Review by annagerg - Witchlore

annagerg 's review for:

Witchlore by Emma Hinds

5.0

dark emotional mysterious sad 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: Complicated

Wow. This one is going to stick with me for a while. It’s unapologetically queer, it’s magical, it’s angsty, and it also has little bits of historical drama sprinkled in and a touch of romance that made my stomach do backflips and somersaults.

Nonbinary shapeshifter Lando can’t access magic or control their shifting. If that wasn’t enough to make them feel like an outcast in magical society, most of their classmates think that they’re responsible for the accident that caused the death of their girlfriend Elizabeth. When handsome new student Bastian approaches Lando with the opportunity to cast a forbidden resurrection spell to save Elizabeth, a mystery soon unfolds, and Lando’s life once again gets flipped upside down.

While the story is dark and deals with tragic themes such as death, grief, and suicidal ideations, I really enjoyed the snarkiness and dark humor from Lando’s narration. I also loved learning about the unique magic system through the story’s college setting, Lando’s history, and the mysterious resurrection ritual that Lando and Bastian are preparing. I also loved the growth in the relationship between the two main characters. No spoilers here, but the trauma and high stakes of the story make the will-they-won’t-they aspect so enticing. It was wonderful to follow along with Lando and Bastian’s journey.

As much as I loved this book, please check the trigger warnings and make an informed decision as to whether this is a healthy read for you. But if you love queer and trans representation, intriguing magic systems, and beautiful stories about grief and the highs and lows of the human experience, then this is a stellar option. I’m grateful to have received this eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Content Warnings