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booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
2.75
Perfect for fans of Bridgerton sprinkled with the vibes of Halloweentown and a dash of coziness.
Thank you orbit/redhook for an advance reader copy!
ShieId's debut was trying to do many things, some well and some not. I loved the magic system of the Honey and Ash witches, it was so cool how each type works both together and with nature. I also loved the grumpy/sunshine romance dynamic.
What I personally don't think worked is the pacing, and voice of the novel. It started off very well, then sadly dragged for almost 150 pages till it really peaked my interest again. With the voicing of the book, when in the village of Bardshire there is a certain tone the author uses, while in Innisfree there is another. Which may be what was intended, but again in my personal opinion was a bit hard to read and follow while reading.
I would have loved to see the ending fleshed out a bit more. But overall I think this book is going to find it's people and so many will love and enjoy it.
Thank you orbit/redhook for an advance reader copy!
ShieId's debut was trying to do many things, some well and some not. I loved the magic system of the Honey and Ash witches, it was so cool how each type works both together and with nature. I also loved the grumpy/sunshine romance dynamic.
What I personally don't think worked is the pacing, and voice of the novel. It started off very well, then sadly dragged for almost 150 pages till it really peaked my interest again. With the voicing of the book, when in the village of Bardshire there is a certain tone the author uses, while in Innisfree there is another. Which may be what was intended, but again in my personal opinion was a bit hard to read and follow while reading.
I would have loved to see the ending fleshed out a bit more. But overall I think this book is going to find it's people and so many will love and enjoy it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Grief, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Miscarriage, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture
readwithria's review
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Honey Witch is a sweet fantasy debut that was, unfortunately, not my favorite cup of tea.
I really liked the writing style for the most part, but the pacing of the book was not what I prefer. I like a plot-heavy book with strong character development, and this was mostly a slow book where the characters stayed mostly the same and the plot fell to the wayside until the last 10-15%.
I also found that it was easy to forget that this book is set in the 1830s. I think the goal was for Innesfree to feel distinct from Bardshire, but instead of feeling different in atmosphere they felt different in time period.
I also struggled to see the connection between Mari and Lottie. I think this is partly because of Mari’s curse; but I wanted more chemistry between them.
All in all, this book was cozy but not for me. I hope other readers have a stronger connection to the book. 3 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook for providing an early copy and the opportunity to leave an honest, voluntary review.
I really liked the writing style for the most part, but the pacing of the book was not what I prefer. I like a plot-heavy book with strong character development, and this was mostly a slow book where the characters stayed mostly the same and the plot fell to the wayside until the last 10-15%.
I also found that it was easy to forget that this book is set in the 1830s. I think the goal was for Innesfree to feel distinct from Bardshire, but instead of feeling different in atmosphere they felt different in time period.
I also struggled to see the connection between Mari and Lottie. I think this is partly because of Mari’s curse; but I wanted more chemistry between them.
All in all, this book was cozy but not for me. I hope other readers have a stronger connection to the book. 3 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook for providing an early copy and the opportunity to leave an honest, voluntary review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual content
lila_still_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.0
The Honey Witch is an imperfect but very sweet sapphic Regency romantasy about a young witch falling for a terse young woman who doesn’t believe in magic, all while a decades long magical feud threatens them all. It’s really nice- despite some criticism, I’d still recommend it as a book to read in springtime while sipping lemonade out in a park somewhere.
I really appreciated the familial relationships, especially between women, in this book. Marigold begins the story quite convinced that she’s “not like other girls” and the way her grandmother helped her both love her own version of womanhood while also recognizing the legitimacy and value of women who chose to live more ‘traditional’ lives was very sweet and felt true to coming-of-age. Yes, Marigold is a bit insufferable in the first few chapters, but I think that’s the point; Marigold doesn’t fit into the traditional mode of womanhood and thus pushes back out of lack of self-confidence. Her grandmother helps her recognize her own power and as Marigold grows into herself, Shields does a great job of making me come to love her. Marigold’s relationship with her mother is more complex and I loved it- their dynamic reminded me a lot of mine with my own grandmother, and I love that Shields lets Marigold’s mother make mistakes and still be able to seek redemption and love her daughter. I love my grandmother and Shields’s love and grief at losing her own reads through the story in such a beautiful way.
I also loved the way magic was depicted in the story. The need for balance between honey and ash was thematically relevant and the use of bees was honestly adorable. I just love honey bees. I liked the mixture of recipes that felt akin to the type of herbal medicine women historically did provide in small communities like Innisfree (especially around reproduction) and the more clearly magical elements. It was nice, small scale, and felt grounded by the toll magic could take on Marigold.
I liked Lottie as well, but this is where some of my more mixed opinions come in. Firstly, there’s a ‘twist’ involving Lottie that I called almost as soon as she arrived. It was very frustrating watching Marigold- who has shown herself to not be an idiot- be so oblivious to not one, but two, aspects of Lottie’s character. Lottie has an excuse to not notice because she begins the story firmly not believing in magic, but Marigold has no excuse. I think moving the reveal a little earlier would make the story a little less frustrating and leave room for more Lottie angst based on the discovery.
