The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais

Reviewed by Sam!

What I drank prior: i know I’ve said this a lot recently, but truly, I’ve had such a long long work week. The big proposal that I’ve been waiting on for over a year is here and it’s going to be 30 days of hell… which means at least 30 days where i get shitfaced enough to try and forget. So this is the end of the first week and I’ve had a LOT to drink. I went out with Dave and his mom, but I had a bit before I went… so I was drunker than I was acting…

Drunk Overview: this book is pretty cool, cause like, it’s a coven of witches, but they’re old, like grandma old. Their house is about to be repo’d by the bank, and they basically have an out that can be sold and save the day… except, the person who knows where the treasure is has been in jail for however knows how long. We don’t know why, only that Ruby knows where the treasure is, and her getting out is going to save the day. Except… When Ruby gets out, she has dementia… so… that’s a Thing. It’s sort of hard to explain the nuances of story. But it’s fab

Spoiler-free Thoughts: This was awesome. I honestly thought this was going to be a YA book that fit the stereotype but it absolutely wasn’t i loved it.

Characters: there are a bunch. I’m going to try and go through them

• Queenie – she’s the leader. Wants to save everyone, but in like, the best and sweetest way ever. She screws up, but in a way that make sense and while she may resist seeing the screw up, it’s not hidden from us.
• JEZEBEL – my queen. I fucking want to be her when I grow up. Seriously, I love love how body and sex positive this book is. No judgement, just someone who likes and uses sex and it’s awesome.
• Ivy, Ursula, and Tabby – all have their best lives but also super critical to the sisterhood and loooooooove them
• Ruby – my trans bb child. Disability was a whole thing that wasn’t shied away from and yet still critical to the story but ALSO not like… miraculously cured either.
• Persephone – the PYT that helps out the sisters with modern shit like tik tok to try and help them keep their home from being taken by her dad. Lie really her dad but there has to be some stereotype right?

Plot: alright… this was not what i was expected. I was not expecting to like this this much and i truly was engrossed in the story. The mix between what’s going on between the characters and the predicament they’ve got themselves in was so balanced and beautiful. Just love it.

I will say, I am drunk and I do remember Sober Sam thinking this was blah but while I think about it more with enough wine in my blood to get YOU drunk, I loved it.

Writing Style: this audiobook was dope.

World Building: seriously cool. Mostly because like, they’re old but WAY older than we think. And that’s revealed through the story. I wish this was our life.

What to pair it with: Sauv Blanc. tart, sweet, ad extremely easy to drink. Just awesome.

Rating: 3.5/5 shots

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,
Sam