I really enjoyed Motheater, more than I expected, honestly. That said, there were some parts of the story I wasn’t crazy about. I actually found the book a little intimidating at first and wasn’t sure I’d like it. It’s interesting because I haven’t heard many people talk about it, which I think added to my thoughts of not liking it. The uniqueness of the storyline though definitely bumped up my rating.

I loved the dual perspective, especially getting to see an Appalachian witch practicing  after the Civil War during the Industrial Revolution and the coal mining boom. It was a really cool way to show the history of the mines and then bring it back to the present day to highlight how the mountains are still suffering. The romance didn’t feel necessary to me. It was such a small part of the story, I’m not even sure why it was included.

I absolutely loved Esther. When I think of an Appalachian witch, her voice, the way she spoke, and how her practice was so tied to the earth and the Bible felt really authentic.

I’d recommend this book, especially if you already own it and aren’t sure about reading it. If you’re after a strong romance, this probably isn’t the one since that’s not the focus. But if you want to learn about Appalachian history through coal mining and explore the witch culture of the region from both a historical and modern fictional perspective, this is definitely worth a read.