Review of 'Our Crooked Hearts'

Our Crooked Hearts often reminded me of The Craft, wonderfully capturing the gothic and witchy atmosphere.

Characterization

Ivy is our main character for a large chunk of the story. In the beginning, there is a slight disconnect between the reader and Ivy. Ivy is very aloof and very detached. She’s a character waiting to be filled out. It does make the reader wonder, which creates enough interest. Especially once the reader sees the character dynamics, we can see everyone hiding something from her. And all of it is connected to her mother’s disappearance and her past.

As the story evolves, so does her characterization. When you discover her mother’s secrets and past, everything about her makes sense and is an awakening for her. Once this happens, the reader bonds with her, even becoming angry on Ivy’s behalf.

As for her mother, Dana is a character full of life, and it’s hard not to picture her as Sarah from The Craft. But the reader sees that Dana, like Sarah, gets blinded by the power and magic until it is too late. However, unlike Sarah, Dana is a very selfish person. Her selfishness, her attitude, and her actions have disastrous consequences.

It is hard to sympathize with Dana when she does everything she does for herself. She hurt her daughter with her magic, hurt her friends, and fractured her own family. Yes, she did believe she did everything for the greater good; however, she even sees that her actions were done in selfishness first.

Ultimately, Dana is unlikable, but the reader needs to solve the mystery of her actions, hooked in by the atmosphere and magic.

Story Development

Our Crooked Hearts is a well-developed story. The struggle to connect with the characters might be a hindrance for some readers, understandably so, but the story is gripping.

It captures all those witchy vibes, and the gothic atmosphere and rich mystery keep the story engaging. Albert moves from the past to the present effortlessly, developing two stories amazingly while breaking them up at moments that make sense for the flow and pacing of the story.

Final Thoughts

Our Crooked Hearts might have a problem with the characters, but again, it makes sense. The character development and dynamics are based on the evolution and mystery of the plot. Everything makes in the long wrong, and if you’re looking for an excellent witchy book with an intense mystery, gothic atmosphere, and Craft vibes, this is the book for you.

• Writing Quality : 9/10
• Character Development : 8/10
• "Couldn't Put It Down"-ness : 10/10
• Intellectual Depth: 8/10
• Originality: 7.5/10
• Overall Rating: 4.25 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, son and daughter and their two cats.