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A review by luftschlosseule
Boneset & Feathers by Gwendolyn Kiste
3.0
trigger warning
misogyny, grief, trauma
Five years ago, the Witchhunters came and killed every witch but one. It's only a matter of time till they get back.
In most regards, this is a short and solid book about a witch who can't bring herself to leave the place she grew up in, because that would mean to sever the last ties to her dead family, despite knowing that she'll pay the price rather sooner than later.
I have a very special problem that might not even be a problem for most readers, because it's a trope that's frequently used in fantasy: You use magic or get in a fight and give your all. Maybe just once, maybe more often. You can't even stand properly, you're depleted, you need food and sleep. The author does their best to show how down you are - but then you use your magic again. And again. And again. And again.
So, either the character doesn't know their own strength, but the author fails to address this properly, or the author just ... doesn't care? And the editor didn't catch it?
For me, it's a sign of bad writing and it annoys me hugely.
But, yeah, that was the only problem I had. If this doesn't annoy you, and you want a witchy tale, go on, give it a go!
The arc was provided by the publisher.
Five years ago, the Witchhunters came and killed every witch but one. It's only a matter of time till they get back.
In most regards, this is a short and solid book about a witch who can't bring herself to leave the place she grew up in, because that would mean to sever the last ties to her dead family, despite knowing that she'll pay the price rather sooner than later.
I have a very special problem that might not even be a problem for most readers, because it's a trope that's frequently used in fantasy: You use magic or get in a fight and give your all. Maybe just once, maybe more often. You can't even stand properly, you're depleted, you need food and sleep. The author does their best to show how down you are - but then you use your magic again. And again. And again. And again.
So, either the character doesn't know their own strength, but the author fails to address this properly, or the author just ... doesn't care? And the editor didn't catch it?
For me, it's a sign of bad writing and it annoys me hugely.
But, yeah, that was the only problem I had. If this doesn't annoy you, and you want a witchy tale, go on, give it a go!
The arc was provided by the publisher.