A review by minimicropup
The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense 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? No

3.0

I cared for the characters but I guess I was expecting this to be cozier?
 
Energy: Optimistic. Foreboding. Resigned.
 
🐺 Growls: The pacing goes from low-stakes to sudden, high-stakes finale with frenetic action..
 
🐕 Howls: Wish the spell craft, potions, and food magic was more sensory and immersive. The storytelling was sometimes more tell than show. It wasn’t as atmospheric as I hoped. I liked reading it in the moment, but when I put it down I wasn’t eager to pick it back up.  
 
🐩 Tail Wags: Solid writing, strong themes, and heartfelt character development. Supportive male characters who aren’t stuck in a ‘men vs women’ dynamic. Charming enough to keep me interested.
 
Scene: 🍃 Bardshire and the magical island of Innisfree.
Perspective: The main character, in their 20s, is not interested in courtship and the traditional roles for their gender. They feel drawn to nature and feel they have a purpose other than spouse and parent.
Timeline: Spring and Summer. 1831. Linear.
🔥 Fuel: What will life be like if Marigold chooses to follow their grandmother’s legacy? Will she be able to keep the island safe? Why is she so drawn to a new friend? Will true love prevail? Can she save her grandmother’s legacy?  
📖 Cred: Fantastical supernatural realism
 
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Honeybees. Ginger, cinnamon, cardamom. Honey cake. Grimoire. Tattoos. Salt and smoke. Misty air.
  • Invisible in the room (third person)
  • Cozy fantasy with high stakes moments
  • Wholesome grumpy-sunshine sapphic romance
  • Cursed family line
  • Witchy slice-of-life
  • Loss, protection, duty, and legacy
  • Childhood friends reunited
  • Alternate universe history feels
  • Lyrical, sensory, whimsical writing style
  • Mix of cynical, adorable, likeable, grouchy, and morally good characters
  • Slow burn day-in-the-life turned good vs evil high stakes action
  • Witchy friendship adventures and found family
  • How far would you go for true love?
 
Content Heads-Up: Blood. Burn scars. Fire (fatal; brief recall). Grief, loneliness. Pregnancy (complications, miscarriage). Sexual content (mostly behind closed doors; consenting; feelings, desire, love). Vomit.
 
Rep: Cis. Hetero. Lesbian. Bi. Pan. Queer. Pale white, warm brown, sunburned, and freckled skin tones. Scars.
 
📚 Format: Kobo
 
💖 Musings powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
Expand filter menu Content Warnings