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The Language of Magic #2
Shadowstitch
Anna survived the attempt to bind her magic, but Anna and her coven aren’t free from danger yet.
Haunted by her aunt’s death, living in fear of her curse, and fated to love the one man she can never have, the last thing Anna needs is a witch hunt. Now she must conceal her magic once more or risk losing everything.
But when deadly hysteria strikes across the capital, and in her own school, the coven are left dangerously exposed. Delving deeper into the magical underworld of London, Anna and Effie must find a way to work together to protect the coven.
But as the witch hunt intensifies and the hysteria spirals out of control, can Effie and Anna truly trust each other?
Haunted by her aunt’s death, living in fear of her curse, and fated to love the one man she can never have, the last thing Anna needs is a witch hunt. Now she must conceal her magic once more or risk losing everything.
But when deadly hysteria strikes across the capital, and in her own school, the coven are left dangerously exposed. Delving deeper into the magical underworld of London, Anna and Effie must find a way to work together to protect the coven.
But as the witch hunt intensifies and the hysteria spirals out of control, can Effie and Anna truly trust each other?
400 pages, Hardcover
First published June 6, 2024
About the author
Cari Thomas
3 books632 followersI grew up in the Wye Valley area of Wales and moved to London in my twenties. I worked as a journalist for various publications and at a creative agency, before finally doing what I'd always wanted to do. I quit my job and wrote a book about magic.
I split my days between freelance work and roaming London, writing in cafés and libraries and any hideouts I could find, eating far too much cake and imagining a magical world hidden within today's London. A world of wild, ancient witchcraft. A world of modern fairytale. A world where libraries made of books breathe dusty pages beneath the city and witch clubs serve up magical cocktails and vintage shops sell memories. A world where magic gleams both light and very, very dark. It was fun. It resulted in my debut novel Threadneedle, the first in my Language of Magic series.
I have now moved back West, to Bristol, with my husband and son. When I'm not reading strange magical books and working on my next book, I like to eat good food, watch movies, dance around the kitchen, write poetry and wander the woods, which I believe is the most magical place on earth.
I split my days between freelance work and roaming London, writing in cafés and libraries and any hideouts I could find, eating far too much cake and imagining a magical world hidden within today's London. A world of wild, ancient witchcraft. A world of modern fairytale. A world where libraries made of books breathe dusty pages beneath the city and witch clubs serve up magical cocktails and vintage shops sell memories. A world where magic gleams both light and very, very dark. It was fun. It resulted in my debut novel Threadneedle, the first in my Language of Magic series.
I have now moved back West, to Bristol, with my husband and son. When I'm not reading strange magical books and working on my next book, I like to eat good food, watch movies, dance around the kitchen, write poetry and wander the woods, which I believe is the most magical place on earth.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 21, 2024
’Coven of the Dark Moon, Effie declared triumphantly. 'We're back, bitches.'
Haunted by her aunt's death, living in fear of her curse fated by generations to love the same boy as her sister - one to kill the other. The last thing Anna needs is a witch hunt that swoops over London as a madness descends.
Cari always has the best banter and excellent one-liners that are reminiscent of teenaged British humour, creating an atmosphere that captures English schools, London landscape, and the current conspiracy-shocked world we are dominated by currently, especially with the ease of the internet.
Then bring in coming-of-age, witches, cursed love, and fear and you’ve got a binding (get it?) read!
’We're a coven. We stick together, no matter what. To the very end. You confess - we all confess. You drag us to hell and we're going with you. That's how this works.’
Effie is a complicated character as she’s extremely manipulative. She’s confident, strong, powerful and goes to all the parties and knows all the right people. Yet she seems to get their coven into trouble and cause more fights than she has solutions.
I have to shout out the Christmas chapters because it gave me Weasley vibes from Harry Potter and I loved the gardening magic. I would read a book on Bertie alone.
I have to shout out Cari’s fun, breezy dialogue. The coven work so well together and bounce off each other despite seeming opposites.
’But I think I might be more afraid of being alive than dead, so I've decided to embrace it. Death seems peaceful anyway. Neat. Like you've finally ticked off your to-do list.’
‘Only you could put death on a to-do list.'
I feel like this could have been condensed into a duology, but I can’t say that until I read book three which is of course a long way off!
This introduced a new thread (get it?) which was dark and relevant to our own current reality, yet it felt like it drew away from the main plot of the curse.
I officially hate cliffhangers.
Thank you to Harper Collins for providing an add in exchange for a review!
Bookstagram
Haunted by her aunt's death, living in fear of her curse fated by generations to love the same boy as her sister - one to kill the other. The last thing Anna needs is a witch hunt that swoops over London as a madness descends.
Cari always has the best banter and excellent one-liners that are reminiscent of teenaged British humour, creating an atmosphere that captures English schools, London landscape, and the current conspiracy-shocked world we are dominated by currently, especially with the ease of the internet.
Then bring in coming-of-age, witches, cursed love, and fear and you’ve got a binding (get it?) read!
’We're a coven. We stick together, no matter what. To the very end. You confess - we all confess. You drag us to hell and we're going with you. That's how this works.’
Effie is a complicated character as she’s extremely manipulative. She’s confident, strong, powerful and goes to all the parties and knows all the right people. Yet she seems to get their coven into trouble and cause more fights than she has solutions.
I have to shout out the Christmas chapters because it gave me Weasley vibes from Harry Potter and I loved the gardening magic. I would read a book on Bertie alone.
I have to shout out Cari’s fun, breezy dialogue. The coven work so well together and bounce off each other despite seeming opposites.
’But I think I might be more afraid of being alive than dead, so I've decided to embrace it. Death seems peaceful anyway. Neat. Like you've finally ticked off your to-do list.’
‘Only you could put death on a to-do list.'
I feel like this could have been condensed into a duology, but I can’t say that until I read book three which is of course a long way off!
This introduced a new thread (get it?) which was dark and relevant to our own current reality, yet it felt like it drew away from the main plot of the curse.
I officially hate cliffhangers.
Thank you to Harper Collins for providing an add in exchange for a review!
Bookstagram
May 3, 2024
When I read Threadneedle I loved it and have been on tenterhooks since then for the sequel. Reader, it was worth the wait. London and then St. Olav’s start to fall prey to a spell; Effie and Anna continue to suffer under their mutual curse; a new inquisitory organisation has an agenda- I loved the christmas spent by the coven at Rowan’s house and Attis’s christmas present to Anna. The last quarter of this book was amazing and took me surprise in a few ways. I had also thought this was probably a duology so am very pleased to discover there will be at least one more book. I cant wait for the rest of the story! (But I’ll have to!) many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
May 30, 2024
Though Anna may have survived the attempt to bind and veil her magic, she and her new-found coven aren’t quite out of danger just yet, for forces that have been dormant for decades long to entwine themselves around her and cast doom upon everything Anna holds and loves…
Haunted and disturbed by her aunt’s untimely death, constantly living in fear of her curse which feels heavier with each passing second, and fated to love the one man she can surely never have, the last thing Anna needs right now is something feared by those of her lineage for centuries: a witch hunt. And now Anna has little choice but to conceal her magic once more or risk losing everyone and everything but it won’t be easy.
When strange news reports and hysteria strike across the capital, and then much closer to home at her school, the coven are left dangerously exposed and outnumbered when the school is taken over by those determined to stop at nothing to hunt down the source of the dark deeds taking place within its walls.
Delving deeper into the twisted magical underground of London, Anna and her twin sister Effie must search for a way to work together to not only protect their coven, but to shield the world from the merciless and malevolent forces hell bent on derailing any sort of harmony and balance she is trying to bring.
Enchanting, heady with magic, and superb pacing, all make for a sequel that will surely once again have you under a spell you won’t want to break free from.
Haunted and disturbed by her aunt’s untimely death, constantly living in fear of her curse which feels heavier with each passing second, and fated to love the one man she can surely never have, the last thing Anna needs right now is something feared by those of her lineage for centuries: a witch hunt. And now Anna has little choice but to conceal her magic once more or risk losing everyone and everything but it won’t be easy.
When strange news reports and hysteria strike across the capital, and then much closer to home at her school, the coven are left dangerously exposed and outnumbered when the school is taken over by those determined to stop at nothing to hunt down the source of the dark deeds taking place within its walls.
Delving deeper into the twisted magical underground of London, Anna and her twin sister Effie must search for a way to work together to not only protect their coven, but to shield the world from the merciless and malevolent forces hell bent on derailing any sort of harmony and balance she is trying to bring.
Enchanting, heady with magic, and superb pacing, all make for a sequel that will surely once again have you under a spell you won’t want to break free from.
March 19, 2024
This is the second book in the Language of Magic series by Cari Thomas.
Anna and Effie navigate their curse and the perils of school whilst dealing with a growing threat to witches as bouts of hysteria grip the capital city.
I loved reading Threadneedle and Shadowstitch had me even more gripped. The characters are complex and feel very real. I want to be part of Rowan’s family. The herd mentality of the school children was particularly well captured. The pacing is excellent and I struggled to put it down. Particularly in the middle of the book the tension felt almost unbearable.
The cliffhanger ending is mean but can be forgiven because it means more books are coming.
