Cackle

I enjoyed The Return quite a bit when I read it, but this is even better, more lighthearted. I mean, there is an adorable spider in this!

Annie is dumped by her boyfriend and moves to a small upstate NY town called Rowan. Rowan has a secret: It has a resident witch–Sophie. People fear her, hate her, honor her, and avoid her. She latches onto Annie. Their relationship is dysfunctional, but, as Annie figures her shit out more, things even out more.

Yes, I fully acknowledge that Sophie's relationship with the town is fraught. It's toxic. And Annie's relationship basically becomes that. But it's interesting that it's mostly the men who take the worst offense at their witchiness. I don't think this book necessarily glorifies that toxicity of these relationships. It's blatant for everyone to see. But Annie had to choose between someone she came to love and the town itself. And she chooses that for which she cares most. Women aren't perfect, but I still understand Sophie's bitterness. Everyone fears her, even when she isn't harming them. This book understands the fear certain women provoke in others, just for being themselves, and it doesn't shine it up to make it look pretty by making them kind.

Also, it's cathartic seeing a raging a-hole get scared.

In the end, it is about women helping each other. Because Annie helped Sophie just as much.

Also, Ralph. Just. Ugh, spiders! SO CUTE!