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lilifane's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this!
This was a lot more fun than I expected it would be, although there are some dark and difficult topics as well. Since I still don't read book descriptions, I didn't know what this would be about and was completely surprised.
I knew it was a female rage book, but I had no idea about the plot or themes. So this centers around 3 middle-aged women at the beginning of their menopause who discover a dead girl at the beach as well as some supernatural powers within themselves. With these powers, they try to solve the murder that no one else seems to take seriously and generally help out other women and take revenge on men, basically.
I did not expect a murder mystery to be part of the story and since I love those, I was pleasantly surprised. Thought, the mystery is kind of in the background of the plot for most of the time and is more of a plot device. I think it was rather predictable too, but I didn't mind because I cared more about the characters, themes and messages of the book.
I loooooved the characters. Not only the 3 protagonists but also their families and their dynamics. The way they talked to each other, to their daughters, to anyone around them really. The way they just stopped giving a f*** and took control over their lives. Amazing.
The plot was often interrupted by background stories of the women involved which showed how they were wronged by men in their lives one way or another. Usually these kinds of tangents would make me impatient or bring me out of a book completely, but I was enjoying the whole experience way too much here and couldn't put the book down. The misogynistic microaggressions also made me SO angry, because they felt so real. And it might feel like a lot or even extreme, but is it though? The way feminist themes are portrayed here is very on the nose, but it's also refreshing how unapologetic and direct they are handled.
I'm a peaceful person and I believe in peaceful solutions. But I get there are situations where peaceful doesn't accomplish anything. And it felt so good and cathartic to see these women reclaiming their power and taking revenge in such a satisfying way.
Loved the writing, loved witchy vibes, loved the humor. And the audiobook is excellent.
This was a lot more fun than I expected it would be, although there are some dark and difficult topics as well. Since I still don't read book descriptions, I didn't know what this would be about and was completely surprised.
I knew it was a female rage book, but I had no idea about the plot or themes. So this centers around 3 middle-aged women at the beginning of their menopause who discover a dead girl at the beach as well as some supernatural powers within themselves. With these powers, they try to solve the murder that no one else seems to take seriously and generally help out other women and take revenge on men, basically.
I did not expect a murder mystery to be part of the story and since I love those, I was pleasantly surprised. Thought, the mystery is kind of in the background of the plot for most of the time and is more of a plot device. I think it was rather predictable too, but I didn't mind because I cared more about the characters, themes and messages of the book.
I loooooved the characters. Not only the 3 protagonists but also their families and their dynamics. The way they talked to each other, to their daughters, to anyone around them really. The way they just stopped giving a f*** and took control over their lives. Amazing.
The plot was often interrupted by background stories of the women involved which showed how they were wronged by men in their lives one way or another. Usually these kinds of tangents would make me impatient or bring me out of a book completely, but I was enjoying the whole experience way too much here and couldn't put the book down. The misogynistic microaggressions also made me SO angry, because they felt so real. And it might feel like a lot or even extreme, but is it though? The way feminist themes are portrayed here is very on the nose, but it's also refreshing how unapologetic and direct they are handled.
I'm a peaceful person and I believe in peaceful solutions. But I get there are situations where peaceful doesn't accomplish anything. And it felt so good and cathartic to see these women reclaiming their power and taking revenge in such a satisfying way.