This easily gets 5 stars and is one of my favourite reads of the last 18 months 🌟 🌟 🌟🌟🌟
Anna and Effie navigate their curse and the perils of school whilst dealing with a growing threat to witches as bouts of hysteria grip the capital city.
I loved reading Threadneedle and Shadowstitch had me even more gripped. The characters are complex and feel very real. I want to be part of Rowan’s family. The herd mentality of the school children was particularly well captured. The pacing is excellent and I struggled to put it down. Particularly in the middle of the book the tension felt almost unbearable.
The cliffhanger ending is mean but can be forgiven because it means more books are coming.
This easily gets 5 stars and is one of my favourite reads of the last 18 months 🌟 🌟 🌟🌟🌟
June 12, 2024
*4.5 stars
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
what more is there to say!!?? ending in a cliffhanger like that is borderline CRUEL! but i’ll just about forgive Cari Thomas because i loved reading this. and after months of a reading slump, this really made me feel so full of love for reading again.
it was so nice to be within this world and with these characters again. i loved to see Anna experiencing her well-deserved freedom from Aunt, and i loved seeing more of the magical world through her eyes and meeting super interesting characters. loved seeing Hel too!! the vibes were so grim and exciting
this book didn’t shy away from making me look at all the characters in a different light - i think, of all the mains, my opinions shifted for all but Rowan (who is just so truly brilliant and honest). the rest of them really got to me at times: Anna’s jealousy and Effie’s schemes and Manda’s carelessness. even Attis annoyed me (and made me kind of ship Anna and Ollie lol he would be treating her way better). but i really like that my ideas of these characters were all pushed!! i love them all the more for it! and i cannot wait to see what is going to come for all of them
i am literally devastated that i will have to wait until the next one comes out but i will be ready when it does 🫡🫡🫡
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
what more is there to say!!?? ending in a cliffhanger like that is borderline CRUEL! but i’ll just about forgive Cari Thomas because i loved reading this. and after months of a reading slump, this really made me feel so full of love for reading again.
it was so nice to be within this world and with these characters again. i loved to see Anna experiencing her well-deserved freedom from Aunt, and i loved seeing more of the magical world through her eyes and meeting super interesting characters. loved seeing Hel too!! the vibes were so grim and exciting
this book didn’t shy away from making me look at all the characters in a different light - i think, of all the mains, my opinions shifted for all but Rowan (who is just so truly brilliant and honest). the rest of them really got to me at times: Anna’s jealousy and Effie’s schemes and Manda’s carelessness. even Attis annoyed me (and made me kind of ship Anna and Ollie lol he would be treating her way better). but i really like that my ideas of these characters were all pushed!! i love them all the more for it! and i cannot wait to see what is going to come for all of them
i am literally devastated that i will have to wait until the next one comes out but i will be ready when it does 🫡🫡🫡
June 6, 2024
I've been looking forward to this book ever since I finished my arc of the first book in this series. I remember that book being released during the pandemic. I was working from home and the book actually made me late for work. I had to finish it first. My pre-order for this book has been placed ages ago already and when I saw the book on Netgalley I had to request a copy. Luckily Harper Voyager granted me a copy!
This book was everything I had hoped it would be and so so so much more. It's quite a big book. I'm really glad I started reading in time. But every chapter, every sentence, it was all worth it. Once more the author does an amazing job creating the atmosphere. And there's a lot going on in this book. Our witches are traveling places and they are dealing with people suspecting them of witchcraft and starting a witch hunt.
Anna is still the sole point of view character and within a few chapters my bond with her reawakened. Anna reminds me a lot of myself. She is searching for who she is. She is rather careful, opposed to Effie's brashness. She really wants to do good. She wants to save Attis. She wants a chance to build a normal and happy relationship with Effie. She wants humanity to be safe. She wants the world of witchcraft to be saved.
But this book is mostly about her discovering her own power. It's about her discovering that exactly her love for this world and all its people is her strength. And if she has to travel to hell and back to save her, she does so. I have to admit that I had not expected this book to end with such a cliffhanger though. The author should take all the time in the world to write the next book, hopefully making it as great as the first two, but I will be waiting very impatiently for its release!
This book was everything I had hoped it would be and so so so much more. It's quite a big book. I'm really glad I started reading in time. But every chapter, every sentence, it was all worth it. Once more the author does an amazing job creating the atmosphere. And there's a lot going on in this book. Our witches are traveling places and they are dealing with people suspecting them of witchcraft and starting a witch hunt.
Anna is still the sole point of view character and within a few chapters my bond with her reawakened. Anna reminds me a lot of myself. She is searching for who she is. She is rather careful, opposed to Effie's brashness. She really wants to do good. She wants to save Attis. She wants a chance to build a normal and happy relationship with Effie. She wants humanity to be safe. She wants the world of witchcraft to be saved.
But this book is mostly about her discovering her own power. It's about her discovering that exactly her love for this world and all its people is her strength. And if she has to travel to hell and back to save her, she does so. I have to admit that I had not expected this book to end with such a cliffhanger though. The author should take all the time in the world to write the next book, hopefully making it as great as the first two, but I will be waiting very impatiently for its release!
April 28, 2024
Thank you to Harper Voyager for giving me an e-arc of this book to read and review.
Shadowstitch has been one of my highly anticipated reads of 2024 and wow did it not disappoint.
ThreadNeedle was such an incredible book and I really couldn’t wait to see what Cari did next with these characters and their plot.
Cari really did not come to play with this book, a modern world London begins rewinding back to the 1500-1700’s hunting witches across the city who are practicing witchcraft. What I love most about Shadowstitch is not just Cari’s incredible writing but the historical elements weaved in with fantasy.
Cari gives us a deeper look into the workings of the magical world, explaining a family history (and curse) dating back hundreds of years as well as explaining the innings of dark magic, finding ones ‘soul’ magic, and also the dangers of magic and what it can do to not just a normal person but witches themselves.
We follow our main protagonist Anna who’s had a pretty tough time of it from book 1 and how she’s now coming to terms with what happened previously to her Mother and of course her Aunt. We’re now experiencing how she’s fearful of her magic and the curse that’s looming over her, how she feels she doesn’t have control of herself or her magic, she’s struggling to cope with what’s haunting her whether that be her Aunt or the new witchcraft that’s terrorising London and in some ways terrorising her as well through tell-tale signs from Hel. Cari writes Anna’s story so beautifully and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her and seeing her develop.
I also really enjoyed more of Anna and her Coven exploring their magic, dipping into new areas of magic and taking on the malefice that’s taking London by a literal storm whilst also fighting their own issues and the hatred that’s coming at them at school.
If you’re looking to read a more real and accurate witch inspired book that doesn’t sugarcoat witchcraft as this thing to be glorified and desired, Shadowstitch actually shows witchcraft at its nitty and gritty, fun at times but also destructive, consuming, evil and damn right fearsome.
This sequel is ideal for those who love reading about found families, forbidden love, witchcraft, love, curses, dark magic and complex storylines that intertwine and are resolved as the story progresses.
Shadowstitch has been one of my highly anticipated reads of 2024 and wow did it not disappoint.
ThreadNeedle was such an incredible book and I really couldn’t wait to see what Cari did next with these characters and their plot.
Cari really did not come to play with this book, a modern world London begins rewinding back to the 1500-1700’s hunting witches across the city who are practicing witchcraft. What I love most about Shadowstitch is not just Cari’s incredible writing but the historical elements weaved in with fantasy.
Cari gives us a deeper look into the workings of the magical world, explaining a family history (and curse) dating back hundreds of years as well as explaining the innings of dark magic, finding ones ‘soul’ magic, and also the dangers of magic and what it can do to not just a normal person but witches themselves.
We follow our main protagonist Anna who’s had a pretty tough time of it from book 1 and how she’s now coming to terms with what happened previously to her Mother and of course her Aunt. We’re now experiencing how she’s fearful of her magic and the curse that’s looming over her, how she feels she doesn’t have control of herself or her magic, she’s struggling to cope with what’s haunting her whether that be her Aunt or the new witchcraft that’s terrorising London and in some ways terrorising her as well through tell-tale signs from Hel. Cari writes Anna’s story so beautifully and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her and seeing her develop.
I also really enjoyed more of Anna and her Coven exploring their magic, dipping into new areas of magic and taking on the malefice that’s taking London by a literal storm whilst also fighting their own issues and the hatred that’s coming at them at school.
If you’re looking to read a more real and accurate witch inspired book that doesn’t sugarcoat witchcraft as this thing to be glorified and desired, Shadowstitch actually shows witchcraft at its nitty and gritty, fun at times but also destructive, consuming, evil and damn right fearsome.
This sequel is ideal for those who love reading about found families, forbidden love, witchcraft, love, curses, dark magic and complex storylines that intertwine and are resolved as the story progresses.
April 27, 2024
The writing is poetic, lyrical and engaging. The book is mysterious and filled with danger, curse, love, prophecy, secrets from the past, revenge and unthinkable happenings. Though it focuses more on siblings bond.
