There were various reasons that got me excited about this anthology, not the least of all the female voices that told the stories. Was this anthology all I wanted it to be? Probably not. But that doesn’t change the fact that this is still a good anthology that will hit home with a lot of people. So here are four reasons you should be picking up this anthology
>> The number one reason being that this is an anthology about witches and magic. There are so many different takes and settings. From a story set in the 1800’s to modern time to those set in the woods. Cities and small towns. Different kinds of witches. Those that read your mind, those that can make plants grow. There is something here for every witch lover.
>> Next to that this book is written from all female point of view and I believe all the authors identify as female (but please correct me if I am wrong). This is all about strong females as much as it is about the magic and the witchcraft. And each story shows a different kind of personality and situation. There are different ways to be strong. Following your heart. Not following your heart. Surviving. Surviving is strong too.
>> Another great thing about this anthology is the amount of diversity in the stories. There are some lesbian characters. Some bisexual characters and a lot of the characters are also POC.
>> And lastly the topics. As said this isn’t just about the magic or the witchcraft. There are some heavy topics like emotional and physical abuse. Rape. Murder. Prejudice. Hate.
3 stars
Starsong / Afterbirth / The Truth About Queenie / The Moonapple Menagerie / The Well Witch / Why They Watch Us Burn
3,5 stars
Death in Sawtooths / Divine Are the Stars
4 stars
The Heart in Her Hands / The One Who Stayed / Daughters of Baba Yaga / Beware of Girls With Crooked Mouths / Love Spell / Gehrin Girls
5 stars
The Legend of Stone Marie
Book: Toil & Trouble. Edited by Tess Sharpe and Jessica Spotwood
Release Date: August 28th 2018
Tags: Young Adult / Fantasy / Paranormal / Paranormal Romance / Witches / Witchcraft / Historical / Woods / Church
Trigger Warnings: Emotional Abuse / Physical Abuse / Rape / Murder / Prejudice / Hate / Prosecution / Witch Prosecution
A Dance With Books 
Sounds like you really enjoyed this one!
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It was a fun read for sure!
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It’s not my sort of book, but i really like your pictures ❤ 🙂
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Thank you!
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I thoroughly enjoyed this one too! Some more than others, of course, but still overall a great read. I can’t recall the name of the story I liked best, but it was the one about the three sisters, one of which was in an abusive relationship that the other two helped her leave…anyway. 🙂
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Oh I remember that one yes. It was pretty intensive.
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Oh I love your pictures SO much, they’re gorgeous! ❤ I've heard a lot of great things about this anthology, I'm glad to hear you overall enjoyed it as well 🙂 Thank you for sharing!! 🙂
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Thank you! ❤ ❤
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This sounds like a fun read! I don’t usually go in for these YA anthologies, but I do love stories about witches…
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And these are all witches in so many different ways. 😀
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This is most certainly going on my witches themed reading list for next October. 🎃
Fabulous photos. 👍✨
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Yes! And thank you ❤
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Je hebt er ook zo’n mooie foto’s van gemaakt. Het is dat ik niet zo gek ben van kortverhalen anders zou ik deze misschien nog wel willen lezen want van heksen hou ik dan weer wel.
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Dank je. Ik dacht altijd dat ik daar ook niet zou van hield maar ik heb toch wat auteurs gevonden die goed zijn in het korte verhaal. Waaronder toch ook Seanan McGuire. 😀
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