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Scapegracers #2
The Scratch Daughters
It's been a wild year for Sideways Pike. After forming a coven with the three most popular girls in school and developing a huge crush on a mysterious stranger named Madeline, Sideways' Halloween was ruined by finding out that Madeline wasn't trying to make out with her, but to steal Sideways' specter, the force that gives witches the ability to cast magic spells. From Madeline's perspective, it's not her fault: after a doomed relationship with one of the creepy near-identical Chantry Boys turned into a witch hunt, they took her specter, so, really, she's only borrowing Sideways' until she can recover her own and punish the Chantrys.
The specter-less Sideways is in a horrid, distracted mood, unable to do magic and with part of her consciousness tied to Madeline's, on the lam as she uses Sideways' specter to hunt Chantrys. The other Scapegracers are much jollier, heading into the winter holidays having set up shop as curse crafters for girls in their school who've been done wrong by guys. When Sideways—through Madeline—gets a flash of how to track down both her foes at once, she asks the Scapegracers to help entrap them, only to be told her plan is unsafe and unwise. So if she's going to find Madeline, her only ally is Mr. Scratch, the inky book demon currently inhabiting her as life support until she gets her spectre back.
Sideways is used to being an outcast loner, and is desperate to do magic again, so she's not going to let little barriers like facing an betraying crush and a family of six demented witch hunters practically alone stop her. But she and her trusty stolen bike are in for a bumpy ride...
The specter-less Sideways is in a horrid, distracted mood, unable to do magic and with part of her consciousness tied to Madeline's, on the lam as she uses Sideways' specter to hunt Chantrys. The other Scapegracers are much jollier, heading into the winter holidays having set up shop as curse crafters for girls in their school who've been done wrong by guys. When Sideways—through Madeline—gets a flash of how to track down both her foes at once, she asks the Scapegracers to help entrap them, only to be told her plan is unsafe and unwise. So if she's going to find Madeline, her only ally is Mr. Scratch, the inky book demon currently inhabiting her as life support until she gets her spectre back.
Sideways is used to being an outcast loner, and is desperate to do magic again, so she's not going to let little barriers like facing an betraying crush and a family of six demented witch hunters practically alone stop her. But she and her trusty stolen bike are in for a bumpy ride...
424 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2022
54 people are currently reading
5375 people want to read
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October 27, 2022
4.50 Stars. How do I love thee, let me count your witchy ways. Finally, after two years I got to read the sequel to the magical realism/paranormal YA book The Scapegracers and all I can say is that I can’t wait for book 3. The Scapegracers was an oddball little book that warmed its way into my heart and onto my favorite list of 2020, and I already know this book will easily do the same for this year.
One thing that I really like about this series, and I mentioned it in my review about that first book too, is that while it is YA, I think it appeals to people of all ages. While the story is new and feels fresh with the times, it still has the ability to make you reminisce. It reminded me of being 14 and watching all the wonderfully campy -but inappropriately targeted to me- movies of the 90’s like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. This series is like the queer version of The Craft, except 100% times better. I loved that movie as a kid, but this series is everything and more that I wished that movie was. And to put a cherry on top of my point, the main character Sideways made sure to bring up the 90’s movie Jawbreaker before getting into the trunk of her best friends’ car and I could not stop the huge smile that stretched across my face.
I think I’m in love with Clarke’s writing. During the first book I had my ups and downs with it. Clarke has a unique style of writing. It is very descriptive but not annoyingly so or purple prose territory. The down I had with it is that in book one it took me a while to get used to it and I worried it might put certain readers off. Luckily, the writing eventually clicks, and I ended up really enjoying it so I hope people know to be patient as I wouldn’t want someone early DNF’ing book one and missing out on this great series. I don’t know why this book took a year longer than originally expected to come out, but whatever the reason, I think that Clarke’s writing really improved in the last two years. I went from really liking it to now loving it. I think their style calmed down a bit. It is still descriptive, but now just wonderfully so and not overboard or trying a little too hard to impress in a YA debut book too hard. I felt like the words just flowed and I could not believe how fast I flew through the second book. I don’t want to give too much away but one of the characters is missing something important, something that you or I could never imagine missing, and the way Clarke described being without this thing, was just so amazingly written that I felt like it was actually happening to me. This book was very well done, and to see such growth between the two books when Clarke was already a great writer was impressive.
This book was so wonderfully queer, and it just made me happy. The characters are great, including one of my favorite YA characters Sideways, the badass lesbian butch witch. While there still was no “romance” in this book, there was a lot of mix of what is friendship love to what is romantic feelings, which was so realistically written that at times it felt more honest then what is in a lot of contemporary YA books that I read.
I would love to talk more about the plot, but I don’t want to ruin anything for people who have not read book one yet. This is a series that you need to read in order. I’ll end this by saying that I am a big fan of this underrated YA series, and I would absolutely recommend it for your Halloween reading pleasure. If you like badass queer witches getting the chance to take some revenge, then this series is definitely for you.
An ARC was given to me for an honest review.
One thing that I really like about this series, and I mentioned it in my review about that first book too, is that while it is YA, I think it appeals to people of all ages. While the story is new and feels fresh with the times, it still has the ability to make you reminisce. It reminded me of being 14 and watching all the wonderfully campy -but inappropriately targeted to me- movies of the 90’s like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. This series is like the queer version of The Craft, except 100% times better. I loved that movie as a kid, but this series is everything and more that I wished that movie was. And to put a cherry on top of my point, the main character Sideways made sure to bring up the 90’s movie Jawbreaker before getting into the trunk of her best friends’ car and I could not stop the huge smile that stretched across my face.