Anna and Effie are sisters. But they were kept apart. Anna’s aunt has died but her Aunt’s death, memories and thoughts still haunts her. So many heartbreaking things happened in the previous book. Anna learned about the secret that her Aunt lock her dreams so that she can’t unlock her powers and her darkest secrets as well. Effie’s secrets and all the evocative memories of Anna’s parent’s death. As well the tragic happenings.
Now Anna is working on her magic so that she can able to control it or bind it but danger is still lurking around them and she is finding a way to break the curse. In an attempt to break it, she discovers buried secrets, learn about Hel, prophecy, tragic death of witches in the past, book of shadows and they both are trying to save Attis. The curse that breaks them also brings them together and the prophecy is powerful. The mystery of the hysteria kept me on the edge. The world building is perilous and complex. I loved the characters and how they work on each other. I liked Manda, Selene, Darcey and Attis too. The book ended on cliffhanger, I need the next book. I loved it.
Many Thanks to the Publisher and Author
Anna and Effie are sisters. But they were kept apart. Anna’s aunt has died but her Aunt’s death, memories and thoughts still haunts her. So many heartbreaking things happened in the previous book. Anna learned about the secret that her Aunt lock her dreams so that she can’t unlock her powers and her darkest secrets as well. Effie’s secrets and all the evocative memories of Anna’s parent’s death. As well the tragic happenings.
Now Anna is working on her magic so that she can able to control it or bind it but danger is still lurking around them and she is finding a way to break the curse. In an attempt to break it, she discovers buried secrets, learn about Hel, prophecy, tragic death of witches in the past, book of shadows and they both are trying to save Attis. The curse that breaks them also brings them together and the prophecy is powerful. The mystery of the hysteria kept me on the edge. The world building is perilous and complex. I loved the characters and how they work on each other. I liked Manda, Selene, Darcey and Attis too. The book ended on cliffhanger, I need the next book. I loved it.
Many Thanks to the Publisher and Author
March 28, 2024
Cari Thomas has been a sure fire ‘she produces amazing books’ author and I LOVE this series. So I could not wait to get well and truly stuck in and it was everythingggg.
So happy to be back. It’s so well constructed you feel as if you’ve literally stepped into another world and the escapism is next level. The writing is seriously amazing and even though it’d been a fair while since I read the previous book, I found that I slipped effortlessly back into this world like I’d never left it.
The cursed sisters. The forbidden boy. Magic. It couldn’t have hooked me more if it tried.
Even though it’s a fair chonk of a book, it didn’t make for hard reading and I normally struggle with 500+ page books as it can be harder to remain engaged if it doesn’t keep up with good pacing but it was perfect. In fact, if anything, I wanted it to be longer! I could have read 1000+ pages and still wanted more.
Effie continues to absolutely infuriate me and I love to hate her, Anna you long for her to break free from her fear and discover who she is and the underpinning curse throughout the story is so compelling. Also, as Rowan is my absolute favourite character, I loved catching up with her and seeing her within the story. Manda too and Attis - they make for one epic coven.
It was just as good as I hoped it would be and as ever, I can’t wait for the next instalment of the series. GAH I’m so happy to be back reading this world and now I’ve finished it, I feel bereft. And after such an amazing ending too! Counting down the days until the next now, I need it yesterday!!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
So happy to be back. It’s so well constructed you feel as if you’ve literally stepped into another world and the escapism is next level. The writing is seriously amazing and even though it’d been a fair while since I read the previous book, I found that I slipped effortlessly back into this world like I’d never left it.
The cursed sisters. The forbidden boy. Magic. It couldn’t have hooked me more if it tried.
Even though it’s a fair chonk of a book, it didn’t make for hard reading and I normally struggle with 500+ page books as it can be harder to remain engaged if it doesn’t keep up with good pacing but it was perfect. In fact, if anything, I wanted it to be longer! I could have read 1000+ pages and still wanted more.
Effie continues to absolutely infuriate me and I love to hate her, Anna you long for her to break free from her fear and discover who she is and the underpinning curse throughout the story is so compelling. Also, as Rowan is my absolute favourite character, I loved catching up with her and seeing her within the story. Manda too and Attis - they make for one epic coven.
It was just as good as I hoped it would be and as ever, I can’t wait for the next instalment of the series. GAH I’m so happy to be back reading this world and now I’ve finished it, I feel bereft. And after such an amazing ending too! Counting down the days until the next now, I need it yesterday!!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
April 28, 2024
This was three times as long as it needed to be, but it was still one hel of a ride! Magic, curses, a witch hunt - what could possibly go wrong for Anna, Effie and the witches of the coven of the dark moon?? 🌚
June 10, 2024
Content warning: I discuss boys forcing girls to remove their clothes and a character being coerced into a relationship (with a strong suggestion of sex being included) against their will in this review.
I will give Cari Thomas credit for two things; she has created an intriguing world, and she knows how to write a cliffhanger intended to make you pick up the next book. That is how I've just slogged through 400 pages of a book that I for the most part did not enjoy. Despite my reservations with the first book, Threadneedle, I was sucked into picking up Shadowstitch by Cari Thomas after the dramatic cliffhanger ending. It did not surprise me to find that this book followed the exact same principle, which isn't unusual for literature at all; but when I've not enjoyed the book, it's time for me to say goodbye.
The strength of the book was once again the world-building, however, it felt like a lot less time was spent doing magic and more time focused on drama and the sub-plot of the growing threat of the Witchcraft Inquisitorial and Prevention Services (WIPS). The anecdotes at the start of each chapter provided the most information, and these seemed to be trying to guide the reader's thoughts in a very distinct direction. While interesting, after a while, they began to feel like Thomas was trying to spoon-feed the reader hints instead of letting them work out the clues she had already littered throughout the story.
The characterisation was better in this book, especially for Rowan. One of the highlights of the book is Christmas with her family. Yet I couldn't help but notice the lack of representation again. St Olave's is a school in a part of London that has a very diverse population, not just rich white kids. I don't understand why authors feel the need to write about real places and then remake them in their fictional imagery. Why not just create a fictional school?! Although in the books it's situated in Southwark, whereas in real life the premises moved to Bromley in the 60s.
The only clear LGBTQIA+ representation appears to be Poppins, a secondary character. Effie flirts with another female member of the Wild Hunt, and there is a very vague mention of sexuality briefly by a main character. As for disability representation, how Thomas dances around Poppins' disability is awful. Either you've written a character that is disabled and uses his umbrella as a mobility device, or he's not. Hiding behind your narrator's uncertainty is not an excuse, that is just ableism.
This leads me to my issue with the entire Witchcraft Inquisitorial and Prevention Services (WIPS) subplot. As a queer disabled person and a pagan, reading the persecution of teenage witch characters at a secondary/high school felt ludicrously unbelievable and also disrespectful. There are real people, real teenagers, who are being persecuted, who are dealing with mobs at their school gates and I don't know if Thomas was trying to make this into an allegory, but it fell very flat for me.
I also found it difficult to believe that there would be no blowback from anyone, especially the pagan and Wiccan communities if something like this happened. I remember hearing Thomas talking about the topics she researched for this series, and that included a lot of pagan/Wiccan subjects. It feels quite rude to have her use our beliefs when it suits her, and then ignore that those communities exist when it doesn't.
Despite some of the things that captured my attention from the start, there was not enough in Shadowstitch to keep me reading this series. I felt like this was just a re-run of the first book with a few parts changed. There was hardly any character development, especially in regard to Anna and Effie's relationship, and it felt like they ended up at exactly the same place they started at.
I especially hated the way that on the one hand, Thomas shows young readers that they should not allow themselves to be coerced into removing their clothes by teenage boys, but it's absolutely fine to let your sister coerce you into a relationship (with strong suggestions that it will involve sex) with your toxic ex-boyfriend who dumped you when you refused to sleep with him! Because of course, there is no other way to keep the Coven safe or keep Peter closer than for Anna to go against every instinct screaming at her to run far away from him. This is the type of scenario authors should be warning young readers against, not implying that it is fine under certain "conditions".
There's also only so many times you can rely on "but it's the curse" before it gets very tedious, and for a moment there it looked like some real progress had been made, but no, drama first, character development last. I get the feeling that is something that will be strung out over several more books. Despite the cliffhanger screaming at me that I need to know what happens next, I'm not going to let myself be suckered in.
I will give Cari Thomas credit for two things; she has created an intriguing world, and she knows how to write a cliffhanger intended to make you pick up the next book. That is how I've just slogged through 400 pages of a book that I for the most part did not enjoy. Despite my reservations with the first book, Threadneedle, I was sucked into picking up Shadowstitch by Cari Thomas after the dramatic cliffhanger ending. It did not surprise me to find that this book followed the exact same principle, which isn't unusual for literature at all; but when I've not enjoyed the book, it's time for me to say goodbye.
The strength of the book was once again the world-building, however, it felt like a lot less time was spent doing magic and more time focused on drama and the sub-plot of the growing threat of the Witchcraft Inquisitorial and Prevention Services (WIPS). The anecdotes at the start of each chapter provided the most information, and these seemed to be trying to guide the reader's thoughts in a very distinct direction. While interesting, after a while, they began to feel like Thomas was trying to spoon-feed the reader hints instead of letting them work out the clues she had already littered throughout the story.
The characterisation was better in this book, especially for Rowan. One of the highlights of the book is Christmas with her family. Yet I couldn't help but notice the lack of representation again. St Olave's is a school in a part of London that has a very diverse population, not just rich white kids. I don't understand why authors feel the need to write about real places and then remake them in their fictional imagery. Why not just create a fictional school?! Although in the books it's situated in Southwark, whereas in real life the premises moved to Bromley in the 60s.
The only clear LGBTQIA+ representation appears to be Poppins, a secondary character. Effie flirts with another female member of the Wild Hunt, and there is a very vague mention of sexuality briefly by a main character. As for disability representation, how Thomas dances around Poppins' disability is awful. Either you've written a character that is disabled and uses his umbrella as a mobility device, or he's not. Hiding behind your narrator's uncertainty is not an excuse, that is just ableism.
This leads me to my issue with the entire Witchcraft Inquisitorial and Prevention Services (WIPS) subplot. As a queer disabled person and a pagan, reading the persecution of teenage witch characters at a secondary/high school felt ludicrously unbelievable and also disrespectful. There are real people, real teenagers, who are being persecuted, who are dealing with mobs at their school gates and I don't know if Thomas was trying to make this into an allegory, but it fell very flat for me.
I also found it difficult to believe that there would be no blowback from anyone, especially the pagan and Wiccan communities if something like this happened. I remember hearing Thomas talking about the topics she researched for this series, and that included a lot of pagan/Wiccan subjects. It feels quite rude to have her use our beliefs when it suits her, and then ignore that those communities exist when it doesn't.
Despite some of the things that captured my attention from the start, there was not enough in Shadowstitch to keep me reading this series. I felt like this was just a re-run of the first book with a few parts changed. There was hardly any character development, especially in regard to Anna and Effie's relationship, and it felt like they ended up at exactly the same place they started at.
I especially hated the way that on the one hand, Thomas shows young readers that they should not allow themselves to be coerced into removing their clothes by teenage boys, but it's absolutely fine to let your sister coerce you into a relationship (with strong suggestions that it will involve sex) with your toxic ex-boyfriend who dumped you when you refused to sleep with him! Because of course, there is no other way to keep the Coven safe or keep Peter closer than for Anna to go against every instinct screaming at her to run far away from him. This is the type of scenario authors should be warning young readers against, not implying that it is fine under certain "conditions".
There's also only so many times you can rely on "but it's the curse" before it gets very tedious, and for a moment there it looked like some real progress had been made, but no, drama first, character development last. I get the feeling that is something that will be strung out over several more books. Despite the cliffhanger screaming at me that I need to know what happens next, I'm not going to let myself be suckered in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2024
Book Review 📖
Shadowstitch (Threadneedle 2) by Cari Thomas
HarperVoyager, 6th June 2024
The bestselling series continues, and although you will be at an advantage if you've read Threadneedle, Shadowstitch works as a standalone, too.
Anna is a cursed witch, haunted by her dead aunt. She's a character you can't help but root for from the outset as her coven faces exposure from a hysteria outbreak. Striving to break her curse, Anna is strong as she explores the magical underworld with her equally-cursed sister Effie, unsure she can trust her fully.
Magic and mayhem abound at St. Olave's School, striking terror into the hearts of pupils and teachers alike. It truly felt like I was a part of the coven as Anna, Effie, Rowan, Manda and Attis practised their magic, desperately seeking to uncover the dark forces at work whilst remaining undetected themselves.
Full of wonderful, complex characters and high jinx, Shadowstitch transports you to magical places while bringing every emotion to the fore. It's imagical 😉
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to HarperVoyager and Cari Thomas for providing an eARC via NetGalley; this is my honest review.
Shadowstitch (Threadneedle 2) by Cari Thomas
HarperVoyager, 6th June 2024
The bestselling series continues, and although you will be at an advantage if you've read Threadneedle, Shadowstitch works as a standalone, too.
Anna is a cursed witch, haunted by her dead aunt. She's a character you can't help but root for from the outset as her coven faces exposure from a hysteria outbreak. Striving to break her curse, Anna is strong as she explores the magical underworld with her equally-cursed sister Effie, unsure she can trust her fully.
Magic and mayhem abound at St. Olave's School, striking terror into the hearts of pupils and teachers alike. It truly felt like I was a part of the coven as Anna, Effie, Rowan, Manda and Attis practised their magic, desperately seeking to uncover the dark forces at work whilst remaining undetected themselves.
Full of wonderful, complex characters and high jinx, Shadowstitch transports you to magical places while bringing every emotion to the fore. It's imagical 😉
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to HarperVoyager and Cari Thomas for providing an eARC via NetGalley; this is my honest review.
June 26, 2024
'Love – frayed, severed, torn in all directions. Holding on by a thread, still.'
Back with Anna after the events of the last book and the death of her Aunt. Anna now finds herself under the care of Selene....and back with Effie, Attis, the Coven of the Dark Moon and the curse....now also with a new hysteria taking over.......
Here's some things I took from this book:
~ Anna exploring her magic and new found freedom = loved!
~ The found family element was bliss.
~ Reading about witchcraft was magical.
~ The Christmas chapters made this book for me
~ Rowan is my favourite person ever.
~ I just can't bring myself to find anything I like about Effie!
This author knows how to write, I was mesmerised however I did feel this book could've been smaller.
That cliffhanger though.
Back with Anna after the events of the last book and the death of her Aunt. Anna now finds herself under the care of Selene....and back with Effie, Attis, the Coven of the Dark Moon and the curse....now also with a new hysteria taking over.......
Here's some things I took from this book:
~ Anna exploring her magic and new found freedom = loved!
~ The found family element was bliss.
~ Reading about witchcraft was magical.
~ The Christmas chapters made this book for me
~ Rowan is my favourite person ever.
~ I just can't bring myself to find anything I like about Effie!
This author knows how to write, I was mesmerised however I did feel this book could've been smaller.
That cliffhanger though.
May 26, 2024
Shadowstitch Review on K-Books
“She’d been taught her whole life to fear and despise love but it has been unloosed now – she’d opened all its nuts and let it out and now she had no way to control it.”
There are no words to describe just how excited I was to get my hands on Shadowstitch. Ever since I read Threadneedle back in early 2022, I have been dying to get my hands on the long awaited sequel. This was probably my most anticipated book of 2024… and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I am absolutely obsessed with everything about this series and once again Cari Thomas holds me in her magical clutches.
Shadowstitch picks up exactly where Threadneedle left off, with Anna having survived the Binders and moving in with her sister Effie, their guardian Selene and the boy they both love. I absolutely loved this new dynamic between all of the characters now than Anna knows the truth about her family and their curse. It is definitely much darker than the first book, as they journey more into forbidden magical worlds to try and find a way out of the curse without Anna or Effie killing the other. This book is such a tumultuous journey and I absolutely loved every moment of that. It was so addicting to see the characters grow more into their own and them going through their own personal journeys.
If you’re looking for a fantasy book that is super fast paced, then this is not what you’re looking for. But that definitely does not mean that this book is boring. It is slow paced, definitely. But it fits this story so well because Anna is so new to the world of magic, we learn tidbits as she does. Honestly, I’m usually such a plot focused reader and usually if a book is slow I’m like nope, I’m out. I don’t know what sort of magic Cari Thomas is weaving into her books but despite the slow pace, there was not a single second that I was bored or wishing that the pace would pick up. Cari expertly sprinkles these little bits of information at us every few pages that we grab onto greedily and cannot wait to see how they all weave together. It was utterly perfect.
This series has my whole, witchy heart. I loved every single moment of it. It made me feel all the emotions. I was in love one moment, scared for my favourites fate the next and crying the next. It was a definite rollercoaster of emotions and I already just want to dive into it again and experience it all over again. I have no doubt that this series has so many hidden depths that we just won’t know about until we re-read, and I am dying already to do that. The ending of Shadowstitch has me reeling and I cannot wait to get my hands on the third book. I need it like I need air to breathe… but I guess I’ll just distract myself with other books until I can get my greedy little hands on it. If you enjoy witch books an urban fantasy then I highly recommend that you pick up this series. It’s honestly so fantastic… you won’t be disappointed.
“The dead are nothing to fear. They are us. We do not forget our dead like cowans. We live beside them, feast with them, dance with them and love them still, for that is how we keep them alive.”
“She’d been taught her whole life to fear and despise love but it has been unloosed now – she’d opened all its nuts and let it out and now she had no way to control it.”
There are no words to describe just how excited I was to get my hands on Shadowstitch. Ever since I read Threadneedle back in early 2022, I have been dying to get my hands on the long awaited sequel. This was probably my most anticipated book of 2024… and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I am absolutely obsessed with everything about this series and once again Cari Thomas holds me in her magical clutches.
Shadowstitch picks up exactly where Threadneedle left off, with Anna having survived the Binders and moving in with her sister Effie, their guardian Selene and the boy they both love. I absolutely loved this new dynamic between all of the characters now than Anna knows the truth about her family and their curse. It is definitely much darker than the first book, as they journey more into forbidden magical worlds to try and find a way out of the curse without Anna or Effie killing the other. This book is such a tumultuous journey and I absolutely loved every moment of that. It was so addicting to see the characters grow more into their own and them going through their own personal journeys.
