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ajb24's review
3.0
Disclaimer: I started this book mostly because I knew it was on my to-read shelf and I saw it was available at the library so I rented it. But I was skeptical that I would enjoy the topic of witches/witchcraft right from the start (I added it to my list because my ex was into witch stuff so I thought I would read it for "perspective" or whatever...reviews said that it had gays too so obvs I got intrigued)
That being said, there were some stories that I genuinely really enjoyed and held my interest in a way where the ~magic~ elements didn't bother me. Others however...not so much. Not that I think that they're bad stories or anything (though some are weaker than others quality-wise) but it's just...sometimes I just can't get behind the whole idea of universes where witches exist. There's that one story where like, a witch girl starts chatting with the science/NASA girl. Yeah, I'm like the NASA girl (but less intense because science is hard and i'm not into that) But conceptually like...I can appreciate that people believe in this stuff but usually it's just not for me. If I had to list my favorites from best to worst it would go like this:
1. The Gherin Girls
2. Death in the Sawtooths
3. Why They Watch Us Burn (this might be a tie for second because I really appreciate the underlying social commentary)
4 (tie) Love Spell
4 (tie) The Legend of Stone Mary
5. The Heart in her Hands
ok and then after this I don't know if I can really rank them because they either weren't compelling enough for me to remember them or I just don't like them.
I could probably rank my bottom 3 actually
3. The Well Witch
2. The One Who Stayed
1. The Moonapple Menagerie
Any others I didn't rank are stuck in that middle section of "I don't care enough to have a distinct opinion"
I took notes after each story (not extensive, just my general feelings so I could remember for this review...obviously that didn't work out totally well lol) BUT anyways I think I'm funny sometimes and I wanna preserve what I wrote so I'm gonna copy/paste them down below (there is NO consistency in what I comment on for each, sometimes I wrote it during and other times after, but anyway...)
Starsong
- rolled my eyes but it gay so,,,
Afterbirth
- kept me intrigued
The Heart in Her Hands
- gf came to save her from a hetero fate!!!!!
Death in the Sawtooths
Definitely my favorite so far, so interesting and liked the concept
The Truth About Queenie
Boring heteros :/
Eh, don't like the abrupt ending (maybe it's abrupt cuz I'm just listening to it and don't have a concept of how long it is)
Weird cheating motif and I dont rly get it
The Moonapple Menagerie
Goddamn these witches are furries
Hey question wtf is going on
I don't understand it
[like, OK, I /get/ that it's a different culture and I was trying to be open to the whole plot and what was happening, but I was just so confused and didn't like it]
The Legend of Stone Mary
The gays!!!
The One Who Stayed
What???? Don't like it :/
Divine Are the Stars
Eh
Daughters of Baba Yaga
New concept, a bad witch, was OK. Don't understand the communist bit tho or why that was included
The Well Witch
Partial to this one only cuz I recently read the Sebastian Barry book set in civil war time, but not much else impresses me
Eh actually not really it was boring and not a lot of witchyness
Beware of Girls with Crooked Mouths
Hmph
But there were some gays that was nice
Love Spell
I read an article in medical anthro about susto once so this one is cool to me
Also just am into the story more which is surprising since the other book I've read by this author I didn't like
Def can see this author's magical realism style coming thru
The Gherin Girls
"Small warm relief sets in" - sounds like a description of if u peed urself even tho i know it's not
Oooo I really liked this one!!!
All the sexuality representation!!! But also family love!! Yay!!
