationship with her best friends and ultimately brought about her demise, mostly by her own hand. There isn't as much blatant transphobia in this book from characters which is a relief though we see trans-character Theo still struggling with her transition and what it means for her in a very realistic way. In this book, we see the topic of women-hating men in the form of the Hard Working Men witchfinders group (a couple of twists/reveals about this one that had me shocked!!). This group is very much what you would expect from the type of women-hating incel groups you'd find on 4chan and the dark web in how they rile each other up about how awful women/witches are and how they've been hard done by by them. The way Juno Dawson explores this subject (and rising issue in today's modern society) through witchcraft is just genius.
The characters are a bit more scattered in this one so although we will always have our main Spice Girls, they are a little on their own adventures here. Leonie and Ciara as well as Theo and a bit of Luke are the main POVs in this story with Elle taking a little bit more of a backseat apart from a couple of crazy moments. I loved Leonie's journey to different covens - especially her discovery of a sacred coven/safe place.
Our main POV in this book is the most interesting one as it's darker and more twisted than the ones we have had before (even Helena's) and it's a story we have heard a bit about in the previous book but now we're getting, and feeling it, through the actual source and it's different from what I would have imagined it to be. I thought I would hate this character as we've been told how evil they were but after this book, I don't think this at all and I'm just so excited for book 3 when we will have all the Spice Girls back together, even Geri, to kick some Lucifer butt.
Also, screaming, crying, throwing up at the last scene.
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Misogyny
mariasmusings's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've heard of the name Juno Dawson in the fantasy genre for a number of years and reviewers seem to have raved about her books for YA, so I was uber excited two years ago to read "Her Majesty's Royal Coven ", the first book in her trilogy for adults. I loved it and referred to HMRC as the group of witches that Hermione Granger wants to join!
The series encompasses a powerful, intelligent, diverse and sassy as hell group of witches, that are tough, in charge and not afraid of their emotions.
The group of Leonie, Chinara and Elle are struggling to accept the aftermath of events from the previous novel. And of course, Ciara has now secretly returned and is intent on revenge, while Holly, Theo and Milo are facing their own problems.
Dawson sets her story in a contemporary setting, a world that is easily recognisable to readers and does not shy away from tackling issues such as Racism, Transphobia, and Homophobia, along with examining the problematic, and often cruel treatment of people of colour and inclusion issues. She does so very effectively by providing her characters with the opportunity to express and explore their own identity with the story. Actually allowing the character to grow, rather than simply placing them in a box with labels. And one of my favourite aspects is that Dawson represents that world around us - so yes, the LGBTQIA+ community are represented, and two of our protoganists are women of colour. The portrayal of being a young trans person and the confusion felt by Theo is shown through her confusion and internal conflict is shown.
Likewise the attitudes of society are shown through the characters and there are several amusing moments of social commentary, especially when the politicians put in an appearance.
The bonds between the original group has been sorely tested and are now facing their greatest test.
The e-audiobook is narrated by Nicola Coughlan who brings the characters to life: she perfectly embodies the characters that she narrates.
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Cursing
jamieleepilk's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Dysphoria, Sexism, Sexual content, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, and Death