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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Starting to feel Cooke's books have such great premises but aren't executed in a satisfying way. I don't know if the publishers are pushing these books out too fast or what, but it's becoming standard now when I pick up one of her books that it feels rushed to a conclusion, and full of continuity errors/sentence and spelling errors. It's jarring. Despite that, the premise for this was really interesting. But eventually I found the links didn't really have much real impact to the outcome of the story, and I found it reminded me way too much of The Lighthouse Witches which was way better. The idea of the book that can't be destroyed and keeps coming back would have made for such a terrifying story. But it ended up being a side plot to a divorce and some heart surgery. I didn't even vibe with the historical point of view with this one unfortunately.
I really enjoyed the witchy folklore vibes and the intertwined timelines. The witch trials will forever haunt me. The manipulation of men and their disgusting agendas for power. Sickening! It took me a minute to get into this book, but I was hooked about halfway through. I love when it all comes together and all my questions are answered. The ending was amazing!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This read started off strong, but I struggled toward the end.
Told mainly through the POV of Clem in the present day and Alison in the 1500s, it’s a story about Erin, Senna, and Arlo who travel away from home with a mysterious book that is supposedly cursed. One of the group dies, one is badly injured, and the last disappears. We simultaneously follow Alison’s story as she is accused of witchcraft. The book in question surviving time, linking the two situations together.
I know that’s vague, but I didn’t want to give too much away.
Usually I have a preference when it comes to reading two different timelines. This time, I didn’t favor one over the other. What I did wish is to have seen from Erin, Senna, and Arlo’s POV.
Honestly, if you’re more of a historical person or favor supernatural fiction, this would be for you! It was very “yeah, sure” for me.
Told mainly through the POV of Clem in the present day and Alison in the 1500s, it’s a story about Erin, Senna, and Arlo who travel away from home with a mysterious book that is supposedly cursed. One of the group dies, one is badly injured, and the last disappears. We simultaneously follow Alison’s story as she is accused of witchcraft. The book in question surviving time, linking the two situations together.
I know that’s vague, but I didn’t want to give too much away.
Usually I have a preference when it comes to reading two different timelines. This time, I didn’t favor one over the other. What I did wish is to have seen from Erin, Senna, and Arlo’s POV.
Honestly, if you’re more of a historical person or favor supernatural fiction, this would be for you! It was very “yeah, sure” for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion
dark
slow-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
I think my immediate comparison of this book to "Weyward" by Emilia Hart was in the end what hindered my enjoyment. It has a very similar premise, even down to the involvement of crows, so the comparison was only natural. And the first half of it was honestly great, I was enthralled moreso by the historical perspective but also interested in how they would eventually connect. However, once the "fake" plot was introduced (won't say more for spoilers sake, iykyk) I kind of lost interest. It was still by all means readable, but suddenly the contrast between modern and old became jarring, and some of the connections seemed very outlandish, coming from somebody who reads some high fantasy, and is never really explained. Despite much of the plot needing explanation, it was just told to the reader and we were meant to just go along with it, which doesn't work for me personally. It also didn't end how I was hoping at all, which I learned is probably a result of the very real circumstances this book was based on, which honestly makes me a bit uncomfortable seeing how vulnerable and personal these characters were. That's more of a me problem than anything else though. Very nitpicky, but there were a few sentences and paragraphs that were repeated or didn't make sense, which pulled me out of the story. Overall it was an okay read, but it just didn't hook me like I was hoping with my love for witches and magical realism and fantasy plots.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, Violence, Fire/Fire injury
Edit: the more I think about this book, the more annoyed I get. The two timelines were linked together in such a weird way that makes no sense. Bumping this down from a 3.5 to a 2.5.
This was okay. Interesting enough to read in one sitting, but I’m not keeping the book. I’m finding I don’t like dual timelines.
This was okay. Interesting enough to read in one sitting, but I’m not keeping the book. I’m finding I don’t like dual timelines.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I was not expecting this to have two separate storylines when I picked it up. From the blurb, I thought it would be entirely Clem’s story.
16th century storyline: 5 stars
Modern day: 3 stars
I knew they would tie together at some point, but I was so much more invested in Alison’s experiences. They are what I know I’ll remember when looking back on the book.
16th century storyline: 5 stars
Modern day: 3 stars
I knew they would tie together at some point, but I was so much more invested in Alison’s experiences. They are what I know I’ll remember when looking back on the book.