If you’re looking for a fantasy book that is super fast paced, then this is not what you’re looking for. But that definitely does not mean that this book is boring. It is slow paced, definitely. But it fits this story so well because Anna is so new to the world of magic, we learn tidbits as she does. Honestly, I’m usually such a plot focused reader and usually if a book is slow I’m like nope, I’m out. I don’t know what sort of magic Cari Thomas is weaving into her books but despite the slow pace, there was not a single second that I was bored or wishing that the pace would pick up. Cari expertly sprinkles these little bits of information at us every few pages that we grab onto greedily and cannot wait to see how they all weave together. It was utterly perfect.
This series has my whole, witchy heart. I loved every single moment of it. It made me feel all the emotions. I was in love one moment, scared for my favourites fate the next and crying the next. It was a definite rollercoaster of emotions and I already just want to dive into it again and experience it all over again. I have no doubt that this series has so many hidden depths that we just won’t know about until we re-read, and I am dying already to do that. The ending of Shadowstitch has me reeling and I cannot wait to get my hands on the third book. I need it like I need air to breathe… but I guess I’ll just distract myself with other books until I can get my greedy little hands on it. If you enjoy witch books an urban fantasy then I highly recommend that you pick up this series. It’s honestly so fantastic… you won’t be disappointed.
“The dead are nothing to fear. They are us. We do not forget our dead like cowans. We live beside them, feast with them, dance with them and love them still, for that is how we keep them alive.”
June 18, 2024
Shadowstitch is an excellent sequel in every aspect. I absolutely devoured this book just as quickly as I read Threadneedle. The fantasy world and the particular brand of magic is utterly fascinating and wholly original--so original that I can truly say that although I read around 100 books a year, there's nothing out there remotely like Cari Thomas' novels. I love the governing principles of magic and the mechanisms behind the day to day lives of the witch families. Shadowstitch introduces a lot more information about different groups of witches and magical aspects of their world. I love the shops the characters go to, I loved finding out more information about the Seven and other covens.
As readers might guess, given the circumstances under which Threadneedle ended, the opening of the book deals with Anna's trauma. I'm so glad that Cari Thomas did this justice and took the time to really cover the issues Anna is trying to overcome. Finally, in this installment Anna is ready to understand that what her Aunt put her through was true abuse, horrible abuse. She is going through incredibly complicated emotions because as dreadful as her Aunt was, in a way she loved her. She even worries about turning into her. I can't stress enough how brilliantly this trauma is discussed and illustrated. So many times I have read YA authors take the easy way out and gloss over trauma OR worse, they handle it in a melodramatic manner and it doesn't ring true so it offers no catharsis for readers. Thomas falls into none of those traps--her characterization of Anna is spot on, sensitive, realistic and brilliantly rendered.
Like book 1, Shadowstitch is a lengthy read of around 650 pages or so, yet this is the sort of book you read so quickly that you wish it would go on and on. Around page 100, I flipped to the end to make sure it was long enough that I wouldn't finish it too quickly, and I had every intention of pacing myself, but I failed utterly and read it in only two sittings. I will certainly go back and read it again. Anna & Effie relating to each other as sisters instead of merely friends forms yet another central conflict in that they need to deal with their curse and the fact that they were mislead. But there are so many other subplots going on as well--it's a book with many dimensions. There's also quite a bit of lighthearted humor in places, so by no means assume this is a book about nothing but trauma and recovery. It is just a joy to read all around.
Finally, I also want to comment about how positive this series is in terms of celebrating a wide variety of different characters. It's an authentic depiction of society and a sensitive one--a fantastic book for any and every reader, any age.
As readers might guess, given the circumstances under which Threadneedle ended, the opening of the book deals with Anna's trauma. I'm so glad that Cari Thomas did this justice and took the time to really cover the issues Anna is trying to overcome. Finally, in this installment Anna is ready to understand that what her Aunt put her through was true abuse, horrible abuse. She is going through incredibly complicated emotions because as dreadful as her Aunt was, in a way she loved her. She even worries about turning into her. I can't stress enough how brilliantly this trauma is discussed and illustrated. So many times I have read YA authors take the easy way out and gloss over trauma OR worse, they handle it in a melodramatic manner and it doesn't ring true so it offers no catharsis for readers. Thomas falls into none of those traps--her characterization of Anna is spot on, sensitive, realistic and brilliantly rendered.
Like book 1, Shadowstitch is a lengthy read of around 650 pages or so, yet this is the sort of book you read so quickly that you wish it would go on and on. Around page 100, I flipped to the end to make sure it was long enough that I wouldn't finish it too quickly, and I had every intention of pacing myself, but I failed utterly and read it in only two sittings. I will certainly go back and read it again. Anna & Effie relating to each other as sisters instead of merely friends forms yet another central conflict in that they need to deal with their curse and the fact that they were mislead. But there are so many other subplots going on as well--it's a book with many dimensions. There's also quite a bit of lighthearted humor in places, so by no means assume this is a book about nothing but trauma and recovery. It is just a joy to read all around.
Finally, I also want to comment about how positive this series is in terms of celebrating a wide variety of different characters. It's an authentic depiction of society and a sensitive one--a fantastic book for any and every reader, any age.
June 3, 2024
𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 | 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬
★★★★.½
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟
⟡ YA fantasy
⟡ Love triangle
⟡ Urban setting
⟡ Witches v witch hunters
⟡ Multigenerational curse
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
This series has me in a literal chokehold. I can’t breathe through the sheer tension of it all. If the characters weren’t squabbling they were attending wild witch parties, and if they weren’t doing that they were trying to break a multigenerational curse, and if they weren’t doing that they were trying to avoid being caught by the witch hunters, and if they weren’t doing that they were trying to solve the mystery of the magical mass hysteria outbreaks.
It sounds like a lot, and it is, but it’s written in such a way that it doesn’t feel convoluted, it fits together perfectly. I’m in awe of this series to be honest and I can’t wait to see how it continues. It has some of the best world building and the best magic system I have ever read. The writing is glorious and the stakes are high, my favourite kind of book.
𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:
‘𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘨𝘰 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘵, 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥–𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘥𝘦𝘥, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵.’
‘𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭,’ 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥. ‘𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨?’
‘𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘤𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘥’𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺?’
‘𝘔𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯, 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.’
‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦! 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺. 𝘞𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘞𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭. 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘸, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘹𝘦.’ 𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘦’𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴. ‘𝘞𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴. 𝘞𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘺–𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘭! 𝘞𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬–𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘵! 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘱����𝘴𝘩 𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘴–𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘴!’
⟡ 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚
⟡ 𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟
★★★★.½
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟
⟡ YA fantasy
⟡ Love triangle
⟡ Urban setting
⟡ Witches v witch hunters
⟡ Multigenerational curse
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
This series has me in a literal chokehold. I can’t breathe through the sheer tension of it all. If the characters weren’t squabbling they were attending wild witch parties, and if they weren’t doing that they were trying to break a multigenerational curse, and if they weren’t doing that they were trying to avoid being caught by the witch hunters, and if they weren’t doing that they were trying to solve the mystery of the magical mass hysteria outbreaks.
It sounds like a lot, and it is, but it’s written in such a way that it doesn’t feel convoluted, it fits together perfectly. I’m in awe of this series to be honest and I can’t wait to see how it continues. It has some of the best world building and the best magic system I have ever read. The writing is glorious and the stakes are high, my favourite kind of book.
𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:
‘𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘨𝘰 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘵, 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥–𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘥𝘦𝘥, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵.’
‘𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭,’ 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥. ‘𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨?’
‘𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘤𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘥’𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺?’
‘𝘔𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯, 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.’
‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦! 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺. 𝘞𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘞𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭. 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘸, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘹𝘦.’ 𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘦’𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴. ‘𝘞𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴. 𝘞𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘺–𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘭! 𝘞𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬–𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘵! 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘱����𝘴𝘩 𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘴–𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘴!’
⟡ 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚
⟡ 𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟
April 22, 2024
3.75 stars
When I read the previous book, I found myself swept into the fantastical world created by Cari Thomas. In reading Shadowstitch I experienced the same feeling. This is a sweeping fantasy tale filled with dangerous elements that will make you flip through the pages, wanting to know what happens. We pick up almost immediately from where we left off in book 1, with Anna reeling from her aunt's death and haunted by her spirit. She's forced to go back to school to gain a sense of normalcy in her life, but even that doesn't work as she and her group of friends are accused of being witches. Amidst rising accusations of witches' existences spreading across London and dangerous magic spells being cast, we see Amy struggle.
The first few chapters, although quite a bit slow for me, highlight this point. We see Amy dealing with her aunt's death, her funeral and then dealing with her twin sister Effie, who brings her own set of troubles. Honestly, I didn't like Effie in book 1 and I am still not that big of a fan after reading this, although I completely understand her motivations.
The issue that I had with this was, at least I felt it, was that the pacing was oddly slow at points, but picked up later and then slowed again. A lot of information is being given to us and with such pacing, makes it weird to digest. Plus, sometimes the explanation felt a little hard to grasp. But I think I got a basic idea of how things worked after reading the whole book.
