This book is a rollercoaster - and I don't mean that in a particularly complimentary way.

In the beginning, I wasn't sold that I would enjoy this story. The start hadn't agreed with me, and I wasn't convinced it would be well written. Over the course of the first five hours however, it proved me wrong; ensnaring me, Something about it was compelling, and it kept me hooked.
I found myself smiling, laughing, and growing tense in all the right places. The story was well paced, and easy to follow.

However, around 68% of the way in, there was a sudden and sharp moment of cruelty. It felt almost out of character, and it was a shocking display of cruelty, with no sympathy from them, no apologies, save for one. There was no clear explanation of their actions, despite other avenues being available.

This was an extremely awkward scene put into the book, something jarring that drew me fully out of the story, and through which I never truly returned. Having finished the book, I can confidently say as an author myself, while I can respect Margaret Killjoy's decision - cruelty and selfishness are two character traits that are indeed compelling, and I can see why she did this scene as she did - I would have done it differently.

It felt like that scene was tacked on simply to give motive for the later part of the story, rather than to add to the story itself. Scaffolding, blatant and jarring, while the first half of the book had felt like a fully finished house, bracing set artfully within the walls.

This made me fall out of love with the characters - all of them, all of the Wenches, anyways, for teenagers are stupid and impulsive, but their actions were really, really stupid and unjustified, as well as cruel.

What happened next pulled me even further out of the story. Lorel and {Arune} shared a close moment together. [Arune] had not apologized for her inaction before, and it left a sour taste in my mouth to see it brushed under the rug, never to be mentioned again. A moment that would have left me happy for the characters only moments before, was suddenly soured beyond repair.

After this, I listened to the remainder of the book 2x speed. I was too far gone to DNF it, but I had lost a lot of the magic that was originally in this story. I met the epilogue with only relief it had finished, and any remaining enjoyment of the story slim and cold.

Was it well written? Yes. But at the same time, there were some really questionable decisions made, and I'm not sure how they made it past the editors.


As for the audiobook itself, the narrator did the multitude of voices very well, making it easier to follow who was talking. The only real issue I had was that the narrator seemed to mispronounce "Dame" (a word very, very oftenly used throughout this book), pronouncing it instead as "damn". This led to some laughs at moments that should have been tense.


Despite my earlier (and numerous) woes over this story, I do give kudos to how Lorel's identity was displayed. I think that her, having more social dysphoria than physical, is a nice change. It's good to see the infinitely diverse experiences of trans people displayed a little bit more. I'm glad this is the choice the author went with. No two trans people are the same, and while I can understand some people's worries over a cis person walking away from this story thinking that no trans person needs to physically transition, at the same time, we cannot write in fear of the stupidest readers. It is important to present trans people - and all people - in the multitude of forms they exist within, instead of a dumbed-down version, attempting to teach someone who has never heard of a trans person before the very basics.

The Sapling Cage was an interesting book, with fascinating world building, if questionable decisions. I don't think I will be reading the rest of this series, though I do appreciate this book for what enjoyment I did get out of it.

The Sapling Cage by Margaret Killjoy brings a breath of fresh air to the fantasy genre. In it, we follow Lorel, a trans girl who defies societal norms, as she pursues her dream of becoming a witch. I enjoyed how Killjoy challenged and flattened traditional gender roles. It’s funny how often the fantasy genre leans on and perpetuates traditional gender roles! This isn’t a world where female characters simply “prove” they’re as capable as men; it’s a world where women pursuing power, strength, and skill are just as natural as becoming a healer or a witch. Lorel’s story, in particular, embodies this freedom to shape one’s own destiny. I found it refreshing to read a fantasy where the societal norms didn’t fence in its female population.

As a kid who grew up reading so many fantasy novels about girls coming of age, this book was so nostalgic and cozy for me. The plot itself can get pretty dark, but it feels comfortably in the wheelhouse of Tamora Pierce or Kristen Britain. The narrator was Incredible, truly bringing each of the characters, from charming love interests to haggard crones, fully to life. Cannot wait to read more of this series!

"The Sapling Cage" by Margaret Killjoy is book one in the Daughters of the Empty Throne trilogy. It is a fantasy novel with witches and various kinds of magic. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Lorel wants nothing more than to be a girl, but she would really like to learn magic, too. So when her best friend, Lane, learns that the witches are coming to get her, they switch places, and Lorel goes instead to join the Order of the Vine.

A magical blight is killing all the trees and forests. They have to stop this! You'll encounter strange magical beasts in this journey. We have the overall story and then also Lorel's personal story as she is trans- female and trying not to be discovered.

The audiobook is narrated by Jackie Meloche, who did a wonderful job with voices and emotion.

I recommend this story to anyone who likes fantasy novels. This is bordering on young adult literature, but I'm way beyond that age and still enjoyed it!

