O is for Once

I’m doing folklore and book review posts to reach and please a larger audience. Previous years have shown select interest in both and to minimise blogging throughout the year, I’m focusing my efforts on April.

Focusing on an A to Z of my TBR (to be read) list, each letter will have books starting with that letter on my list, a book I’ve read and reviewed (with the review!) and one of my books matching the letter with a link about more info about the book.

I chose the books this year quite randomly from my Goodreads Want to Read page. Some are quite creatively added to letters.

If you’d rather check out my folklore post for today, go here.

You can read reviews for from previous years for this letter here, here and here, and my year-end reviews here, here, here, here and, most recently, here and here.

My TBR

About the Books I’ve Read

Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow

In 1893, there’s no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the Eastwood sisters–James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna–join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women’s movement into the witch’s movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote-and perhaps not even to live-the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.

There’s no such thing as witches. But there will be.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

Wow, what a ride. Told from the POV of three sisters who fit the mould of Maiden, Mother and Crone, this alternative history set in New Salem (the original Salem had been burned down by witch hunters) delves into issues pertaining to womanhood (being branded a witch when using/dispensing herbal remedies, abortionists, midwivery, demanding equal rights with men, etc.).

It’s a melting pot of drama, human rights violations and abuses against women – and the Eastwood sisters have had enough.

Though there were elements of each character I liked, Agnes was the one I related to the most. Her growth as a person, a sister and a mother felt like it was the heart of the story. She even found a man worthy of her.

I liked how each of the Eastwood sisters had to earn their familiar.

I liked how the issues of the time (slavery, workhouses, questionable medical practices, women’s rights, etc.) were subtly woven into the wordbuilding and plot.

The tower with its amazing collection of books was my favourite setting. I liked the secret passages, hidden rooms and other magical touches to the city, too.

I liked the use of fairytales, nursery rhymes and more as hidden witch tales and spells. I also liked that folklorists like Lang, Perrault and the Grimms were all women.

The main antagonist embodies everything these women stood against: a man wielding magic against others, who kills without a thought, who persecutes women who aren’t docile as witches, who lies and steals as he pleases, all in the name of “goodness” – and as a politician, he gets away with it.

The twist in the tale about him and the witches was quite good.

There are some language issues, though the one that bothered me the most is using the Lord’s name as an expletive.

A long book and at times a heavy read, but compelling and entertaining.

My Book

Breaking the Habit (Irascible Immortals #1)

Remember that you can request all of my books from your local library!

I hope you enjoyed this. For more books I’ve read and reviewed, check out either my Pinterest board about reviews or my Goodreads profile. Alternatively, you can check out my reviews on BookBub. Have you read any of the books? Loved or hated any of them?

You can now support my time in producing book review posts (buying books, reading, writing reviews and everything else involved) by buying me a coffee. This can be a once-off thing, or you can buy me coffee again in the future at your discretion.

*FYI, my reviews are my honest opinion and if something bothers me, I tell it straight. How else will anything change? My opinions are based on being a voracious reader and book buyer, not an attack on the author.*