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melodic_echo 's review for:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
by Sangu Mandanna
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was very sweet, cozy, and wholesome. I really did love the eclectic cast of characters and the whimsical setting. However, the characters and their emotional journeys didn't make as much of an impact on me. I found myself having to pause in the middle of reading to remember what my overall impression of some of the characters were.
I think this book did an excellent job of capturing a cozy atmosphere, from the charming backdrop of Nowhere House to the descriptions of magic as something mischievous. I think the trouble I found with the character development was that the characters and their interactions work best as set dressing-- I found they contributed more to the atmosphere than to moving the plot forward in a compelling way towards conflict.
In that vein, I find that stories like this one, which successfully establish a lighthearted tone and atmosphere, sometimes have trouble sticking the landing of conflict and resolution. Throughout the story, the oncoming climax does little more than give a deadline for the ongoing plot, with suitably low stakes. The climax, when it arrives, is a little jarring and all over the place.
Spoilers for discussing specific plot points!
The conflicts I remember most in the story are the ones that revolved around the main cast of characters themselves. For example, taking Rosetta out to the bookstore. It felt more grounding to see one of the girls grappling with the outside world through cautious interactions with it, rather than the looming undefined threat of the solicitor intruding on Nowhere House. And uncovering the truth about Lillian felt more like the emotional climax of the story-- but that was resolved rather quickly in time for the nominal climax of the solicitor arriving. Then it felt like the emotional climax was really convincing Primrose to keep the girls together, but since it came after the solicitor conflict was resolved, it was also resolved rather easily.
In conclusion, I think readers who enjoy witchy, whimsical vibes and the found family trope but prefer low-stakes conflict will like this book. I find the charming, quirky cast of characters does more to set the cozy tone of this book than drive the plot, but that is more than sufficient to provide a warm and fuzzy escape from reality for whichever readers need a comfy and lighthearted read.
I think this book did an excellent job of capturing a cozy atmosphere, from the charming backdrop of Nowhere House to the descriptions of magic as something mischievous. I think the trouble I found with the character development was that the characters and their interactions work best as set dressing-- I found they contributed more to the atmosphere than to moving the plot forward in a compelling way towards conflict.
In that vein, I find that stories like this one, which successfully establish a lighthearted tone and atmosphere, sometimes have trouble sticking the landing of conflict and resolution. Throughout the story, the oncoming climax does little more than give a deadline for the ongoing plot, with suitably low stakes. The climax, when it arrives, is a little jarring and all over the place.
Spoilers for discussing specific plot points!
In conclusion, I think readers who enjoy witchy, whimsical vibes and the found family trope but prefer low-stakes conflict will like this book. I find the charming, quirky cast of characters does more to set the cozy tone of this book than drive the plot, but that is more than sufficient to provide a warm and fuzzy escape from reality for whichever readers need a comfy and lighthearted read.