Back in a Spell (The Witches of Thistle Grove)

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This set-up feels like two people are forced to be together without consenting to the relationship (because if a spell/hex/unknown power is causing you to do something, can you really say yes or no? Having been born and raised in LA County into a Chinese American family, I grew up going to Chinatown and exploring the larger area.

By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions. I, myself, am a bisexual, non binary person (she/they) and was incredibly excited for the representation of a he/they nb person on page. The thing that made this most unbelievable is the constant use of phrases like “I know you” even when followed by “or I’m starting to”. I have completely fallen in love with this world filled with witches and I honestly want a lot more books in it!morty has no agency and never stands up for themself and lets nina walk all over them and treat them like shit. Lily won’t send Emerson to her father’s house overnight until she’s old enough to talk—“So she can tell me if something happens”—but she doesn’t want to fight for full custody lest it become an expensive legal drama or, worse, a physical fight. The complete lack of using they/them pronouns, especially before having a conversation with Morty about it, really hits hard for me (in a bad way). But when Morty begins developing magical powerssomething that usually only happens to committed romantic partners once they officially join a founding familyat the same time that Ninas own magic surges beyond her control, Nina must manage Mortys rude awakening to the hidden magical world, uncover its cause, and face the intensity of their own burgeoning connection.

However: When you take the time to include a scene where the protagonist says he uses and welcomes BOTH he and they pronouns, it’s a kick in the teeth to not see a single, solitary instance of ‘they/them’ used to refer to Morty. It gives a nice twist to the story as we get the experience of someone who has no idea magic exists, that the town is full of witches, or how any of the witch politics work.

I can see that some effort was put in here, and there were some moments I liked, like their initial conversation about gender and identity, but having read some reviews, I think I’m going to dip out before I get to the sex scenes, which sound like they just compound these issues.

But the things I loved were really how the story blended the traditional with the modern, showing how each has its place even as time goes on; the LA setting; the food; and the absolutely delightful secondary characters.But you cannot tell me that a woman that steeped in geek culture cannot recognize that if Thistle Grove were Star Wars, her family would be the Empire. The characters were so true to themselves, there was some great character growth, there were amazing strides taken, and it all came together spectacularly. She hasn’t felt herself or worthy in a while, so as a kick in the pants, her best friend tells her to go on a date with someone the complete opposite of herself, something that will be low on the scary scale.