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ghostlyprince's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Animal death, Body horror, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol and Kidnapping
chris10b's review against another edition
4.0
Probably more of a 3.5, but I'm feeling generous so rounding up.
Considering this is a book I simply started because it was something that was actually available on Libby, it wasn't half bad. Definitely some fluff, eye rolling moments, but overall, the story was interesting and I enjoyed it. Of course, I'm always game for a good ghost/legend/horror kinda story.
Considering this is a book I simply started because it was something that was actually available on Libby, it wasn't half bad. Definitely some fluff, eye rolling moments, but overall, the story was interesting and I enjoyed it. Of course, I'm always game for a good ghost/legend/horror kinda story.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I have received this ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
The Bitterwine Oath has been sitting on my kindle patiently waiting for me to open it's beautiful pages. After finally doing so, I will admit that it had it's creepy moments. The whole wardens vs wood walkers was definitely interesting and I had suspicious feelings about certain people throughout the entire book.
All I can say is that I was finally right. My creepy vibes were true and I was so happy that I kept to them instead of being distracted by something shiny and new. So in this book, you will meet Nat. She is a descendent of a pretty powerful witch and is sort of recruited to join their little cult/gang.
Sort of because it didn't seem like her grandmother wanted it to happen.. and she was kind of forced to do it. After this, things started to confuse me for a bit. It's like someone who say or do something that just caught me off guard and I would let it simmer on my mind until I came to a decision on them.
I wont go into great detail about who I was questioning and why but, again, I am so proud that I was right! I will say that this might tug on some heart strings and it will give a sort of okay fight scene at the end. Honestly, it was just okay but the entire book was pretty good and I couldn't put it down.
In the end, I'm very happy that I got this ARC and was able to fall in love with some witchy characters. Also, can I borrow Nat's dogs or something? Or get one of those wonderful cupcakes?
The Bitterwine Oath has been sitting on my kindle patiently waiting for me to open it's beautiful pages. After finally doing so, I will admit that it had it's creepy moments. The whole wardens vs wood walkers was definitely interesting and I had suspicious feelings about certain people throughout the entire book.
All I can say is that I was finally right. My creepy vibes were true and I was so happy that I kept to them instead of being distracted by something shiny and new. So in this book, you will meet Nat. She is a descendent of a pretty powerful witch and is sort of recruited to join their little cult/gang.
Sort of because it didn't seem like her grandmother wanted it to happen.. and she was kind of forced to do it. After this, things started to confuse me for a bit. It's like someone who say or do something that just caught me off guard and I would let it simmer on my mind until I came to a decision on them.
I wont go into great detail about who I was questioning and why but, again, I am so proud that I was right! I will say that this might tug on some heart strings and it will give a sort of okay fight scene at the end. Honestly, it was just okay but the entire book was pretty good and I couldn't put it down.
In the end, I'm very happy that I got this ARC and was able to fall in love with some witchy characters. Also, can I borrow Nat's dogs or something? Or get one of those wonderful cupcakes?
semiramoses's review against another edition
4.0
RATE: 4.5/5
I actually bought this book because I was really attracted to the cover, and don’t get me wrong, the story is really good, and I enjoyed about it. It was really a fast-paced story. I feel like there could have been more explanation to the whole Cult, the explanation given in the book was too brief. Also, I wished it was longer cause the ending quick and brief. If there weren’t so many time skips, I feel like it the ending would of been nicer, and less chaotic because everything was mixed together and kind of a blur.
The main character Natalie Colter is my favourite character, but only sometimes. She did act kind of bitchy at some parts, where it was almost unnecessary, and she could be very rude and pushy, but I did really love her relationship with another character, Levi.
Something I really loved the lore in the story, and getting to know the events that had happened leading up to the murders, and learning about how the cult was formed. There were even chapters that contained flashbacks, and it was from the perspective of someone who was in the cult before.
I actually bought this book because I was really attracted to the cover, and don’t get me wrong, the story is really good, and I enjoyed about it. It was really a fast-paced story. I feel like there could have been more explanation to the whole Cult, the explanation given in the book was too brief. Also, I wished it was longer cause the ending quick and brief. If there weren’t so many time skips, I feel like it the ending would of been nicer, and less chaotic because everything was mixed together and kind of a blur.
The main character Natalie Colter is my favourite character, but only sometimes. She did act kind of bitchy at some parts, where it was almost unnecessary, and she could be very rude and pushy, but I did really love her relationship with another character, Levi.
Something I really loved the lore in the story, and getting to know the events that had happened leading up to the murders, and learning about how the cult was formed. There were even chapters that contained flashbacks, and it was from the perspective of someone who was in the cult before.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Bitterwine Oath
Author: Hannah West
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Fantasy, paranormal, ya
Publication Date: December 1, 2020
Publisher: Holiday House
Pages: 320
Recommended Age: 16+ (abuse, lynching, animal death and gore, molestation)
Synopsis: San Solano, Texas, is a quaint town known for its charm, hospitality, and history of murder. Twice now, twelve men have been brutally killed, and no one knows who did it. A shadowy witch? A copycat killer? Or a man-hating murderess?
