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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Recommend! There was a lot to like here in the characters, storyline, and writing.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
The first time we are introduced to Agnes, her breasts are mentioned a few times, which I thought was weird, and then milk drips through her dress from her nipples to fall on the pavement and she realizes she must be pregnant. Literally wtf, that is not how that works. It made no sense, pulled me out of the story, and annoyed me so much. It did not get better. This book was angry and disjointed and I stopped at 100 pages because I did not want to waste my time
I was completely captivated by the world Alix E. Harrow created in The Once and Future Witches. This alternative universe takes familiar fairy tales and gives them a deeper meaning, where women aren’t waiting for knights in shining armor but are their own heroines. The timing felt especially relevant with election season upon us, and you can’t convince me that Gideon Hill doesn’t resemble a certain former president trying to get reelected. I came across a summary that described Hill as a "conservative politician who opposes magic and women’s rights." Sounds like someone to me (ahem, 45).
I loved how Harrow weaves women’s suffrage into witchcraft, highlighting the fear of strong, powerful women that has run through history. Maybe it’s time to see more of these powerful heroines step up in real life—who’s to say it’s not time for a woman to take the top job?
I’d recommend this book to all women; it might open some eyes to any Gideon Hill's keeping them down.
I loved how Harrow weaves women’s suffrage into witchcraft, highlighting the fear of strong, powerful women that has run through history. Maybe it’s time to see more of these powerful heroines step up in real life—who’s to say it’s not time for a woman to take the top job?
I’d recommend this book to all women; it might open some eyes to any Gideon Hill's keeping them down.
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
A fine book, I found it tediously slow in the beginning especially since we all knew where it was going to end up, but I did greatly enjoy the final third
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The first two parts felt a bit slow, but past that the story really takes off. Love the numerous nursery rhymes and stories brought into it.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The only thing missing for me was a slightly faster pacing, especially in the first third.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail