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A review by coffeeaddicted1988
A Circle of Uncommon Witches by Paige Crutcher
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.
2.5 stars. I wanted to love this book. By the description, there was great potential. Now, I didn’t hate it, but it could have been better.
Some positives.
1. I enjoyed the Scottish mythology. I enjoyed the world building, around how magic works and the trials.
2. I enjoyed Doreen and Margot’s relationship.
3. I enjoyed Doreen and Ambrose’s banter and relationship.
Some negatives.
1. The pacing was off! 20% to get to chapter 5. Then chapter 8 was at 31%, chapter 9 at 40% and chapter 44%.
2. The different POV within the same chapters without announcing which character we are now following was jarring.
3. Unless this was a typo (and it didn’t feel like one with the context), Doreen had her first boyfriend at age 7. But Stella had “for years” found a way to subvert Doreen’s romantic interests. When did Doreen start having romantic ideas?! She was a child, how does this make sense?
4. I really disliked how the girls were treated growing up, especially Doreen. Why not train her to her full capacity? Why keep secrets from the new generation when they will take over the coven eventually?
5. For it to be a HEA, I understand how Ambrose had to forgive the family. Who could forgive these heinous crimes?
One question though. Why do Doreen’s eyes shimmer like pearls at the end? Was she tainted by Ada? Or is it proof of winning over Ada?
2.5 stars. I wanted to love this book. By the description, there was great potential. Now, I didn’t hate it, but it could have been better.
Some positives.
1. I enjoyed the Scottish mythology. I enjoyed the world building, around how magic works and the trials.
2. I enjoyed Doreen and Margot’s relationship.
3. I enjoyed Doreen and Ambrose’s banter and relationship.
Some negatives.
1. The pacing was off! 20% to get to chapter 5. Then chapter 8 was at 31%, chapter 9 at 40% and chapter 44%.
2. The different POV within the same chapters without announcing which character we are now following was jarring.
4. I really disliked how the girls were treated growing up, especially Doreen. Why not train her to her full capacity? Why keep secrets from the new generation when they will take over the coven eventually?
5. For it to be a HEA, I understand how Ambrose had to forgive the family. Who could forgive these heinous crimes?
One question though. Why do Doreen’s eyes shimmer like pearls at the end? Was she tainted by Ada? Or is it proof of winning over Ada?