It's incredible how much I identify or feel "seen" in the Willa/Ingrid scenario...just like, the description of what she loves about Ingrid and how they lie next to each other I /feel/ that, yknow?? Cuz like, after some of these hetero stories it's like, holy shit, I do NOT understand that I'm SO gay
It's almost like...representation matters đ¤ *insert Pikachu face meme*
Why They Watch Us Burn
Oof this is powerful
That being said, there were some stories that I genuinely really enjoyed and held my interest in a way where the ~magic~ elements didn't bother me. Others however...not so much. Not that I think that they're bad stories or anything (though some are weaker than others quality-wise) but it's just...sometimes I just can't get behind the whole idea of universes where witches exist. There's that one story where like, a witch girl starts chatting with the science/NASA girl. Yeah, I'm like the NASA girl (but less intense because science is hard and i'm not into that) But conceptually like...I can appreciate that people believe in this stuff but usually it's just not for me. If I had to list my favorites from best to worst it would go like this:
1. The Gherin Girls
2. Death in the Sawtooths
3. Why They Watch Us Burn (this might be a tie for second because I really appreciate the underlying social commentary)
4 (tie) Love Spell
4 (tie) The Legend of Stone Mary
5. The Heart in her Hands
ok and then after this I don't know if I can really rank them because they either weren't compelling enough for me to remember them or I just don't like them.
I could probably rank my bottom 3 actually
3. The Well Witch
2. The One Who Stayed
1. The Moonapple Menagerie
Any others I didn't rank are stuck in that middle section of "I don't care enough to have a distinct opinion"
I took notes after each story (not extensive, just my general feelings so I could remember for this review...obviously that didn't work out totally well lol) BUT anyways I think I'm funny sometimes and I wanna preserve what I wrote so I'm gonna copy/paste them down below (there is NO consistency in what I comment on for each, sometimes I wrote it during and other times after, but anyway...)
Starsong
- rolled my eyes but it gay so,,,
Afterbirth
- kept me intrigued
The Heart in Her Hands
- gf came to save her from a hetero fate!!!!!
Death in the Sawtooths
Definitely my favorite so far, so interesting and liked the concept
The Truth About Queenie
Boring heteros :/
Eh, don't like the abrupt ending (maybe it's abrupt cuz I'm just listening to it and don't have a concept of how long it is)
Weird cheating motif and I dont rly get it
The Moonapple Menagerie
Goddamn these witches are furries
Hey question wtf is going on
I don't understand it
[like, OK, I /get/ that it's a different culture and I was trying to be open to the whole plot and what was happening, but I was just so confused and didn't like it]
The Legend of Stone Mary
The gays!!!
The One Who Stayed
What???? Don't like it :/
Divine Are the Stars
Eh
Daughters of Baba Yaga
New concept, a bad witch, was OK. Don't understand the communist bit tho or why that was included
The Well Witch
Partial to this one only cuz I recently read the Sebastian Barry book set in civil war time, but not much else impresses me
Eh actually not really it was boring and not a lot of witchyness
Beware of Girls with Crooked Mouths
Hmph
But there were some gays that was nice
Love Spell
I read an article in medical anthro about susto once so this one is cool to me
Also just am into the story more which is surprising since the other book I've read by this author I didn't like
Def can see this author's magical realism style coming thru
The Gherin Girls
"Small warm relief sets in" - sounds like a description of if u peed urself even tho i know it's not
Oooo I really liked this one!!!
All the sexuality representation!!! But also family love!! Yay!!
It's incredible how much I identify or feel "seen" in the Willa/Ingrid scenario...just like, the description of what she loves about Ingrid and how they lie next to each other I /feel/ that, yknow?? Cuz like, after some of these hetero stories it's like, holy shit, I do NOT understand that I'm SO gay
It's almost like...representation matters đ¤ *insert Pikachu face meme*
Why They Watch Us Burn
Oof this is powerful
thebookishunicorn's review
5.0
Actual rating 4.5 stars
"Here's how to fulfill a prophecy: you are a woman, you speak the truth, and the world makes you into a liar." -Why They Watch Us Burn
I really really loved this collection of short stories! They are all so different from one another but still feel like they belong together. The cultures and characters are so diverse, a ton of own voices, and amazing LGBTQ+ representation. It's a great spooky read, while also bursting full of female empowerment.
