Boneset & Feathers - The Subjugation of Witches and Women
Gwendolyn Kiste knows what it’s like to be a witch and I think that’s why she writes the character of Odette so well. This story is about magic, alienation, intrigue, and witch-hunting. It reads like a fantastical historical fiction novel, and the fear of being discovered is real.
Odette has always been a witch; it runs in her family. When she was a little girl, other little girls would ask her to teach them little spells and tricks for fun until their parents found out and forced them to avoid her and her home. As she grows up, Witchfinders run rampant through towns and cities alike, searching for witches (or more accurately, women with any intelligence) to dole out their perceived justice using Salem-style trials. Odette wants to forget her magic so she can live in peace in the woods alone and grow old without being pursued by the Witchfinders who are pure human evil, but her magic goes into her core and will not let her dissolve it.
The magic in this book is strong, but the tangible strength is Gwendolyn Kiste’s ability to convey the isolation and wariness that can accompany a witch, even in the real world. People often see herbalists and Wiccans as novelties, a ‘thing’ to pursue if interests are piqued or they need something they can’t get elsewhere. Once that interest is satiated, magical people are often shunned and pushed away like an embarrassing memory. The abandonment Odette feels from her town and her friends is a magnified version of what witches still feel today.
I recommend this book because it feels so genuine. You feel for Odette. You get a great sense of her magic, her fears, and her loneliness. It is authentic and paints an accurate picture of humanity on all sides, including when women don’t stand up to support other women for whatever reason. If you want to feel deeply and delve into the magical woods with Odette, pick up a copy of Boneset & Feathers today.
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