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emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Gore, Violence, Grief
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Sexual content, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an enjoyable read, I am going to give it 3.25 stars. This is my first try in reading a story with a witch in it since Harry Potter. I do like that in this world it is the kind of magic where people are born it and it can develop more over time through training/schooling. It isn’t a dark magic sort of thing.
This whole book was great on audio; Samara MacLaren is a great narrator! The story was one where I didn’t feel that I needed to think too much but it kept my interest decently well throughout. I feel like the book presents itself and is marketed as cozy fantasy, but I didn’t really get that feel from it. It was more slice of life than anything else with some adventure mixed in. I don’t think I have ever read a book before where all the characters are so in touch with their emotions. The characters were all distinct although some got a little repetitive (looking at you Clemmie). Overall though I liked the character work.
In summary, if you want to read a book that is lighthearted with some heart behind it and an emphasis on the value of relationships and enjoying life, this is probably for you. I think I would have liked the book more if it hadn’t taken place in a contemporary setting, but I definitely still liked it. It is definitely worth the read/listen.
Content warning: Decent amount of swearing throughout, one open door pg13 sex scene.
This whole book was great on audio; Samara MacLaren is a great narrator! The story was one where I didn’t feel that I needed to think too much but it kept my interest decently well throughout. I feel like the book presents itself and is marketed as cozy fantasy, but I didn’t really get that feel from it. It was more slice of life than anything else with some adventure mixed in. I don’t think I have ever read a book before where all the characters are so in touch with their emotions. The characters were all distinct although some got a little repetitive (looking at you Clemmie). Overall though I liked the character work.
In summary, if you want to read a book that is lighthearted with some heart behind it and an emphasis on the value of relationships and enjoying life, this is probably for you. I think I would have liked the book more if it hadn’t taken place in a contemporary setting, but I definitely still liked it. It is definitely worth the read/listen.
Content warning: Decent amount of swearing throughout, one open door pg13 sex scene.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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:
Complicated
Another great read from Sangu Mandanna. This one had me kicking my feet while getting hit with really reflective questions about the past we carry and how that shapes us as people. I loved every single character in this and the atmosphere of the Inn was just downright COZY! You definitely don't need to read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches before this one, but I highly encourage that you do because I also LOVED that one. Spice Level: 1.5/5 (some dirty talk, fade to black).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Racism, Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexism
Minor: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Sexual content, Violence, Toxic friendship
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This author is an auto-read for me and this book is just so lovely. A group of strangers turned found family, a diverse group that fit into the puzzle of each other so rightly. The humor is witty, the emotions are just right. A lovely book, all in all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, Abandonment
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Misogyny
Minor: Sexual content
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia
Minor: Death
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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:
Yes
Well worth the wait. I’m not sure I’ve read anything else like it. A refreshing, ambitious take on romantic fantasy.
For anyone who felt like The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches wasn’t for them - consider giving this a go.
For anyone who felt like The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches wasn’t for them - consider giving this a go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Racism, Abandonment, Classism
Minor: Death, Sexual content, Violence
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual content
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
This is actually the first ever audiobook I've every listened to, and it sucked me in quick! There was really good representation from a race, disability, and mental illness standpoint, and there were certain parts of it that were just straight up beautiful!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Abandonment, Colonisation, Classism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Originally was thinking about anything between 4 and 4.5 for the book. It's a cozy, whimsical tale about a girl who lost most of her (immensely powerful) magic to save a family member - and how, as a woman, she still needs to heal from that.
There was also a lot of different characters with different sorts of traumas (some were definitely handled better than others, though - and there really wasn't enough time to have more than surface level development for... pretty much everyone besides Sera...) but mostly those characters were interesting and likeable.
I was a bit... confused about Posey and the portrayal of her autism. I'm no expert with autistic children but I have researched a lot about it in adults and... it just seemed a little off to me, not sure why exactly.
Still a very precocious child, though!
