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A review by fandomsandfiction
Black Candle Women by Diane Marie Brown
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It took me a few chapters, but I eventually fell in love with this magical and heart-warming family saga following the lives of four generations of Creole women who are haunted by a vengeful curse. There's voodoo, hoodoo, generational trauma, and LOTS of drama as secrets unravel. It made for a captivating and emotional read.
The multiple povs are an excellent narrative choice as the story holds so much depth, understanding, and intimacy when viewed through the eyes of different women of varying ages. I would've loved to see the story from Madelyn's pov as well, but I can only imagine how ridiculously challenging it would be to write from FIVE different povs (and possibly confusing for the readers too!). Embodying four characters and telling the story from four separate viewpoints must be challenging enough as it is.
One thing that bothered me about this book is that Nickie (the youngest of the women) frequently skipped meals and it was completely normalized as if teenagers don't need food to survive. I do not think it is a healthy portrayal. (But I am just sensitive to these things, and it might not bother other readers at all).
The ending was slightly anticlimactic, but overall, this is an engaging and well-written debut novel! I heard it's been picked up for a tv show adaption and I am SO EXCITED to see it on screen 🤩
The multiple povs are an excellent narrative choice as the story holds so much depth, understanding, and intimacy when viewed through the eyes of different women of varying ages. I would've loved to see the story from Madelyn's pov as well, but I can only imagine how ridiculously challenging it would be to write from FIVE different povs (and possibly confusing for the readers too!). Embodying four characters and telling the story from four separate viewpoints must be challenging enough as it is.
One thing that bothered me about this book is that Nickie (the youngest of the women) frequently skipped meals and it was completely normalized as if teenagers don't need food to survive. I do not think it is a healthy portrayal. (But I am just sensitive to these things, and it might not bother other readers at all).
The ending was slightly anticlimactic, but overall, this is an engaging and well-written debut novel! I heard it's been picked up for a tv show adaption and I am SO EXCITED to see it on screen 🤩
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Death of parent, and Abandonment