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caseythereader's review
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Grief, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
lauren_reads_outside's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-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
Be warned: the pacing on this book is a little wonky so if you're here for the sapphic witches, be patient! They're coming! They're worth it! So worth it!
If you stick through the world building vibes of regency girl doesn't want to get married and would rather frolic in the woods, and grandma whisks away for a sort of training sequences, you will be rewarded with not quite enemies to lovers sapphic yearning and pay off and big fight scenes.
The vibes in this book are immaculate and oh to be a yearning gay witch away on her farm giving spells to the nearby town.
I hope for sequels of the side characters! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
If you stick through the world building vibes of regency girl doesn't want to get married and would rather frolic in the woods, and grandma whisks away for a sort of training sequences, you will be rewarded with not quite enemies to lovers sapphic yearning and pay off and big fight scenes.
The vibes in this book are immaculate and oh to be a yearning gay witch away on her farm giving spells to the nearby town.
I hope for sequels of the side characters! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Miscarriage, Alcohol, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infertility, Torture, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
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
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