Eighteen-year-old Natalie Colter is sure that the rumors about her great-great-grandmother's cult of wronged women are just gossip, but that doesn't stop the true-crime writers and dark tourism bloggers from capitalizing on the town's reputation. It's an urban legend that's hard to ignore, and it gets harder when Nat learns that the sisterhood is real. And magical. And they want her to join.
The more Nat learns of the Wardens' supernatural history, the more she wonders about the real culprits behind the town's ritualistic murders. Are the Wardens protecting San Solano from even darker forces? There are shadows in the woods, bones on the outskirts of town, and questions Nat needs answered.
But everything becomes more urgent when people start getting marked as new victims--including Levi Langford, the boy whose kiss haunted Nat for a year. With Levi in danger, doing nothing would be harder than fighting back.
Nat knows that no one is safe. Can she and the sisterhood stop the true evil from claiming their town?
Review: Overall, I liked the concept and storyline of this book. the plot was really interesting and the character development was the author strong point. The book is also fast paced and can be read in when sitting if the reader has a couple hours to kill.
However the book doesn't have a strong beginning and it takes a while for the reader to get into the book. I also thought the story was clunky and unorganized and that the world building was pretty bad. the book has potential to be really good and I hope that it is cleaned up in the finalized version but it has some work to do.
Verdict: It's good just needs work.
Book: The Bitterwine Oath
Author: Hannah West
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: Fantasy, paranormal, ya
Publication Date: December 1, 2020
Publisher: Holiday House
Pages: 320
Recommended Age: 16+ (abuse, lynching, animal death and gore, molestation)
Synopsis: San Solano, Texas, is a quaint town known for its charm, hospitality, and history of murder. Twice now, twelve men have been brutally killed, and no one knows who did it. A shadowy witch? A copycat killer? Or a man-hating murderess?
Eighteen-year-old Natalie Colter is sure that the rumors about her great-great-grandmother's cult of wronged women are just gossip, but that doesn't stop the true-crime writers and dark tourism bloggers from capitalizing on the town's reputation. It's an urban legend that's hard to ignore, and it gets harder when Nat learns that the sisterhood is real. And magical. And they want her to join.
The more Nat learns of the Wardens' supernatural history, the more she wonders about the real culprits behind the town's ritualistic murders. Are the Wardens protecting San Solano from even darker forces? There are shadows in the woods, bones on the outskirts of town, and questions Nat needs answered.
But everything becomes more urgent when people start getting marked as new victims--including Levi Langford, the boy whose kiss haunted Nat for a year. With Levi in danger, doing nothing would be harder than fighting back.
Nat knows that no one is safe. Can she and the sisterhood stop the true evil from claiming their town?
Review: Overall, I liked the concept and storyline of this book. the plot was really interesting and the character development was the author strong point. The book is also fast paced and can be read in when sitting if the reader has a couple hours to kill.
However the book doesn't have a strong beginning and it takes a while for the reader to get into the book. I also thought the story was clunky and unorganized and that the world building was pretty bad. the book has potential to be really good and I hope that it is cleaned up in the finalized version but it has some work to do.
Verdict: It's good just needs work.
msbandthebooks's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my gosh, The Bitterwine Oath was SO good! It was different and so unique in the BEST way. The story was so gripping and I loved reading as Natalie came to terms with her magic and fought to figure out how to stop the evil let loose in San Salono, Texas. If you love books with witches and magic, then I highly recommend this book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
lattes_lipstick_literature's review against another edition
2.0
*A Thank you to edelweiss + for allowing me to read this. This is my fair and honest review*
Due to the synopsis I had pretty high expectations for this book unfortunately it did not deliver. For me, the book just took way too long to start. I was about 33% in before anything remotely interesting happened. It was because of this that when the book had it's interesting moments I was not as invested as I felt I should have been.
This also took me way too long to read because I kept stopping and switching to other books that could hold my attention. I did not mind the characters but none of them really stood out to me too much. Natalie and Levi were a bit bland to me, but I did enjoy the "flashback" scenes and fictional book inserts. Surprisingly for a book about witchcraft not a lot of spells and magic until the end.
Overall, Not a bad book just not my Cup of tea, but it might be yours.
Due to the synopsis I had pretty high expectations for this book unfortunately it did not deliver. For me, the book just took way too long to start. I was about 33% in before anything remotely interesting happened. It was because of this that when the book had it's interesting moments I was not as invested as I felt I should have been.
This also took me way too long to read because I kept stopping and switching to other books that could hold my attention. I did not mind the characters but none of them really stood out to me too much. Natalie and Levi were a bit bland to me, but I did enjoy the "flashback" scenes and fictional book inserts. Surprisingly for a book about witchcraft not a lot of spells and magic until the end.
Overall, Not a bad book just not my Cup of tea, but it might be yours.
daanin's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
janienefe's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75