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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
this was an interesting read. i enjoyed the dual perspectives, each story was engaging in their own way. the modern story kind of reminded me of a dark and moody bbc detective mystery. and it was super interesting how alison’s was loosely based on a real person. i do wish we had a bit more information about much nyx though .
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was really hard to read, subject matter-wise. So much of the witch trial process breaks my heart and brain - and I don’t think this even comes close to what horrors Men of God have done to women and families for power and greed, or simply because they can.
There were multiple times where I felt confused or like I missed something in the description of a scene - there would be talk of looking through a window when the characters were out in the woods, or certain medical descriptions that just didn’t add up. I think the writing was fine but maybe the editors got a little carried away?
Things pick up and I became more invested in the story about 40 pages from the end of the book - i don’t know that it redeemed how sad and upset I was at being reminded how little women have been (and continue to be) valued in modern history. It was a rough one.
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
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:
No
This started out strong for me; I really enjoyed the multiple timelines and the premise was perfect for an October "spooky season" read. About halfway through, I started to feel like the story was dragging a little bit and I began to grow tired of a few of the characters (especially Clem). I wound up feeling a little let down that I'd stuck with it through over 300 pages because the end felt rushed and a bit unsatisfying. Overall, I did enjoy the story. This was a unique premise, and I loved the setting in in Scotland/Orkney. There were a few twists that did surprise me, which I also enjoyed. I just wish that either the beginning had been a little more concise to leave more time at the end for a more in-depth denouement, or that the whole book was just a tad longer so the ending felt more complete.
STOP
i lovedddd the witch trial and ended up down a rabbit hole of research about the true story of Alison Balfour and witch trials and general celtic paganism and all kinds of stuff.
the 2024 stuff wasn’t as compelling but i think added to the historical parts of it in a useful way
i lovedddd the witch trial and ended up down a rabbit hole of research about the true story of Alison Balfour and witch trials and general celtic paganism and all kinds of stuff.
the 2024 stuff wasn’t as compelling but i think added to the historical parts of it in a useful way
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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