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map_to_neverland's reviews
397 reviews
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Black Witch by Laurie Forest
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Jackal by Erin E. Adams
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Book Details:
-Genre: Horror
-Publication Date: October 4, 2022
-Setting: Johnstown, PA
-features creepy woods, a dark shadow, an eerie rhyme about the woods, and missing children
This horror novel contains many real world discussions, as many of the horrifying things that are happening are based in racism. It is an own voices author and I recommend looking to own voices reviews of the book as well.
It was a very creepy atmosphere. The author managed to blend more paranormal horror and real life horror. It was genuinely a very scary read.
Told through many time periods, we get an interesting multiple POV storyline and get to see the experiences of many characters. This was one of my favorite parts of the novel, especially as it is unclear who the narrator is in sections (at first).
Overall, if you are looking for something that is more horror (rather than thriller) and contains real world horrors, then this book would be a good fit for you.
Book Details:
-Genre: Horror
-Publication Date: October 4, 2022
-Setting: Johnstown, PA
-features creepy woods, a dark shadow, an eerie rhyme about the woods, and missing children
This horror novel contains many real world discussions, as many of the horrifying things that are happening are based in racism. It is an own voices author and I recommend looking to own voices reviews of the book as well.
It was a very creepy atmosphere. The author managed to blend more paranormal horror and real life horror. It was genuinely a very scary read.
Told through many time periods, we get an interesting multiple POV storyline and get to see the experiences of many characters. This was one of my favorite parts of the novel, especially as it is unclear who the narrator is in sections (at first).
Overall, if you are looking for something that is more horror (rather than thriller) and contains real world horrors, then this book would be a good fit for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, Animal death, Racism, Gore, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Grief, Blood, Child death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Suicide, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Racial slurs, and Stalking
Minor: Eating disorder, Alcohol, and Animal cruelty
The Club by Ellery Lloyd
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Car accident, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, and Infidelity
Moderate: Dementia
Black mail
Spells for Lost Things by Jenna Evans Welch
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Book Review: Spells for Lost Things
Rating: 3.5 / 4
This book comes out tomorrow 🎉🎉
Book Details:
-Genre: YA romance
-Setting: Salem
-written by the author of the Love & Gelato series
-Publication Date: 9/27/22
-Features Salem witchiness, an exploration of family ties, and a really cool house
Seasonal Read
If you are looking for something seasonal to read, but you aren’t a huge scary/fantasy person, this could be a great option! Since it is set in Salem, it is very atmospheric and has a lot of elements that fit well into spooky season. There is magic, but it’s still predominantly a romance (think romance with magic elements rather than a fantasy romance).
Personal Connection
Personally, one of my favorite things was reading this after having been to Salem recently. There are so many mentions of various locations, and many of them I had been to just weeks ago. Throughout the book I was excitedly texting my friend who went to Salem with me about all the things mentioned in the book that we saw while there!
Family History / Timelines
One of the unique elements of this book is that it heavily focuses on family dynamics and family history. While the story is set in the present, there are ways the past is weaved in as well that I really enjoyed. It balances found families and gaining an understanding of your own family history in a meaningful way.
Overall
This book is a quick read and engaging. It feels magical in a cute way, but also deals with heavy topics. I love how it weaves in family history as well.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 / 4
This book comes out tomorrow 🎉🎉
Book Details:
-Genre: YA romance
-Setting: Salem
-written by the author of the Love & Gelato series
-Publication Date: 9/27/22
-Features Salem witchiness, an exploration of family ties, and a really cool house
Seasonal Read
If you are looking for something seasonal to read, but you aren’t a huge scary/fantasy person, this could be a great option! Since it is set in Salem, it is very atmospheric and has a lot of elements that fit well into spooky season. There is magic, but it’s still predominantly a romance (think romance with magic elements rather than a fantasy romance).
