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metaphorsandmisc's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, Animal death, and Blood
Minor: Miscarriage and Confinement
cloverbeee's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
Boring fanfic unsuccessfully turned into a full novel. About 75% of the way through, I was very tempted to start redacting lines and editing as I read.
Look elsewhere for cozy moments of character development and unrequited longing, here you get exposition dumps, zero worldbuilding, flat unlikeable characters and you'll like it.
Look elsewhere for cozy moments of character development and unrequited longing, here you get exposition dumps, zero worldbuilding, flat unlikeable characters and you'll like it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Miscarriage
klbreyfogle's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
I was really looking forward to reading this book and it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. There were some pacing issues, especially in the first third of the book when it was really slow. And it’s a LOT of inside Mari’s head, which isn’t the most interesting place to be (she’s pretty fixated on her dislike of her life and of love). It’s a slow burn without being a slow burn - the romance develops quickly but they don’t actually meet until like halfway through the book. The second half of the book is much better than the first half, though! The romance is sweet, although the plot twist is predictable. (Read with an ARC on NetGalley)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Death
Minor: Death of parent
atthelibrarywithmegan's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I received a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was in such a deep reading slump and I picked this ARC on a whim, hoping it would pull me out. Spoiler alert: it did! I’d mostly forgotten what the plot to THE HONEY WITCH was, so I briefly skimmed over it. I had no idea it was a queer book, but looking back, the blurb definitely clues you in on that little tidbit. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised when I realized it.
Before I get into the bones of the story, I want to touch on the queerness of the book. There were no big over explanations to why someone was queer, why that woman had been with men and women, why someone’s preference was the way it was. Everyone simply just existed and I absolutely love when a novel/series does that.
You enter Marigold’s world of Bardshire where she has twin siblings who are incredibly talented, and she is not. She is the odd one, the one with no talent, the one trying to find her place in the world. After a night under the full moon, when the veil is thin, she ends up being surprised by her grandmother and learns the family secret: she comes from a line of honey witches. The only catch; no one can fall in love with a honey witch. Since Marigold is adamant that she doesn’t want to become “just a wife,” she jumps at the chance to be whisked away to Innsfree and begin her training.
In Innsfree, Marigold’s grandmother, Althea, teaches her the way of the honey witch and leaves her with her legacy. Now enter August - a childhood friend whom Marigold is so glad to reconnect with - and Lottie Burke, August’s best friend. An impossible girl who refers to magic/witchcraft as “mythcraft.” Marigold does all that she can to convince Lottie that magic is in fact real. Can she do it? Can Marigold break the curse on honey witches, and can she protect Innsfree in the meantime? You’ll just have to read THE HONEY WITCH when it comes out in May!
This was a solid 3 star read for me. I enjoyed it very much, and will be recommending it, but I’m not sure it’ll find a home on my shelf. That is to be determined by how much I think about it in the coming months.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Death, fire/fire injury, grief, miscarriage, confinement, sexual content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Miscarriage, and Blood
Minor: Death of parent and Death
likeagilmoregirl's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
If you were to mix the perfect amount of cozy fantasy, a healthy dash of high-stakes magic, and a sprinkle of sapphic spice into a cauldron, the outcome would be The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields.
Filled with passages that speak to the souls of women who long to run free, The Honey Witch is a story of self-discovery and self-acceptance. The protagonist, Marigold feels trapped in a society she does not fit into with a family that does not understand her, but loves her nonetheless. With the desire to be her true self, she sacrifices the life she knows and the possibility of true love to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps as a Honey Witch, counterpart to the Ash Witches.
With a threat looming above her new home and an impossible girl challenging her curse to be alone forever, Marigold must find the strength within herself to save her home and find true freedom once and for all.
I absolutely loved reading this book! The characters are lovable and have well-defined personalities and characteristics. I found myself wishing that I could spend more time following their adventures before this story was even done. And the world around them was colorful and exciting. I enjoyed every second, even when I was sobbing my eyes out.
The only critique I could possibly insert here is that, at times, the dialogue or inner monologue of the characters felt a little cheesy and out of place. But I’ve accepted much worse from other favorite books. Who of us isn’t a little cheesy from time to time?
Marigold and friends hold a very special place in my heart and I cannot wait to read more by this author.
*Huge thanks to NetGalley, Sydney J. Shields, and Redhook Books for providing me with the ARC e-book version of The Honey Witch for honest review*
Filled with passages that speak to the souls of women who long to run free, The Honey Witch is a story of self-discovery and self-acceptance. The protagonist, Marigold feels trapped in a society she does not fit into with a family that does not understand her, but loves her nonetheless. With the desire to be her true self, she sacrifices the life she knows and the possibility of true love to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps as a Honey Witch, counterpart to the Ash Witches.
