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A review by shirecrow
Love and Other Wicked Things by Philline Harms
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Love and Other Wicked Things is a book about two young witches named Rhia and Valerie and their way of navigating their lives full of magic, love and grief.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a romance-y book but I have to admit that I flew right through these 344 pages. I needed maybe a day start to finish. That is thanks to the writing style. It’s very easy but still flowery enough to give you a mostly nice experience.
Speaking of mostly nice; this book has a lot of pop-culture references and a lot of phrases that felt very… well, let’s say that wattpad publishing made sense after that. As an example, a phrase that made me roll my eyes is as followed: “Yeah, but you’re the human embodiment of a golden retriever,” c’mon, golden retriever outside out of TikTok comment section? Goosebumps.
Another thing about the writing was the sometimes excessive need to use italics. They were mostly used right and I didn’t mind them but then the author would use them every other sentence and I was just wondering what iS GOING ON? Example:
“I think it’ll enjoy the greenhouse.”
What was the need for the dramatic greenhouse? Am I supposed to imagine a velvety voice, thunder sounds and lightning strikes?
I digress. Let’s move on to the characters.
I'm not sure where I stand with them but I didn’t hate either so that’s a plus. Valerie and Rhia were both fun characters with enough backstory to make them feel as fleshed out as 300 page ya novels go. Valerie was fun and easy while Rhia had personality struggles to fight with which gave a nice balance to the two and their interactions. I liked the mystery around Valerie’s past even though I would’ve liked if that were revealed in a different way.
But it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have something to complain about so…
Rhia is a young Black woman in a Black family. The fact that all the men in their family either left (uncle, grandfather) or died is very… well, I wouldn’t say racist but I think it’s on the insensitive side. I’m white so I can’t give solid, reliable judgement but after the controversy about Harms last book (that I only just now learned about) I think it’s still valid to point out. Also, the first time Valerie sees Rhia she describes her as “a lot curvier than herself” which… a Black woman is the curvy one? Hm…
Anyways, Rhia is Black but it is completely ignored in the story which brings me to the fact that this is a very “colorblind” book. In that aspect, it’s also rather blind to real life struggles of inclusivity. The book is set in a small, everyone-knows-everyone town but you’re telling me that 90% of the people introduce themselves with their pronouns? Especially characters like a lacrosse player telling Valerie his pronouns had me raise my eyebrow. I’m not the type to like flawlessly happy, “no one is homophobic/bigoted” books but if you do, this one is perfect for you.
What I did enjoy was the actual magic. I thought it would only have a real life witch plot but the fantasy was a nice touch that gave the whole thing a sort of original feeling.
In conclusion, this is an easy book with lots of feel good sapphic but also an emotional edge. I wouldn’t go around and recommend it to every living soul I know but I would recommend it if you’re stuck in a slump and want something easy going. The plot was interesting enough to have me keep reading and when I did put it down I always thought about how it was going to continue.
Very big thank you to Netgalley, Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group and Philline Harms for providing me with an ARC of this book.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a romance-y book but I have to admit that I flew right through these 344 pages. I needed maybe a day start to finish. That is thanks to the writing style. It’s very easy but still flowery enough to give you a mostly nice experience.
Speaking of mostly nice; this book has a lot of pop-culture references and a lot of phrases that felt very… well, let’s say that wattpad publishing made sense after that. As an example, a phrase that made me roll my eyes is as followed: “Yeah, but you’re the human embodiment of a golden retriever,” c’mon, golden retriever outside out of TikTok comment section? Goosebumps.
Another thing about the writing was the sometimes excessive need to use italics. They were mostly used right and I didn’t mind them but then the author would use them every other sentence and I was just wondering what iS GOING ON? Example:
“I think it’ll enjoy the greenhouse.”
What was the need for the dramatic greenhouse? Am I supposed to imagine a velvety voice, thunder sounds and lightning strikes?
I digress. Let’s move on to the characters.
I'm not sure where I stand with them but I didn’t hate either so that’s a plus. Valerie and Rhia were both fun characters with enough backstory to make them feel as fleshed out as 300 page ya novels go. Valerie was fun and easy while Rhia had personality struggles to fight with which gave a nice balance to the two and their interactions. I liked the mystery around Valerie’s past even though I would’ve liked if that were revealed in a different way.
But it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have something to complain about so…
Rhia is a young Black woman in a Black family. The fact that all the men in their family either left (uncle, grandfather) or died is very… well, I wouldn’t say racist but I think it’s on the insensitive side. I’m white so I can’t give solid, reliable judgement but after the controversy about Harms last book (that I only just now learned about) I think it’s still valid to point out. Also, the first time Valerie sees Rhia she describes her as “a lot curvier than herself” which… a Black woman is the curvy one? Hm…
Anyways, Rhia is Black but it is completely ignored in the story which brings me to the fact that this is a very “colorblind” book. In that aspect, it’s also rather blind to real life struggles of inclusivity. The book is set in a small, everyone-knows-everyone town but you’re telling me that 90% of the people introduce themselves with their pronouns? Especially characters like a lacrosse player telling Valerie his pronouns had me raise my eyebrow. I’m not the type to like flawlessly happy, “no one is homophobic/bigoted” books but if you do, this one is perfect for you.
What I did enjoy was the actual magic. I thought it would only have a real life witch plot but the fantasy was a nice touch that gave the whole thing a sort of original feeling.
In conclusion, this is an easy book with lots of feel good sapphic but also an emotional edge. I wouldn’t go around and recommend it to every living soul I know but I would recommend it if you’re stuck in a slump and want something easy going. The plot was interesting enough to have me keep reading and when I did put it down I always thought about how it was going to continue.
Very big thank you to Netgalley, Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group and Philline Harms for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Car accident, Cursing, and Grief