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apandabearcub's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gore
kimwritesstuff's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.0
First off, I love a gay witch story, give me more. The characters in this book were so lovable in that frustrating "just kiss" kind of way. When we first meet Marigold, she is convinced she'll be a spinster and she's fine with that. She wants to dance in the fields and scream at the moon, things a proper wife wouldn't do. When her estranged grandmother shows up and tells Marigold she's a honey witch, Marigold finally feels like she fits.
Of course, there is a curse, a curse that an ash witch placed on her family. No one can ever love a honey witch. At first, Marigold doesn't really care. She never thought she'd marry anyway, but when her grandmother passes and she must take care of their magical island herself, she realizes how lonely she is. When her childhood friend August comes to visit and brings the sullen Lottie, Marigold realizes how lonely she's been. When Lottie states she doesn't believe in magic, Marigold jumps at the chance to prove herself by helping August find true love. The process of making the spell reveals more to Marigold about what it means to love and the price magic can take.
The whole book takes place in an alternative England, where queer love in the 19th century is more accepted. August, Lottie, and Marigold are all queer characters, and even though this is more accepted, there is still a lot of societal pressure on women. Women are supposed to engage in womanly pursuits and marry. This part of the world building kind of stuck out to me. I get that the author was using this as an allegory to explore how repressed women are in society, but it just felt heavy-handed to me. It was the only part that really took me out of the story. Why would gay partnerships be okay, but women were still second-class citizens? I just felt like there could have been some loosening of society's corset when it came to the mobility of women.
Honestly, that was the only part of this book I didn't love. I thought it was fun; I loved the idea of honey and ash being opposing forces. The love story was angsty and sweet. I do wish the last chapter was a little longer; the ending felt rushed. I would definitely recommend this book; it's a fun Sapphic read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook for the e-arc, all opinions are my own.
Of course, there is a curse, a curse that an ash witch placed on her family. No one can ever love a honey witch. At first, Marigold doesn't really care. She never thought she'd marry anyway, but when her grandmother passes and she must take care of their magical island herself, she realizes how lonely she is. When her childhood friend August comes to visit and brings the sullen Lottie, Marigold realizes how lonely she's been. When Lottie states she doesn't believe in magic, Marigold jumps at the chance to prove herself by helping August find true love. The process of making the spell reveals more to Marigold about what it means to love and the price magic can take.
The whole book takes place in an alternative England, where queer love in the 19th century is more accepted. August, Lottie, and Marigold are all queer characters, and even though this is more accepted, there is still a lot of societal pressure on women. Women are supposed to engage in womanly pursuits and marry. This part of the world building kind of stuck out to me. I get that the author was using this as an allegory to explore how repressed women are in society, but it just felt heavy-handed to me. It was the only part that really took me out of the story. Why would gay partnerships be okay, but women were still second-class citizens? I just felt like there could have been some loosening of society's corset when it came to the mobility of women.
Honestly, that was the only part of this book I didn't love. I thought it was fun; I loved the idea of honey and ash being opposing forces. The love story was angsty and sweet. I do wish the last chapter was a little longer; the ending felt rushed. I would definitely recommend this book; it's a fun Sapphic read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook for the e-arc, all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content and Grief
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