I think I’m in love with Clarke’s writing. During the first book I had my ups and downs with it. Clarke has a unique style of writing. It is very descriptive but not annoyingly so or purple prose territory. The down I had with it is that in book one it took me a while to get used to it and I worried it might put certain readers off. Luckily, the writing eventually clicks, and I ended up really enjoying it so I hope people know to be patient as I wouldn’t want someone early DNF’ing book one and missing out on this great series. I don’t know why this book took a year longer than originally expected to come out, but whatever the reason, I think that Clarke’s writing really improved in the last two years. I went from really liking it to now loving it. I think their style calmed down a bit. It is still descriptive, but now just wonderfully so and not overboard or trying a little too hard to impress in a YA debut book too hard. I felt like the words just flowed and I could not believe how fast I flew through the second book. I don’t want to give too much away but one of the characters is missing something important, something that you or I could never imagine missing, and the way Clarke described being without this thing, was just so amazingly written that I felt like it was actually happening to me. This book was very well done, and to see such growth between the two books when Clarke was already a great writer was impressive.
This book was so wonderfully queer, and it just made me happy. The characters are great, including one of my favorite YA characters Sideways, the badass lesbian butch witch. While there still was no “romance” in this book, there was a lot of mix of what is friendship love to what is romantic feelings, which was so realistically written that at times it felt more honest then what is in a lot of contemporary YA books that I read.
I would love to talk more about the plot, but I don’t want to ruin anything for people who have not read book one yet. This is a series that you need to read in order. I’ll end this by saying that I am a big fan of this underrated YA series, and I would absolutely recommend it for your Halloween reading pleasure. If you like badass queer witches getting the chance to take some revenge, then this series is definitely for you.
An ARC was given to me for an honest review.
Want to read
November 18, 2020i adored The Scapegracers with my entire lesbian heart so i cannot WAIT to get my grubby little hands on this!
also, please tell me i'm not the only one who saw the sequel title and cried bc the scapegracer girls make me very emo
I also talk about books here: youtube | instagram | twitter
also, please tell me i'm not the only one who saw the sequel title and cried bc the scapegracer girls make me very emo
I also talk about books here: youtube | instagram | twitter
November 23, 2022
It's been over two years since I read the first book, and I was a little worried if I'd be able to jump back in without rereading the first one, but I shouldn't have been worried at all because it was as if I never even left.
This world is still as fresh in my mind as it was back then, because I kept thinking about the characters and what they'd be up to next. I was so sad that the release date got pushed back, but AT LEAST IT'S OUT NOW WHICH MEANS EVERYONE SHOULD GO READ IT!!!
In the sequel we follow the coven as they search for Sideways's soul and the person who borrowed it. And boy, what a chaos-filled journey it is. I loved every minute of it.
Especially at the start, being in Sideways's soul-free head...that felt so real and as if I was a part of that too. The whole narration was masterfully done really, and even better than it was in the first book.
In my review of The Scapegracers I mentioned that I wanted more of Mr. Scratch AND THIS BOOK DELIVERED! We got so much of him, his comments, and the questionable things he eats. THE EYE!!! I will never be the same after reading that scene, it was hilarious and disgusting at the same time.
And oh my God, Shiloh? I need to give them a hug. A really big one.
THIS BOOK WAS SO DELICIOUSLY QUEER THAT MY HEART CAN'T HANDLE IT. I CRIED GUYS, I CRIED SO MANY TIMES. I was kind of expecting to, but not that much? I'm a mess. Like this book. But in a good way, an affectionate way. I just love The Scratch Daughters and its characters so much.
I CANNOT WAIT for book three, I need it for my life to be complete and I need it now. Gimme.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
This world is still as fresh in my mind as it was back then, because I kept thinking about the characters and what they'd be up to next. I was so sad that the release date got pushed back, but AT LEAST IT'S OUT NOW WHICH MEANS EVERYONE SHOULD GO READ IT!!!
In the sequel we follow the coven as they search for Sideways's soul and the person who borrowed it. And boy, what a chaos-filled journey it is. I loved every minute of it.
Especially at the start, being in Sideways's soul-free head...that felt so real and as if I was a part of that too. The whole narration was masterfully done really, and even better than it was in the first book.
In my review of The Scapegracers I mentioned that I wanted more of Mr. Scratch AND THIS BOOK DELIVERED! We got so much of him, his comments, and the questionable things he eats. THE EYE!!! I will never be the same after reading that scene, it was hilarious and disgusting at the same time.
And oh my God, Shiloh? I need to give them a hug. A really big one.
THIS BOOK WAS SO DELICIOUSLY QUEER THAT MY HEART CAN'T HANDLE IT. I CRIED GUYS, I CRIED SO MANY TIMES. I was kind of expecting to, but not that much? I'm a mess. Like this book. But in a good way, an affectionate way. I just love The Scratch Daughters and its characters so much.
I CANNOT WAIT for book three, I need it for my life to be complete and I need it now. Gimme.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
October 15, 2022
On my blog.
Rep: nonbinary butch lesbian mc, Black sapphic mc, Chinese American bi mc, femme lesbian mc, achillean nonbinary side character, achillean side characters
CWs: blood, gore, lesbophobia
Galley provided by publisher
In a year where I have pretty much stopped enjoying YA, The Scratch Daughters is a standout book. I think I’d feel this way still, even if I had primarily liked most of the YA books I’ve been reading in the year, but, in 2022, this only makes it that much clearer just how good the Scapegracer books are.
This book pretty much picks up where the first book left off, just a few weeks on: Sideways’s spectre is still missing, and the Scapegracers are doing all they can to retrieve it (although not as much as Sideways starts to want). On top of this, they now run a kind of service for girls who need their help, hexing any boys or men who abuse them.
