The representation of the female rage and the female empowerment was incredible, and I felt for the characters every step of the way. The lack of agency and respect given to these "Wayward girls" and all the other female characters was spot on, as well as the many insights of what a teenager would feel like going through this situation. I loved how the witches were not inherently evil, rather desperate for a solution and to pass on their lineage. The characters were rich, complex and the nuances of childbirth.
The last chapter made me INCREDIBLY teary-eyed. The only thing I wish I'd gotten from this was more brutal body horror; I loved the chapters in which something gnarly happened and I could literally feel it in my bones. Hendrix is an exquisite writer and now I feel like I want to read his entire bibliography.
But I LOVED this writing style. The topic. From the first chapter I was so angry, so sad, so confused. Hendrix made me feel for these characters so quickly and it was so easy to put myself in their shoes.
The awful things those girls were forced to do. The heartbreak of their children being ripped from them. From them being seen as lesser than. From Hollys story with the pedophile reverend. How all the girls came together, unified. I was so enthralled in this from start to finish and I’m so glad I read this I would give it a 4.5 stars.