Characters - 5/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 3/5
Pacing - 3/5
Unputdownability - 4/5
Enjoyment - 4/5
Narration - 5/5
Cover - 3/5
Overall - 31/8 = 3 7/8 rounded up to 4 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, Dreamscape Lore, and Margaret Killjoy for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Interesting story and I thought a good start to a series. Didn't fully hold my attention at times but was still pleasant to listen to, and I enjoyed the MC. The narrator did a good job.

Trans Witchessssssss Yisssssss.

The Sapling Cage is the story of Lorel, who wants so badly to be a girl, so she can become a witch, because all witches are women. Her best friend has been promised to the witches for her whole life but wants to be a knight, so they make a deal, and Lorel takes her place.

While she travels with her new coven, trying her best to disguise herself, she makes new friends, new enemies, and learns that there is a strange blight is spreading over the land, killing all the trees. On top of that, the last Duchess in the land is on a power hungry crusade for the crown.

Lorel just wants to make sure that her coven doesn't find out her secret, because if they do, they probably won't just kick her out...

I really enjoyed this one once I finally got a chance to sit down and really listen to it. I managed to listen to the entire thing in two sittings, getting quite a bit of work and chores done while I did.

I really liked Lorel from the very beginning, and I cheered for her through her journey. There were a lot of really interesting other characters as well. The world was interesting, but I wished that the magic was a little more explored. Lorel and her friends don't actually... learn much magic at all. I'm certain that will come in future books in the series, so I shall hold out hope!

The narrator, Jackie Meloche, did a fantastic job bringing Lorel and her friends (and enemies) to life. The audiobook also has some neat little effects in it, as some of the witches tend to... speak with several voices at once at times. It was very well done.

All told, I thought this was a fun coming of age story about a young trans girl living her best witchy life. I certainly hope to listen to more of this series in the future.

This was so whimsical and cute! Definitely enjoyed the plot and narration. This felt soft, I enjoyed it.

Great start to a new series. This is a new to me author and I’m really excited to read more. Loved the different strains of magic and the friendships throughout.

The Sapling Cage is a marvelous fantasy, journey, road trip, magical journey! I really enjoyed Margaret Killjoy's amazing novel.

The characters are complex, the pacing is wonderful, and the audio performance by Jackie Meloche added greatly to my listening pleasure. Fantastic, and I highly recommend this one, and I'm looking foward to future episodes in the Daughters of the Empty Throne.

This was a very YA-feeling book for me, which is a genre I tend not to read anymore except when the premise of a book sounds really good. The premise for The Sapling Cage sounded good enough for me to try, and being in audiobook format meant I enjoyed it more than I would have otherwise. The narrator was very good, and made the book engaging even after I had stopped reading for a while. I unfortunately didn't love the writing, which felt very tell-y.

Total hit for me! Wow! I loved it.

The themes, the representation, the pacing, the characters and twists. I really don't want to spoiler but this one is great.

there is something about how the authors captures the nature of witches being neither evil nor simply good, something animalisch and through and through powerful that made this book so enjoyable for me.

Thank you so much for letting me listen to this audiobook. I liked the story. Although around the middle of the story I felt a little lost as to what the point of the story was.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the Audio ARC!

Narrator and Production was fantastic!

This was just okay for me - I enjoyed it, but it felt very episodic. Meaning it was clear the Killjoy had a clear picture of where the story started and where it needed to go, but the transition didn't feel smooth - very plot point to plot point. Not horrible, but very juvenile in terms of plot progression.

I also never felt super connected to the characters - they were definitely interesting but there was a lack of depth that kept me from feeling fully invested. I wasn't shocked or hurt or overly excited when things happened to them, making me feel very detatched.

I think that Margaret Killjoy has a great talent for story creation, but just needs a bit more time to hone her craft and bring it to maturity. The bones are there and they're good - but the character development and plot progression needs work. I would definitely read more from her and be excited to see how she grows!

This book is one of my favorites this year! The Sapling Cage is a beautiful queer fantasy story about a young trans woman who joins a coven of witches. If you have read Tamora Pierce, this had a very similar feel, but a little more adult & creepy. I loved the magical world that was built in these books. It was an easy fantasy to dive into, and I absolutely devoured it!

I was lucky enough to review an advance copy of the audiobook, and I felt like the narrator did an amazing job giving the characters voice & keeping the story engaging. Thanks to NetGalley, Margaret Killjoy, and Dreamscape Media for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own!

trans witch. what else to say?
i really enjoyed this book and i was not expecting so much representation
tysm

Lorel has always wanted to be a witch in the same way Lane has always known she wants to be a knight. But Lorel is a stablehand and a boy, and Lane has been promised to the witches since birth. To beat their fates, Lorel and Lane switch places. Women knights are accepted these days, but witches who aren't girls? That's something Lorel is willing to risk or die trying. As a blight covers the land and dark magic steals into every corner, Lorel's sisters will have to die as scapegoats or fight back together--as one.

This was a lovely fantasy story that centered a trans girl MC that fans of Tamora Pierce will love. It had nods toward collective disobedience, an astute eye for politics, advocated strongly for community as a source of power and healing, and handled gender identity and gender dysphoria with a gentle hand.

