Reviews

Hex by Jenni Fagan

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fatkidatheartreads's review against another edition

4.5

4.5 stars 🌟 Fuck the patriarchy.

I know for a fact that I too would have died in a witch's trial. Rest easy Geillis Duncan. You deserved better.

Every single day, women die just for the crime of being women. From birth, we are marked guilty. Of being too loud, knowing too much, not being gentile enough, seducing men, not doing enough to protect ourselves, gold digging...the list is endless.

We exist in a world where we are never enough but simultaneously are too much. Men hate us, fail to protect us, blame us, put up systems to continue to oppress us. They demand our energy, time, effort, bodies, peace, submission, silence...

As women, we all deserve betterment.

tacanderson's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No

2.0

This was the first book in this series of Scottish tales retold, and the last one I read. It wasn't really about the witch trials it was about violence towards women both at the time of then and now. I wish there had been more about the Scottish witch trials, but my main complaint was A) I don't love second person narration (you) & B) it kept switching between first and second POV. Made it awkward to read.

shakesabit's review against another edition

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emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

erco's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

readwithanna's review against another edition

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4.0

I have a deeper appreciating of this book than when I read it first.

chloelliss's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a beautifully written novella. It really humanised the accused witches. It has put a weight on my heart thinking about the poor teenage girl.

notrachelx's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

creatureof_nature's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

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? N/A

3.0

Content Warnings

the_sunken_library's review against another edition

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4.0

Part of the Darklands Tales - where Scottish authors offer dramatic retellings of stories from the nation's history, myths and legends.

This is the story of Geillis Duncan. A young Scottish girl accused of witchcraft by her employeer David Seaton. He, along with other "upstanding Christian men" from her community brutally tortured her into naming the rest of her coven.

Truly a harrowing novella.

booksjessreads's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Admittedly when first reading this, I did not quite understand what was happening, but then around 2-3 chapters in, I just felt completely immersed in this story. You can really feel the authors rage, whilst simultaneously having characters that are written tenderly and so beautifully. It is a wonderful ode to Geillis Duncan.

Content Warnings

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