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readingelli's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Transphobia, War, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Domestic abuse, and Racism
sloth_phd's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Murder
mandaleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Murder and Death
mariajustmary'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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: War, Confinement, Violence, Transphobia, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Racism, Sexism, and Classism
tayleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Okay, it’s been a few days. I stand by the 4 stars I gave it. I loved this book so much until the last few chapters. It wasn’t the climax that was disappointing it was the resolution and set up for book two that really threw me off. It’s hard to explain why without crazy spoilers so I will put the spoiler tag on:
Okay back to safe space:
This book followed the lives of four women (witches), who were best friends growing up, and how each of their lives changed as they grew older and after a devastating war among witches that took place about 10 years prior. Looking back on it having 4 POVs was a lot and I felt like two of the four I wanted more from or could have been cut out, though I feel that those two were the stories that I was most interested in.
The main plot though was about a doom brining child who is said to bring the ending of days and life as we know it. You know the normal doom and gloom of apocalyptic prophecies.
I loved following the women’s stories and more of the slice of life content we got as well as the heartbreaking story of Theo’s past and fining hope and friendship as the story progressed.
Major trigger warnings for Transphobia, we have a POV of a TERF, and on page violence against a trans woman.
This book took on many different social commentary issues, mainly in one of the POVs I wish we had more of from, about systemic racism, elitism, transphobia, homophobia, and feminism benefiting straight white women. We also had grief from the loss of a loved one during the war (sister, fiancé and husband) and the guilt associated with moving on which I found really touching.
Graphic: Violence, Transphobia, and Murder
readwithria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, and the characters took the cake. The POV characters, their children and wards, their partners, and all of the side characters felt so fleshed out and real. Their relationships were so fun to read about, even the bad ones.
I will say that it wasn’t until well into the book that I felt like I understood how the magic system worked. The delineation between the different types of witches and what they can do, plus the elemental aspect of witchery, made for a lot of information that I still don’t fully grasp.
I’m very excited to read The Shadow Cabinet! 4 stars.
Graphic: Outing, Transphobia, Murder, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Cursing
Moderate: Blood, War, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Car accident, Forced institutionalization, and Animal death
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
bookmaddie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Car accident
r_gale's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Love the way she writes so clever and funny and the characters are so well rounded, can't wait to read the next book !
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Sexism, Racism, and War
katewhite77'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
Identity politics and why it is so important are explained through a world different, but also scarily similar to our own, which is what makes it message so powerful. This is the Harry Potter generation shooting a few messages loud and clear and also with no small wit. Don’t be fooled ɓy the pretty pinķ cover, this novel is not a fluffy read. The message contained within are to important. Definitely not for kids either, just in case you were wondering.
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Murder
ridesthesun'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
4.5
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Body shaming, Confinement, Cursing, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, and Gore