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A review by amy_reading_23
The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Before anything else, I'd just like to say that this is a sad book. Someone else had mentioned it having cosy vibes which is why I picked it up during a depressive episode -- but it's actually pretty sad, and I struggled through it a bit because of that.
I think the ending was my favourite part. Because that bit was hopeful and included some beautiful moments in nature in the spring passage.
The book overall had an interesting premise and some nice bits, but it felt a bit lacking. I would have liked to have had more insights into the protagonists history, more grounding in the day to day of how the school actually works, just more detail so that I could actually be fully immersed. Instead it read like a hazy reflection which didn't always work.
Something interesting about reading it in a depressive episode was linking what Clara is feeling to mental health. The descriptions of not feeling in control of your body and power was relatable for me when I feel out of control of my emotions. And the ending being hopeful and admitting that even though there will be bad days and suffering its still worth fighting for something better -- I did really appreciate that message. In this way it resonated with me.
It was also interesting as Clara felt the responsibility and weight of the world when it came to the climate crisis, and I think a lot of people who have experienced climate anxiety can relate to that. Like if you don't do something, who will? How can you help when the world is ending? Feelings like this can be overwhelming and dehabilitating, and Clara finding hope among them was important.
Overall it was a fine read and I found the link between witches and the climate crisis to be interesting, however it just felt a bit underdeveloped to me.
I think the ending was my favourite part. Because that bit was hopeful and included some beautiful moments in nature in the spring passage.
The book overall had an interesting premise and some nice bits, but it felt a bit lacking. I would have liked to have had more insights into the protagonists history, more grounding in the day to day of how the school actually works, just more detail so that I could actually be fully immersed. Instead it read like a hazy reflection which didn't always work.
Something interesting about reading it in a depressive episode was linking what Clara is feeling to mental health. The descriptions of not feeling in control of your body and power was relatable for me when I feel out of control of my emotions. And the ending being hopeful and admitting that even though there will be bad days and suffering its still worth fighting for something better -- I did really appreciate that message. In this way it resonated with me.
It was also interesting as Clara felt the responsibility and weight of the world when it came to the climate crisis, and I think a lot of people who have experienced climate anxiety can relate to that. Like if you don't do something, who will? How can you help when the world is ending? Feelings like this can be overwhelming and dehabilitating, and Clara finding hope among them was important.
Overall it was a fine read and I found the link between witches and the climate crisis to be interesting, however it just felt a bit underdeveloped to me.