stitchsaddiction's reviews
1177 reviews

This is a wonderfully imaginative introduction to the Hedgewitch series and one that any reader will become fully immersed in.

I loved the world-building and how there's a balance between the bleakness of Cassie Morgan's boarding school and the beauty she finds in the magical village and the nature that surrounds it. Each comes to life and as Cassie's escape from misery catapults her into the unknown, and I feel that the reader will want their magical adventure or playtime when this book comes to an end.

𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴, 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭,
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥
𝘖𝘧 𝘨𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴, 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘸𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴,
𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘥.

The verses such as this had my mind wander to my childhood when we'd play witches in the woods, as Skye McKenna has given so much life to witches both young and old who live in Hedgely a lovely magical village in the countryside near the infamous Hedge woodlands. I couldn't help but imagine a group of young witches reciting the verse in the same way Brownies and Guides do filled with hope and a sense of comradery. Each of the ones we encounter has their personality from the good wifch who follows the rules to the slightly erratic and carefree one - no doubt each will be relatable and their clashes of personality help bring them all from the page to someone they'd love to meet.

Filled with the wonder and whimsy of magic, adventure and a battle of good over evil? Hedgewitch is a book that's perfect for any reader who loves the idea of there being more than what you can see. I'd highly recommend it for the upcoming spooky season as not only are there witches and their familiars but evil goblins and things that go bump in the night.

I hadn't read Sebastien de Castell before, I had many occasions his books to read but just hadn't been sure where to begin if I'm honest. Then I saw Play of Shadows, the cover drew me in and the synopsis had me curious so it came home on a day I swore I wouldn't buy any books because I was utterly intrigued.

Theatre, swash-buckling action and a world-building that is so wonderfully done that I knew I'd made a terrible mistake not reading his books before. That would be me enraptured by this book, which is the first in the Court of Shadows series.

This book is incredibly written and I couldn't help but feel as though elements of it resembled the Elizabethan era or I had those elements created in my mind as I read and was drawn into the adventures, calamities and wonder of our protagonist, Damelas's life.My hopes were truly rewarded with a story that holds your attention and stands up on its own even though it's placed in an already established world of de Castell's previous books. (Which will be read now because I've unwittingly denied myself literary masterpieces imho..) 

The various characters we meet bring so much depth to the story and help to grasp ahold of you so you as the reader could be a player on the stage with them of one of Damelas's adversaries... 

I loved how there is antagonism between characters that shows the realities of proximity and circumstance and a fair few had me chuckling at their absurdities but it's a rarity in fantasy books that problems, anxieties and anger remain - you always need balance in personalities and sometimes it feels one dimensional but not in this case. Damelas is the cause of his issues and it's not an easy fix by any means, and he has to have help so even as the hero, (albeit he's begrudgingly and uncertain that he's one) Damelas acknowledges he cannot do it alone and again, the way de Castell writes makes it feel real so you want to shout some sense into him.I'm so glad I read this, I couldn't put the book down and loved every moment of it. 

Sebastien de Castell is a genius in how he brings worlds and people to life, and this series will be a firm favourite for me from now on.

Medusa's story is well-known in its many variations and in recent years she has become the face of sexu*al ab*se to many including myself. 

Her story is the epitome of victim shaming in so many ways and Jessie Burton has written a beautiful and heartbreaking retelling of this story born from myths of the Greek Gods. With stunning artwork helping to add to the beauty, darkness and strength of the story by Olivia Lomenech Gill, this is one of the best stories devoted to Medusa told from her perspective.

I couldn't put this book down, cried at moments for Medusa (and myself if I'm honest) and cursed these Gods for their cruelty. The story doesn't need explanation but I will say Burton's devotion to give Medusa her voice is felt on every page and I'm so glad she (Medusa) has stories like this to remind us all she was the victim all along and not the temptress.

This is a beautiful book to look at, the artwork is exquisite and is as much a part of the book as the words... 

I'm so glad I read this, and I raise my voice alongside Medusa's to say she's so much more than her myth and the snakes that framed her beauty.

This book is an incredible read and I'm still processing that it's for middle-grade readers as obviously there is some moments of ab*se to the slaves with the receiving 'punishment'. (I'm being extremely careful here with my phrasing given the nature of the book and people who read this will understand what I'm implying.)

I didn't know anything about the Great Dismal Swamp and those who lived there once they'd escaped from plantations etcetera so this was both enlightening nad harrowing to be reminded of the horrors inflited on others for the colour of their skin. Sadly, something we don't seem to have learned from and put to rest given the rise in race hate in the UK   currently.

Freewater is a book that stays with you, that brings the darkness of history to the forefront of your thoughts and lingers there. Whilst it may well be written for children, I would say anyone can read this book and take something from it, especially the strength in a person to survive; of how freedom should be yours and never earned or controlled. That silence isn't always a strength and to break free can be both hard and ultimately harrowing.

I was shaken to my core of the determination of the plantation owner to possess and dominate and I can see Freewater is a conversation starter of an era both England and America should be ashamed of whether it's read at home or school. Amina Luqman-Dawson won both the Coretta Scott medal and Newberry medal last year for Freewater and it's much deserved.

This is a book all should read, and then as I will do? I think learn more about these incredibly strong fighters and survivors who just wanted to be people not possessions.

When I saw The Mark of the Salamander by Dr Justin Newland, I knew this was a book I had to read. 

A book that brings to life one of my favourite periods of English history; The Golden Age of Elizabeth 1st? Well, that sounds like perfection to me if it's done right and The Mark of the Salamander did just that with wonderful attention to detail in the world-building that brought everything to life as we walk alongside Nelan Michaels as his life takes a dramatic change of direction.