"Here's how to fulfill a prophecy: you are a woman, you speak the truth, and the world makes you into a liar." -Why They Watch Us Burn
I really really loved this collection of short stories! They are all so different from one another but still feel like they belong together. The cultures and characters are so diverse, a ton of own voices, and amazing LGBTQ+ representation. It's a great spooky read, while also bursting full of female empowerment.
nabiis's review
5.0
Toil & Trouble is a collection of stories about witches, but more importantly, it is a collection of stories about finding yourself, learning to love yourself and others, and using your greatest talents for what you believe is right.
When I requested to receive an ARC for this book, all I knew was there were gay witches. GAY WITCHES. It sounded exactly like what I wanted in my life and guess what? It was! It was everything I wanted and hoped for and so so much more. My favorite stories were "Love Spell" by Anna-Marie McLemore, "The Gherin Girls" by Emery Lord, and "Why They Watch Us Burn" by Elizabeth May.
Overall, I am giving this book five stars!!! I will also rate each story individually below and add where lgbt+ rep can be found.
"Starsong" by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Rating: 4 stars
Rep: f/f
"Afterbirthâ by Andrea Cremer
Rating: 2.5 stars
âThe Heart in Her Handsâ by Tess Sharpe
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: f/f
âDeath in the Sawtoothsâ by Lindsay Smith
Rating: 2 stars
âThe Truth About Queenieâ by Brandy Colbert
Rating: 3.5 stars
âThe Moonapple Menagerieâ by Shveta Thakrar
Rating: 3.5 stars
âThe Legend of Stone Maryâ by Robin Talley
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: f/f
âThe One Who Stayedâ by Nova Ren Suma
Rating: 5 stars
TW: sexual assault
âDivine Are the Starsâ by Zoraida CĂłrdova
Rating: 4 stars
âDaughters of Baba Yagaâ by Brenna Yovanoff
Rating: 4.5 stars
TW: gore
âThe Well Witchâ by Kate Hart
Rating: 3 stars
TW: racisim, animal death
âBeware of Girls with Crooked Mouthsâ by Jessica Spotswood
Rating: 4 stars
Rep: side sapphic character
TW: mentions suicide
âLove Spellâ by Anna-Marie McLemore
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: trans love interest
âThe Gherin Girlsâ by Emery Lord
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: two main sapphic characters
TW: abusive relationship
âWhy They Watch Us Burnâ by Elizabeth May
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: f/f, trans side character
TW: sexual assault
This honestly was a beautiful anthology and I highly recommend that everyone reads it!!
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I requested to receive an ARC for this book, all I knew was there were gay witches. GAY WITCHES. It sounded exactly like what I wanted in my life and guess what? It was! It was everything I wanted and hoped for and so so much more. My favorite stories were "Love Spell" by Anna-Marie McLemore, "The Gherin Girls" by Emery Lord, and "Why They Watch Us Burn" by Elizabeth May.
Overall, I am giving this book five stars!!! I will also rate each story individually below and add where lgbt+ rep can be found.
"Starsong" by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Rating: 4 stars
Rep: f/f
"Afterbirthâ by Andrea Cremer
Rating: 2.5 stars
âThe Heart in Her Handsâ by Tess Sharpe
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: f/f
âDeath in the Sawtoothsâ by Lindsay Smith
Rating: 2 stars
âThe Truth About Queenieâ by Brandy Colbert
Rating: 3.5 stars
âThe Moonapple Menagerieâ by Shveta Thakrar
Rating: 3.5 stars
âThe Legend of Stone Maryâ by Robin Talley
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: f/f
âThe One Who Stayedâ by Nova Ren Suma
Rating: 5 stars
TW: sexual assault
âDivine Are the Starsâ by Zoraida CĂłrdova
Rating: 4 stars
âDaughters of Baba Yagaâ by Brenna Yovanoff
Rating: 4.5 stars
TW: gore
âThe Well Witchâ by Kate Hart
Rating: 3 stars
TW: racisim, animal death
âBeware of Girls with Crooked Mouthsâ by Jessica Spotswood
Rating: 4 stars
Rep: side sapphic character
TW: mentions suicide
âLove Spellâ by Anna-Marie McLemore
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: trans love interest
âThe Gherin Girlsâ by Emery Lord
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: two main sapphic characters
TW: abusive relationship
âWhy They Watch Us Burnâ by Elizabeth May
Rating: 5 stars
Rep: f/f, trans side character
TW: sexual assault
This honestly was a beautiful anthology and I highly recommend that everyone reads it!!