What I loved about The Scratch Daughters is pretty much the same as what I loved about The Scapegracers (and a little more tacked on). Namely, the central relationship between Sideways, Jing, Daisy and Yates. If you’ve ever wanted more books that feel like that quote from The Raven Cycle “Blue was a little in love with all of them”, then this is the series for you. You get it in part from the first book, but the feeling is so much more visceral in this one. This is a book predicated on Sideways’s love for these girls, and their love for Sideways.
This is also an intensely and obviously lesbian book. Yes, it’s also sapphic in the more general sense (none of the protagonists in this are straight!), but it’s also very lesbian, not least in Sideways’s constant use of the word (which, if you’ve read any of my other reviews, is a constant bugbear in YA lit for me). It’s hard to articulate just how lesbian this book feels: it’s in Sideways’s interactions with people, in their feelings about gender, in every little bit of this book and series. I think I can safely say I haven’t read a book that just gets the lesbian experience in this way before. (And, it’s not only Sideways in this respect. Although I will leave the other aspect for you to find out when you read!)
If there was anything I had to, not criticise, but point out as something I perhaps less enjoyed, it was that this one seems to have less drive in terms of plot than book one. It felt a little messy in that respect, more messy than the previous book. And, in part, I did like that messiness—it reflected Sideways themself—but also, as I said, there was a lack of drive really, until the end. This, alongside just a general lowering of ratings when I read books in series a few years apart, is probably what led to the 4 star rating over 5 stars. (Although given how I’ve felt about YA recently, 4 stars right now is pretty much equivalent to five.)
So, if you’re looking for a witchy read for this Halloween, or even just a fun, wild adventure to sink your teeth into, then let me recommend this series.
Rep: nonbinary butch lesbian mc, Black sapphic mc, Chinese American bi mc, femme lesbian mc, achillean nonbinary side character, achillean side characters
CWs: blood, gore, lesbophobia
Galley provided by publisher
In a year where I have pretty much stopped enjoying YA, The Scratch Daughters is a standout book. I think I’d feel this way still, even if I had primarily liked most of the YA books I’ve been reading in the year, but, in 2022, this only makes it that much clearer just how good the Scapegracer books are.
This book pretty much picks up where the first book left off, just a few weeks on: Sideways’s spectre is still missing, and the Scapegracers are doing all they can to retrieve it (although not as much as Sideways starts to want). On top of this, they now run a kind of service for girls who need their help, hexing any boys or men who abuse them.
What I loved about The Scratch Daughters is pretty much the same as what I loved about The Scapegracers (and a little more tacked on). Namely, the central relationship between Sideways, Jing, Daisy and Yates. If you’ve ever wanted more books that feel like that quote from The Raven Cycle “Blue was a little in love with all of them”, then this is the series for you. You get it in part from the first book, but the feeling is so much more visceral in this one. This is a book predicated on Sideways’s love for these girls, and their love for Sideways.
This is also an intensely and obviously lesbian book. Yes, it’s also sapphic in the more general sense (none of the protagonists in this are straight!), but it’s also very lesbian, not least in Sideways’s constant use of the word (which, if you’ve read any of my other reviews, is a constant bugbear in YA lit for me). It’s hard to articulate just how lesbian this book feels: it’s in Sideways’s interactions with people, in their feelings about gender, in every little bit of this book and series. I think I can safely say I haven’t read a book that just gets the lesbian experience in this way before. (And, it’s not only Sideways in this respect. Although I will leave the other aspect for you to find out when you read!)
If there was anything I had to, not criticise, but point out as something I perhaps less enjoyed, it was that this one seems to have less drive in terms of plot than book one. It felt a little messy in that respect, more messy than the previous book. And, in part, I did like that messiness—it reflected Sideways themself—but also, as I said, there was a lack of drive really, until the end. This, alongside just a general lowering of ratings when I read books in series a few years apart, is probably what led to the 4 star rating over 5 stars. (Although given how I’ve felt about YA recently, 4 stars right now is pretty much equivalent to five.)
So, if you’re looking for a witchy read for this Halloween, or even just a fun, wild adventure to sink your teeth into, then let me recommend this series.
November 3, 2022
This book is for you if… you’re looking for a queer, sapphic coven you could fit into.
⤐ Additionally.
Oi, HA Clarke, I beg of thee - please accept my humble request to be part of thy unholy coven.
I knew when I got the eArc for the first part in this amazing series that I was witnessing the start of something incredible. My mum has prepared me for the role of would-be-witch all my life, dressing me up as witch during carnival season and for Halloween parties and it fucking stuck, my friends. If your Halloween x witch read doesn’t give off eerie, cold-about-to-creep-into-your-bones, mysterious-winds-ruffling-your-clothes and meaningful-chanting vibes, what are you even doing?
To me, The Scratch Daughters is just as charming as The Scapegracers since I have a thing for socially and romantically awkward sapphic heroines – and Sideways honestly makes me drippppp.
Besides, a good read wouldn’t be a good read if it didn’t broaden your horizon and HA Clarke just manages to tickle all my spots in this regard.
⤐ What’s happening.
‘Hello, my name is Sideways Pike, the hottest lesbian in town, with the hottest coven - kneel before me’
spoiler alert : She does not actually ever say that but just once in her life would I like her to channel her inner daddy and be the confident regal gorgeous streak of gold that she is.
