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inhaledmocha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Animal death, Mental illness, and Blood
solarel's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.0
I’m conflicted a bit. While I enjoyed the main two characters, Abitha and Samson, I found the plot as a whole to be very… typical?
Samson’s story was by far the most interesting plot line. I enjoyed watching him struggle to find who he really is. Is he the monster or the savior? Abitha however, her story felt not just predictable but inevitable. The last third of the book is pure torture porn, and she did not grow as a character. She is merely an instrument of a vengeance arc.
I saw a lot of reviewers say this story was very white. And I think I see what they mean. I don’t know what the author’s religious background is, but this read as a very Christian framed story. People said this was a horror novel. I didn’t find it scary, only sad. People were the villain. Puritan culture was the villain. And yet it still felt like it was still validating their beliefs in the end with what was supposed to be the “horror”.
I don’t know if that makes sense, but “pagan” aspects were not rooted in lore beyond that of Christianity. I guess that’s what made it feel like more of a fantasy masquerade of a pagan story of blurred good and evil.
Stars for ambiance and entertainment only.
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Abandonment, Suicide attempt, Torture, Xenophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Body horror, Colonisation, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Grief, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Violence, Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cultural appropriation, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
alliecat1915's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Torture, Body horror, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Blood, Religious bigotry, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, and Mental illness
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
that_cow_girl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Animal death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Colonisation, Death, Blood, Confinement, Animal cruelty, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Cursing, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
rionstorm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It reminded me of The VVitch, so if you're in the mood for pilgrim themed horror that is not really scary you may enjoy.
Graphic: Death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Gore, Torture, and Blood
Moderate: Gaslighting, Police brutality, Gun violence, Animal death, Bullying, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Alcoholism
dragonaion's review
- 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
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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)...
... 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
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.nchipp's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Grief, Racism, Animal death, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Colonisation, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, and Rape
aimeecdo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Gore and Body horror
Moderate: Mental illness, Torture, and Sexism