Loved the writing, loved witchy vibes, loved the humor. And the audiobook is excellent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Murder, Misogyny, Child death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Classism, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Infidelity, Rape, Confinement, Car accident, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, and Body shaming
lorahkay's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This book wants to be a feminist thriller but it often misses the mark. It’s clear the author has not confronted her own implicit beauty and size biases… so, while attempting to invoke post-menopausal bad-assery from her main characters, it’s frequently complicated by her seemingly subconscious devaluation of other women at the same time (e.g. one woman was making “bad” food choices; the same woman, abused and bulimic, would be “pretty again” if she addressed her “grey skin” and “thinning hair”; main characters are **worthy** because they work out and keep their bodies fit, and on and on the list goes quietly criticizing the woman in the background). The plot is mildly interesting but also seems to miss the mark. The ending was obvious from miles away. This book fell flat and kinda pissed me off, tbh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Torture, Trafficking, Murder, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child death, Misogyny, Police brutality, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Classism, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, and Fatphobia
Minor: Eating disorder
kmark's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Eating disorder, Rape, Child abuse, Death, Murder, and Kidnapping
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
I was very confused about the time line in this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Grief, Pedophilia, Rape, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Murder, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Classism, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Addiction, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Vomit, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual assault
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.75
First read of 2023 started off with a bang! I absolutely adored this feminist, witchy read. With multiple POVs, but mostly focused on Nessa, Harriet & Jo, I loved to hear their life experiences and yow they got to where they are now. The strength, power and pursuit of justice, a world where all women and girls can be safe was so beautifully crafted and inspiring, I just I did not want to put this book down. Plus, January LaVoy was incredible as a narrator. She has such a talent for distinguishing voices for each character in a way that is so immersive—my favourite narrator to date! I can’t recommend this magical realism revenge thriller enough & I really hope a sequel is in the works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Classism, Suicide, Rape, Misogyny, Trafficking, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Eating disorder, Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Car accident, Body shaming, Bullying, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
Iliblady0308's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
Loved this book - I’m surging with primal energy, raw power and rage. The trio and how the story unfolded kept me eager to know what happens next. I’d love a continuation of these characters. My only complaint was that all the bad-person deaths were fairly satisfying, but the one “orchestrator” one was super anticlimactic for me. Like really, Jyo just lights a few things on fire? All that power they showed she had the potential for and she didn’t really use it? And Harriet just watched? Boo. I wanted something more gruesome and symbolic, like the other deaths. . But overall I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Stalking
sophsg88's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Death
Minor: Suicide and Trafficking
kaseymkelley's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Rape
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I ended up really loving (by loving I mean I couldn’t put down) this mystery with three older women (who have gone through the change) and have mystical powers. One senses that there is a ghost in an area, and they arrive there to find a body. Surprisingly, even with a drawing of the child, no one can identify her. The women discover there are other children and when the police don’t offer much assistance, they take the case into their own hands.
This reminded me of a darker Murder She Wrote or a Charlie’s Angels, in which the women were calling their own shots, or maybe a nature-Ocean’s Eleven.
There are parts that are difficult to read though. There are times where I hated the way most of the men were portrayed. But then I thought, does it bother me this much when it’s women being portrayed similarly? And isn’t that the point of this novel, that sometimes men create their own world and women sometimes are invited to have a seat at the table. Unfortunately I still think this can be true today.
In our discussion with @lbtheloverofbooks, Kirsten Miller said “We need to change the narrative about being this age. It is one of the best times of our lives. Do younger women a huge favor and give them something to look forward to.” Laura Beth posted in our group that Kirsten Miller was doing a giveaway and I was lucky enough to get one. Miller was such a generous and fun guest.
I’m on fall break and had some time, but I pretty much read the book this afternoon. Once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down. The 470 pages went by a lot quicker than I thought they might.
There are definitely content warnings for this one, though.
“You’re saying you found a witch like Miss Ella?
I found two. A protector and a punisher.” P97
“‘Witch’ is the label society slaps on women it can’t understand or control.” P113
“Women are allowed everywhere these days. Golf courses, nudie bars, the Racquet and Tennis Club. It would be scandalous if we weren’t allowed. So instead, we’re just not invited.” P180
“The key to getting away with anything is convincing yourself that you’ve done nothing wrong.” P188
“Accept that what you find may be worse than you ever thought possible. And believe you possess the strength to see it.”
