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abisometimesreads 's review for:
Motheater
by Linda H. Codega
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not a BAD read. I liked the concept. A nuanced little Appalachian fantasy/horror, with a black female MC, sapphic romance, folkloric/mythical (Titans! 😍) vibes and themes of nature vs. industry, sustainability vs. progress, and corporate greed leading to willful negligence. The main thing I enjoyed was Motheater's moral dilemma re: her duty to protect the environment vs. the economically vulnerable people of Kiron, who'd have no livelihood without mining Kire.
But, too much about the execution didn't work for me:
• The multi-POV, dual-timeline structure was ill-suited to the story. Who IS Motheater? What's her real name? Her backstory? Well, the past timeline is from the POV of a witch called 'Ester', so no big ?, there.
• More widely, it gives stuff away too soon. Who killed Motheater? The FIRST person suggested. Why? For the reason Motheater assumes.
• Codega's use of (both historical/modern-day) Appalacian dialects was inaccessible. I can't determine accuracy/authenticity, AT ALL, because I'd find a word used in a weird context, look up the meaning in Appalacian English, and find nothing? I finished the book not having understood entire sentences. What's this 'efficiency' that keeps being 'stepped into' or 'closing in' on people?!
• Bogged down by scripture. Overall, it's hard to read.
• Motheater's kinda baffling? E.g., someone answers the door to her and says, 'Who calls?' and she's LIVID? And, I'm meant to get why?!
• Repetitive! Bennie keeps 'realising' the SAME things about her attraction to Motheater, in the SAME language, over and over. Felt like I was going crazy.
I can see this being a hit with the right people. Just didn't do it for me. 😬
🫶🏻THANK YOU to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sending me an advanced copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review!
But, too much about the execution didn't work for me:
• The multi-POV, dual-timeline structure was ill-suited to the story. Who IS Motheater? What's her real name? Her backstory? Well, the past timeline is from the POV of a witch called 'Ester', so no big ?, there.
• More widely, it gives stuff away too soon. Who killed Motheater? The FIRST person suggested. Why? For the reason Motheater assumes.
• Codega's use of (both historical/modern-day) Appalacian dialects was inaccessible. I can't determine accuracy/authenticity, AT ALL, because I'd find a word used in a weird context, look up the meaning in Appalacian English, and find nothing? I finished the book not having understood entire sentences. What's this 'efficiency' that keeps being 'stepped into' or 'closing in' on people?!
• Bogged down by scripture. Overall, it's hard to read.
• Motheater's kinda baffling? E.g., someone answers the door to her and says, 'Who calls?' and she's LIVID? And, I'm meant to get why?!
• Repetitive! Bennie keeps 'realising' the SAME things about her attraction to Motheater, in the SAME language, over and over. Felt like I was going crazy.
I can see this being a hit with the right people. Just didn't do it for me. 😬
🫶🏻THANK YOU to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sending me an advanced copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review!