This Book radiated such a comfy vibe despite its sometimes dark topics, perfect to cuddle up on the couch and forget about the outside world. Actually, I read this book in the course of a day because I couldn’t let go of this gripping story. I loved everything about this book: The setting in rural Ireland, all the spiritual rituals and witchery-things, the representation of the LGBTQIA+- Community and the family- and friendship-bonds.
The book plays in Kilbeg and is narrated through brave Maeve Chambers (although she doesn’t view herself this way), the fifth child in a family of smart people. She feels like she has no gift or talent whatsoever in comparison to her siblings, rather she has troubles with learning things or memorise Italian verbs. The more surprised she is, when she learns the meanings of 78 tarot cards by heart easily.
Maeve uses the wisdom she accumulates through intuition to give her classmates uncannily accurate readings. Maeve (let’s just appreciate really short, how nice this name is!) takes the opportunity to increase her popularity. But then she is kind of forced to read for her ex-best friend Lily and the whole thing goes completely wrong. During the reading Maeve expresses her desire for Lily to disappear and Lily really disappears the next day. Of course, the reading thing then goes from fun to scary really quick. Naturally, Maeve’s fellow students paint her out to be the “bad guy” and she is now feared as “WITCH” and is being avoided by the other girls.
Maeve, who has a crush on Lily’s brother Rory, is being followed by terrible guilt. When she hears that Lily was seen walking away with a woman who has an alarming resemblance to “The Housekeeper”-Card on Maeve’s tarot deck – which only appeared two times, the second time in Lily’s reading, and scared Maeve and Lily to death – Maeve sees the need to go into action. With the help of her new and only friend Fiona as well as the handsome Rory, she tries to find a way to bring Lily back from a place where the police will never find her. Because only the cards and some lil’ magic can find her.
Firstly, I love the cover art and all its hidden references to tarot! The art in the book was also very thoughtful with little pentacles at the end of each paragraph.
The author included wonderful descriptions of some of the tarot cards in the book and was overall very detailed with the description of spiritual habits. I loved the fact that she wrote about crystals, spells, sensitives (people who have a greater natural access to magic), manifestation, telepathy and spiritual connections. One just sensed that the author spent a lot of time to get the spiritual rituals right.
“I breathe and try to remember my breakfast epiphany:
If I can cause so many sparks with anger and hatred, I can cause an equal amount being kind and empathetic.”
I loved as well the applying of healthy, strong boundaries which Maeve practices, which you don’t see often in books as of yet. This magical atmosphere stands apart from the harsh reality the book is displaying. It is indeed disturbing because it resembles our current times. As mentioned, the book plays in Ireland and concentrated on the increase in homophobic groups and aggression towards the community of LGBTQIA+- Community.
Furthermore did I love the display of different cultures as well as – as sad as it is – racism. Maeve’s best friend, Fiona, is from Filipino heritage. Maeve puts one or two times her foot in when dealing with her friend, but Fiona educates Maeve on her behaviour. Fiona does not have it easy, as she fights against the female stereotypes for Filipino women in her family and in society.
This book is not only a phenomenal read because of its gripping plot but just overall a wonderful read which will make you more aware of the spiritual world but also the need to stand up for the LGBTQIA+- Community. This story gets 5/5 stars from me with an absolute recommendation for you!
