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A review by mikkareads
The Witches at the End of the World by Chelsea Iversen
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In the birchwoods of Norway, two sisters live a frugal, solitary life, using their witchcraft to survive. But only one of them thrives… Years ago, their mother burned at the stake, and their grandmother took them and fled the village. But now that Mormor has died of old age, Kaija cannot suppress her longing for community any longer – so she leaves to pursue a life among ordinary humans, even if it means suppressing her powers forever. Outraged at what she sees as the ultimate betrayal, Minna unleashes a curse that sets off a devastating chain of events.
What a gorgeous, gorgeous novel… It's a story of raw, primal witchcraft, of female empowerment and eternal sisterhood. But it's also a story of misogyny, ignorance, and hate fueling its own destruction.
Hush now, sister. Burn the world down.
This is a story told in guttural cries of rage, in whispered spells of healing… Yet the ebb and flow of the narrative soothes any desire to twist it into a morality tale. It's simple, and yet as complex and nuanced as life itself. And though it seems like a tale as old as time, it's an original variation of its core themes.
The protagonists are two sides of the same coin, representing a multitude of opposites. Where one longs for safety and acceptance, willing to conform, the other strives for uncompromising freedom. Both lose their way and have to come full-circle to not only discover their full strength, but also the power of forgiveness. They are multi-faceted characters, written with compelling empathy.
The writing is beautiful and evokes not only a dense atmosphere, but also of slow-burn suspense. As a reader, you see the curse unfold with a sense of helpless dread, yet you're still hoping for a peaceful, positive resolution.
Of course, I won't reveal here how the story ends. Let me just say that the ending is very fitting, bringing everything together into a cohesive whole.
And it left me with that satisfied feeling of «I love this book.»
The audiobook is a deeply atmospheric listening experience. The narrators were well-chosen for their roles, drawing the readers into the story with their portrayal of the two sisters.
What a gorgeous, gorgeous novel… It's a story of raw, primal witchcraft, of female empowerment and eternal sisterhood. But it's also a story of misogyny, ignorance, and hate fueling its own destruction.
Hush now, sister. Burn the world down.
This is a story told in guttural cries of rage, in whispered spells of healing… Yet the ebb and flow of the narrative soothes any desire to twist it into a morality tale. It's simple, and yet as complex and nuanced as life itself. And though it seems like a tale as old as time, it's an original variation of its core themes.
The protagonists are two sides of the same coin, representing a multitude of opposites. Where one longs for safety and acceptance, willing to conform, the other strives for uncompromising freedom. Both lose their way and have to come full-circle to not only discover their full strength, but also the power of forgiveness. They are multi-faceted characters, written with compelling empathy.
The writing is beautiful and evokes not only a dense atmosphere, but also of slow-burn suspense. As a reader, you see the curse unfold with a sense of helpless dread, yet you're still hoping for a peaceful, positive resolution.
Of course, I won't reveal here how the story ends. Let me just say that the ending is very fitting, bringing everything together into a cohesive whole.
And it left me with that satisfied feeling of «I love this book.»
The audiobook is a deeply atmospheric listening experience. The narrators were well-chosen for their roles, drawing the readers into the story with their portrayal of the two sisters.