I really loved this book, I do take issue with one part of this book, which is why I probably rate this 4.5 really. Maybe 4.8 if we're going against the GoodReads system anyway.
TW: Ableism, Ableist slurs; Internal Ableism; discussion of being institutionalised, casual racism (challenged), mild discussion of torture;

The main character Addie is Autistic and eleven-years-old. This book deals with Ableism that that Autistic kids face, often by the adults who are meant to support them the most. Teachers. I wasn't diagnosed with Autism as a child but I did face ableism from my Dyslexia diagnose and my Autistic traits by teachers.

This book does slightly deal with internal ableist, with Keedie, Addie's older sister. It's not in great detail but as this book deals with a lot of Ableism that Autistic people deal with, I think it was just the right touch with this book. Especially, as this Addie's story. I do want Keedie's story, but mostly because I just more Autistic protagonist in general. I did relate to Keedie too, being an older sibling to a fellow Autistic person. I went through a ton of Ableism and then my sibling went to the same school. Somehow it's gotten worse.

We also learn about Scotland's Witch Trials and Addie's home village inspires her to do something about it.

This a kinda spoiler but not majorly since this isn't a plot book. It's definitely about the characters. But I do a spoiler warning anyway when I get into in it. This book has a trope I really don't like and it's kinda Ableist if not treated right, which I think this book should have done more with.

The Addie's main same age antagonist is coded as Dyslexic. She could be slow, but you might be surprised to know that Dyslexic rep isn't a thing in books. I can count them on one of my hands and they're not great. Some have good intentions but never written by a Dyslexic person. TVs not better either. This a really small trope that you might not realise if you don't know.

The Dyslexic/illiterate bully. It mainly boils down that there's not enough rep for it to pass unquestioned and unchallenged. The implication is that Emily has learned her ableism from her parents, she probably not being supported right if they buying her books for younger children, instead of books designed to help struggling readers. Scotland actually is home to one such publisher. I just know as 11-year-old would really not appreciated this portrayal because I was never a dick to anyone because I couldn't read yet. Actually, 11-year-old me wouldn't have been able to read this book anyway, but the 12-year-old would be mad. It's just when something is underrepresented, it means that we can't have that conversation. We never see Emily again after the main conflict and I know non-dyslexic readers might not jump to dyslexia anyway, but maybe it should have been dealt with differently. It does straight up say that part of Emily's behaviour is learnt from her teacher, but that teacher probably realistically a dick to her too. Basically, while I get the choice, it's just a trope I have an issue with, especially as it has more ableist roots. Didn't destroy my love for this book but something to be mindful of.

Properreview These were just thoughts from initially finishing this book.