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
booklover160's review
5.0
Yes, Iâm starting another anthology because I have no chill... and my boss handed it to me and I couldnât refuse.
Starsong by Tehlor Kay Mejia
4 stars
A magical story of a bruja recovering from addiction and meeting someone online. Super cute, super well written, and I wish there was more!
Afterbirth by Andrea Cremer
5 stars
I really liked the format of this one; first person POV interspersed with dialogue from a trial. I thought this was super interesting and eerie and totally cool. I really liked it!
The Heart in Her Hands by Tess Sharpe
2 stars
I liked it but it was boring and long. Just not for me.
Death in the Sawtooths by Lindsay Smith
4 stars
This one felt like an episode of Bones meets Supernatural. I liked the eerie morgue setting and I found the magic system interesting. I didnât like that it felt like we ended pretty much in the same place we started in terms of peopleâs prejudice. I hoped to see that maybe the town was easier on our heroine.
The Truth About Queenie by Brandy Colbert
4 stars
Only because I want to know what happened next. I really liked this one (maybe 4 stars is unfair. It could be 5 stars) and mostly because I loved Queenie. Sheâs in love with her semi-famous best friend whoâs just revealed his girlfriend of two months. Queenie gets put into a tough situation where she has to reevaluate herself, her relationships, and who she is. And she handled it so well! One of my favorites so far!
The Moonapple Menagerie by Shveta Thakrar
5 stars
I loved the magical language and the descriptive writing! I could easily be entertained by another 200 pages of this story! I will be adding more Shveta Thakrar novels to my TBR!!
The Legend of Stone Mary by Robin Talley
3.5 stars
Not bad, but not stellar. Predictable but cool. It was okay.
The One Who Stayed by Nova Ren Suma
3 stars
TW: Rape
This one was hard to read but pretty good. If I could have revenge... I don't think I could do it. But my case wasn't as brutal as Mirah's. Again, pretty good but difficult to read.
Divine Are the Stars by Zoraida CĂłrdova
3 stars
It was kinda weird and not in an easy to follow way. The blend between what's real and what's fantasy was a little too blurred for me.
Daughters of Baba Yaga by Brenna Yovanoff
4 stars
I liked this little arc. I want more actually. I couldn't tell if it was actual magic or cleverness that made up our heroine's witch (her friend is more of a cleverness is her magic than actual magic). I liked that the kids got what was coming for them.
The Well Witch by Kate Hart
5 stars
Feels like Holes meets Westworld (before you learn Westworld is an amusement park). I loved it. I want another two books about Elsa please!
Beware of Girls With Crooked Mouths by Jessica Spotswood
3 stars
I feel like this one needed a bit more fleshing out. It felt like a bare bones story, maybe still in drafting phase, and I needed more "meat". I liked it well enough, but I think it certainly could have been better.
Love Spell by Anna-Marie McLemore
3.5 stars
My religious trauma made this one bittersweet. I really loved that Adrian was trans and I loved the relationship with the main character. I liked their style of witchcraft too. Overall, a bittersweet story.
The Gherin Girls by Emery Lord
5 stars
I think this one is my favorite. A beautiful story about three sisters who love one another unconditionally. I certainly identified with the middle sister, not only as a middle child, but also her situation. I LOVED it.
Why They Watch Us Burn by Elizabeth May
5 stars
This one made me emotional and I had to set it down every so often. It gave me a rage that could only be magical. I am a witch too.
