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pilgrimgossip's review
3.0
This may have been my first ( am I gonna call it a historical romance?) historical romance.For the first half of the book I was under the mistaken belief that it was set in England, but it is not. The setting is America, but after having the characters in my head speaking with an accent for so long it was hard getting them to stop.
The plot was the driving force that kept me reading. I found it intriguing and that was enough to keep me coming back. This was not a 5 star book for me and that is probably because of the characters.I understand that being in the closet really fucks with your confidence and identity. Believe me, I can trace many of my problem thoughts and behaviours back to High school before I came out. I understand it was exponentially worse when this story took place. Realistically Percy is gonna be all kinds of fucked up. That does not mean I did not get really tired of all his self loathing. There's only so many times I can hear a character tell me he is ugly and awkward and doesn't know why Griffin would ever want to be with him before I'm starting to agree with him. Just why does Griffin fall for him. Percy and I both agree he could do better. (That's not to say I don't like Percy, I just didn't crush on him at all. like at all.
Griffin on the other hand is much easier to be attracted to. To be fair if readers were in my head all the time like we were with Percy, I can't say that the audience would like me very much either
Griffin and Percy could be sweet, but had very little actual chemistry. And don't even get me started on all the awful euphemisms for cock and ass I read. I know its mostly history's fault, the author was just working with what he had, but it still made me cringe.
The plot was good, the story kept me entertained and the finale was pretty exciting. But the couple lacks any serious heat. Like seriously.
3 and 1\2 stars
The plot was the driving force that kept me reading. I found it intriguing and that was enough to keep me coming back. This was not a 5 star book for me and that is probably because of the characters.I understand that being in the closet really fucks with your confidence and identity. Believe me, I can trace many of my problem thoughts and behaviours back to High school before I came out. I understand it was exponentially worse when this story took place. Realistically Percy is gonna be all kinds of fucked up. That does not mean I did not get really tired of all his self loathing. There's only so many times I can hear a character tell me he is ugly and awkward and doesn't know why Griffin would ever want to be with him before I'm starting to agree with him. Just why does Griffin fall for him. Percy and I both agree he could do better. (That's not to say I don't like Percy, I just didn't crush on him at all. like at all.
Griffin on the other hand is much easier to be attracted to. To be fair if readers were in my head all the time like we were with Percy, I can't say that the audience would like me very much either
Griffin and Percy could be sweet, but had very little actual chemistry. And don't even get me started on all the awful euphemisms for cock and ass I read. I know its mostly history's fault, the author was just working with what he had, but it still made me cringe.
The plot was good, the story kept me entertained and the finale was pretty exciting. But the couple lacks any serious heat. Like seriously.
3 and 1\2 stars
sarahsupastar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
heabooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
WIDDERSHINS has been on my TBR for a long time and it did not disappoint now that I've finally read it! I loved the setting of a 1890's Massachusetts town founded by a man running from the Salem witch trials. Throw in some magic, a dangerous occult group, a fantastic historical museum, and of course our MCs, private detective Griffin Flaherty and scholar Percival Endicott Whyborne, and this was a big success for me.
Told completely from Whyborne's POV, the reader really gets a sense of how lonely and reserved Whyborne is before he meets Griffin. An outcast in his own family, Whyborne is an introverted and scholarly man who feels like no one truly sees him for who he really is. I got so immersed in Whyborne as a character and I loved seeing his growth throughout the book as he steps out of his comfort zone but personally and professionally. Griffin is the perfect match for Whyborne because he helps Whyborne see his inherent self worth. Griffin is adventurous and outgoing but he has his own doubts and demons that make him unsure if he can fully trust or rely on Whyborne.
Together, these two make quite the team as they attempt to solve a murder and navigate the sudden realization that magic and dangerous creatures are afoot in Widdershins. Along the way they're assisted by Dr. Christine Putnam who I absolutely loved because she refused to be anything other than what she was no matter how much she scandalized the local men of Widdershins.
Equal parts romantic, magical, and adventurous, WIDDERSHINS was a great start to the series and I can't wait to follow Whyborne and Griffin on all their travels.
Content Warning: reference to the death of a close friend
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Connected Series:
1. Whyborne & Griffin
2. Rath & Rune
Told completely from Whyborne's POV, the reader really gets a sense of how lonely and reserved Whyborne is before he meets Griffin. An outcast in his own family, Whyborne is an introverted and scholarly man who feels like no one truly sees him for who he really is. I got so immersed in Whyborne as a character and I loved seeing his growth throughout the book as he steps out of his comfort zone but personally and professionally. Griffin is the perfect match for Whyborne because he helps Whyborne see his inherent self worth. Griffin is adventurous and outgoing but he has his own doubts and demons that make him unsure if he can fully trust or rely on Whyborne.
Together, these two make quite the team as they attempt to solve a murder and navigate the sudden realization that magic and dangerous creatures are afoot in Widdershins. Along the way they're assisted by Dr. Christine Putnam who I absolutely loved because she refused to be anything other than what she was no matter how much she scandalized the local men of Widdershins.
Equal parts romantic, magical, and adventurous, WIDDERSHINS was a great start to the series and I can't wait to follow Whyborne and Griffin on all their travels.
Content Warning: reference to the death of a close friend
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Connected Series:
1. Whyborne & Griffin
2. Rath & Rune
the_otaku_bibliophile's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
gillianw's review
4.0
First read: April 2015
Second read (not including prior audiobook): July 2020
Back to where it all started. I fell in love with Whyborne, Griffin and Christine here during my first read of this fantastic series and I'm reliving all of my favourite moments again. Thankfully, this is a series that improves upon subsequent readings because quarantine life 2020 is boring af and I needed this distraction badly.
Second read (not including prior audiobook): July 2020
Back to where it all started. I fell in love with Whyborne, Griffin and Christine here during my first read of this fantastic series and I'm reliving all of my favourite moments again. Thankfully, this is a series that improves upon subsequent readings because quarantine life 2020 is boring af and I needed this distraction badly.
potion96's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tlwd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rosieclaverton's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
Loved this book so much that I immediately devoured the next one and onto the third. Also there is a lot of really hot sex.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Death, Blood, Gore, and Body horror
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Chronic illness, Violence, Sexism, and Homophobia
Minor: Mental illness and Confinement
katieinca's review
3.0
This book is all the things - it's an urban-fantasy-horror-mystery-historical-gay-romance. At it's heart it's a romance, though. Specifically, if you wish you had some Sherlock/Watson inspired romance with Lovecraft nods and a little bit of an Elizabeth Peters vibe, here is your book!
When I read romance I'm usually more the romcom type than the erotica type; horror's not my jam; and I didn't click with the characters (too sincere, not enough sass, maybe?), so I don't know that I'll continue with the series, but I'm glad it's out there.
When I read romance I'm usually more the romcom type than the erotica type; horror's not my jam; and I didn't click with the characters (too sincere, not enough sass, maybe?), so I don't know that I'll continue with the series, but I'm glad it's out there.