Welcome to Litsy!

Guess who already put book two on hold? 🙋‍♀️

It takes a heck of a lot of skill to write a book that is, essentially, a rage-y F U to a certain TERF-y fantasy author who-shall-not-be-named and actually make it really good. So engaging, fabulous characters (and fabulously awful ones). Must. Read. More.

Thank you @CBee for putting this on your #AuldLangSpine list, I wouldn't have read it otherwise and if you can't tell, I loved it!

Cont'd 👇

It has a cool premise and characters, but sometimes gets bogged down with the messaging (that is great, just clunky) and loses the plot. I don‘t think I‘ll continue the series. 3.5⭐️

Read2025 #SeriesLove2025

OK, I am very behind on all reviews as I read this book in May but never reviewed it & just finished the second book in the series that I was reading for June‘s #Roll100

Overall, I liked this book although it could be shorter. I also for some reason thought it was lighter/more humorous (not sure why) & it‘s pretty dark. I didn‘t like the ending but it did make me read the next book. I did like the LGBTQ representation.

I'm very disappointed, this just didn't work for me. I found it so dull.

I really wanted to like this, the idea sounded amazing.

Note to self: do better at checking if a book is a standalone and do not read the description of subsequent books before finishing the first. The Goodreads/Storygraph description of book 2 contains a massive spoiler for the tagged book. 🤬 I mostly enjoyed the mix of likable/unlikeable characters. It‘s slow to unfold, but interesting. There‘s a lot happening but I don‘t want to say more and risk spoilers, except eff that ending.

Thanks to @AllDebooks & @TheSpineView for the #Chatterday tag! 🤗

I started Saturday at the library & then the coffee shop, but this is my first real time out of the house since last week & I can feel myself fading a bit. I may go home soon & try to take a nap. Also trying to finish this Libby e-book before it goes back tomorrow.

How‘s your weekend going? 🤗 Join in & share if you feel like it.

As an urban fantasy: 5⭐
As an exploration of how trans lives are traumatically impacted by systemic transphobia it's both 5⭐ & incredibly timely.
As a massive "fuck you" to a certain billionaire author/oppressor of marginalized people, it's off the scale!
I loved the characters I was supposed to love, & felt a mix of outrage and pity for the antagonist. Juno caught a good balance of humour, action and peril, and I gulped it down! Sequel ordered!

I've been meditating on what the right soundtrack for Her Majesty's Royal Coven would be, and then it just seemed obvious on several levels!

🎙️ Siouxsie and The Banshees
💿 Juju
🎶 Spellbound
📽️ https://youtu.be/TjvvK-Rj0WI?si=th8ueXO_kbWLacwW

#BooksAndMusic

I'm liking the subtle references to other literary works in HMRC.

One character's offhand (and disrespectful!) reference to Frank Herbert's Dune brings suggestions of the Bene Gesserit, another sisterhood known as witches, and of Paul Atreides' role as the Kwizatz Haderach, a male super-being whose coming is foretold by the sisterhood in a way that is possibly (I'm not far into the story) echoed by Dawson's Sullied Child prophecy.

Sitting in the sun, Pot Noodle, Cheddars and pop for dinner, listening to Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan albums, just started Juno Dawson's HMRC 🧙‍♀️ #TransRightsReadathon 🏳️‍⚧️
Perfect day off 💖😌💖
#TransRightsAreHumanRights

I can‘t count the amount of people to whom I‘ve enthusiastically gushed about this book!

Wholly compelling & nuanced characters (Niamh, I love you), great writing, a vivid setting, horrifying scorpion snacks, the gleeful destruction of every binary, and Spice Girls references *aplenty.* I‘ve heard the series described as a direct & oppositional response to JK Rowling‘s TERFdom — and yes, it‘s (needfully) that — but it stands on its own, too!👇🏻

“It‘s a life skill: finding the sweet spot between solitude and loneliness.”

#TBRtarot for March - written by an LGBTQ+ author - done! I loved this so much and seriously need the 2nd in the series immediately 👏🏻

This was very entertaining. This ended on a cliffhanger. It's like I HAVE to read the next book.... After I get a few more out of the way. This book had a serious waitlist but the next book is just available? Seems weird.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

This took me way too long to get through and I probably won‘t continue this series. A lot going on in this witchy coven book. Not sure what to say about it but meh.

#hauntedshelf #flerken #spookoween #bookspinbingo #witchathon #31by31

Hidden among us is a secret coven of witches known as her majesty's royal coven. They protect crown and country from magical forces and other worldly evil. But their greatest enemy will come from within.

Witches, LGBTQIA+ rep, Warlocks, and Demons, oh my!

4 witches who were close friends as kids are navigating life now as parents of teens and/or professional women. Then a prophecy seems to be enacting, a child who might break the balance.

For me the best part of this book was watching the support of the community as a teen came out as trans, and everyone adapted to pronoun shifts, etc. Not everyone was supportive, but mostly a window to ⬇️

Utterly fantastic! Great LGBTQ+ rep.