Overall, a great collection of witchy tales. Particular favorites are âThe Gherin Girlsâ, âThe Moonapple Menagerieâ, âAfterbirthâ, âThe Well Witchâ, and âWhy They Watch Us Burnâ. Highly recommend!!
Starsong by Tehlor Kay Mejia
4 stars
A magical story of a bruja recovering from addiction and meeting someone online. Super cute, super well written, and I wish there was more!
Afterbirth by Andrea Cremer
5 stars
I really liked the format of this one; first person POV interspersed with dialogue from a trial. I thought this was super interesting and eerie and totally cool. I really liked it!
The Heart in Her Hands by Tess Sharpe
2 stars
I liked it but it was boring and long. Just not for me.
Death in the Sawtooths by Lindsay Smith
4 stars
This one felt like an episode of Bones meets Supernatural. I liked the eerie morgue setting and I found the magic system interesting. I didnât like that it felt like we ended pretty much in the same place we started in terms of peopleâs prejudice. I hoped to see that maybe the town was easier on our heroine.
The Truth About Queenie by Brandy Colbert
4 stars
Only because I want to know what happened next. I really liked this one (maybe 4 stars is unfair. It could be 5 stars) and mostly because I loved Queenie. Sheâs in love with her semi-famous best friend whoâs just revealed his girlfriend of two months. Queenie gets put into a tough situation where she has to reevaluate herself, her relationships, and who she is. And she handled it so well! One of my favorites so far!
The Moonapple Menagerie by Shveta Thakrar
5 stars
I loved the magical language and the descriptive writing! I could easily be entertained by another 200 pages of this story! I will be adding more Shveta Thakrar novels to my TBR!!
The Legend of Stone Mary by Robin Talley
3.5 stars
Not bad, but not stellar. Predictable but cool. It was okay.
The One Who Stayed by Nova Ren Suma
3 stars
TW: Rape
This one was hard to read but pretty good. If I could have revenge... I don't think I could do it. But my case wasn't as brutal as Mirah's. Again, pretty good but difficult to read.
Divine Are the Stars by Zoraida CĂłrdova
3 stars
It was kinda weird and not in an easy to follow way. The blend between what's real and what's fantasy was a little too blurred for me.
Daughters of Baba Yaga by Brenna Yovanoff
4 stars
I liked this little arc. I want more actually. I couldn't tell if it was actual magic or cleverness that made up our heroine's witch (her friend is more of a cleverness is her magic than actual magic). I liked that the kids got what was coming for them.
The Well Witch by Kate Hart
5 stars
Feels like Holes meets Westworld (before you learn Westworld is an amusement park). I loved it. I want another two books about Elsa please!
Beware of Girls With Crooked Mouths by Jessica Spotswood
3 stars
I feel like this one needed a bit more fleshing out. It felt like a bare bones story, maybe still in drafting phase, and I needed more "meat". I liked it well enough, but I think it certainly could have been better.
Love Spell by Anna-Marie McLemore
3.5 stars
My religious trauma made this one bittersweet. I really loved that Adrian was trans and I loved the relationship with the main character. I liked their style of witchcraft too. Overall, a bittersweet story.
The Gherin Girls by Emery Lord
5 stars
I think this one is my favorite. A beautiful story about three sisters who love one another unconditionally. I certainly identified with the middle sister, not only as a middle child, but also her situation. I LOVED it.
Why They Watch Us Burn by Elizabeth May
5 stars
This one made me emotional and I had to set it down every so often. It gave me a rage that could only be magical. I am a witch too.
Overall, a great collection of witchy tales. Particular favorites are âThe Gherin Girlsâ, âThe Moonapple Menagerieâ, âAfterbirthâ, âThe Well Witchâ, and âWhy They Watch Us Burnâ. Highly recommend!!
surreptitiously's review against another edition
5.0
This was so perfect I bought a hardback copy for my shelf.
This collection is so diverse and gay and I love it.