Personal Connection
Personally, one of my favorite things was reading this after having been to Salem recently. There are so many mentions of various locations, and many of them I had been to just weeks ago. Throughout the book I was excitedly texting my friend who went to Salem with me about all the things mentioned in the book that we saw while there!
Family History / Timelines
One of the unique elements of this book is that it heavily focuses on family dynamics and family history. While the story is set in the present, there are ways the past is weaved in as well that I really enjoyed. It balances found families and gaining an understanding of your own family history in a meaningful way.
Overall
This book is a quick read and engaging. It feels magical in a cute way, but also deals with heavy topics. I love how it weaves in family history as well.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Addiction
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Classism
Divorce, foster care
Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“There are spells for breaking and spells for mending. But there are no spells for forgetting”
Book Details:
-Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Magical Realism
-written by the author of Fable
-Setting: Island town (called Saoirse) in the Pacific Northwest
-features mystery, tragedy, witches, and fall vibes
Told across two timelines, this is the story of an unresolved murder, love, and how far people will go to protect their home. I am so glad I got the chance to read an ARC of this book! It was everything I wanted it to be. It was very atmospheric and mysterious.
I also loved how magical was incorporated in a casual way. It was just an accepted and normal part of life on this island, which made the setting feel even more mystical.
I think I need to read Fable now, since I enjoyed this one so much. I also may have to buy a physical copy of this one. So, if you enjoy a mysterious, mystical book (that feels perfect for a foggy and/or rainy day), this is absolutely the book!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Book Details:
-Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Magical Realism
-written by the author of Fable
-Setting: Island town (called Saoirse) in the Pacific Northwest
-features mystery, tragedy, witches, and fall vibes
Told across two timelines, this is the story of an unresolved murder, love, and how far people will go to protect their home. I am so glad I got the chance to read an ARC of this book! It was everything I wanted it to be. It was very atmospheric and mysterious.
I also loved how magical was incorporated in a casual way. It was just an accepted and normal part of life on this island, which made the setting feel even more mystical.
I think I need to read Fable now, since I enjoyed this one so much. I also may have to buy a physical copy of this one. So, if you enjoy a mysterious, mystical book (that feels perfect for a foggy and/or rainy day), this is absolutely the book!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Stalking, Violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Terminal illness
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Addiction, Death, Suicide, Murder, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Grief, and Violence
They Drown Our Daughters by Katrina Monroe
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Book Details:
-Genre: Gothic Mystery/Thriller
-Setting: Cape Disappointment, WA
-features a generational curse and a Siren
Atmosphere
My favorite element of this book was the atmosphere. It is a gothic, suspenseful novel about a curse that is taking the lives of mothers in a family line. But, this book is definitely a slow burn. It is not full of jump scares, horror, and witches. Its set in a scenic area, but the setting is described in an eerie way.
Themes
One thing this book does really well is balance the story about the curse with discussing themes of mother/daughter relationships. It ends up bringing a level of emotion to the story that wouldn’t have been present if it only focused on the curse.
Overall
This was a really interesting book! It is important to know what to expect, as it is described as a haunting story that is part ghost story. This book is not a horror about ghosts or a story about witchcraft and magic, but contains a slower atmospheric suspense.
-Genre: Gothic Mystery/Thriller
-Setting: Cape Disappointment, WA
-features a generational curse and a Siren
Atmosphere
My favorite element of this book was the atmosphere. It is a gothic, suspenseful novel about a curse that is taking the lives of mothers in a family line. But, this book is definitely a slow burn. It is not full of jump scares, horror, and witches. Its set in a scenic area, but the setting is described in an eerie way.
Themes
One thing this book does really well is balance the story about the curse with discussing themes of mother/daughter relationships. It ends up bringing a level of emotion to the story that wouldn’t have been present if it only focused on the curse.
Overall
This was a really interesting book! It is important to know what to expect, as it is described as a haunting story that is part ghost story. This book is not a horror about ghosts or a story about witchcraft and magic, but contains a slower atmospheric suspense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: War, Kidnapping, and Violence