_____________________
4 STARS. Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary.
October 28, 2022
The Scratch Daughters grows off the premise of The ScrapeGracers quite well and continues to flourish in the areas that the first one did. This series has incredible racial and queer representation and the character arcs and themes are really maturely written. Although I love this witchy premise, especially during the Halloween season, I’m invested in this series for the characters. I’d recommend this to anyone, but particularly to those who look for diverse found families in their stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review
December 22, 2022
2021
sorry what? I thought this was supposed to be published in December 2021, now it's 2022????? w h a t
this is a hatecrime against me specifically
2020
SCAPEGRACERS 2 WHEN! WHY NOT NOW
sorry what? I thought this was supposed to be published in December 2021, now it's 2022????? w h a t
this is a hatecrime against me specifically
2020
SCAPEGRACERS 2 WHEN! WHY NOT NOW
June 1, 2023
I always fluctuate between not jiving with the narration style and loving this book with characters with all my heart. The ending feels won me over.
July 29, 2022
so it's going to be more than a duology uh?
This review is not fully spoilers free but I don't treat character's identity as a spoiler. If a character comes out at any point in the book my review will use the correct name and pronouns all along. This reviews does reveal a few plot points happening in the first third of the book
I have read the Scapegracers a few months ago in a single afternoon and assumed I would remember enough for the sequel. My assessment was slightly wrong because it was rough to directly go back into that one without a refresher. Mostly I had forgotten what I was supposed to know about the personalities of the Scapegracers girls so please refresh your memory before reading this one.
The beginning is the roughest part of the book and I was a bit disappointed reading this part thinking it was going to be a 4 stars book. Sideways is rattled by the loss of their specter and the writing wants to reflect that but it wasn't messy in a way I was enjoying it. And then came Shiloh. After the first Shiloh scene, in the church, I knew that if the book kept this up it would be a 5 stars read.
The characters have a single goal from beginning to end and I appreciated that the problem created at the end of the first book was not resolved in the first third of the book but rather took its time. It's not plot-heavy and let the characters breathe and have their own arcs (notably Daisy, Shiloh and Sideways).
Let's talk about Shiloh. When we first meet Shiloh they've been kicked out by their family and are homeless. Immediately my brain reads this scene assuming that it's because Shiloh is trans. But it does not go that way and I assumed that my trans radar was off. And THEN- well I was proven right 5 chapters later. I loved Shiloh and their entire arc. I have also in my notes that Boris and Julian were so great at taking them in and just were great at parenting in general.
To paraphrase Clarke's Nona review "dyke drama" is what happened here. There were two scenes of queer confrontation that I can summarise as "one character pushes another's character against the wall and it's supposed to be a bit aggressive but we're all gay here so we know". The Coven is faced with the reality of Sideways' suffering and their past deeds and this creates conflict.
Sideways affirms themself even more as a butch which I love to see (more butches in YA you know) and comes out making them one of the very few nonbinary lesbian we have. We love butch lesbian who aren't girls (it's me!)
Lastly this book saw everyone avoiding the label lesbian and said "I respect you but that's not me"
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
This review is not fully spoilers free but I don't treat character's identity as a spoiler. If a character comes out at any point in the book my review will use the correct name and pronouns all along. This reviews does reveal a few plot points happening in the first third of the book
I have read the Scapegracers a few months ago in a single afternoon and assumed I would remember enough for the sequel. My assessment was slightly wrong because it was rough to directly go back into that one without a refresher. Mostly I had forgotten what I was supposed to know about the personalities of the Scapegracers girls so please refresh your memory before reading this one.
The beginning is the roughest part of the book and I was a bit disappointed reading this part thinking it was going to be a 4 stars book. Sideways is rattled by the loss of their specter and the writing wants to reflect that but it wasn't messy in a way I was enjoying it. And then came Shiloh. After the first Shiloh scene, in the church, I knew that if the book kept this up it would be a 5 stars read.
The characters have a single goal from beginning to end and I appreciated that the problem created at the end of the first book was not resolved in the first third of the book but rather took its time. It's not plot-heavy and let the characters breathe and have their own arcs (notably Daisy, Shiloh and Sideways).
Let's talk about Shiloh. When we first meet Shiloh they've been kicked out by their family and are homeless. Immediately my brain reads this scene assuming that it's because Shiloh is trans. But it does not go that way and I assumed that my trans radar was off. And THEN- well I was proven right 5 chapters later. I loved Shiloh and their entire arc. I have also in my notes that Boris and Julian were so great at taking them in and just were great at parenting in general.
To paraphrase Clarke's Nona review "dyke drama" is what happened here. There were two scenes of queer confrontation that I can summarise as "one character pushes another's character against the wall and it's supposed to be a bit aggressive but we're all gay here so we know". The Coven is faced with the reality of Sideways' suffering and their past deeds and this creates conflict.
Sideways affirms themself even more as a butch which I love to see (more butches in YA you know) and comes out making them one of the very few nonbinary lesbian we have. We love butch lesbian who aren't girls (it's me!)
Lastly this book saw everyone avoiding the label lesbian and said "I respect you but that's not me"
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
December 10, 2022
4.5
I read The Scratch Daughters immediately after I finished Scapegracers and I absolutely loved both of the books. This novel picks up right where we left off with the first one, with Scapegraces having to look for Sideways's soul after it has been borrowed, so to speak. Sideways is, understandably, getting impatient when no progress is made. Besides their search, they're dedicating time to helping out girls when they're dealing with abusive men. I will not go into too many details, as this is a sequel and I would like to try and remain as spoiler-free as I can.
Sideways and the rest of her coven are great characters to follow, and all of the strengths of the first book are present here too. I loved how the first book talked about the experience of being a teenager (specifically that quote about the world hating teenage girls), and how that helped create the bond between Sideways, Daisy, Jing, and Yates. The relationship they all have is truly the strong point of these books and what I loved so much about them. That is clear in book one, and it carries over here and I loved seeing these characters have so much love for one another.