“Our lives are designed to have three parts. The first is education. The second, creation. And in part three, we put our experience to use and protect those who are weaker. This third stage, which you have entered, can be of incredible power.” P436
This reminded me of a darker Murder She Wrote or a Charlie’s Angels, in which the women were calling their own shots, or maybe a nature-Ocean’s Eleven.
There are parts that are difficult to read though. There are times where I hated the way most of the men were portrayed. But then I thought, does it bother me this much when it’s women being portrayed similarly? And isn’t that the point of this novel, that sometimes men create their own world and women sometimes are invited to have a seat at the table. Unfortunately I still think this can be true today.
In our discussion with @lbtheloverofbooks, Kirsten Miller said “We need to change the narrative about being this age. It is one of the best times of our lives. Do younger women a huge favor and give them something to look forward to.” Laura Beth posted in our group that Kirsten Miller was doing a giveaway and I was lucky enough to get one. Miller was such a generous and fun guest.
I’m on fall break and had some time, but I pretty much read the book this afternoon. Once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down. The 470 pages went by a lot quicker than I thought they might.
There are definitely content warnings for this one, though.
“You’re saying you found a witch like Miss Ella?
I found two. A protector and a punisher.” P97
“‘Witch’ is the label society slaps on women it can’t understand or control.” P113
“Women are allowed everywhere these days. Golf courses, nudie bars, the Racquet and Tennis Club. It would be scandalous if we weren’t allowed. So instead, we’re just not invited.” P180
“The key to getting away with anything is convincing yourself that you’ve done nothing wrong.” P188
“Accept that what you find may be worse than you ever thought possible. And believe you possess the strength to see it.”
“Our lives are designed to have three parts. The first is education. The second, creation. And in part three, we put our experience to use and protect those who are weaker. This third stage, which you have entered, can be of incredible power.” P436
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Child death, Murder, and Trafficking
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Violence
Minor: Eating disorder
sidekicksam's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
When murdered girls start calling to Nessa to find their bodies and their murderers, she teams up with Jo and Harriett to solve the mystery. All three women have newly discovered their powers and only together they can solve it.
It was fun to read a story about women in their forties/fifties who aren't having a mid-life/menopausal crisis, and the witchy element made it perfect for seasonal reading. I loved the friendships that blossomed in the search for justice, and the powers that the three women found were also cool (give me Harriett's garden please).
I will say that this book was not entirely it for me. Though it was interesting to meet more characters and histories, it would have served the story well to have let out a few and keep the pace of the story up. For me, the book lost some of its thrill and mystery because of its length.
Also, the general undertone of the book was very bitter. I work in a male-dominated field too, and I am very young, so I get the misogyny and the inequality in business. I would have preferred the writing to work it into the characters and their actions more subtly, not only to make the characters displaying such behaviour more interesting, but also to make the responding women come across as less sour, bitter and discarded women.
I'd recommend this to everyone who is into thrillers, witchy-themes/magical realism or who wants a spooky season read without having to sleep with the lights on for the rest of the month!
It was fun to read a story about women in their forties/fifties who aren't having a mid-life/menopausal crisis, and the witchy element made it perfect for seasonal reading. I loved the friendships that blossomed in the search for justice, and the powers that the three women found were also cool (give me Harriett's garden please).
I will say that this book was not entirely it for me. Though it was interesting to meet more characters and histories, it would have served the story well to have let out a few and keep the pace of the story up. For me, the book lost some of its thrill and mystery because of its length.
Also, the general undertone of the book was very bitter. I work in a male-dominated field too, and I am very young, so I get the misogyny and the inequality in business. I would have preferred the writing to work it into the characters and their actions more subtly, not only to make the characters displaying such behaviour more interesting, but also to make the responding women come across as less sour, bitter and discarded women.
I'd recommend this to everyone who is into thrillers, witchy-themes/magical realism or who wants a spooky season read without having to sleep with the lights on for the rest of the month!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Misogyny, Death, Murder, and Child death