My favorite parts were the introductions to each part, which offered explanations and background to what wI wanted to love this, but it was just okay.
My favorite parts were the introductions to each part, which offered explanations and background to what was happening. That context was very interesting and offered information I had never encountered before in other works on the Salem witch trials.
I appreciate that the author was trying to let the victims tell their stories in their own words as much as possible, but it made for a confusing read, as 17th century language isn't the easiest for 21st century minds to understand. There were also way too many characters to keep straight, and a lot of it seemed repetitive.
This was an excellent concept that I wanted to whole-heartedly love, but it fell short in its execution....more
I really enjoyed this queer-normative fantasy. Everything but the cliffhanger ending!
I thought the system of magic was really unique, and I was hookedI really enjoyed this queer-normative fantasy. Everything but the cliffhanger ending!
I thought the system of magic was really unique, and I was hooked from the start just by the world-building. The part at Witch Hall reminded me of Harry Potter, with an outsider learning the ins and outs of magic school, complete with quirky professors and an arrogant, elitist bully.
My one criticism would be that not a whole lot happens in the middle of the book, other than the main character learning the ropes. The plot doesn't really amp up until the very end, and the love story, such as it were, isn't enough to sustain it through the middle.
Nevertheless, I was invested from start to finish. There was never a point where I got bored or wanted to stop reading, just a few points where I was like, "Where is this going?"
I really enjoyed this cute slightly-paranormal romance!
My only frustration with it was, and this is the tiniest of spoilers but not really related toI really enjoyed this cute slightly-paranormal romance!
My only frustration with it was, and this is the tiniest of spoilers but not really related to the main plot, WHY WAS THE TOWN HISTORIAN IMMORTAL?! PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS. Everything else I was able to hand-wave away, but that loose end bugged me, for some reason. And also that they were so obsessed with hot chocolate bombs in the summer in Southern California.
So, this wasn't my favorite Sophie Gonzales, and I'm probably being harder on her than I would most other authors because I've enjoyed her previous boSo, this wasn't my favorite Sophie Gonzales, and I'm probably being harder on her than I would most other authors because I've enjoyed her previous books so much.
That, being said, there was a lot to like about this book. I really loved the three main teen characters, and I thought the relationships depicted were so realistic, while still providing some lessons on how to be a better friend, without ever coming across as preachy. I loved the representation of different sexualities: lesbian, bi, and aro/ace. I even loved the MC's fandom involvement and fanfic writing.
Where I didn't think it particularly worked was in the execution of the paranormal aspect. The giant, blue-haired, glowing-eyed elephant in any room was Weston, and he was absolutely the worst, no matter which incarnation of his personality it was. I just can't figure out if the book would have been better without him completely, or if it just needed a better execution. I did love how all the fanfics ended up relating to Ivy and Mack's relationship, and Weston was definitely instrumental in Ivy figuring all that out. But he was just so infuriating. I wanted to throttle him.
So. Not my favorite Sophie Gonzales, but still an enjoyable read....more
I struggled with whether to shelve this as horror or fantasy, and I think that's the main problem with the book as well: it doesn't know whether it's I struggled with whether to shelve this as horror or fantasy, and I think that's the main problem with the book as well: it doesn't know whether it's fantasy or horror, either.
I expected to whole-heartedly love this, but it was actually a struggle for me to finish it. For one, there's a long stretch in the middle of the book in which absolutely nothing happens. This was frustrating. Second, the title and cover made me expect a really scary horror book, and this just wasn't that. There were a few passages that felt like they belonged in horror, but they were few and far between. Most of the book read like your typical fae fantasy romance.
That being said, I did really like what the book was trying to say, and I think it mostly accomplished it. I was cheering for Leah (and dark horse favorite character Jess) by the climax, and the final resolution was very satisfying.
My biggest complaint is probably that I figured out Leah's deep dark secret (which wasn't particularly dark or even very secret) VERY early on, and it was frustrating. The final reveal was very anticlimactic....more
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