In terms of plot, this book is slightly messier and maybe a bit slower than the first one. It makes sense, given we see everything through Sideways, whose feelings are now altered by the lack of their soul. In that way, I maybe enjoyed the first book a bit more, it was faster-paced and had some more direction, if that makes sense. But I really do not mind this as much, as it brings us more of the characters, which I enjoyed, and more of Mr. Scratch, which I also enjoyed (I really did like his character, even if the eye scene was a bit gross).
Last, but certainly not least, I love how this book centers on the queer experience, and especially lesbian experience (again, as Sideways is our POV character). The talk about gender, and sexuality and how much love there is all around in this book is really just healing something in me a little bit I think. This book was really queer in every way, and it did fix me a little. Sideways's dads are also a great addition to the cast of characters, I always love seeing happy queer parents living their best lives and their love for Sideways was just heartwarming to read about.
All in all, I won't go into any more details, so if you haven't read Scapegracers, I would highly recommend it. It's a delightful witchy read, and if you love queer found families and just fun, adventures I'd say pick this up.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
I read The Scratch Daughters immediately after I finished Scapegracers and I absolutely loved both of the books. This novel picks up right where we left off with the first one, with Scapegraces having to look for Sideways's soul after it has been borrowed, so to speak. Sideways is, understandably, getting impatient when no progress is made. Besides their search, they're dedicating time to helping out girls when they're dealing with abusive men. I will not go into too many details, as this is a sequel and I would like to try and remain as spoiler-free as I can.
Sideways and the rest of her coven are great characters to follow, and all of the strengths of the first book are present here too. I loved how the first book talked about the experience of being a teenager (specifically that quote about the world hating teenage girls), and how that helped create the bond between Sideways, Daisy, Jing, and Yates. The relationship they all have is truly the strong point of these books and what I loved so much about them. That is clear in book one, and it carries over here and I loved seeing these characters have so much love for one another.
In terms of plot, this book is slightly messier and maybe a bit slower than the first one. It makes sense, given we see everything through Sideways, whose feelings are now altered by the lack of their soul. In that way, I maybe enjoyed the first book a bit more, it was faster-paced and had some more direction, if that makes sense. But I really do not mind this as much, as it brings us more of the characters, which I enjoyed, and more of Mr. Scratch, which I also enjoyed (I really did like his character, even if the eye scene was a bit gross).
Last, but certainly not least, I love how this book centers on the queer experience, and especially lesbian experience (again, as Sideways is our POV character). The talk about gender, and sexuality and how much love there is all around in this book is really just healing something in me a little bit I think. This book was really queer in every way, and it did fix me a little. Sideways's dads are also a great addition to the cast of characters, I always love seeing happy queer parents living their best lives and their love for Sideways was just heartwarming to read about.
All in all, I won't go into any more details, so if you haven't read Scapegracers, I would highly recommend it. It's a delightful witchy read, and if you love queer found families and just fun, adventures I'd say pick this up.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
July 6, 2023
i fucking love lesbians and trans + genderqueer people we’re sooooo cool
and the BOOK WAS SO GOOD !!!
and the BOOK WAS SO GOOD !!!
November 24, 2022
4.4
I still very much care about all of them. Even new ones. Every time Sideways went through something, the uneasiness, the discomfort, the pain or the desperation to get it back - you felt for her/them. It's so uniquely Sideways. It may be easy to disagree with Sideway's decisions or reactions, but you understood her/them. Just like with other characters.
I still very much care about all of them. Even new ones. Every time Sideways went through something, the uneasiness, the discomfort, the pain or the desperation to get it back - you felt for her/them. It's so uniquely Sideways. It may be easy to disagree with Sideway's decisions or reactions, but you understood her/them. Just like with other characters.
September 14, 2023
This was an upgrade to the first book in the series. Clarke's writing gained a bit more edge and it followed the tone perfectly from where book 1 ended.
It was disgusting, heartbreaking, beautiful, and frustrating. I haven't had too many books this year make an overwhelming impact so this one will certainly stand out.
I will note that this one seems to have a bit more body horror. As well as incredibly stressful scenes and some graphic gore. Highly recommend if you want something horror themed with some darker topics but aren't looking to be scared. Perfect for spooky season.
It was disgusting, heartbreaking, beautiful, and frustrating. I haven't had too many books this year make an overwhelming impact so this one will certainly stand out.
I will note that this one seems to have a bit more body horror. As well as incredibly stressful scenes and some graphic gore. Highly recommend if you want something horror themed with some darker topics but aren't looking to be scared. Perfect for spooky season.
September 16, 2022
Got an arc from the publishers in return for my enthusiastic handsell efforts
I MISSED MY FERAL CHILDREN SO MUCH
Scapegracers was one of my favorite books of 2020, I handsold a bajilliok copies of it while I was still at Bn, I’ve been EAGERLY awaiting this one so when I got a chance to read an arc I jumped and it did not disappoint. The writing style and character voice is so absolutely off the wall bonkers it makes me want to be a better writer because there should be more books like this.
This is a trilogy, right? Because this ended pretty happily, and I’m not ready to part with my feral kiddos and their polite inkblot just yet 🥺
I MISSED MY FERAL CHILDREN SO MUCH
Scapegracers was one of my favorite books of 2020, I handsold a bajilliok copies of it while I was still at Bn, I’ve been EAGERLY awaiting this one so when I got a chance to read an arc I jumped and it did not disappoint. The writing style and character voice is so absolutely off the wall bonkers it makes me want to be a better writer because there should be more books like this.
