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richburgbooks's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
So good. Slow beginning but couldn’t put it down once I got about 30% into the book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Pregnancy
mjai13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Rape
korbinceleste's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Sexual assault
julesdmuells's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
2.5
There's a lot to like about this book, chief among them the glittering diction and fluttering background characters, the bugs and the birds. But I grew frustrated with it.
I was surprised at how little I felt like I knew or cared by one third, one half, two thirds of the way through. For instance, this is a book about witches, and it says so on the cover; yet two thirds of the way through this book, a main character (who's a witch) is starting to connect the dots about her special abilities, and then it says, "Anyway, she was being ridiculous. Witches weren't real." Man, and I thought the book was finally about to start.
Another reviewer said that although she felt sympathy for the characters - CONTENT WARNING: almost every woman in this book is raped and unwillingly impregnated, usually miscarrying or aborting - she didn't necessarily feel attached to them, and I feel the same. I just kept wondering when it would feel like the plot was starting.
My biggest gripe, honestly, was the writing style. Contemporary fiction is often written to reflect the way people talk, even if it's not proper writing, sure, but the amount of short, choppy, incomplete sentences in this book drove me crazy once I noticed the pattern.
"Then she knows. She didn't imagine it. It was real... Early childhood. Sun on her face, the brush of wings on her palm, that feeling in her chest... She squeezes her eyes shut, tries to pull it closer, but she can't bring it into focus. Somehow, though, she is left with the odd sense that this has happened before. The villagers' gossip echoes in her mind. One word, ringing louder than the rest. Witch. She has to know the truth. About the Weywards. About herself."
So isochronal and choppy, like riding with a driver who keeps hitting the gas and the breaks in heavy traffic.
I have to admit, although it's harder to articulate what I liked about the book, it wasn't hard for me to pick back up and read. When I got into the weeds in a different read and felt leaden, I would turn to this because I knew the pages would turn quickly.
I don't get the hype, y'all.
I was surprised at how little I felt like I knew or cared by one third, one half, two thirds of the way through. For instance, this is a book about witches, and it says so on the cover; yet two thirds of the way through this book, a main character (who's a witch) is starting to connect the dots about her special abilities, and then it says, "Anyway, she was being ridiculous. Witches weren't real." Man, and I thought the book was finally about to start.
Another reviewer said that although she felt sympathy for the characters - CONTENT WARNING: almost every woman in this book is raped and unwillingly impregnated, usually miscarrying or aborting - she didn't necessarily feel attached to them, and I feel the same. I just kept wondering when it would feel like the plot was starting.
My biggest gripe, honestly, was the writing style. Contemporary fiction is often written to reflect the way people talk, even if it's not proper writing, sure, but the amount of short, choppy, incomplete sentences in this book drove me crazy once I noticed the pattern.
"Then she knows. She didn't imagine it. It was real... Early childhood. Sun on her face, the brush of wings on her palm, that feeling in her chest... She squeezes her eyes shut, tries to pull it closer, but she can't bring it into focus. Somehow, though, she is left with the odd sense that this has happened before. The villagers' gossip echoes in her mind. One word, ringing louder than the rest. Witch. She has to know the truth. About the Weywards. About herself."
So isochronal and choppy, like riding with a driver who keeps hitting the gas and the breaks in heavy traffic.
I have to admit, although it's harder to articulate what I liked about the book, it wasn't hard for me to pick back up and read. When I got into the weeds in a different read and felt leaden, I would turn to this because I knew the pages would turn quickly.
I don't get the hype, y'all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Stalking, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
clairevola's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. While there weren’t any world changing plot twists or big shocks, I found myself thinking about this book when I wasn’t able to read. I loved the interwoven generational story that spanned over centuries (not only decades) and the connection the Weyward women had. I also absolutely loved the witchy undertones and that it wasn’t too in your face. These three strong women were extremely inspiring and used the trauma that their ancestors faced to continue to grow stronger, and I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Abortion
Moderate: Rape
deborah_deck's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Abortion
ashley_mrose530's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was a really well written book, but I just don't think it was for me.
I can't remember why I put this on my tbr shelf, but I definitely should have read the synopsis again before trying it out.
This was very similar to The Apothecary, a book I DNF'd in 2023 I believe. They both had the back and forth timeline between different characters who lived at different times and somehow they connect and they also both focused heavily on female empowerment after oppression and abuse with an added magical element.
These types of books are very much the tip of the iceberg when it comes to feminism which some people do need, but that's not me. They also make it very obvious that's what they're about and I prefer plots like that to be more subtle and make you think a little more deeply.
Because of all of this, I was mostly bored with the whole book. I also guessed all of the supposed mysteries right away. Although I don't think they were really mysteries at all because they were so obvious. But still, I felt like I knew the whole book before I ever read a word of it.
Unfortunately it was a largely forgettable book for me and I definitely should have DNF'd it.
I can't remember why I put this on my tbr shelf, but I definitely should have read the synopsis again before trying it out.
This was very similar to The Apothecary, a book I DNF'd in 2023 I believe. They both had the back and forth timeline between different characters who lived at different times and somehow they connect and they also both focused heavily on female empowerment after oppression and abuse with an added magical element.
These types of books are very much the tip of the iceberg when it comes to feminism which some people do need, but that's not me. They also make it very obvious that's what they're about and I prefer plots like that to be more subtle and make you think a little more deeply.
Because of all of this, I was mostly bored with the whole book. I also guessed all of the supposed mysteries right away. Although I don't think they were really mysteries at all because they were so obvious. But still, I felt like I knew the whole book before I ever read a word of it.
Unfortunately it was a largely forgettable book for me and I definitely should have DNF'd it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical trauma, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
amyg_42's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical trauma, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
orchestra_pit's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I don’t know about this one guys.
I just felt like I was being hit over the head with metaphors and symbolism that said a lot of the same thing over and over again. I understand what an incredibly difficult and powerful theme that this book is tackling I just feel like I have seen it done better in other novels and pieces of media.
It was also a very slow novel. It took me over half the book to get invested. And to be honest after finishing it and looking back, I could not help but think that not a whole lot happened plotwise.
On a positive note I liked the way that the women’s nature magic was portrayed. It all felt so whimsical and immersive. I wish we had gotten more of the nature in Kate’s POV; we only really saw it in her perspective in the last 75 pages. I would have liked more.
This book was not really my cup of tea, but I do understand the importance of it. If women in horrific situations read this novel and are impacted in positive ways, then I am grateful for the message this book has spread.
I just felt like I was being hit over the head with metaphors and symbolism that said a lot of the same thing over and over again. I understand what an incredibly difficult and powerful theme that this book is tackling I just feel like I have seen it done better in other novels and pieces of media.
It was also a very slow novel. It took me over half the book to get invested. And to be honest after finishing it and looking back, I could not help but think that not a whole lot happened plotwise.
On a positive note I liked the way that the women’s nature magic was portrayed. It all felt so whimsical and immersive. I wish we had gotten more of the nature in Kate’s POV; we only really saw it in her perspective in the last 75 pages. I would have liked more.
This book was not really my cup of tea, but I do understand the importance of it. If women in horrific situations read this novel and are impacted in positive ways, then I am grateful for the message this book has spread.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Abortion
ljpaatan's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion