Reviews by jenmcreads | The StoryGraph

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jenmcreads

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The Once and Future Witches

Alix E. Harrow

4.25

adventurous dark hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This book was more than I expected. With a story of witches joining the suffragette movement, I was pleasantly surprised by the degree to which this book explored intersectionality and took that issue seriously. I loved the women's collections of magic being saved and passed down in recipes and nursery rhymes and I felt that set a poignant tone for the book overall. At times, the plot became a bit convoluted and challenging to follow however I did find I was always able eventually to catch up to it. This definitely scratches the itch for witchy reading, and does so with more depth and nuance than I anticipated.

Content Warnings

Clap When You Land

Elizabeth Acevedo

4.75

adventurous hopeful reflective 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: No

I love Elizabeth Acevedo's audiobooks, I am so happy they were recommended to me (several times over). This one I think was a beautiful and moving story. The two sisters distinct voices and struggles were visceral. I loved the details of the family traditions and relationships. Definitely would recommend this on audio!

Content Warnings

The League of Gentlewomen Witches

India Holton

5.0

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This series is such a breath of fresh air. India Holton has an incredibly sharp wit, and its delivered perfectly by narrator Elizabeth Knowelden. This one was a bit bawdier than the first, and I quite enjoyed that. If you enjoy satirical takes on classic literature, and a healthy dose of whimsy, I would highly recommend giving this series a go. While I recommend reading both (/all when the third is released next year), they do work as standalone).

The Sentence

Louise Erdrich

4.0

dark emotional hopeful reflective relaxing tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I enjoyed this book, although I think it may still feel early for me personally to read a book this centered in the COVID-19 pandemic. In some ways, I wish I read it with more distance and perspective. With that being said, I really enjoyed the meditative quality of this book, which felt right for working in an independent bookstore. The different takes and perspectives different characters had on indigenous lore and tradition were very interesting, and the ghost story element was fun without veering into horror. I definitely hope to read more Erdrich!

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Gabrielle Zevin

4.0

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I was conflicted throughout reading this book, but ultimately I did enjoy it. I would advise checking trigger warnings on this book as I think the way it is written can hit pretty hard on trigger points. What I loved in this book was the exploration of the value we place on romantic versus platonic relationships, given the central relationship in the book is platonic. The story was emotional, and well-paced given its sweeping timeline. I did not love the handling of mental health in all cases, but that is to a degree a matter of personal preference. I would definitely recommend this book, however would caution to read when you feel fairly stable in your own mental health. (Specific minor spoilers hidden with spoiler tag)

I was honestly particularly upset by the use of a background character's suicide to propel the plot of main characters who did not even know her. That felt emotionally manipulative and exploitive to me and it was a part of the book I struggled to move past. Similarly, I felt the treatment of abortion was quite glib and did not add much.

Content Warnings

She Gets the Girl

Rachael Lippincott, Alyson Derrick

5.0

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was *exactly* what I wanted from it! This was a fun YA romp, with a naturally paced romance. The characters were explored with a lot of depth, and I could relate to them in different ways. I think the authors really succeeded in capturing that trepidatious sense of freedom right at the beginning of college, and the intermediary phase.

Content Warnings

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

Gabrielle Zevin

3.75

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was a fun and easy read. The character exploration of AJ was done well. I did feel Amelia teetered on the edge of being a manic pixie dream girl, but overall I enjoyed this.

Again, like in Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, I did feel a background character's suicide was used as a plot point for other characters, and that continues to feel exploitive to me.

Content Warnings

The Witch's Heart

Genevieve Gornichec

3.5

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I enjoyed this book. I think it suffers in a comparison to Circe, the books have quite a few similar elements. I personally find Circe to be better written overall however. That being said, this is a beautiful story, and particularly the themes around motherhood were beautifully explored. Because I am not versed in Norse mythology, I occasionally felt lost in some of the mythical plot elements but overall I was able to grasp the picture.

Content Warnings

If We Were Villains

M.L. Rio

4.25

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

As a recovering theater kid, I definitely enjoyed this book. The structure of the story and the environmental setting are very well done. I struggled some with the level of misogyny in this book, especially as directed toward Meredith. It is arguable that this was Oliver's misogyny since the book is told from his perspective, but it was left without substantial critique and was quite grating at times. Otherwise, Rio did an incredible job plunging the reader into the story. The scenes that take place during performances did a spectacular job balancing the show on stage with behind-the-scenes antics. The use of Shakespeare was so smart and satisfying to read.

Content Warnings

Assembly

Natasha Brown

5.0

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is one of my favorite reads of the year. For how short this one is, it manages to pack in a lot of worthwhile meditations on race and gender and class and the fallout of colonialism. The writing style is unique but accessible. I would highly encourage just about anyone to read this.

Content Warnings

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