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A review by cyanide_latte
The Witch Handbook to Magic and Mayhem by Tish Thawer
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
I saw a lot of reviews talking about how this book was a "stuff your Kindle" pick-up for them and that they couldn't stand it. That things happened way too fast to the point the book reads like a first draft or (the more common remark) that it reads like the really long outline of a book. That the concept of the magically-changing shop, the sisterhood and the "handbook" itself that the novel is named for are all barely present within the store, relegated to the backdrop and set dressing and the story's MacGuffin. That this seems to be marketed as adult (or New Adult ) fiction but reads even worse than YA or Middle Grade with how bare bones the writing is. That things just happen in rapid succession with no rhyme or reason. And that most of all, the main character was bratty, her behavior makes no sense, she changes her mind on a dime, the magic isn't explained in any detail, and there's a sudden love triangle shoved into the latter half of the book that really comes in from left field and overshadows everything and it didn't need to even be there.
I'd first found this book while looking for Kickstarter campaigns to back, and I like to back writers who are trying to get their books out there or get them re-released for new readers in new formats. When I do this, I usually try to give the book itself a chance. It seems only fair, and when I saw this one, despite the reviews, I had hope. After all, if it's a re-release in a new edition, maybe the author will have taken the time to improve on the book! Many do.
I'm disappointed to report this isn't the case here. Every review stating these things about the book and why it's a letdown and not worth your time are correct. Nothing was changed, added or improved upon from what I can tell, based on what I've read in the copy I have vs the reviews on here. And it's a damn shame, as the initial concept was very interesting. I had been interested and hopeful. Now I'm just sad.
I'd first found this book while looking for Kickstarter campaigns to back, and I like to back writers who are trying to get their books out there or get them re-released for new readers in new formats. When I do this, I usually try to give the book itself a chance. It seems only fair, and when I saw this one, despite the reviews, I had hope. After all, if it's a re-release in a new edition, maybe the author will have taken the time to improve on the book! Many do.
I'm disappointed to report this isn't the case here. Every review stating these things about the book and why it's a letdown and not worth your time are correct. Nothing was changed, added or improved upon from what I can tell, based on what I've read in the copy I have vs the reviews on here. And it's a damn shame, as the initial concept was very interesting. I had been interested and hopeful. Now I'm just sad.