This is a trilogy, right? Because this ended pretty happily, and I’m not ready to part with my feral kiddos and their polite inkblot just yet 🥺
May 19, 2023
So did it take me forever to get to this one? Oh yeah. Why? because I kept forgetting I had it. Netgalley I am so sorry lmao.
Scratch Daughters is the sequel to Scapegracers, a book about witches forming a coven in a small town. But Scratch Daughters is more than that. It's an unapologetic tale that shows queer people can be anyone, whether it's the cheerleader with the big mouth, the alt girl you think might stab you, or the sweetest person in the entire school. It's a story about the unbreakable bond between queer people- no matter their past, and a story showing that your family doesn't define you if you don't let them.
Scratch Daughters is another magical adventure for four girls and their book devil just trying to survive senior year (and get into colleges). It's also the first book which used the word "unalive" in a serious context and christ the second-hand embarrassment was real.
It's a wonderful witch tale filled with queerness and danger and if that's something you think you'd enjoy, you should try it!
(And if you despise the censorship of modern media as much as I do maybe stop at book one so you don't have to read "unalive")
Scratch Daughters is the sequel to Scapegracers, a book about witches forming a coven in a small town. But Scratch Daughters is more than that. It's an unapologetic tale that shows queer people can be anyone, whether it's the cheerleader with the big mouth, the alt girl you think might stab you, or the sweetest person in the entire school. It's a story about the unbreakable bond between queer people- no matter their past, and a story showing that your family doesn't define you if you don't let them.
Scratch Daughters is another magical adventure for four girls and their book devil just trying to survive senior year (and get into colleges). It's also the first book which used the word "unalive" in a serious context and christ the second-hand embarrassment was real.
It's a wonderful witch tale filled with queerness and danger and if that's something you think you'd enjoy, you should try it!
(And if you despise the censorship of modern media as much as I do maybe stop at book one so you don't have to read "unalive")
September 28, 2022
[opens my mouth and screams wordlessly in August's general direction]
If you liked Scapegracers, you will love Scratch Daughters. It's more of the queer, feral, ruthless, girl gang shenanigans that every small town deserves, and the magic only gets bigger and louder and more angry. I love Sideways Pike. I would die for Lila Yates. There better be a third book, or I will simply expire on the spot.
If you liked Scapegracers, you will love Scratch Daughters. It's more of the queer, feral, ruthless, girl gang shenanigans that every small town deserves, and the magic only gets bigger and louder and more angry. I love Sideways Pike. I would die for Lila Yates. There better be a third book, or I will simply expire on the spot.
November 6, 2022
I loved The Scapegracers and I love Scratch Daughters. Note-perfect rendition of the messy interpersonal dynamics of a group of queers in high school, high-stakes and resonant worldbuilding in which gender, sexuality and class power dynamics are explored via witchcraft, witchfinding, and the connections and lack of connections between the adolescent world and the adult world. The inside of Sideways's head feels, in some specific ways, exactly like I remember mine feeling at that age. It's a butch dyke power fantasy and I am 100% here for that.
September 2, 2022
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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As CAWPILE
Characters: 10 | Atmosphere: 9 | Writing: 9 | Plot: 8 | Intrigue: 10 | Logic: 8 | Enjoyment: 9
Total: 9.00
While this book took some time to find its footing, once it did, things took off in a really fantastic way. I loved the way Clarke's characters grew and learned, while still continuing the plot and keeping things interesting. The backstory that we received made sense and was intriguing, while still keeping that feral rawness of the first book. This was an exceptional sequel and I can't wait to read more from Clarke.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As CAWPILE
Characters: 10 | Atmosphere: 9 | Writing: 9 | Plot: 8 | Intrigue: 10 | Logic: 8 | Enjoyment: 9
Total: 9.00
While this book took some time to find its footing, once it did, things took off in a really fantastic way. I loved the way Clarke's characters grew and learned, while still continuing the plot and keeping things interesting. The backstory that we received made sense and was intriguing, while still keeping that feral rawness of the first book. This was an exceptional sequel and I can't wait to read more from Clarke.
April 24, 2023
The Scapegracers was one of my favorite books from last year, and a book that I recommend ALL the time due to how frustratingly underrated it is. It's a stunning YA novel about witches, friendship, and queerness. It was obvious there was going to be a sequel after that ending, and I have been DESPERATELY waiting for The Scratch Daughters ever since.
This book picks up shortly after where The Scapegracers ended, Sideways is looking for Madeline and her stolen specter and Jing, Yates, and Daisy are helping her. While they hunt down Madeline, they spend quality time hexing gross, violent boys/men. They're a full-blown coven in this book, curating a reputation and essentially, a business in protecting the girls of their town.
The queerness of the story was so beautiful. Gender and sexuality are topics that are explored in depth in this book. It was really interesting to read and I felt like I learned a lot through Sideways, and also through Daisy. There's a lot of self-reflection in this book from several characters and it mostly results in new identities and experiences.
The plot was really interesting and fun, I was really rooting for Sideways and the rest of the Scapegracers. They really are a diverse and dynamic group of girls who not only love being girls, but will do anything to protect girlhood for those around them. They're fierce, loyal, passionate, smart, kind, and bold. An insanely amazing cast of characters that are easy to admire. I personally have a soft spot for Jing!
There is also a pretty important new character in this book. Shiloh, a queer teen that Sideways decides to help despite their past mistakes. This is where the book disappointed me a little. While I thought that Shiloh was a great character that I really enjoyed, Shiloh's presence in the story was a huge source of discontent for the Scapegracers. While I could understand why Sideways wanted to help them, I also understand that the Scapegracers were right for not trusting them with Sideways.
