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sabrina_riegler's review against another edition
4.25
This is a gothic, witchy and atmospheric novel with deep connections to nature and sprinkles of magical realism. Beautifully written, captivating and thought provoking.
WARNING: Books don't often come with content warnings, but this one should.
graphic rape, abuse, pregnancy (including unwanted), pregnancy loss, miscarriage, abortion, deadly injury, persecution, humiliation/forced nakedness, suicidal ideation and almost attempt
Graphic: Rape, Abortion, Domestic abuse, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent, Miscarriage, Child death, and Sexual assault
Minor: Body shaming, Car accident, and Suicidal thoughts
weyheyitsrachel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book follows three Weyward family women: Altha, Violet, and Kate; and each POV is set in a different time period: 1600s, 1940s, 2019 respectively. I thought it added a nice touch to the story, although I found myself not super interested in Violet's storyline. I found her storyline to be a bit flat (although it was heartbreaking) compared to Altha's and Kate's. I also wish we got to learn more about our main characters in general. I feel like they all needed a little bit more oomph for me to care about them, but I also felt like I just couldn't relate to any of them which could be why I didn't find them super interesting.
I did like the overall message of the story, and it was told well. I enjoyed Hart's writing style. There is a lot of emotion behind it. I liked that all the main characters were strong females and we got to see how they overcame traumas and abuse. (But the bugs... oh my goodness, so many bugs, it gave me the creeps.)
Overall, I would recommend this book if you enjoy magical realism, historical fiction, and strong female main characters. It's very character-driven. But please look up trigger warnings before diving into this one.
Graphic: Abortion, Miscarriage, Rape, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Child death and Child abuse
lmatthysse's review
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Abortion
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
desiredisasters's review against another edition
- 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
Minor: Child death, Physical abuse, and Miscarriage
readingonthefly's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Dementia, Miscarriage, Blood, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Abortion, Death, Alcohol, Child death, Confinement, Physical abuse, Rape, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Incest, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
sperpe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Very interesting premise and very interconnected story. It is heavily character driven, told by the point of view of three women throughout history. I felt like two of the characters are quite similar (it is, of course, part of the story, as it is a tale of family lineage), but I would have liked to see a little bit more differentiation, especially between Violet and Kate, whose stories are also quite similar. The crescendo is well done; there is a lot of foreshadowing of every plot point throughout the entire story (maybe a bit too much sometimes). I felt sometimes the connections were a bit overexplained. Also, the "magic" portion of the story is way less prominent than the discussion of the patriarchal and misogynist structured society women are forced to live in: I would have preferred a more balanced storytelling.
Trigger Warnings (or lack of)
I really didn't like the lack of trigger warning / the way this book was marketed, at least in Italy. There is no mention of the heavy description of domestic violence and gender violence that is literally in the entire book, so if you are reading this review consider yourself warned.
Style
The writing style is quite flexible, easy to read as it isn't particularly elaborate.
Graphic: Abortion, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Rape, Incest, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, and Child death
tiernanalexandria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It’s a face paced read with the characters changing between 3 lovable women every chapter. Every chapter felt thrilling and exciting, at moments we rapidly held our breath, others we slowly breathed in dust. We loved, raged, cried, and felt with these characters.
It really was just generally well written.
Definitely a story about finding the power within ourselves and not letting anyone take that away (especially women).
Graphic: Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Abortion, and Rape
Minor: Misogyny, Child death, Blood, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
fruitwash's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexism, Bullying, Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Child death, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Blood, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
oceanxbluess's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Suicide, Sexual assault, Blood, Domestic abuse, Child death, Death, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Cancer
megankriegel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Rape, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Abortion, Blood, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Emotional abuse, Child death, Alcohol, Incest, Death, Animal cruelty, Car accident, Grief, Miscarriage, and Murder