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tofugal's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.0
A must-read for Tara fans. It was nice to see my favorite Buffy character take center stage, have her own adventure, and save the day, instead of being on the periphery or primarily utilized as a damsel in distress. This story beautifully captured Tara’s first crush and her journey towards embracing her magic in spite of the terrible lies her father told her about witchcraft. Daphne and Baz were well-rounded and lovable as well. Though Tara’s fate on Buffy will never stop breaking my heart, it was wonderful to spend quality time with her in this novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Alcohol
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Get a slice of the fan favorite, Tara's, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, backstory in this Tara prequel to BtVS.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit, but it had too much romance for my taste. I love Ashley Poston as a YA romance writer from what I've read by her, but I felt this book should have been less about romance, and more about action, but I'm not sure that's the author's wheelhouse.
I honestly preferred the Spike prequel. I would LOVE to see a Faith prequel by someone like, Jay Kristoff!
My favorite character was Baz, he was sweet and funny and just a character who helped to lighten up an otherwise dark tale. Tara's love interest I didn't like as much, since we didn't get her point of view or a lot of her back story, she just seemed gruff and a bit unlikable.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit, but it had too much romance for my taste. I love Ashley Poston as a YA romance writer from what I've read by her, but I felt this book should have been less about romance, and more about action, but I'm not sure that's the author's wheelhouse.
I honestly preferred the Spike prequel. I would LOVE to see a Faith prequel by someone like, Jay Kristoff!
My favorite character was Baz, he was sweet and funny and just a character who helped to lighten up an otherwise dark tale. Tara's love interest I didn't like as much, since we didn't get her point of view or a lot of her back story, she just seemed gruff and a bit unlikable.
I hate Tara's family even more after reading this book than I did in the show. Her whole family was awful. Though in the show they seemed more white trashy than a professor and his kids.
Overall, the book was good, but not the best by the author I've read so far.
Extra ratings: Fluff- 1/5 Heartfelt- 4.5/5 Helpful-NA Horror- 0.5/5 Inspiration-NA Love-3.5/5 Mystery- 2/5 Predictablity- 3/5 Spice-0/5 Suspense-1/5 Tear 2.5/5 Thrill-1/5 Humor-1.5/5
Overall, the book was good, but not the best by the author I've read so far.
Extra ratings: Fluff- 1/5 Heartfelt- 4.5/5 Helpful-NA Horror- 0.5/5 Inspiration-NA Love-3.5/5 Mystery- 2/5 Predictablity- 3/5 Spice-0/5 Suspense-1/5 Tear 2.5/5 Thrill-1/5 Humor-1.5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Bullying, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Terminal illness, and Racism
jenniferbbookdragon's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
A delightful story of Tara Maclay before she comes to UC Sunnydale and joins Willow and the Scoobies on the Hellmouth. Her mother has died eight months before the beginning of this tale, her family relocated from Nebraska to Vermont, and she is the new girl at school. Tara faces her fears, grief, and unexpected magical threats while trying to survive the horrors of high school: bullying, dodgeball and where to sit in the cafeteria.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
kayladaila's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for the review copy!
While this book is great, please know that Joss Whedon is a pretty terrible person and will profit off of this book.
The Bewitching Hour is a realistic fantasy novel about teenage Tara Maclay moving to Vermont and starting a new high school rife with murder and mystery. Ashley Poston did a great job with Tara, one of the most beloved Buffy characters. When I saw Poston’s name attached to the project, I knew it was going to be great. You do not have to have seen Buffy to enjoy this book, but there were some really cute nods to the tv series. Ashley Poston also did a great job of including diversity with all the new characters she introduced.
While this book is great, please know that Joss Whedon is a pretty terrible person and will profit off of this book.
The Bewitching Hour is a realistic fantasy novel about teenage Tara Maclay moving to Vermont and starting a new high school rife with murder and mystery. Ashley Poston did a great job with Tara, one of the most beloved Buffy characters. When I saw Poston’s name attached to the project, I knew it was going to be great. You do not have to have seen Buffy to enjoy this book, but there were some really cute nods to the tv series. Ashley Poston also did a great job of including diversity with all the new characters she introduced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Murder, Violence, Bullying, Car accident, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Minor: Animal death, Terminal illness, Alcohol, and Blood
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