It's Easter Monday so a nice bank holiday for everyone. That means reading, tea and blankets for me 💜
Just started this book and I'm not sure....hasn't grabbed me just yet. This isn't a YA book but the style of writing is a little immature and all the characters seem obsessed with handsome men 🤔 I thought witches would be a little more about the magic 🎩 ✨️ 🪄🧙‍♀️🧹

#BookWitch #Tea&Books #LibraryMouse #Magic #Witches #LongWeekendAllBooked

I was absolutely swept along with this amazing book. The plot is intricate and skilfully crafted. The characters are fantastic, flawed, and oh so realistic. Oh and the plot twists are fantastic!
I loved it so much that I went straight onto the sequel, The Shadow Cabinet.
Both books get 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
Trots off to track down more by Juno Dawson. My new-to-me author of the year? Quite possibly. 😍🤔😍

Urghhh, life!! It's been a crazy few weeks. Not much time for R&R. I started this last night and am utterly obsessed.

#12Booksof2023 January

The first book in Dawson‘s new witchy series

DNF - I could not finish this one. This book is a tale with too much and not enough simultaneously. I did not enjoy it, wasn‘t really invested in the characters or the story, and abandoned it about half way through. Just not my cup of tea.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
I liked this one. Didn't love it. The audio narration was terrific, though.
Book 1 complete for #scarathlon
9 hours × 7 thons × 10 = 630
416 words (most of those "witch") × 10 = 4,160
Total for team #spookyghostclub=4,791
@Clwojick
#rushathon #20in4 #31by31 #bookspin #falling4books #littenlisten #readysetread @Bookwormjillk @Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES @DieAReader @Catsandbooks @TheAromaofBooks @Read4life @aperfectmjk

Changed up what I wanted my first book to be for October #ReadySetRead #20in4 (I‘ll have to hashtag the rest later, so many readathons)

And watching really bad football (Patriots are just so embarrassing to watch now 🤦‍♀️)

A couple of #black books from my #scarathlon tbr for today's #photochallenge. I'm currently reading the tagged book.

+6 for team #spookyghostclub
@Clwojick

Excellent read! Pure fantasy packed around reality that digs into lots of current issues and makes them relevant and accessible. Really enjoyed the character development and relationships as well as the brilliant ending. Can't wait to read the next one!

Very fun!

Oh, I loved this book, this story, and the witches. It's really easy and fun to read. It's gripping, and you want to get to the end. The next book is out in June, and I will get it straight away.

99p for a limited time

Woah that ending! This was a great story about fierce female friendships, what it means to be a woman and of course witchcraft. Great story about gender identity, feminism and overcoming bigotry at all levels. I thought this was a one off but am super excited there will be a sequel! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars! (And thanks again @Avanders for this gift!)

This book is just…FULL. The nature of female friendships, the gaps in society where anything even a little different falls through, homophobia and hate, power and corruption, love and family. And that‘s WITHOUT the rollicking magic and whimsy and horror that all run through the book. This is an outstanding read and the twist at the end is a delightful shocker that opens the door to the sequel nicely. If you like a dark fantasy, highly recommend.

Staying on the magical kick because realism is not. What I need. Right now. 🧙🏻‍♀️

Thank you sooo much @Avanders !! What an awesome and generous gift! Can‘t wait to dive into this one! I appreciate it so much and congrats again! 🎉🥰📚

This is a great escapist read and just what I needed as we deal with the repercussions of my 91 year old mother‘s fall 😱

Helena, Niamh, Elle and Leonie are best friends. As High Priestess, Helena is deeply committed to maintaining discipline; the others not so much. Young Theo is the most powerful adept ever seen. Presenting as a warlock she yearns to transition to her true identity and Helena wants her dead. A new Civil War is brewing!

I read so many books in October that the tagged book didn‘t fit in the collage! #scarathlon2022 #teamslaughter @Clwojick

Finished! I dragged it all over Chicago lol and got my first #bookspinbingo of the month! @TheAromaofBooks #scarathlon2022 #teamslaughter #teamtheme #bodycountbingo #unexpectedkiller @PuddleJumper #stabbybingo #fireoncover #scarathlondailyprompts #magic

Our 9 am walking tour got pushed back a half hour so now I get to read for a bit! #readeverywhere #chicago

#currentread #teamslaughter #scarathlon2022 @Clwojick

An utter impulse buy for October because of “Her Majesty” in the title and being about witches
I loved it! And it‘s going to be a series ❤️
Sisterhood, witches, LGBTQ2S+ , end of world battles, it‘s got everything. I can‘t wait for the next one! It ended HUGE

I hope everyone is having a glorious day ( this is the autumn I signed up for )

The maker part of #nightmaremakerswap 2 pillowcases and a tote. These are so perfect!!! And 2 favorite “quotes” of mine! It is all absolutely perfect!!! Thank you so much Crystal! You are amazing!

The above are all the items to make a very cool Practical Magic Wreath ( I‘m going to have my mom help me today so I can hang it this week) and my book and goodies for part 1 of my #nightmaremakerswap package. Crystal I love this- it‘s a craft I will really enjoy!

#nightmaremakersswap opening day 🖤 It‘s beginning to feel a lot like Samhain 🖤 Crystal did you draw these super fun cards? And your message was so sweet and thoughtful! I have to make three posts because I love this package so so much. I always feel like I won the match lottery- Thank you for All the creativity and thoughtfulness that went into this package!

It‘s been raining for 3 days and feels like November. I quit

I need a break from A Suitable Boy basically because I have books I want to read in October and I‘m running out of time. Started this and now I have multiple witch stories running through my brain AND I need to make soup now that I have seen this meme