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teaand_tomes 's review for:
Song of the Hell Witch
by Taylor Hartley
medium-paced
Thank you Spotify Audiobooks and TLC Book Tours for the free gift!
This is an atmospheric romantasy about a woman navigating power, magic, and a dangerous world while reconnecting with a past love. The story features monstrous women stepping into their full potential, a devoted father trying to save his daughter, and the slow rekindling of an old romance.
What I found interesting was the world-building. The background elements like Stormlash, the secret village, and the focus on marginalized identities were compelling and added depth. However, I felt the feminist aspects were more anti-man than truly female-forward, and the main character’s story wasn’t primarily about being a woman in power but about staying safe after making herself wanted. The romance, which is meant to be second-chance, didn’t land for me. I didn’t feel that Puck still held genuine feelings for Prudence the way she did for him.
I also struggled with the narration. While Fiona Hardingham and Shea Taylor did well for certain characters, they didn’t consistently convey the same personality across the cast, which created a sense of disconnect.
Overall, this book had a lot of potential but didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I’d recommend it for readers who enjoy atmospheric fantasy worlds with magical politics and anti-establishment themes, but temper expectations if you’re looking for a strong female-centered story or a fully convincing second-chance romance.
This is an atmospheric romantasy about a woman navigating power, magic, and a dangerous world while reconnecting with a past love. The story features monstrous women stepping into their full potential, a devoted father trying to save his daughter, and the slow rekindling of an old romance.
What I found interesting was the world-building. The background elements like Stormlash, the secret village, and the focus on marginalized identities were compelling and added depth. However, I felt the feminist aspects were more anti-man than truly female-forward, and the main character’s story wasn’t primarily about being a woman in power but about staying safe after making herself wanted. The romance, which is meant to be second-chance, didn’t land for me. I didn’t feel that Puck still held genuine feelings for Prudence the way she did for him.
I also struggled with the narration. While Fiona Hardingham and Shea Taylor did well for certain characters, they didn’t consistently convey the same personality across the cast, which created a sense of disconnect.
Overall, this book had a lot of potential but didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I’d recommend it for readers who enjoy atmospheric fantasy worlds with magical politics and anti-establishment themes, but temper expectations if you’re looking for a strong female-centered story or a fully convincing second-chance romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death of parent