The ending fell flat for me. The big bad wasn't totally present, nor was the motivation totally explained. The internal politics of the realm were heavy at times as well.

I listened to the audiobook at 1.5 speed and the narrator/production did a lovely job. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ALC.

4.5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A lot of things about this book intrigued me, when I first saw it. The cover looked nice, the description (A trans girl wanting to be a witch) and the overall vibe just seemed to be my cup of tea for a more traditional fantasy experience in a rather grim and adventurous world. All in all; I had expectations.

Lorel was an amazing main character, and I loved all her thoughts and interactions in a seemingly interesting world, with a lot of world-building and lore to offer. I loved the magic system and the deeper thoughts and discussions surrounding both gender and the thought of growing up. The trans representation was interesting, and also a new angle compared to other trans books I've read, because we follow Lorel trying to live after society's standards (to some degree) of her being a boy, and then slowly accepting that that's what she's always been - no matter what her body might look like to others.

I've missed reading some classic simpler fantasy, and I think The Sapling Cage give you just that but wrapped up in intriguing characters and a plot that feels like it's own story.

I will be picking up a physical copy of this book at some point, plus the rest of the series. If you're looking for some classic fantasy but with "modern" themes and good representation, then I think you should too.

The Sapling Cage by Margaret Killjoy is a delightful queer, witchy coming-of-age story with a unique magic system and a compelling fantasy setting. It follows Lorel, a girl whose identity is quietly understood by her mother and best friend, but not the rest of society, as she navigates life in a world where witches are feared. Lorel longs to join a coven, but faces obstacles due to her body being seen as "boy." The story explores themes of identity, friendship, and self-determination, all while weaving in elements of magic, political intrigue, and an environmental plague. The pacing is fast, and the world-building is rich, making it a captivating listen from start to finish.

Jackie Meloche’s narration really elevates the audiobook, giving distinct voices to the many witches and capturing the emotional depth of Lorel’s journey. While the story is targeted toward a younger audience, its exploration of trans identity and the consequences of magic is nuanced and meaningful, offering something for listeners of all ages. Overall, it's a well-crafted, enchanting story, and I'm excited for the rest of the trilogy.

A queer, witchy coming-of-age story told in an interesting fantasy setting, with an atmosphere similar to Tamora Pierce or Naomi Novik. Read by Jackie Meloche, whose voice has been beautifully matched to this story and main character - her performance of so many different witches is wonderful.

I didn't realise when I requested the proof that this was YA, but I found it was an enjoyable story even so. The prose itself didn't move me strongly - I found some scenes and characters could have benefited from richer descriptions and a little more show than tell. However, given that I'm not a big YA reader this might just reflect choices made by the author to appeal with more simplicity to younger readers. The interesting magic system made up for this, as did the deft exploration of queer themes.

I really appreciated the way Laurel's understanding of her own identity slowly grows on her, from initially wishing she was a girl, to finally feeling confident in the knowledge that she always has been one. Strongly positive trans representation here, with the nuance that only an own-voices author can bring - for example, Laurel's musings on whether to change her body by magic: she examines whether she is motivated by her own desires, or pressure from others?

Lorel has always been a girl, something her mother and best friend Lane know and accept, but that she has learned to keept this to herself because she has a body that most people see as "boy." Lorel and Lane have grown up playing at knights and witches in the forest around their town. Lane wants to be a knight, and the chivalrous orders have opened their ranks to women in the last generation, but the problem is Lane was promised to a coven of witches in payment before her birth. Lorel has always wanted to be a witch, but it is strictly a sisterhood. So, when the time comes Lorel dawns a witche's gown and takes her place as Lane's daughter to be trained by the traveling coven of witches. She gets away with it, but for how long? Even as Lorel becomes aware that the personal stakes of her deception may be much higher than she initially realized, an environmental plague begins to spread and those who hunger for power blame the witches.

The Sapling Cage is a chef's kiss of a trans coming of age story with found family, horror, mystery, political intrigue, action, magic, and strong female villains who are allowed to be evil without being sympathetic! Maybe take the horror with a grain of salt, this reviewer is easily scared. I also like the way the narrative explores self determination. This is a fast paced, plot driven book that will be over far too soon. Luckily it's the first in a trilogy. It does not end in a cliffhanger, the narrative threads from this book are all incorporated by the end of this first book, but Lorel still has more to learn about magic. I enjoyed the world building and want to return to it for years to come. The magic system is fresh and new and also has consequences, it feels well rounded and thought out to me even though we don't get all the answers to it in book one. One thing the book does wonderfully is highlight the difference between people who are unpleasant, people who are ignorant and can learn, and people are power-hungry, evil, or bigoted and bring no good faith or willingness to learn to interactions with people who are different. Beautifully done. I would recommend this book not only to fantasy readers, but to anyone who enjoys a well crafted story.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for this ARC ebook of The Sapling Cage.