I will say, with the climax chapters and the ending, things really ramped up. Like things happen quickly and fast and I was eager to find out what happens. It ends on a cliffhanger, and an intense one. I had thought this was a duology, but I honestly am excited that we would be getting a sequel for this. I only hope that it's not too long a wait.
Thank you HarperVoyager for the e-ARC through Netgalley!
When I read the previous book, I found myself swept into the fantastical world created by Cari Thomas. In reading Shadowstitch I experienced the same feeling. This is a sweeping fantasy tale filled with dangerous elements that will make you flip through the pages, wanting to know what happens. We pick up almost immediately from where we left off in book 1, with Anna reeling from her aunt's death and haunted by her spirit. She's forced to go back to school to gain a sense of normalcy in her life, but even that doesn't work as she and her group of friends are accused of being witches. Amidst rising accusations of witches' existences spreading across London and dangerous magic spells being cast, we see Amy struggle.
The first few chapters, although quite a bit slow for me, highlight this point. We see Amy dealing with her aunt's death, her funeral and then dealing with her twin sister Effie, who brings her own set of troubles. Honestly, I didn't like Effie in book 1 and I am still not that big of a fan after reading this, although I completely understand her motivations.
The issue that I had with this was, at least I felt it, was that the pacing was oddly slow at points, but picked up later and then slowed again. A lot of information is being given to us and with such pacing, makes it weird to digest. Plus, sometimes the explanation felt a little hard to grasp. But I think I got a basic idea of how things worked after reading the whole book.
I will say, with the climax chapters and the ending, things really ramped up. Like things happen quickly and fast and I was eager to find out what happens. It ends on a cliffhanger, and an intense one. I had thought this was a duology, but I honestly am excited that we would be getting a sequel for this. I only hope that it's not too long a wait.
Thank you HarperVoyager for the e-ARC through Netgalley!
May 26, 2024
Thank you Harper Collins UK, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the arc of Shadowstitch by Cari Thomas in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
2 years have passed since I read Threadneedle and I was so happy to be approved for Shadowstitch but, it’s been a long time and book 2 is always a challenge for any author. I was nervous but, Cari Thomas was taking no prisoners here. The book dives in where Threadneedle ends with Anna now living with Selene, Effie and Atticus following the death of her Aunt and from there launches back into history - 16th and 17th century witchtrials, a myriad of magical places, and even Hel itself!
There is no doubt that Shadowstitch is a far darker book than Threadneedle as it portrays history repeating itself, the journeys that Anna and Effie are forced to take in their efforts to release them and Atticus from the curse, all admits a London that is spiralling deeper and deeper into darkness.
Amidst all of this are a group of teens trying to fight for themselves, fight for what is right and discover themselves and their core magic. Anna’s journey is obviously central to the plot, being so new to magic and having been through such trauma with her Aunt. Thomas portrays Anna’s fear and horror in such a compelling way that you empathise for her as she struggles to control herself and her magic, and cope with the trauma that is truly haunting her.
Thomas weaves the plot and pace of this book beautifully, setting the pace to align with the characters’ personal struggles and the spread of fear and hysteria across the capital until that tumultuous and terrifying cliff hanger of an ending that has me reeling and desperate to find out what happens to the gang.
If you’re looking for a series that takes urban fantasy to that next level, provides a realistic and more accurate description of witchcraft as something powerful, hard, destructive, terrifying, but also fun and beautiful you won’t go wrong with this series!
2 years have passed since I read Threadneedle and I was so happy to be approved for Shadowstitch but, it’s been a long time and book 2 is always a challenge for any author. I was nervous but, Cari Thomas was taking no prisoners here. The book dives in where Threadneedle ends with Anna now living with Selene, Effie and Atticus following the death of her Aunt and from there launches back into history - 16th and 17th century witchtrials, a myriad of magical places, and even Hel itself!
There is no doubt that Shadowstitch is a far darker book than Threadneedle as it portrays history repeating itself, the journeys that Anna and Effie are forced to take in their efforts to release them and Atticus from the curse, all admits a London that is spiralling deeper and deeper into darkness.
Amidst all of this are a group of teens trying to fight for themselves, fight for what is right and discover themselves and their core magic. Anna’s journey is obviously central to the plot, being so new to magic and having been through such trauma with her Aunt. Thomas portrays Anna’s fear and horror in such a compelling way that you empathise for her as she struggles to control herself and her magic, and cope with the trauma that is truly haunting her.
Thomas weaves the plot and pace of this book beautifully, setting the pace to align with the characters’ personal struggles and the spread of fear and hysteria across the capital until that tumultuous and terrifying cliff hanger of an ending that has me reeling and desperate to find out what happens to the gang.
If you’re looking for a series that takes urban fantasy to that next level, provides a realistic and more accurate description of witchcraft as something powerful, hard, destructive, terrifying, but also fun and beautiful you won’t go wrong with this series!
March 28, 2024
I absolutely adored Threadnedle, Cari Thomas' first book in this dark YA witchy series and have been impatiently waiting for a sequel for that seems like forever, so was delighted when Shadowstitch popped up on Netgalley, knocking a few months off my waiting time.
We are whisked straight back into the story, although with plenty of reminders of the major turning points for people like me with memories like sieves (all sequels should have a recap at the front imo). Anna is struggling with her change in circumstances, guilt for her role in her aunt's death and fear thanks to both her curse and what that means for her, Effie and Attis, and her conviction that the Hunters are on the rise, just as her aunt always said. Oh, and she is haunted by her aunt, seeing her in reflections, hearing her laugh... Returning to school doesn't mean a return to normality. Anna and her friends are being openly called witches and an investigator has been appointed, one with sweeping powers and an army of prefects ready to do his bidding. All Anna wants to do is put the past behind her, get on with her exams and break the curse, but a series of hysterical events are sweeping London, the clamour against witches is getting louder and her situation with Effie and Attis more complicated by the day.
It took me a while to get into this book, partly because the first few chapters of Anna moping are a little slow and densly written, the stitching motif maybe overused a little, but once we got into school and the plot took off, I was as hooked by the sequel as I was by the original, the tension racheting up page by page until it reaches a thrilling, cliffhanging end which has left me just as impatient for book three as I was for this. Highly recommended.
We are whisked straight back into the story, although with plenty of reminders of the major turning points for people like me with memories like sieves (all sequels should have a recap at the front imo). Anna is struggling with her change in circumstances, guilt for her role in her aunt's death and fear thanks to both her curse and what that means for her, Effie and Attis, and her conviction that the Hunters are on the rise, just as her aunt always said. Oh, and she is haunted by her aunt, seeing her in reflections, hearing her laugh... Returning to school doesn't mean a return to normality. Anna and her friends are being openly called witches and an investigator has been appointed, one with sweeping powers and an army of prefects ready to do his bidding. All Anna wants to do is put the past behind her, get on with her exams and break the curse, but a series of hysterical events are sweeping London, the clamour against witches is getting louder and her situation with Effie and Attis more complicated by the day.
It took me a while to get into this book, partly because the first few chapters of Anna moping are a little slow and densly written, the stitching motif maybe overused a little, but once we got into school and the plot took off, I was as hooked by the sequel as I was by the original, the tension racheting up page by page until it reaches a thrilling, cliffhanging end which has left me just as impatient for book three as I was for this. Highly recommended.
June 23, 2024
I feel like I need a lie down to properly digest what happened in the literal last 10% of the book? This book has been a wild ride, ending on a cliffhanger to keep me desperate for the next book.
Hats off to Cari Thomas for her excellent world building. It’s what works best in these books. Her magical system is at once familiar and intricate, with constant surprises and quirky characters. My favourite parts of the book were all ones when we were properly allowed to peek into the magical world. Particularly the chapters involving Christmas with the Wort Cunnings, the Wild Hunt and the Hel Witches. I want to see more! I want to hear about more groves, more witches, more magical languages. Moooooreeee.
I also liked the slow build of anxiety, the fever pitch of hysteria in the Cowan world and the links the historic witch hunts. That was well done. It’s also been a long time since I’ve hated a character (Eames) as much as Dolores Umbridge. Very impressive.
Things I found a bit frustrating are the threats of sexual violence, sexual threats, harassment, etc. particularly from the student prefects. Just because I feel like it was almost a bit too tropey? If that makes sense? Also the end with Effie forcing Anna with Peter. Idk I think I ended up getting lost there.
Which leads me to my final gripe with the book. The pacing. It takes a while to properly take off. I probably would have stopped reading if my friend hadn’t told me to persevere. I’m glad I did because I did LOVE this book. But it built a bit too slowly in the beginning. Then it just takes off in the final part of the book, with such speed and so many twists that I had whiplash from the turns. Just wild. I am also obviously entirely desperate for book two.
Hats off to Cari Thomas for her excellent world building. It’s what works best in these books. Her magical system is at once familiar and intricate, with constant surprises and quirky characters. My favourite parts of the book were all ones when we were properly allowed to peek into the magical world. Particularly the chapters involving Christmas with the Wort Cunnings, the Wild Hunt and the Hel Witches. I want to see more! I want to hear about more groves, more witches, more magical languages. Moooooreeee.
I also liked the slow build of anxiety, the fever pitch of hysteria in the Cowan world and the links the historic witch hunts. That was well done. It’s also been a long time since I’ve hated a character (Eames) as much as Dolores Umbridge. Very impressive.