This collection is so diverse and gay and I love it.
helloheyitssara's review against another edition
3.25
Starsong - Tehlor Kay Mejia 3/5
Afterbirth - Andrea Cremer 4/5
The Heart In Her Hands - Tess Sharpe 2/5
Death In The Sawtooths - Lindsay Smith 4/5
The Truth About Queenie - Brandy Colbert 5/5
The Moonapple Menagerie - Shveta Thakrar 2/5
The Legend Of Stone Mary - Robin Talley 3/5
The One Who Stayed - Nova Ren Suns 5/5
Divine Are The Stars - Zoraida CĂłrdova 2/5
Daughters Of Baba Yaga - Brenna Yovanoff 2/5
The Well Witch - Kate Hart 3/5
Beware Of Girls With Crooked Mouths - Jessica Spotswood 3/5
Love Spell - Anna-Marie McLemore 3/5
The Gherkin Girls - Emery Lord 3/5
Why They Watch Us Burn - Elizabeth May 5/5
Afterbirth - Andrea Cremer 4/5
The Heart In Her Hands - Tess Sharpe 2/5
Death In The Sawtooths - Lindsay Smith 4/5
The Truth About Queenie - Brandy Colbert 5/5
The Moonapple Menagerie - Shveta Thakrar 2/5
The Legend Of Stone Mary - Robin Talley 3/5
The One Who Stayed - Nova Ren Suns 5/5
Divine Are The Stars - Zoraida CĂłrdova 2/5
Daughters Of Baba Yaga - Brenna Yovanoff 2/5
The Well Witch - Kate Hart 3/5
Beware Of Girls With Crooked Mouths - Jessica Spotswood 3/5
Love Spell - Anna-Marie McLemore 3/5
The Gherkin Girls - Emery Lord 3/5
Why They Watch Us Burn - Elizabeth May 5/5
smittenforfiction's review against another edition
4.0
Toil & Trouble is a unique short story collection of imaginative tales about witches learning to believe in themselves and face their fears. Some of the stories are light, while others are more serious and moving. Nothing can stand in the way of a woman who believes in herself. The real history of witches inspire a modern conversation about past mistakes as an opportunity for change. With a cast of diverse characters, many tales had me hooked from the first paragraph to the end.
Toil & Trouble is a commendable compilation for fantasy fans, especially for those interested in witches, but is also a significant piece of today's conversation about feminism and diversity.
Some of my Favs:
"Afterbirth" by Andrea Cremer
"The Heart in Her Hands" by Tess Sharpe
"Death in The Sawtooths" by Lindsay Smith
"Love Spell" by Anna-Marie McLemore
"The Gherin Girls" by Emery Lord
My favourite: "Why They Watch Us Burn" by Elizabeth May
All of the stories are at least âââ for me, my only complaint being that I found some of the endings abrupt/incomplete.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
Contributors:
Tehlor Kay Mejia "Starsong"
Andrea Cremer "Afterbirth"
Tess Sharpe "The Heart In Her Hands"
Lindsay Smith "Death in the Sawtooths"
Brandy Colbert "The Truth About Queenie"
Shveta Thakrar "The Moonapple Menagerie"
Robin Talley "The Legend of Stone Mary"
Nova Ren Suma "The One Who Stayed"
Zoraida CĂłrdova "Divine are the Stars"
Brenna Yovanoff "Daughters of Baba Yaga"
Kate Hart "The Well Witch"
Jessica Spotswood "Beware of Girls With Crooked Mouths"
Anna-Marie McLemore "Love Spell"
Emery Lord "The Gherin Girls"
Elizabeth May "Why They Watch us Burn"
Toil & Trouble is a commendable compilation for fantasy fans, especially for those interested in witches, but is also a significant piece of today's conversation about feminism and diversity.
