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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I wanted to enjoy this so much more than I did, and I think I perhaps didn’t savor it with enough patience, but I was a little dissatisfied with the ending. It was creepy and chilling and very atmospheric, but I think lacked enough narrative drive to keep me super engaged.
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a bit slow for me, and only really picked up once the main character reached adulthood. However, the scenes are all beautiful and haunting, even if they are slow. The characters are all very realistic; even as children they are believable. The strongest thing about this book is how it makes you feel: you are completely on that quiet island with the characters, feeling mysterious and witchy and a little sad.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse
Minor: Sexual assault
In relation to content warnings:
A major character and a side character are bullied for their looks and for being 'different'.
The main characters are shut in a basement as punishment by their father but no adult is physically violent to them.
A character mentions that they were sexually assaulted, but this is a very minor part of the plot and not graphic at all. However, the assaulters go completely unpunished and the victim gets in trouble for trying to take her own revenge which could be upsetting to some.
There is a dog, a family pet, and its fate is a mystery for a bit. The outcome is that it does not die! It is in danger for a bit, and later revealed to have been purposefully put in that danger by a character, but it is all okay in the end.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What I noticed and loved the most was the setting and how well the author describes the land and where this study takes place, building a world through writing. The story itself is also pretty darn good; you learn of a dark family secret in a strange twist while also learning more about the accused and murdered witches generations earlier and the secret and cursed island called The Blue Maiden where the Devil himself dances. If you’re looking for a dark family gothic tale interwoven with secrets and witches, here you go!
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
This didn’t quite do it for me unfortunately. I enjoy stories with more of a plot. Some of the time jumps seemed a little rushed. The cover is absolutely beautiful though!!
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was terrible. The book's description was like clickbait, and the first section was a teaser trailer. Everything after that was confusing and borderline boring. There are too many plot holes, and a lot of it just seemed like pointless rambling. I couldn't make sense of what was part of the actual story vs. someone's dreams or sleepwalking experiences. If you are expecting to find a story about witches, witchcraft, magick, or any substantial amount of time spent on that Blue Maiden island, you'll be disappointed.
Do not recommend.
Do not recommend.
