Reviews

The Book of Witches: An Anthology by Jonathan Strahan

eaug's review

adventurous challenging funny mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

This was a nice collection of stories about one of my favorite topics, witches. The stories are all standalone and each stories all have their own personal style. This is for the person who would prefer quick short reads and a bunch of genre jumping.

mimicry's review against another edition

fast-paced

4.5

itaby's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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? Yes

3.75

okevamae's review against another edition

4.0

This is an anthology of short stories and poems about witches. I found it really enjoyable! There were familiar tropes, like the Maiden/Mother/Crone, and novel twists, as well as some interesting sci-fi twists on witchcraft. I particularly liked the stories by P. Djeli Clark, Ken Liu, Darcie Little Badger, Cassandra Khaw, Tobi Ogundiran, Garth Nix, Premee Mohamed, E. Lily Yu, Emily Y. Teng, and Amal El-Mohtar. All the authors that made me excited to pick up this book, plus a few new names to look into.

Representation: POC characters and authors, LGBTQ+ characters and authors

TW: homophobia, transphobia, sexual assault, gore, domestic violence (mentioned)

davidcottington's review against another edition

4.0

I thought this was fun. A bit lengthy for a short story collection.

I loved the queer rep, although it would have been nice to read more about queer and trans joy, apposed to the hate rooted at the majority of the stories. A queer and trans coven of witches, thanks.

The Luck Thief and As Wayward Sisters, Hand in Hand were 5 star perfection!

sendlasagna's review against another edition

came for p djeli Clark, stayed for lots of cool writers, got distracted by school reading 

80sanders's review

adventurous mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated

2.25

bonni24's review

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

lizzyfields's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

exlibrisphoebe's review

3.0

3.75⭐️ average rating but overall feels more like a 3

my favourites:
The Liar by Darcie Little Badger
Met Swallow by Cassandra Khaw
Orphanage of the Last Breath by Saad Z. Hossain
Witchfires by E. Lily Yu
The Academy of Oracular Magic by Miyuki Jane Pinckard