It was really difficult to read the Scapegracers fighting, because the point of book one was about making friends with those who seem so different from you, and the love and loyalty that grows from those unexpected connections. This cast is one of my very favorite found families, so I just couldn't appreciate that they were broken up for a large majority of this book.
The Scapegracers, literally all of them, do some crappy and unfair things to Sideways, who doesn't even get angry or want an apology. Like, I get it. They're your best friends, the only ones you've ever had, but you're gonna let them treat you like that? Daisy's really the one with the issue with Shiloh, but it's also Jing and Yates who essentially ditch Sideways to keep Daisy happy. Yeah. That whole plot didn't feel very found family, you're my best friends, I love you so much, to me. So when Clarke writes about how much they love one another and missed one another in the end of the book, I'm like, seriously? We're just moving on from that fight like it's nothing? Maybe I'm just bitter because I love my found family trope and I hate when it gets even slightly undone, but I just could not really stand the unnecessary angst. It made the rating drop from 5 to 4.
Regardless, the climax of the book was great and it all wrapped up very nicely. There is, of course, room for another book. There's one semester of high school left, stolen specters in need of being returned, Madeline is missing, Shiloh is trapped... I sense that the Scapegracers are not yet finished.
They've gotta have another dark night of the soul ahead of them.
And, honestly, I need them back. I'll never get enough of these characters and their friendship. Please, let me have them back!
And of course, thank you so much to Erewhon for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
The Scratch Daughters: 4/5 Stars.
This book picks up shortly after where The Scapegracers ended, Sideways is looking for Madeline and her stolen specter and Jing, Yates, and Daisy are helping her. While they hunt down Madeline, they spend quality time hexing gross, violent boys/men. They're a full-blown coven in this book, curating a reputation and essentially, a business in protecting the girls of their town.
The queerness of the story was so beautiful. Gender and sexuality are topics that are explored in depth in this book. It was really interesting to read and I felt like I learned a lot through Sideways, and also through Daisy. There's a lot of self-reflection in this book from several characters and it mostly results in new identities and experiences.
The plot was really interesting and fun, I was really rooting for Sideways and the rest of the Scapegracers. They really are a diverse and dynamic group of girls who not only love being girls, but will do anything to protect girlhood for those around them. They're fierce, loyal, passionate, smart, kind, and bold. An insanely amazing cast of characters that are easy to admire. I personally have a soft spot for Jing!
There is also a pretty important new character in this book. Shiloh, a queer teen that Sideways decides to help despite their past mistakes. This is where the book disappointed me a little. While I thought that Shiloh was a great character that I really enjoyed, Shiloh's presence in the story was a huge source of discontent for the Scapegracers. While I could understand why Sideways wanted to help them, I also understand that the Scapegracers were right for not trusting them with Sideways.
It was really difficult to read the Scapegracers fighting, because the point of book one was about making friends with those who seem so different from you, and the love and loyalty that grows from those unexpected connections. This cast is one of my very favorite found families, so I just couldn't appreciate that they were broken up for a large majority of this book.
The Scapegracers, literally all of them, do some crappy and unfair things to Sideways, who doesn't even get angry or want an apology. Like, I get it. They're your best friends, the only ones you've ever had, but you're gonna let them treat you like that? Daisy's really the one with the issue with Shiloh, but it's also Jing and Yates who essentially ditch Sideways to keep Daisy happy. Yeah. That whole plot didn't feel very found family, you're my best friends, I love you so much, to me. So when Clarke writes about how much they love one another and missed one another in the end of the book, I'm like, seriously? We're just moving on from that fight like it's nothing? Maybe I'm just bitter because I love my found family trope and I hate when it gets even slightly undone, but I just could not really stand the unnecessary angst. It made the rating drop from 5 to 4.
Regardless, the climax of the book was great and it all wrapped up very nicely. There is, of course, room for another book. There's one semester of high school left, stolen specters in need of being returned, Madeline is missing, Shiloh is trapped... I sense that the Scapegracers are not yet finished.
They've gotta have another dark night of the soul ahead of them.
And, honestly, I need them back. I'll never get enough of these characters and their friendship. Please, let me have them back!
And of course, thank you so much to Erewhon for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
The Scratch Daughters: 4/5 Stars.
July 16, 2022
The Scratch Daughters is every bit as beautiful as its predecessor.
Sideways Pike pursues her stolen soul, there’s teen drama, witchy angst, horrible men, and it’s gayer than any book I’ve read. It’s queer, with every possible meaning of the word. Half of it has the airy breathyness of a dream and the other has is horribly, bloodily real. It’s perfect literally from the epigraph to the last word.
It’s about queerness in the face of a hostile world, and loving in spite of hate. It’s about trauma and gender and sexuality and girls. It loves girls as much as anything I’ve ever read. It loves transfemmes and transmascs and non-binary people and it does it constantly without exception. It’s about breakups, and trying to live when it feels like your heart has been torn out. It’s about being queer in rural America. It’s about parents, their love or lack thereof, and how royally they can fuck up a kid. It’s about loving people when you’re angry with them, so furious you could scream and still knowing that you would do anything to protect them, because they’re your people.
I don’t have the words to say how much it means to me.
Sideways Pike pursues her stolen soul, there’s teen drama, witchy angst, horrible men, and it’s gayer than any book I’ve read. It’s queer, with every possible meaning of the word. Half of it has the airy breathyness of a dream and the other has is horribly, bloodily real. It’s perfect literally from the epigraph to the last word.
