A book I wanted to love but couldn’t…
The Coven ⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Format: Audiobook 🎧
Tropes: dark fantasy, age gap, paranormal romance, dark academia
⚠️ Trigger warnings: Manipulative MMC, consent, violence, abuse mentioned, ritualistic murder.
I loved the way this book started. I was immediately hooked. The FMC, Willow, is a witch who has trained her entire life to be her father’s secret weapon. She must attend Hollow’s Grove University in a secret town in order to fulfill her father’s wishes. She meets the MMC, Grey, whom she completely hates. From the time they met, things get VERY spicy. The spice was well written but very unneeded because it was too disruptive to the story.
The overall plot has so much missed potential because it jumps too much to really keep up, and the spice gets in the way. There were key things like her brother, Ash, and half of her lineage coming from a necromancy witch line that were made out to be very important but were barely addressed. The lack of details around these two examples alone made me question why they were even in the book. This book is part of a two-book series, so there is potential that these key things come into play later.
For all the hype I saw around this book, I was pretty disappointed. This book is a no for me; however, the quality of the audiobook was really good!
#fantasybooks #thecovenseries #booklover #booktok #momsthatread
In a world of dark fantasy, 'The Coven' draws readers into its intricate narrative filled with intriguing tropes like age gaps and dark academia. Although the initial hook is captivating, the development suffers from pacing issues and an overemphasis on spice, often distracting from key plot elements. The protagonist, Willow, a witch with a significant background, faces many challenges at Hollow’s Grove University, a secret institution for witches. Key aspects such as her family lineage and brother are introduced but remain underexplored, leaving readers yearning for depth. Additionally, the mention of trigger warnings highlights the book's darker themes, including manipulation and violence, which may not be suitable for all audiences. While the author shows promise with a two-book series, many readers agree that clarity and cohesion are essential for future installments. The audiobook format adds an engaging layer, making it worth a listen for fans of the genre. Overall, 'The Coven' presents an interesting take on fantasy but struggles with execution.