Things I found a bit frustrating are the threats of sexual violence, sexual threats, harassment, etc. particularly from the student prefects. Just because I feel like it was almost a bit too tropey? If that makes sense? Also the end with Effie forcing Anna with Peter. Idk I think I ended up getting lost there.
Which leads me to my final gripe with the book. The pacing. It takes a while to properly take off. I probably would have stopped reading if my friend hadn’t told me to persevere. I’m glad I did because I did LOVE this book. But it built a bit too slowly in the beginning. Then it just takes off in the final part of the book, with such speed and so many twists that I had whiplash from the turns. Just wild. I am also obviously entirely desperate for book two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2024
Title: Shadowstitch by Cari Thomas
The Language of Magic #2
Release Date: June, 6th, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars
Anna has survived the attempt to suppress her magic, but danger still looms over her and her coven. Haunted by her aunt's death and living under the shadow of her curse, Anna faces the threat of a witch hunt that puts her entire existence at risk. With deadly hysteria spreading through the capital and her own school, Anna and her coven must navigate the treacherous magical underworld of London to protect themselves. As tensions rise and trust is tested, Anna and her friend Effie must find a way to unite and defend against the growing threat. But with the witch hunt escalating and paranoia gripping the city, their bond will be put to the ultimate test.
Shadowstitch is a spellbinding sequel to Threadneedle that had me hooked from start to finish!
Cari Thomas creates a captivating tale filled with complex characters who feel incredibly authentic. The intricate storyline kept me on the edge of my seat, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, Thomas throws in a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that left me desperate for more.
If you're looking for a magical read that will keep you guessing until the very end, look no further than Shadowstitch.
Tropes:
Romantasy
Witch Hunt
Forbidden Love
Coming of Age
Magical World
Thank you to The Publisher HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperVoyager, The Author Cari Thomas & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
The Language of Magic #2
Release Date: June, 6th, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars
Anna has survived the attempt to suppress her magic, but danger still looms over her and her coven. Haunted by her aunt's death and living under the shadow of her curse, Anna faces the threat of a witch hunt that puts her entire existence at risk. With deadly hysteria spreading through the capital and her own school, Anna and her coven must navigate the treacherous magical underworld of London to protect themselves. As tensions rise and trust is tested, Anna and her friend Effie must find a way to unite and defend against the growing threat. But with the witch hunt escalating and paranoia gripping the city, their bond will be put to the ultimate test.
Shadowstitch is a spellbinding sequel to Threadneedle that had me hooked from start to finish!
Cari Thomas creates a captivating tale filled with complex characters who feel incredibly authentic. The intricate storyline kept me on the edge of my seat, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, Thomas throws in a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that left me desperate for more.
If you're looking for a magical read that will keep you guessing until the very end, look no further than Shadowstitch.
Tropes:
Romantasy
Witch Hunt
Forbidden Love
Coming of Age
Magical World
Thank you to The Publisher HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperVoyager, The Author Cari Thomas & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
May 28, 2024
This is the second book in the language of magic series by Cari Thomas. In this book we are following Anna, Effie, Attis and friends in the aftermath of book one.
The overall storing is a coming of age, high school story dealing with the persecution of witches, both past and present. I definitely would have loved this series as a teen/young adult, but as a 30 something year old I'm not sure the school setting is for me anymore. However that doesn't mean that there weren't aspects of this book that I did enjoy. The scenes outside of the school environment, particularly with the wild hunt and the other coves were enjoyable and helped to build on the magic world that Cari has created. This also helped in the development of the characters, in particular Anna. I find myself disliking Effie more often than not, but I wonder if this is due to the fact that we are reading from Anna's perspective so it could be the curse overshadowing the view of her.
The overall story of Anna and friends figuring out what was happening in London is enjoyable and compelling, although for me this book was a little slow for the first half or so and then the pace picked up and I found it more exciting. In the second half of the book there was a greater sense of urgency that they needed to figure out what was happening and try to stop it which I enjoyed.
Slightly annoyingly (in a good way) the book ends on a cliffhanger which definitely leaves you wanting more.
The overall storing is a coming of age, high school story dealing with the persecution of witches, both past and present. I definitely would have loved this series as a teen/young adult, but as a 30 something year old I'm not sure the school setting is for me anymore. However that doesn't mean that there weren't aspects of this book that I did enjoy. The scenes outside of the school environment, particularly with the wild hunt and the other coves were enjoyable and helped to build on the magic world that Cari has created. This also helped in the development of the characters, in particular Anna. I find myself disliking Effie more often than not, but I wonder if this is due to the fact that we are reading from Anna's perspective so it could be the curse overshadowing the view of her.
The overall story of Anna and friends figuring out what was happening in London is enjoyable and compelling, although for me this book was a little slow for the first half or so and then the pace picked up and I found it more exciting. In the second half of the book there was a greater sense of urgency that they needed to figure out what was happening and try to stop it which I enjoyed.
Slightly annoyingly (in a good way) the book ends on a cliffhanger which definitely leaves you wanting more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2024
Phew. What a wild ride. This book is the very definition of a rollercoaster, if the rollercoaster was underground, upside down, pitch black and ravens were attacking you at every turn.
This book is DARK. Like, it's pretty relentlessly depressing. Will Anna ever get a break? I have mixed feelings about this because I do think books should have light and shade, and this book was 90% shade. It was almost uncomfortable at times? Like, I didn't really want to keep reading. But I also did at the same time. Saying that, it is incredibly well written and the ending is so complex and brilliant. I am yet again annoyed that I have to wait for the next one!
I also think the book didn't really get going properly until about 30% in. Having reread Threadneedle before this one to remind myself, the first 30% of this one felt a bit flat. I know we were dealing with the fallout of the events at the end of book 1, but it just seemed slightly lacklustre. I struggled to want to pick it up during that first third and think it probably could have been cut down in this section.
Overall, 4 stars because I didn't enjoy it as much as book 1, but it was still so intricate and had many exciting twists and the ending was incredible.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the early review copy!
This book is DARK. Like, it's pretty relentlessly depressing. Will Anna ever get a break? I have mixed feelings about this because I do think books should have light and shade, and this book was 90% shade. It was almost uncomfortable at times? Like, I didn't really want to keep reading. But I also did at the same time. Saying that, it is incredibly well written and the ending is so complex and brilliant. I am yet again annoyed that I have to wait for the next one!
I also think the book didn't really get going properly until about 30% in. Having reread Threadneedle before this one to remind myself, the first 30% of this one felt a bit flat. I know we were dealing with the fallout of the events at the end of book 1, but it just seemed slightly lacklustre. I struggled to want to pick it up during that first third and think it probably could have been cut down in this section.
Overall, 4 stars because I didn't enjoy it as much as book 1, but it was still so intricate and had many exciting twists and the ending was incredible.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the early review copy!
March 26, 2024
Hello all!
Just a note to introduce Shadowstitch to you. I know many of you have waited eagerly for this book and so I'm so excited to bring it to you. For me, the most important thing is making sure that I've given my all to each book I write, that I've textured the magical world with the depth I want it to have and have written a story worthy of the characters I care so much about. I hope you'll find this in Shadowstitch.
It was also a book that in many ways demanded I go on Anna's journey with her. It deals with themes of grief, trauma and the shadows that haunt us and, in writing it, I went through a time of personal darkness and was forced to face my own shadows. Although it wasn't easy I can see now that these experiences have made the journey of this book so much more truthful.
I also learnt that witches thrive in the darkness. While Anna must face shadows on all sides, there is also so much fun to be had. I can't wait to take you down into the depths of London's Necropolis Railway, or to Rowan's house for Yule celebrations, or to a lost map shop in London. Plus, dancing, howling and casting beneath the moon with our favourite coven. Of course.
Our shadows have to be unleashed somehow!
Lots of love,
Carix
P.S. I've given myself five stars because while I'm probably my harshest critic I worked so bloody hard on this book I think I deserve it ;)
Just a note to introduce Shadowstitch to you. I know many of you have waited eagerly for this book and so I'm so excited to bring it to you. For me, the most important thing is making sure that I've given my all to each book I write, that I've textured the magical world with the depth I want it to have and have written a story worthy of the characters I care so much about. I hope you'll find this in Shadowstitch.
It was also a book that in many ways demanded I go on Anna's journey with her. It deals with themes of grief, trauma and the shadows that haunt us and, in writing it, I went through a time of personal darkness and was forced to face my own shadows. Although it wasn't easy I can see now that these experiences have made the journey of this book so much more truthful.
I also learnt that witches thrive in the darkness. While Anna must face shadows on all sides, there is also so much fun to be had. I can't wait to take you down into the depths of London's Necropolis Railway, or to Rowan's house for Yule celebrations, or to a lost map shop in London. Plus, dancing, howling and casting beneath the moon with our favourite coven. Of course.
Our shadows have to be unleashed somehow!
Lots of love,
Carix
P.S. I've given myself five stars because while I'm probably my harshest critic I worked so bloody hard on this book I think I deserve it ;)
July 9, 2024
ARC provided by NetGalley. All Opinions are my own.
