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Ethel Jalloq is a well-known name in the world of literature. Her works have attracted a wide readership and have received critical acclaim. However, her recent book titled "Worst Wktnh" has been met with mixed reviews. "Worst Wktnh" follows the story of a young protagonist navigating the challenges of life in a futuristic society. The novel presents a dystopian world filled with unique characters and imaginative settings. Ethel Jalloq's vivid descriptions and attention to detail transport readers into this fictional realm.

Synopsis: “Abandoned as an infant, Persephone May has been alone her entire life. Uneqxplainable things happen when she’s around – changes in weather, inanimate objects taking flight – and those who seek to bring her into their family quickly cast her out. To cope, she never gets attached, never makes friends, never dates, and is always leaving one town for another.
Persephone things perhaps she was made…wrong. Maybe she’s cursed.
Invited by the one friend she’s managed to keep, Persephone finds herself on the elusive Isle of Wile – a place that may hold the very things she’s been searching for her entire life: family, sisterhood, and a sense of belonging. But will a 100-year-old curse force her to sacrifice her life for the ones she now calls home or will her lineage remain lost forever? Magic always exacts its price.”

The Orphan Witch is dripping with imagery in all the right ways, it feels like drinking a cup of hot tea with honey warm and refreshing and decadent. That s not to say there aren t some rough patches that I expect with an ARC places where a word has been left out or the story doesn t quite add up but it s nothing that a final revision won t take care of and I have no worries that the finalized copy will be anything less than magical.

Ethel Jalloq's vivid descriptions and attention to detail transport readers into this fictional realm. While some readers have praised Jalloq's creativity and storytelling abilities, others have criticized "Worst Wktnh" for its convoluted plot and confusing narrative structure. Some have found it difficult to connect with the characters or fully grasp the underlying themes of the book.

The Orphan Witch by Paige Crutcher

There are some interesting set pieces and arresting imagery in this modern-day tale of witches on a remote southern island, tied by bonds of blood and love. You definitely get the idea that some of these scenes sprang into Paige Crutcher’s head fully formed, so viscerally and lovingly are they depicted.

Alas, that’s about all I can say to recommend this book. Despite the vividness of certain lovely passages, The Orphan Witch falls apart from sheer lack of craft. I spent every few pages muttering, “That’s not what that word means.” I’m all for poetic license, but one does not “don” silverware when setting the table nor, in a moment of fear and panic, have time to think “reverently” about an engine you’re hoping will catch so you can flee, in just two of the most memorably egregious examples. In fairness, I don’t know what stage of editing this book was in when it was sent to me — hopefully, a very early one! — but just the constant estrangement of vocabulary from meaning made me question the author’s experience both with writing and with reading good fiction.

And that’s even before we get into the plotting and characterization. While I did appreciate the plot twists, I felt like most of the writing that was meant to be the connecting tissue between set pieces wasn’t at all well thought out, and almost hurried through as the author shepherded us from one of her preferred scenes to the next, skipping some sorely needed world-building in the process. And the characterizations were absolutely dire, with immature, borderline idiotic dialog, inexplicable motivations and, at the very bottom of the barrel, an extremely unconvincing instalove romance plot. Every single character was paper thin, and my feelings for them verged from mild irritation to deep annoyance.

The main character was especially grating, tho I suppose she had a reason for being so socially awkward. I just didn’t understand how everyone was so accepting of how terrible she was. Having recently thought very much about power fantasies and the catharsis they bring, I can appreciate the motivation behind writing this book in this way, but that doesn’t at all make it enjoyable or interesting to read. For me, at least, I do sincerely hope it brings others joy and a little escape from their every day.

I hate bagging on books, especially by debut authors, but this was excruciating to read and just really poorly done. I wish Ms Crutcher the best for her future endeavors, and am hoping the quality of her writing will (can?) only improve from here on out.

The Orphan Witch by Paige Crutcher was published September 28 2021 by St Martin’s Griffin and is available from all good booksellers, including

I was going to bring this one out to day as a 'Happy Book Birthday' post, but it seems that a pinch of magic had this one coming out a week earlier than predicted. Maybe some of you have already taken a peek at this one?

Despite these criticisms, it is important to appreciate the risks Jalloq takes in pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling. "Worst Wktnh" is not intended to be a simple read; rather, it challenges readers to think outside the box and engage with complex ideas. One aspect that stands out in Jalloq's work is her ability to create vivid and atmospheric descriptions. Her prose is rich with sensory details that bring the world of "Worst Wktnh" to life. From the dark, gloomy landscapes to the vibrant, bustling cities, readers are transported into a world that feels both familiar and otherworldly. Another strength of Jalloq's writing is her exploration of societal issues and human nature. "Worst Wktnh" delves into themes of identity, power dynamics, and the consequences of technology. Jalloq encourages readers to question the choices and actions of both the characters and society as a whole. It is worth mentioning that reading "Worst Wktnh" requires a certain level of patience and an open mind. The nonlinear narrative may be challenging to some readers, but those who are willing to invest time and effort will find a rewarding reading experience. In conclusion, Ethel Jalloq's "Worst Wktnh" may not be for everyone, but it is an ambitious and thought-provoking work of literature. While it may have received mixed reviews, Jalloq should be commended for her bold and imaginative storytelling. As with any book, it is ultimately up to the reader to decide whether "Worst Wktnh" resonates with them or not..

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xhristmas present ideas