Newland's historical adventure had me swept away with characters that come to life as each page is turned, Nelan is intriguing and I loved how his fictional life weaves in famous names of that time from Astrologer Dr. John Dee to the Drake brothers and of course; Good Queen Bess herself albeit briefly and indirectly when it comes to Her Majesty. They bring so much to the story and I couldn't get enough of pirate Sir Francis Drake as he's larger than life and somewhat enigmatic.

The Mark of the Salamander takes you on a journey of betrayal, self-discovery, and inner strength for Nelan. There are also elements of mysticism, magic, and wonder which is interesting for the time - alongside the very real hatred between Catholics and Protestants and the tension is palpable between members of the two religions.

I loved this book so much and couldn't put it down, as it's the first of a duology I was left wondering just which direction Nelan's life will go and what book two will bring us all...  

Earth to Alis is an upper YA tale that will not only move the reader but many will relate to the pain, loneliness and struggles of Alis Woodson. It has a long list of trigger warnings and I do caution the reader to check them pit before beginning to read. I especially caution anyone who has recently recovered from any form of depression as it could be a difficult read.

Carlow has woven together a beautiful albeit prudent story that delves into the life of a group of teenagers, especially Alis who struggles with his mental health and bullying in his school. I was captivated by the story after my initial wariness that this would be a hard read, which it is. However mental illness in any form needs greater representation in the media and needs to be handled both correctly and kindly, both of which happen in this debut novel.

Alis comes to life from the page and is so well written that he becomes so tangible that you will feel you can reach out and give him the hug he desperately needs but no doubt would be wary of. I related to his desire to be left alone, his inability to connect because he's been betrayed before and how he struggles so hard with the demons of those around him and the group of idiotic popular kids who revel in causing misery. He deserves so much more and at each turn of the page, as the school trip in Europe travels from Paris onwards bicker among the beauty. That people would reach out to him, to dare break the proverbial wall Alis has constructed so he can see he's worthy of kindness. When he gets them, you will struggle with emotion if you've ever been the weird quiet kid, or the emo etcetera because these friends understand true loyalty and there were moments that Carlow's writing of this new group brought me to tears.

Please once again take note, that alongside this journey of healing and friendship and a found family? Some moments are extremely hard to read. Alis has faced and experienced painful things and has suffered greatly. Again, these made me cry and wish to protect him, to beg him to see what we the readers see of him



. I also desperately wanted to curse the instigators of his torment and I imagine you will too.

This is a hard, but rewarding book that I couldn't and didn't want to,  put down because I wanted so much; to see Alis gain freedom from the darkness that lingers.

This book is badly written and one particular element made me extremely nauseous. There's no need to sexualise a 'young girl'.

There are both not enough words, and too many to describe the debut novel by Daniel Hall; It Was a Riot.

I wrote my review several days after reading this emotional tale of Edward 'Eddy' Taylor whose adult life unfolds during some of the most tumultuous two decades, the eighties and nineties for a gay man living in the UK. With the backdrop of the miners' strike, Section 28 and the horrific crisis that was the spread of HIV and AIDs, we see Eddy desperately attempting to find and be his true self. From being a quiet child living in the shadow of a larger-than-life hooligan of a father shapes, to him wishing to achieve more in his youth as a Doctor? You as the reader walk alongside this gentle man who struggles with his identity in an era where being gay may not be illegal but the hatred from many was still entrenched in memory. 

After all, it had only stopped being illegal in '67.

I cried several times during this book, as Hall's writing will pull you into this gritty time in British history, but there are also moments of levity, joy and true love for Eddy that cannot help but make you smile. 

This story follows Eddy's life from childhood into being an adult, and is one that as I say? Draws on real moments in recent history. I was especially moved by the way Hall's writing of young men whose lives were cut short by AIDs. Each one comes to life from the page, and my heart breaks for each, and every one of them as if they were real. 

Eddy gives his all for his loved ones, for right and wrong and at each page turn, I hoped to see him find happiness. To get the joy and contentment all deserve but this is a book that tells the truth of being a gay man during this time, and Eddy’s tale is a tragic one. I don't often spoil stories, however, I feel this is needed in this case. I think I cried for an hour afterwards, I wanted to pull each and every one of them from the page to the here and now, where there is medication for those suffering from HIV.

It Was a Riot is a must-read, a tragedy and an insight into a dark time in the UK. Eddy Turner deserved happiness, as did many and this book honours each and every AIDs victim who died too soon.

My Dubrovnik Summer Love was my introduction to this author's worm and what a page turner it was.

This is a story of self-acceptance and if self-love in the wake of the betrayal of a husband and the awakening Luisa-Maria finds as she travels to Dubrovnik. What brings this story to life, is the author's in-depth knowledge of Croatia (somewhere I'd love to visit) as Luisa-Maria travels and heals; the reader will feel as though they do with her.

There's an excellent realism in how Luisa-Maria reacts to not only her husband's betrayal and her heartbreak and how she learns to be herself once more. Often a romance lacks the reality of heartbreak, and doesn't show how it takes time to heal even if you do fall in love again.. but My Dubrovnik Summer Love gives us everything, and it's a tale for the summer time, for anyone who wants to see a holiday romance that sneaks up on Luisa-Maria which has you wondering will they give in or not? You'd have to read it to find out if it's happy ever after or not.

You'll find yourself routing for Luisa-Maria and Luka, who I loved because he's the epitome of a good man and you're going to pantomime hiss at Mark for all he does to hurt our heroine. I also imagine, you're going to love how wonderful Croatia comes to life from the page and fall in love with it like I did...