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bdingz's reviews
408 reviews
Maeve Fly by CJ Leede
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A woman must first endure a victimhood of some sort—abandonment, abuse, oppression of the patriarchy—to be monstrous. Men have always been permitted in fiction and in life to simply be what they are, no matter how dark or terrifying that might be. But with a woman, we expect an answer, a reason.
This was a wild ride and my first foray into splatterpunk. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did! Creepy, funny, icky. I support women’s wrongs.
This was a wild ride and my first foray into splatterpunk. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did! Creepy, funny, icky. I support women’s wrongs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Terminal illness and Cannibalism
Of Blood and Bones: Working with Shadow Magick & the Dark Moon by Kate Freuler
dark
informative
reflective
Lots of interesting spells and rituals here. It was more Wicca-influenced than I expected, but I can adapt these things so that’s fine.
A handful of issues here and there. Some have to do with personal preference, others with citations and fact-checking or lack thereof.
A handful of issues here and there. Some have to do with personal preference, others with citations and fact-checking or lack thereof.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Self harm, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Madison by Ngozi Ukazu
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I don’t think I’m entirely smart enough for this book. But I, for one, welcome our fungi overlords.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cancer, and Death
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Cunning Folk: Life in the Era of Practical Magic by Tabitha Stanmore
hopeful
informative
reflective
3.75
Somewhat academic in its tone but still relatively accessible and, at times, funny. I learned a lot!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Terminal illness, Violence, and Religious bigotry
The Witch: A History of Fear, from Ancient Times to the Present by Ronald Hutton
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
This is a well-researched book, but at times it felt like I was getting so much information piled on me that I couldn’t absorb it. Overall a bit too academic and dry for me to fully enjoy. I’m still glad I read it, however.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
T Kingfisher, drop another Sworn Soldier novella and my life is yours.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Gun violence and War
Minor: Death and Murder
The “monster” in this book is one that “steals breath” so claustrophobic folks beware.
Mention of soldier’s heart aka PTSD.
A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
I tried not to get my hopes too high for this book in case it didn’t meet my expectations. I needn’t have worried. A sweet sapphic love story mixed with a bit of mystery and fantasy. It had just the right amount of tension to keep things interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Confinement and Kidnapping
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Implied sexual assault, though it is not explicitly referred to as such as it is not dwelled on.
Witch in Darkness: Magick for Tough Times, Bad Days and Moments of Total Catastrophe by Kelly-Ann Maddox
dark
emotional
reflective
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Some modern witchcraft books are too strict in their rules, while others are trying so hard to be open and inclusive that they don’t offer enough guidance. Witch in Darkness strikes a balance, offering tools for witchcraft practitioners to lean on in hard times without coming across as a preachy or boring how-to. The text is straightforward and organized while Maddox’s voice and personality shines through.
The specificity of the topics makes this book more relatable than its predecessor, Rebel Witch. I will certainly purchase the book upon its release so that I can reference it in the future!
Some modern witchcraft books are too strict in their rules, while others are trying so hard to be open and inclusive that they don’t offer enough guidance. Witch in Darkness strikes a balance, offering tools for witchcraft practitioners to lean on in hard times without coming across as a preachy or boring how-to. The text is straightforward and organized while Maddox’s voice and personality shines through.
The specificity of the topics makes this book more relatable than its predecessor, Rebel Witch. I will certainly purchase the book upon its release so that I can reference it in the future!
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Death, and Mental illness