The romance was... fine, I guess? I found the "first kiss" scene pretty weird, honestly (there's a time and a place for everything and that was not it. Dunno if I'm too Ace for this but honestly, it was ridiculous. And not in a good way!) but all in all, Sera and Luke were a cute couple and the conflict and resolution were mostly sweet and their interactions were nice to read.The sex scene was... meh, and I wish there wouldn't have been one, but it wasn't horrible either. I just don't get the need fir having one in every single romance book in general...
Sadly the ending was really a big downer for me. Up to... around 90% I believe, I was sure that this book would end equally cozy as it had been for the whole duration. Some conflict was there, yes, but never truly bad consequences. Simply a "feel good book".
Alas, it was not to be.
And... honestly, the ending "conflict" and its resolution were... horribly executed. Instead of any sort of actual plan, the "solution" ends up being"Yeah lose an integral part of yourself that you spent years trying to fix... so one guy can "only" use his money and influence to fuck up more people, but not his magic" ... Great.
Feels like herfinal sacrifice was too much for what they got out of it. And that, in the end, while Grey lost his powerbase, he still got what he wanted: Sera powerless. (And I know it's a bit simplified and sure, it did screw him over, but... it still felt like way to much of a sacrifice for her to make)
I would have probably accepted it easier ifshe had kept at least some of her magic... maybe the same amount as before? As in, her quest still was, ultimately, a success and her sacrificing its result is meaningful, but... it doesn't end up being a "oh your magic loved you, so you will FOREVER have a reminder of just what you lost. Every time you close your eyes. Unable to EVER move on. Congrats!" kind of thing?? (Again, very simplified, but still technically true! As if she can move on from having lost her magic if she has a constant reminder in that one star? How is that supposed to be comforting in the long run?)
Honestly, at this point, why didn't they just kill him? It would have solved all their problems, he could never mistreat other people again and Sera would have kept her magic. Boom. (Certainly not less whimsical than permanent mutilation. For that's, in essence, what Sera did to herself.)
I don't know. The ending was really bittersweet (though more bitter than sweet, really) so in the end, the rating for the whole book suffered, since... well. The ending is what tends to stay in mind the longest, isn't it?
Quite a pity, for I truly loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. (Also, I somehow thought both books played in the same universe, but... I guess not? Or The Very Secret Society was taking place in a very different location as the vibes I got from the magic and everything were very different... and not really in a good way. Meh.)
There was also a lot of different characters with different sorts of traumas (some were definitely handled better than others, though - and there really wasn't enough time to have more than surface level development for... pretty much everyone besides Sera...) but mostly those characters were interesting and likeable.
I was a bit... confused about Posey and the portrayal of her autism. I'm no expert with autistic children but I have researched a lot about it in adults and... it just seemed a little off to me, not sure why exactly.
Still a very precocious child, though!
The romance was... fine, I guess? I found the "first kiss" scene pretty weird, honestly (there's a time and a place for everything and that was not it. Dunno if I'm too Ace for this but honestly, it was ridiculous. And not in a good way!) but all in all, Sera and Luke were a cute couple and the conflict and resolution were mostly sweet and their interactions were nice to read.
Sadly the ending was really a big downer for me. Up to... around 90% I believe, I was sure that this book would end equally cozy as it had been for the whole duration. Some conflict was there, yes, but never truly bad consequences. Simply a "feel good book".
Alas, it was not to be.
And... honestly, the ending "conflict" and its resolution were... horribly executed. Instead of any sort of actual plan, the "solution" ends up being
Feels like her
I would have probably accepted it easier if
Honestly, at this point, why didn't they just kill him? It would have solved all their problems, he could never mistreat other people again and Sera would have kept her magic. Boom. (Certainly not less whimsical than permanent mutilation. For that's, in essence, what Sera did to herself.)
I don't know. The ending was really bittersweet (though more bitter than sweet, really) so in the end, the rating for the whole book suffered, since... well. The ending is what tends to stay in mind the longest, isn't it?
Quite a pity, for I truly loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. (Also, I somehow thought both books played in the same universe, but... I guess not? Or The Very Secret Society was taking place in a very different location as the vibes I got from the magic and everything were very different... and not really in a good way. Meh.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Classism
Minor: Child abuse