Some of my Favs:
"Afterbirth" by Andrea Cremer
"The Heart in Her Hands" by Tess Sharpe
"Death in The Sawtooths" by Lindsay Smith
"Love Spell" by Anna-Marie McLemore
"The Gherin Girls" by Emery Lord
My favourite: "Why They Watch Us Burn" by Elizabeth May
All of the stories are at least âââ for me, my only complaint being that I found some of the endings abrupt/incomplete.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
Contributors:
Tehlor Kay Mejia "Starsong"
Andrea Cremer "Afterbirth"
Tess Sharpe "The Heart In Her Hands"
Lindsay Smith "Death in the Sawtooths"
Brandy Colbert "The Truth About Queenie"
Shveta Thakrar "The Moonapple Menagerie"
Robin Talley "The Legend of Stone Mary"
Nova Ren Suma "The One Who Stayed"
Zoraida CĂłrdova "Divine are the Stars"
Brenna Yovanoff "Daughters of Baba Yaga"
Kate Hart "The Well Witch"
Jessica Spotswood "Beware of Girls With Crooked Mouths"
Anna-Marie McLemore "Love Spell"
Emery Lord "The Gherin Girls"
Elizabeth May "Why They Watch us Burn"
classicbhaer's review
5.0
*I received this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
What I Liked
Both Tess Sharpe and Jessica Spotswood did an amazing job editing this short story collection together. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every single short story that I read. Normally, in a short story collection there are one or two duds that just lay flat or I disliked the authors writing style, but that is far from the case with this collection.
This collection of stories that revolves around witches was amazing for multiple reasons. The first being that each author had their own view of what a witch was. You can see that these authors come from different backgrounds and have heard myths from their cultures about witches. I loved this. Not only did I get to read about witches, but I got to read about different interruptions on what a witch is.
On top of there being different takes on what a witch is the stories in this collection are not just modern, but also some are written in the past. Being a history lover myself I loved that some of the stories were from along ago when in the United States were just colonies. Even if history is not your thing I feel like you would love those stories anyway due to the plots of the stories themselves. Even though these stories are short I felt connected with the characters I rooted for them.
What I Didnât Like
The only fault I have with this collection is the fact that it ended. I wanted the book to keep going and going.
Overall Thoughts
I adored this collection of short stories so much. I have to openly admit that this short story collection has truly been a winner in my eyes. There was not a single short story that I did not love. All the authors writing was wonderful and the varying takes and time periods that their stories took place in were all done so well. Each story was its own and was wonderful. I even loved that there was LGBTQ+ elements to this collection. I know that I am going out to the store and buying this collection when it comes out in stores. I will be rereading it and annotating it so much. I highly recommend this collection of you love reading stories about witches from long ago to modern times.
What I Liked
Both Tess Sharpe and Jessica Spotswood did an amazing job editing this short story collection together. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every single short story that I read. Normally, in a short story collection there are one or two duds that just lay flat or I disliked the authors writing style, but that is far from the case with this collection.
This collection of stories that revolves around witches was amazing for multiple reasons. The first being that each author had their own view of what a witch was. You can see that these authors come from different backgrounds and have heard myths from their cultures about witches. I loved this. Not only did I get to read about witches, but I got to read about different interruptions on what a witch is.
On top of there being different takes on what a witch is the stories in this collection are not just modern, but also some are written in the past. Being a history lover myself I loved that some of the stories were from along ago when in the United States were just colonies. Even if history is not your thing I feel like you would love those stories anyway due to the plots of the stories themselves. Even though these stories are short I felt connected with the characters I rooted for them.
What I Didnât Like
The only fault I have with this collection is the fact that it ended. I wanted the book to keep going and going.
Overall Thoughts
I adored this collection of short stories so much. I have to openly admit that this short story collection has truly been a winner in my eyes. There was not a single short story that I did not love. All the authors writing was wonderful and the varying takes and time periods that their stories took place in were all done so well. Each story was its own and was wonderful. I even loved that there was LGBTQ+ elements to this collection. I know that I am going out to the store and buying this collection when it comes out in stores. I will be rereading it and annotating it so much. I highly recommend this collection of you love reading stories about witches from long ago to modern times.
fussl's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0