Lately, I've been feeling that maybe I should just stop bothering with YA because I had been finding the plots hollow and far too linear and the characters flat. Well, apparently if it's good YA, I get on with it just fine.
Shadowstitch is a great sequel to Threadneedle, with all the (believable) teen angst, tension around witchcraft and personal struggle that first book delivered. The world building is still immersive and this time there is a hint of an actual witch trial - which Thomas has managed to deliver in a contemporary setting in a way that feels genuine rather than anachronistic.
All the characters are by turns relatable and frustrating, with Anna especially struggling with problems that she should not have to deal with so young. The plot is intricate and gripping, and the romance is believable. In addition the anti-romance is also sadly believable. Overall this was a great book. My only quibble is that a couple of sections probably could have been condensed to avoid repetition and the book could have probably been about 50 pages shorter. However, the extra material did not slow the plot and after that ending I am now eagerly awaiting the next one.
Lately, I've been feeling that maybe I should just stop bothering with YA because I had been finding the plots hollow and far too linear and the characters flat. Well, apparently if it's good YA, I get on with it just fine.
Shadowstitch is a great sequel to Threadneedle, with all the (believable) teen angst, tension around witchcraft and personal struggle that first book delivered. The world building is still immersive and this time there is a hint of an actual witch trial - which Thomas has managed to deliver in a contemporary setting in a way that feels genuine rather than anachronistic.
All the characters are by turns relatable and frustrating, with Anna especially struggling with problems that she should not have to deal with so young. The plot is intricate and gripping, and the romance is believable. In addition the anti-romance is also sadly believable. Overall this was a great book. My only quibble is that a couple of sections probably could have been condensed to avoid repetition and the book could have probably been about 50 pages shorter. However, the extra material did not slow the plot and after that ending I am now eagerly awaiting the next one.
June 20, 2024
Shadowstitch by Cari Thomas is the second in the series that began with Threadneedle, and it picks up almost immediately from where that book ended. The stakes are higher than ever for Anna and her friends as a literal witch hunt gets underway at their school, following several outbursts of hysteria across the city, some with deadly consequences. Oh and the curse that afflicts both her and her sister is still an issue, despite their attempts to ignore it. I loved the world created by Cari Thomas in Threadneedle so I was delighted to discover more of it as the story continued in this book, most notably the Underworld, a deliciously creepy place in the best possible way. Another highlight was the chapter set during Christmas which was spent with Rowan and her family, and the exploration of their magic was just fascinating.
I have to say that I did struggle with the pacing of the book, the first half felt very slow and it made it a little difficult to get into as a reader, conversely the last few chapters felt almost rushed, and the ending was almost frustrating. I wish there had been a better balance.
I read and reviewed an ARC all opinions are my own.
I have to say that I did struggle with the pacing of the book, the first half felt very slow and it made it a little difficult to get into as a reader, conversely the last few chapters felt almost rushed, and the ending was almost frustrating. I wish there had been a better balance.
I read and reviewed an ARC all opinions are my own.
June 3, 2024
Thank you Harper Collins and #netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. It's no lie, I didn't rave about Threadneedle but I enjoyed it enough to want to read Shadowstitch.
Again, I feel the author is highly influenced by other pop culture and literature, however, in Shadowstitch the overall storyline becomes much more independent and enjoyable.
Anna very much remains the main character. So much so, that the rest of her coven seems neglected. Manda barely featured, but ended up with her own side character storyline. There are plot set ups for Rowan that don't seem to have followed through (yet, there is still a third book). Atticus really was a bit wishy washy this time.
There were some parts I really loved. The Christmas scenes. The introduction of the Hel witches. The piano.
Overall, my review may sound like I didn't like it. I actually really did. Hoping book 3 with be just as good.
Again, I feel the author is highly influenced by other pop culture and literature, however, in Shadowstitch the overall storyline becomes much more independent and enjoyable.
Anna very much remains the main character. So much so, that the rest of her coven seems neglected. Manda barely featured, but ended up with her own side character storyline. There are plot set ups for Rowan that don't seem to have followed through (yet, there is still a third book). Atticus really was a bit wishy washy this time.
There were some parts I really loved. The Christmas scenes. The introduction of the Hel witches. The piano.
Overall, my review may sound like I didn't like it. I actually really did. Hoping book 3 with be just as good.
June 22, 2024
This book is the second in a series, and dives in where Threadneedle ends - Anna has survived an attempt to suppress her magic but is still haunted by her Aunt’s death and is living under the shadow of the curse that has followed their family for generations. As if that wasn’t enough to be dealing with, bouts of magical hysteria are ripping through London and even Anna’s school, and a shadowy organisation determined to uncover and stamp out witchcraft is gaining credibility and power.
Anna and her sister Effie’s exploration of the curse takes them back to the witch trials of the 17th Century which was interesting, and I really liked how those echoes ominously point to the current situation the girls and their coven are facing - their curse fates history to repeat for the sisters but it looks like a broader, more terrifying history is also set to repeat itself in the growing power of the Hunters.
I felt the world building was fantastic, as it was in the first book. There are strong fantasy elements set in current-day London, and I was easily swept along with descriptions of the different types of magic there were and how it all worked.
I also thought the characterisation was excellent. Effie, Anna’s sister is a particularly complex character. We delve into her motivations and her fears sat behind her bravado more in this book, but her manipulations, lies and tendency to smash into action despite the consequences are so frustrating! I’m really interested to see how the sibling relationship evolves in the last book as it’s still so fraught - which is part of their curse.
My only slight criticism is the pacing - I felt this story did linger for potentially too long while Anna and her coven worked out that the bouts of hysteria ripping through London were magic, were related and then what felt like a significant amount of time was spent deciding what they’d do about them. As soon as this decision was made, the pace ramped right back up to a huge cliffhanger ending!
Although not strictly that historical (which is my usual thing) this was a brilliant book that centres found families, forbidden love and dark witchcraft. If you haven’t checked out the series yet I’d heartily recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Anna and her sister Effie’s exploration of the curse takes them back to the witch trials of the 17th Century which was interesting, and I really liked how those echoes ominously point to the current situation the girls and their coven are facing - their curse fates history to repeat for the sisters but it looks like a broader, more terrifying history is also set to repeat itself in the growing power of the Hunters.
I felt the world building was fantastic, as it was in the first book. There are strong fantasy elements set in current-day London, and I was easily swept along with descriptions of the different types of magic there were and how it all worked.
I also thought the characterisation was excellent. Effie, Anna’s sister is a particularly complex character. We delve into her motivations and her fears sat behind her bravado more in this book, but her manipulations, lies and tendency to smash into action despite the consequences are so frustrating! I’m really interested to see how the sibling relationship evolves in the last book as it’s still so fraught - which is part of their curse.
My only slight criticism is the pacing - I felt this story did linger for potentially too long while Anna and her coven worked out that the bouts of hysteria ripping through London were magic, were related and then what felt like a significant amount of time was spent deciding what they’d do about them. As soon as this decision was made, the pace ramped right back up to a huge cliffhanger ending!
Although not strictly that historical (which is my usual thing) this was a brilliant book that centres found families, forbidden love and dark witchcraft. If you haven’t checked out the series yet I’d heartily recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
July 3, 2024
This review is for the audiobook. I submit a request to add the edition but I need to write this while it is still fresh in my mind.
The book itself was fabulous. I enjoyed the story and all of its subplots. Some were more transparent than others. I appreciate the way Cari Thomas would reflect on situations that had transpired previously with just enough information to jog the memory without delving into it all over again. I was feeling a bit misled when I purchased this as it was listed as a book 2 of 2. I am going to go out on a limb and assume there will be a book 3. It will be difficult to wait but it will be worth it.
This was a twenty-seven hour book that completely engrossed me. I have listened to Helen Keely narrate other books and liked her very much. This time however, I was irritated every time she switched to her male character's voices. Even Her female characters did not always feel distinct enough which led to some confusion.
The book itself was fabulous. I enjoyed the story and all of its subplots. Some were more transparent than others. I appreciate the way Cari Thomas would reflect on situations that had transpired previously with just enough information to jog the memory without delving into it all over again. I was feeling a bit misled when I purchased this as it was listed as a book 2 of 2. I am going to go out on a limb and assume there will be a book 3. It will be difficult to wait but it will be worth it.
This was a twenty-seven hour book that completely engrossed me. I have listened to Helen Keely narrate other books and liked her very much. This time however, I was irritated every time she switched to her male character's voices. Even Her female characters did not always feel distinct enough which led to some confusion.
April 20, 2024
Anna's resilience shines as she navigates a world fraught with danger and haunted by her past. The threat of a witch hunt looms over her, adding layers of tension to her already complex situation. As she grapples with her own magical abilities and the looming danger, Anna must also contend with forbidden love and the bonds of sisterhood. The intricate world-building of magical London draws readers in, with every corner teeming with secrets and power struggles. Effie and Anna's dynamic as twin sisters adds depth to the story, as they must learn to trust each other in the face of escalating danger. Betrayal, familial love, and a deadly curse drive the plot forward, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. This is a captivating tale of magic, mystery, and the bonds that hold us together even in the darkest of times.
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