Scan barcode
gudrqa's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
First part of the book was enjoyable and I'd rate it 4.5 even but then it started dragging out quickly. Not a lot of magic for a tale of bewitchery.
The problems for me started when it became a torture porn. The whole second part of the book felt like a kink. The constant mentions of hair and torture. A lot of it was repeated all the time. I either wish it wasn't so graphic/maybe less victims OR that it was more inventive.
I might've enjoyed it more if I didn't pick up an audiobook version. I didn't like the voices the lector was making.
I couldn't really care for the characters except onethe pastor's wife . A lot of plot points didn't feel impactful enough. The main character never felt at risk really after the first two plot points the beginning with the goat and then her husband's death. After that the first encounter with the Father happened and immediately we knew she would be safe with him.
I might've enjoyed it more if I didn't pick up an audiobook version. I didn't like the voices the lector was making.
I couldn't really care for the characters except one
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Excrement, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death
asipofcozy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.0
I wanted to add something a little spooky to my reading list for this October, and while it wasn't as spooky as I thought it would be it was still quite enjoyable. I loved the conversations and issues that Brom raises not only on past history but current society today. Especially the notion that if it doesn't "fit" society's box, it's considered not right, unordinary, witch-craft, devilry, unorthodox. He also touches on women and how easily they are casted into the shadow of "witchery" and what men defined women throughout history.
The one thing I would call out, is the pacing. It took well over 100 pages for the plot to pick up speed. There was a lot of information at the beginning that I just didn't care much about. It wasn't until around page 150 (well over half the book) where the plot really became intriguing and I flew through the last 100 pages. For such a short book and a stand-alone, the beginning could have done without a lot of unneeded information.
The one thing I would call out, is the pacing. It took well over 100 pages for the plot to pick up speed. There was a lot of information at the beginning that I just didn't care much about. It wasn't until around page 150 (well over half the book) where the plot really became intriguing and I flew through the last 100 pages. For such a short book and a stand-alone, the beginning could have done without a lot of unneeded information.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Death, Animal cruelty, Gore, Murder, Animal death, War, Vomit, Torture, Religious bigotry, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Blood, and Body horror
solypoly's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Animal death
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Gore, Murder, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Torture, Genocide, and Sexism
dragonaion's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.5
I thought this book would be more of a historical fiction, taking place in a real world scenario with hints of local folklore, and while technically true, it was not as accurate as I was hoping for. I also was hoping this to be a "witch/witchcraft positive story", which was not the case, and was more of a Christian horror fantasy. The ending was disappointing, as it painted witchcraft and "magic" still aligning with devilry and other evil Christian concepts, and how redemption was still needed and sought for, despite how contrary that was made earlier in the book. It is, however, a gripping horror fantasy and once I set my own (many) disappointments aside, enjoyed the read. Also, you will want a physical copy for the artwork included, they're absolutely gorgeous!
----
Only two examples in the story are 100% accurate to the Native American/Indian folklore of the Pequot (which are referenced and are the local tribe the Puritan village takes place near)...
----
Only two examples in the story are 100% accurate to the Native American/Indian folklore of the Pequot (which are referenced and are the local tribe the Puritan village takes place near)...
... one is ~75% related with another being arguable...
the word for "net maker" in Algonquin is mamunappeht, but only relates to a spider and there is not a folk entity named so. The mention of an opossum-based creature can be argued, as they are a totem animal of the Pequot, however the portrayal is not a perfect match with the traditional folklore
... and the rest appear to be a mix from other cultures around the world, including the Druidic faith...
the stag and horned god, however even this is misinterpreted as he is not a creature of life and death
... Greek...
the river Lethe
... and Japanese.
Creek is best described as a youkai, the Ningyo
Looking for references of Slewfoot as well, what pops up as a primary example is this book. So considering the harshness of the very real Puritan mindset and the reality of the world they were living in, having almost every page be wild fantasy was disappointing.
The botany was at least a little more accurate, but not by much; the Pequot tribe were in the Connecticut area, where the pawpaw tree and mountain ash (rowan) can actually grow together. The irony, however, is the pawpaw and rowan trees in folklore was used for protection against witches, so the folklore attached to the botany is also inaccurate.
As a practicing Wiccan, I also find the examples of witcraft and "magic" (arguably not magick at all) to be biased with a Christian lense, such as the year the story takes place in 1666 (666, a little stereotypical), the snake being used as a symbol of the temptor and a sexual metaphor (while also being Mother Earth) and flying on a broom, to the point of being fantastic "flights" of pure fantasy.
In all, a good spooky read, but I would not put any stock on it being an accurate story.
Edit: Review lowered from 4.0. I reviewed the artwork and realized the charactersSamson and Slewfoot were two entities to start, and were combined into becoming the Devil, by his own words. Considering Samson also declared himself as the horned god and a god of life and death in the same breath , that is innacurate and is a choice the author made that is Christian-biased, not even out of ignorance.
... and the rest appear to be a mix from other cultures around the world, including the Druidic faith...
... Greek...
... and Japanese.
Looking for references of Slewfoot as well, what pops up as a primary example is this book. So considering the harshness of the very real Puritan mindset and the reality of the world they were living in, having almost every page be wild fantasy was disappointing.
The botany was at least a little more accurate, but not by much; the Pequot tribe were in the Connecticut area, where the pawpaw tree and mountain ash (rowan) can actually grow together. The irony, however, is the pawpaw and rowan trees in folklore was used for protection against witches, so the folklore attached to the botany is also inaccurate.
As a practicing Wiccan, I also find the examples of witcraft and "magic" (arguably not magick at all) to be biased with a Christian lense, such as the year the story takes place in 1666 (666, a little stereotypical), the snake being used as a symbol of the temptor and a sexual metaphor (while also being Mother Earth) and flying on a broom, to the point of being fantastic "flights" of pure fantasy.
In all, a good spooky read, but I would not put any stock on it being an accurate story.
Edit: Review lowered from 4.0. I reviewed the artwork and realized the characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Death, Gore, and Misogyny
Moderate: Animal death, Religious bigotry, Violence, Ableism, Bullying, Physical abuse, Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Sexual content, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Cursing, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Self harm, Blood, and Genocide
This is a heavy Christian-based novel, discussing the norms of the Puritan lifestyle, which include a lot of moments that would displease a feminist reader. There is also gore, blood work in witchcraft, horror, and other darker themes.
More...