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q_bert13's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
overall good story, romance seems slightly 'tossed' in (though yes some chemistry is shown). Could easily be fixed with more chapters- but was a great short length to read here and there during the work week!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Misogyny
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Slavery, Sexism, Blood, and Violence
bi_n_large's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Slavery
Moderate: Racism and Misogyny
Minor: Religious bigotry and Torture
tigger89's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I felt like it could have been longer. There were many plot threads that were left underdeveloped, including some hanging references(that felt like they were just heading off a "well whatabout") to enslaved groups, the sapphic subplot, and the twist/untwist at the end .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Slavery
Period-appropriate racism(african slaves and irish millworkers) is referenced, as well as a brief reference to a slave auction.faenairth's review
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Minor: Racism, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Violence, and Death
chalkletters's review
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
In comparison to a lot of the books I read for book club, The Factory Witches of Lowell is a short, sweet, uncomplicated story. There’s not a lot of world building to get lost in, but just enough to sell the story of female empowerment and female characters discovering their collective and individual strengths. C S Malerich invites you straight into the story with a spell that genuinely weaves through the plot of The Factory Witches of Lowell in a way that I really enjoyed.
Unfortunately, the climax and the ending don’t quite pack the same punch. The characters face a problem which seems insurmountable, until suddenly they’ve unlocked the whole thing and their primary antagonist folds instantly. I won’t say that there’s no catharsis in that, nor does it come completely out of nowhere, but it didn’t feel entirely satisfying. Similarly, the ending wraps up quickly, despite the hints that there is more struggle still to come.
The strength of The Factory Witches of Lowell is in the way C S Malerich ties together witchcraft, more mundane forms of craft, and women’s work. I particularly enjoyed that defying a man was seen, by at least one man, as a symptom of witchcraft. The images of the women working together, casting their spells and sharing their strengths, are very powerful.
The fact that C S Malerich left us wanting so much more is surely a sign that she’s an author to look out for.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, and Slavery
maddiebusick's review
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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? No
2.75
This whole story felt like it had potential but was missing something, maybe because it was so short. I kept feeling like I had missed some intro chapters and didn’t feel attached to many of the characters because there were so many girls and so little back story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Minor: Slavery
the_wendybirb's review
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Absolutely love this book! It's simple but conveys a good message.
Content Warnings
Minor: Slavery
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