Most of the love in the story felt a little fast, but I did enjoy a certain side romance that developed despite this. I felt Lottie’s character in romantic scenes shifted a bit from her character outside of them- and having the romantic lead “growl” is just a personal pet peeve- but aspects of her and Marigold’s dynamic transferred very well.
In the end, a book I still enjoyed but that could have been so much better if Marigold and Lottie weren’t made to act stupidly a couple times in order for the plot to happen. I think Shields could have done this and it actually would have improved the pacing as well, so it’s just a bit frustrating. Still, a soft recommend for the magic system, depiction of friendships/familial bonds between women, and Lottie and Marigold being cute idiots at least!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Fire/Fire injury
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
percys_panda_pillow_pet's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
First of all, I must thank NetGalley and Redhook Books for the chance to read this arc!
Let's start with the positives! I was really looking forward to this book ever since I saw the author advertise it on Instagram with the pitch of "Sapphic Howl's Moving Castle", and if you've seen my recent review of Howl's Moving Castle and know me at all, you'd know that's right up my alley haha. Though I am personally not a huge romance fan, occasionally I make exceptions for premises that intrigue me and this did not disappoint. I loved the unique idea and setting. I was really into the background lore of witches in this world and how their magic worked, especially Honey Witch magic, which I just thought was so cool and inventive to be based on the honey bees make. All the relationships were fantastic, romantic, platonic, and familial. My favorite was definitely Lottie and Marigold's relationship. The tension and development were great and I loved the gradual shift from frosty acquaintances to steamy lovers.
I also have to mention that throughout the book I could see the inspiration from Howl's Moving Castle but the story was totally its own thing. As well, I loved the little nod of Lottie sort of taking the role of Sophie, when in the original story (as well as the movie) Sophie had a sister named Lottie. It was a nice Easter egg for fans of both.
Now into the critique. I want to preface that this is a debut from a first-time published author and that will affect my critique as such. One cannot expect a new author to publish a perfectly crafted novel. That said, the writing is a bit amateurish and clumsy at times. The pacing was a bit jarring for me in the first section or so where there is a lot of introduction and exposition. However, the story finds its flow when all that is done with, and the romantic plot starts to develop. This is where the book shines and I could not put it down, at least until the climax where I suddenly decided to put it down and wait a couple more days before finishing the book. I'm honestly not sure why, except that perhaps the writing took me out of the story a little. I still came back and finished it gladly, though!
Overall, I think this is a fantastic debut! I know some people might read this, then look at my rating and critique and go "huh?" However, the mark of a good writer is room for improvement and I see a lot of that in this novel. Like I said, don't expect a first-time debut to be the next Shakespeare, because it never will be. But I can see where Shields has worked hard to develop this story into what it is. She has put so much love and labor into this and credit goes where credit is due. I'm honestly super excited for what she might put out next. I genuinely hope I haven't put anyone off of reading this if you were excited for it like I was. The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields is magical, whimsical, a bit dark at times, romantic, and steamy and a really good read if you enjoy all of the above.
Let's start with the positives! I was really looking forward to this book ever since I saw the author advertise it on Instagram with the pitch of "Sapphic Howl's Moving Castle", and if you've seen my recent review of Howl's Moving Castle and know me at all, you'd know that's right up my alley haha. Though I am personally not a huge romance fan, occasionally I make exceptions for premises that intrigue me and this did not disappoint. I loved the unique idea and setting. I was really into the background lore of witches in this world and how their magic worked, especially Honey Witch magic, which I just thought was so cool and inventive to be based on the honey bees make. All the relationships were fantastic, romantic, platonic, and familial. My favorite was definitely Lottie and Marigold's relationship. The tension and development were great and I loved the gradual shift from frosty acquaintances to steamy lovers.
I also have to mention that throughout the book I could see the inspiration from Howl's Moving Castle but the story was totally its own thing. As well, I loved the little nod of Lottie sort of taking the role of Sophie, when in the original story (as well as the movie) Sophie had a sister named Lottie. It was a nice Easter egg for fans of both.
Now into the critique. I want to preface that this is a debut from a first-time published author and that will affect my critique as such. One cannot expect a new author to publish a perfectly crafted novel. That said, the writing is a bit amateurish and clumsy at times. The pacing was a bit jarring for me in the first section or so where there is a lot of introduction and exposition. However, the story finds its flow when all that is done with, and the romantic plot starts to develop. This is where the book shines and I could not put it down, at least until the climax where I suddenly decided to put it down and wait a couple more days before finishing the book. I'm honestly not sure why, except that perhaps the writing took me out of the story a little. I still came back and finished it gladly, though!
