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the_lesbrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
While working in a witchy shop in Salem, high school outcast and skeptic Eleanor gets invited to join a local coven and quickly falls for one of the other girls, despite her best efforts not to. Eleanor is thrilled for a chance to start over, but as the difficult events of Eleanor’s last year are slowly revealed, she struggles to keep her present and past separate. The story is fun, if not a little uneven both in pacing and characterization. The main character can at times be frustratingly overdramatic, but in some ways her thoughts capture how important and messy everything feels in high school. “Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches“ is another quick queer book to ring in autumn, with a lesbian mc and multiple established LGBTQ+ characters and relationships.
Although the premise is cozy and solidly in the YA category, there are several significant triggering events in this book, so be sure to check tws before picking it up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Alcohol, and Homophobia
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
This is going to be the perfect October book, honestly! I loved the witchy vibes and the way that the story was framed overall by tarot cards. I learned a lot about tarot cards that I didn't know before, and I loved the setting of Salem. Given what Salem is associated with, seeing Eleanor's perspective and the way it's been made so commercial really gave the book a fall feel. I loved that.
There's a lot of a buildup in this book to something, but not a ton of resolution? A lot of the reviews on here are mad about the excessive marijuana smoking and it not being addressed, but that honestly didn't really bother me. I think I just wanted to see a little more of Eleanor's healing process there at the end; it overall just felt a little rushed to me.
But, if you're looking for a sapphic witchy book to read this fall, I'd definitely recommend this one!
There's a lot of a buildup in this book to something, but not a ton of resolution? A lot of the reviews on here are mad about the excessive marijuana smoking and it not being addressed, but that honestly didn't really bother me. I think I just wanted to see a little more of Eleanor's healing process there at the end; it overall just felt a little rushed to me.
But, if you're looking for a sapphic witchy book to read this fall, I'd definitely recommend this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Rape
rainerasnic's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Vomit, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
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