VenCo is a profoundly feminist novel with a cast of strong women characters who look out for each other and fight against the systems and people who would hold them back.

Lucky was a compelling main character who is struggling to find a home and her place in the world. Her grandmother, Stella, was a riot and I adored her. She was so free-spirited and strong, and it was so heartbreaking to see her struggle with losing her memories.

The pace of this book is quite slow, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I personally found that I wasn't always invested to keep reading. This book definitely felt like it was a lead up to a sequel, so there were some things that I would have liked to see explored more that I will probably have to wait on.

I also really enjoyed the casual representation throughout the book. Seeing a Métis main character is always awesome, and there was great sapphic and trans rep, as well.

I'd recommend this book to those after a witchy read with a strong feminist message.

Lucky St. James life isn’t so lucky. She works in temporary jobs, is barely able to make ends meet and she and her grandmother are about to be evicted from their apartment. Then she finds a tarnished silver spoon and it sets her off on a life changing adventure.

This is the first novel I’ve read from this author and am glad to say it was a satisfying read. Its a book about overcoming adversity, discovering inner strength and the connection of community, with a smidge of revenge tossed in. I quickly engaged with the plot and characters—there were times when I laughed, sighed in frustration and teared up. I think this novel would be a good book club read.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel for review.

This is a book that will stay with you after you finish it. The story is well written and the characters are engaging. I also really appreciate that this book is exploring deeper concepts like patriarchy, colonialism, divinity but that it does that without losing the story. It’s like a glimpse into a world I’d like to live in filled with quirky people I’d love to call friends. I will reread this book and find new things to be delighted in and enjoy because there’s complexity to the story and the details. I will be recommending this book a lot in the months to come.
ARC provided by NetGalley

Rating: 2.5 / 5

DNF at the halfway mark (50%) because by then the plot STILL hasn't picked up and nothing has happened.



So...here's the thing about good exposition--the rule about good exposition, if you will.

THE GOLDEN RULE OF GOOD EXPOSITION IS THAT IT DOES NOT PASS THE 30% MARK.

Heck, even the 20% mark is kind of pushing it, unless you're interlacing everything with action along the way.

You know, action? As in...things happening?

Just to make our definitions clear, you know.

Except...it doesn't matter, because 200 pages and 50% in...and this book doesn't have anything happening in it.

Not anything worth the 50% mark, anyway.

Not anything worth the depth or description and flowery language describing things and characters experiencing things that need to be described.

None of that.

It just isn't worth it.

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Points given where they're deserved, I really like how Cherie Dimaline has gone her research into Witchcraft faith, culture, and practices. As a Wiccan, I was happy that I already knew all of the references she made, even while at the same time I didn't quite appreciate all of them--because, just to be clear, the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone are all one and the same being, in the spiritual figure of the Goddess, and so treating them as as separate wasn't a-okay with me and my spiritual beliefs, but I tried to ignore it.

Ultimately, everything with regards to witchcraft was treated with respect, if not with an obvious pro-feminist take on everything.

Again, that's okay though, because I felt that the message was well and good.

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It's just too bad that the story was maybe 20% message, 50% description, and left only 30% for the plot to actually happen, which I assume it eventually does by the end.

It's too bad that I lost my will to care to find out, eh?

VenCo was such a great read. It was fast paced, kept me guessing, and the characters were engaging. Cherie Dimaline is definitely one of my favourite authors and yet again has knocked it out of the park. Lucky is so relatable and you just can’t help but cheer her on!