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theoceanrose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
art_books_chemistry's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sadly, I found this incredibly boring. It wasn't "bad" which is why I'm giving it 3 stars but it wasn't exciting even though there was actual action. It felt like Griffin was going for the classic magic school trope without wanting to actually "build" a fictional school. There was no structure of the school, it was unclear what ages attended it (except that they graduate somewhere around 18 unless they came to do extra research from another school), or what classes they took other than group practical magic practice sessions. I'm also still confused what "off-season" witches do during their off-seasons. Do they not study for 3 quarters of the year? My point being: the world-building was less than ideal, especially for a standalone novel.
I did appreciate the main female character's growth over the book but she was the only truly fleshed out character, most of the teachers and other students were either non-existent or very shallow. The main supporting male character is better but still does not have super deep character development, we mainly know how much he loves plants. For me it just contributed to the lack of reality that was already created from the lack of world-building around the school. It is supposed to be somewhat contemporary however it just doesn't feel real.
If you want a simple witchy read, this could satisfy that requirement but it isn't a story that's going to stick with you forever.
I did appreciate the main female character's growth over the book but she was the only truly fleshed out character, most of the teachers and other students were either non-existent or very shallow. The main supporting male character is better but still does not have super deep character development, we mainly know how much he loves plants. For me it just contributed to the lack of reality that was already created from the lack of world-building around the school. It is supposed to be somewhat contemporary however it just doesn't feel real.
If you want a simple witchy read, this could satisfy that requirement but it isn't a story that's going to stick with you forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Sexual content, Blood, and Death of parent
caoxtina's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
atthelibrarywithmegan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
karelovesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The book is a quick read. The main focus is on the main character Clara and how she interacts with the people around her. The book has an easy to follow plot.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Death of parent
meghansarmiento97's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
vicwaltz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I started to read The Nature of Witches, I instantly fell in love with the magical world Rachel Griffin weaved, her incredible writing style, and the loveable characters. We follow Clara, a rare Everwitch who is able to use magic throughout the whole year, instead of just during one season like other witches. She is more powerful then any other witch currently alive, and is thought to be the key to saving countless witches from dying trying to stop freak storms. (A side effect of Shaders; those without magic, over developing the planet and causing the climate to go crazy) It seems so easy except Clara has zero control over her magic, and is afraid of it. To be fair if I had magic and whenever I lost control it targeted whomever I loved or cared for and killed them so would I. She lives in an isolated cabin away from the rest of the Eastern School of Solar Magic, her only constant companion her feline Nox. One the side effects of being an Ever is her personality changes with the seasons, Summer she craves touch and typically has flings, but come Autumn no matter how much she cares the person her feelings fade and she no longer cares for them. (This is so sad, right!) Events quickly become complicated when Clara and her new trainer, botanist Sang, become close. She has never had more control of her magic, nor has someone she cared about ever been at more of risk! Seriously y'all I could not put this book down! It is segmented by the seasons and you can read her personality change as time changes. I wanted nothing more then for Clara to be happy, safe, and loved. The professors in the book made me want to slap them with a fish for how they treated her, and their impossible expectations. There is romance in this book, and it made my heart ache. You can feel how the main character is so torn between wanting to be with Sang and wanting to keep him safe. And who can resist a sweet Spring witch who loves flowers and drinking tea?
I loved following Clara's journey as she grows and starts to have faith in herself and her magic. This is an inspiring tale of hope, and having faith in yourself as well as love.
The sequel comes out Summer 2023 (Only a few months away!) and I will be first in line to get it!
The Cover
I always have mixed feelings about covers with real people on it, and it is rare that I actually like them. BUT! This cover works so well and will be my exception. We see Clara in the middle of a storm, her hair flying straight up in the air. Lighting, tornados, and leaves surround her. Instead of appearing scared or afraid, she instead has her chin upturned to the sky, with a peaceful expression on her face. Her eyes are closed and her hands are folded, a picture of calm. She seems to be at peace with the volatile weather, or maybe even more accurate she seems to have accepted her fate. I actually really like the font that was chosen too, I feel like it works perfectly with the feeling of the cover.
Cover Design: Nicole Hower
Internal Design/Illustrations: Michelle Mayhall
I loved following Clara's journey as she grows and starts to have faith in herself and her magic. This is an inspiring tale of hope, and having faith in yourself as well as love.
The sequel comes out Summer 2023 (Only a few months away!) and I will be first in line to get it!
The Cover
I always have mixed feelings about covers with real people on it, and it is rare that I actually like them. BUT! This cover works so well and will be my exception. We see Clara in the middle of a storm, her hair flying straight up in the air. Lighting, tornados, and leaves surround her. Instead of appearing scared or afraid, she instead has her chin upturned to the sky, with a peaceful expression on her face. Her eyes are closed and her hands are folded, a picture of calm. She seems to be at peace with the volatile weather, or maybe even more accurate she seems to have accepted her fate. I actually really like the font that was chosen too, I feel like it works perfectly with the feeling of the cover.
Cover Design: Nicole Hower
Internal Design/Illustrations: Michelle Mayhall
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Sexual content, Blood, and Death of parent
graspuppie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Grief, and Death of parent