With a threat looming above her new home and an impossible girl challenging her curse to be alone forever, Marigold must find the strength within herself to save her home and find true freedom once and for all.
I absolutely loved reading this book! The characters are lovable and have well-defined personalities and characteristics. I found myself wishing that I could spend more time following their adventures before this story was even done. And the world around them was colorful and exciting. I enjoyed every second, even when I was sobbing my eyes out.
The only critique I could possibly insert here is that, at times, the dialogue or inner monologue of the characters felt a little cheesy and out of place. But I’ve accepted much worse from other favorite books. Who of us isn’t a little cheesy from time to time?
Marigold and friends hold a very special place in my heart and I cannot wait to read more by this author.
*Huge thanks to NetGalley, Sydney J. Shields, and Redhook Books for providing me with the ARC e-book version of The Honey Witch for honest review*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content
bookishpip's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
What a stunning debut. I saw this book on a Goodreads ‘anticipated books in 2024’ list and was lucky enough to be granted early access (thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the EARC!).
Honestly, this book truly did not disappoint. I was completely hooked from the beginning and fell completely under the spell of The Honey Witch’s story. It was a beautifully written and cosy read, but equally did not shy away from some tough subject matter such as grief and loneliness. It’s some of the most introspective writing I’ve seen in a debut, with a wonderfully balanced mixture of character building, world building and social commentary.
Generally I’m not hugely into romance novels and I’d be hesitant to label this book as such, but there is a beautiful love story intertwined with the overarching story themes without ever feeling like too much.
I don’t want to say too much and risk spoilers, but if you’re a fan of cosy witchy books, this is absolutely for you. I’d definitely recommend. All of the stars.
Honestly, this book truly did not disappoint. I was completely hooked from the beginning and fell completely under the spell of The Honey Witch’s story. It was a beautifully written and cosy read, but equally did not shy away from some tough subject matter such as grief and loneliness. It’s some of the most introspective writing I’ve seen in a debut, with a wonderfully balanced mixture of character building, world building and social commentary.
Generally I’m not hugely into romance novels and I’d be hesitant to label this book as such, but there is a beautiful love story intertwined with the overarching story themes without ever feeling like too much.
I don’t want to say too much and risk spoilers, but if you’re a fan of cosy witchy books, this is absolutely for you. I’d definitely recommend. All of the stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
rebeccathorne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I was delighted to receive an ARC of this book! No spoilers in this review.
Marigold knows she doesn't belong in high society--not with honey witch magic in her blood. When her grandmother, Althea, offers to whisk her to a magical island filled with bees, nature spirits, and solitude, she instantly accepts. But Marigold doesn't understand the extent of a honey witch's curse... that she's destined to be alone, lonely, forever.
Until Lottie, that is...
This book was a breath of fresh air. It felt like Bridgerton, but a Bridgerton mixed with magic, spells, and intense love and loss. Althea was honestly one of my favorite characters--she reminded me so much of my own grandparents, although significantly less sassy. She was the supportive grandma we all want, and her magic alone made me want to flee to Innisfree with Marigold.
The romance happened pretty fast for my taste, but I'm a slow burn fan, so that doesn't really surprise me. I did love Lottie's personality, and August was an absolute delight. All the characters felt so real to me, and the lyrical writing style made this a fast, immensely enjoyable read!
It even has some very creepy undertones that kept the pages turning faster and faster towards the end of the book. Damn. Great stuff!
Overall, highly recommend THE HONEY WITCH. What a stunning debut by author Sydney J. Shields! Congrats on the upcoming release!
Marigold knows she doesn't belong in high society--not with honey witch magic in her blood. When her grandmother, Althea, offers to whisk her to a magical island filled with bees, nature spirits, and solitude, she instantly accepts. But Marigold doesn't understand the extent of a honey witch's curse... that she's destined to be alone, lonely, forever.
Until Lottie, that is...
This book was a breath of fresh air. It felt like Bridgerton, but a Bridgerton mixed with magic, spells, and intense love and loss. Althea was honestly one of my favorite characters--she reminded me so much of my own grandparents, although significantly less sassy. She was the supportive grandma we all want, and her magic alone made me want to flee to Innisfree with Marigold.
The romance happened pretty fast for my taste, but I'm a slow burn fan, so that doesn't really surprise me. I did love Lottie's personality, and August was an absolute delight. All the characters felt so real to me, and the lyrical writing style made this a fast, immensely enjoyable read!
It even has some very creepy undertones that kept the pages turning faster and faster towards the end of the book. Damn. Great stuff!
Overall, highly recommend THE HONEY WITCH. What a stunning debut by author Sydney J. Shields! Congrats on the upcoming release!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Physical abuse
Minor: Grief and Miscarriage
This book is mostly cozy, but does have some darker instances as the story progresses. The Ash Witch is a very violent villain, so be prepared for the content warnings above!
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