Overall, I think this is a fantastic debut! I know some people might read this, then look at my rating and critique and go "huh?" However, the mark of a good writer is room for improvement and I see a lot of that in this novel. Like I said, don't expect a first-time debut to be the next Shakespeare, because it never will be. But I can see where Shields has worked hard to develop this story into what it is. She has put so much love and labor into this and credit goes where credit is due. I'm honestly super excited for what she might put out next. I genuinely hope I haven't put anyone off of reading this if you were excited for it like I was. The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields is magical, whimsical, a bit dark at times, romantic, and steamy and a really good read if you enjoy all of the above.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Blood, Grief, Confinement, Death, Abortion, and Sexual content
cassidy_rain's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
First of, thank you to NetGalley and Redhook books for the opportunity to read this early in exchange for an honest review. This book is set to be published May 14, 2024.
This book felt like Bridgerton meets witches and ✨magic✨. I love the cover and the vibes. Overall I thought it was a very cute and cozy read! That said, there are some heavier topics and events as well, so do check triggers.
Description: Marigold never really felt like she belonged amongst her siblings and peers, going to fancy balls and waiting to be courted and married. Her grandmother shows up after fifteen years of absence and drops a bombshell on Marigold- she's a witch, a Honey Witch to be exact. Innisfree, the magical island where Marigold's grandmother lives is under attack from a rival witch. There's just one catch, becoming a Honey Witch leaves a curse behind, where one is not able to ever fall in love. Marigold must decide if the risk is worth it and if she will leave behind everything she knows to train in honey witchcraft and protect her legacy.
The overall storytelling is done really well. I think it's a unique take on your traditional witch story/romance. The writing is very descriptive and I felt very immersed in the story while I was reading. It was really easy to picture what the different cities and landscapes looked like and how the magic system worked. A lot of care went in to setting up the story. The Honey Witches are essentially healers, they use different potions for different ailments (as well as some fun spells too!). Each spell has it's own ingredients and reasonings for using it and it feels realistic in that sense. I love the softness to it, to think that Marigold is so powerful, but uses it to help her community. The story is very female empowering and has strong themes of choice sprinkled throughout.
I really liked the two main characters, Marigold and Lottie. Lottie is a character that has a lot of pain and baggage and lashes out to those around her, but I feel for her and enjoyed her character development. The grandmother, Althea, was also an amazing character. However, I did not feel very invested in any of the other characters. I did not like the pairing of August and Frankie. I understand this is a magical fantasy world, but their relationship was very insta-lovey and too coincidental and unnecessary.
Some of the dialogue between characters felt a bit cheesy and the ending felt a bit rushed. The bulk of the story is pretty tame and low-stakes, and then the ending is fast and intense. Overall, I think it's a fun story and a really strong debut novel!
I think you'll like this if you're a fan of soft, magical stories- such as Divine Rivals and The Ex Hex.
The big tropes are:
-forbidden love
-found family
-there's even a late night, one-room-left-at-the-inn scene....
-LGBTQIA+
This book felt like Bridgerton meets witches and ✨magic✨. I love the cover and the vibes. Overall I thought it was a very cute and cozy read! That said, there are some heavier topics and events as well, so do check triggers.
Description: Marigold never really felt like she belonged amongst her siblings and peers, going to fancy balls and waiting to be courted and married. Her grandmother shows up after fifteen years of absence and drops a bombshell on Marigold- she's a witch, a Honey Witch to be exact. Innisfree, the magical island where Marigold's grandmother lives is under attack from a rival witch. There's just one catch, becoming a Honey Witch leaves a curse behind, where one is not able to ever fall in love. Marigold must decide if the risk is worth it and if she will leave behind everything she knows to train in honey witchcraft and protect her legacy.
The overall storytelling is done really well. I think it's a unique take on your traditional witch story/romance. The writing is very descriptive and I felt very immersed in the story while I was reading. It was really easy to picture what the different cities and landscapes looked like and how the magic system worked. A lot of care went in to setting up the story. The Honey Witches are essentially healers, they use different potions for different ailments (as well as some fun spells too!). Each spell has it's own ingredients and reasonings for using it and it feels realistic in that sense. I love the softness to it, to think that Marigold is so powerful, but uses it to help her community. The story is very female empowering and has strong themes of choice sprinkled throughout.
I really liked the two main characters, Marigold and Lottie. Lottie is a character that has a lot of pain and baggage and lashes out to those around her, but I feel for her and enjoyed her character development. The grandmother, Althea, was also an amazing character. However, I did not feel very invested in any of the other characters.
Some of the dialogue between characters felt a bit cheesy and the ending felt a bit rushed. The bulk of the story is pretty tame and low-stakes, and then the ending is fast and intense. Overall, I think it's a fun story and a really strong debut novel!
I think you'll like this if you're a fan of soft, magical stories- such as Divine Rivals and The Ex Hex.
The big tropes are:
-forbidden love
-found family
-there's even a late night, one-room-left-at-the-inn scene....
-LGBTQIA+
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Minor: Confinement and Miscarriage
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!