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

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’m getting back into reading fiction and really enjoyed this book as my re-entry! While the pace was pretty fast at first, it evened out and I had time to fall in love with the characters. I post it noted my favorite passages and everything, I don’t remember the last time I read a book so fast! The direction of the story isn’t as challenging to predict, but I think a read like that was suited to my needs. I really loved the characters, both main and background. Little moments made me so happy, and I love to see friendships and relationships form. I also love nature and connections to nature that are either spiritual or bigger than we are, so I was bound to enjoy this book. 

As for the “it’s complicated” aspects of my ratings, I feel like it was a little hard to track character development because a lot of development happened off screen. I feel like it’s a little understandable since there’s a lot to cover in the timeline, but Marigold got the hang of things pretty quickly, considering the speed of her circumstances changing. I also chose that ranking for the diversity category since most of the main characters are queer, but most of the characters are also white. I guess it’s part of the setting (1800s Western Europe esque setting), but it would be nice to see more important characters of color like August. 

Overall, I just had the best time reading this book!! I’m so glad I got a physical copy so it will always be on my shelf. I really want to draw the characters, now.
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