It’s about queerness in the face of a hostile world, and loving in spite of hate. It’s about trauma and gender and sexuality and girls. It loves girls as much as anything I’ve ever read. It loves transfemmes and transmascs and non-binary people and it does it constantly without exception. It’s about breakups, and trying to live when it feels like your heart has been torn out. It’s about being queer in rural America. It’s about parents, their love or lack thereof, and how royally they can fuck up a kid. It’s about loving people when you’re angry with them, so furious you could scream and still knowing that you would do anything to protect them, because they’re your people.
I don’t have the words to say how much it means to me.
January 3, 2023
This, like the first book, was a 3.5 for me. But this time I rounded down because I had the same complaints.
Old gripes: I had a very hard time liking Sideways because we spend the whole book in the head of someone who is constantly and consistently engaging in negative self-talk. I want to like her but she won't let me.
Secondly, I still feel like the other Scapegracers are still flat. We don't know them any better this time around with like, one significant exception. I WANT to know these girls. Please spend more time together.
And the name "Sideways" never did grow on me.
New things I didn't like: use of the word "unalive". I genuinely hate the influence TikTok has had on the infantilization of language and I hate that it's used in a book where the character that said it has actually tortured/hexed people.
I also didn't like their reaction to the thing that happened at the end. (No spoilers) They felt responsible for something that would have happened through either their action OR inaction. To me, that means they didn't do it. It's not their fault. The event was going to happen regardless. (My weird, over-active sense of justice and black-and-white thinking didn't like this at all and it's in no way saying the book was bad for this, rather: this reaction or theme is not for me).
What I did like though, was that Mr Scratch didn't feel cartoonish and was very well used as a character. The overall plot was interesting.
I'm still in love with the magic system, and I like that there's a lot of it in the books. It doesn't get sidelined but isn't overused. the action scenes all feel intense. I thought the pacing was good, and it's the feral queer rep we all want to get our hands on.
While I'd love to give it 5 stars just based on the fact that it's about very gay witches, I'm okay with an honest "I Liked This Book, Solid 3 Stars" and a reminder that great books don't have to be Great Books.
(Seriously, I bought both books in hardcover from a local indie bookstore and didn't even use a coupon. No regrets.)
Old gripes: I had a very hard time liking Sideways because we spend the whole book in the head of someone who is constantly and consistently engaging in negative self-talk. I want to like her but she won't let me.
Secondly, I still feel like the other Scapegracers are still flat. We don't know them any better this time around with like, one significant exception. I WANT to know these girls. Please spend more time together.
And the name "Sideways" never did grow on me.
New things I didn't like: use of the word "unalive". I genuinely hate the influence TikTok has had on the infantilization of language and I hate that it's used in a book where the character that said it has actually tortured/hexed people.
I also didn't like their reaction to the thing that happened at the end. (No spoilers) They felt responsible for something that would have happened through either their action OR inaction. To me, that means they didn't do it. It's not their fault. The event was going to happen regardless. (My weird, over-active sense of justice and black-and-white thinking didn't like this at all and it's in no way saying the book was bad for this, rather: this reaction or theme is not for me).
What I did like though, was that Mr Scratch didn't feel cartoonish and was very well used as a character. The overall plot was interesting.
I'm still in love with the magic system, and I like that there's a lot of it in the books. It doesn't get sidelined but isn't overused. the action scenes all feel intense. I thought the pacing was good, and it's the feral queer rep we all want to get our hands on.
While I'd love to give it 5 stars just based on the fact that it's about very gay witches, I'm okay with an honest "I Liked This Book, Solid 3 Stars" and a reminder that great books don't have to be Great Books.
(Seriously, I bought both books in hardcover from a local indie bookstore and didn't even use a coupon. No regrets.)
August 21, 2025
It took me an absurd and unforgivable amount of time to read this, given that The Scapegrracers is one of my favorite books of all time and i would die for these queer teen witches. I didn't love this installment quite as much as the first, which is only to say that it didn't capture the once in a lifetime lightning in a bottle kind of magic that the first book had. It's still a triumph of literature and a necessary glimpse into the world of angsty sapphic and genderqueer teens and, in Sideways's case, their beautiful gay fathers. It's still bloody and furious and feral and tender and sweet and loving and I think having had friendships like this in high school would have fixed me. It's still complicated and morally gray and everything I love in a book. This is the kind of magic I would want to do if I had real life witch powers, and this is the way to write young people, with real compassion for the experience of being that age and affording them real agency and rich inner lives and all the things we rarely allow this age group to have.
I want a third book in this series because I deserve to see Sideways and Jing kiss and I deserve some closure for what Madeline did to Sideways and what was done to Madeline, and I deserve to see the witchfinder family get murdered, and I deserve to read more of August Clarke's writing. I know they also have a fantasy novel out and I will be reading that, but I specifically deserve to read more of their writing about the Scapegracers and Mr. Scratch and Shiloh. Justice for Shiloh. What will become of them? I need to know.
I kind of hate Madeline, but I would love to read more from her POV because her story is so disturbing and difficult and she made awful choices, but awful things were done to her and there's a part of me that understands and wonders if I might have done the same. This is the content I live for.
I just want to live in this world forever and I will greedily take whatever August Clarke is willing to give me. These books are so close to my heart.
I want a third book in this series because I deserve to see Sideways and Jing kiss and I deserve some closure for what Madeline did to Sideways and what was done to Madeline, and I deserve to see the witchfinder family get murdered, and I deserve to read more of August Clarke's writing. I know they also have a fantasy novel out and I will be reading that, but I specifically deserve to read more of their writing about the Scapegracers and Mr. Scratch and Shiloh. Justice for Shiloh. What will become of them? I need to know.
I kind of hate Madeline, but I would love to read more from her POV because her story is so disturbing and difficult and she made awful choices, but awful things were done to her and there's a part of me that understands and wonders if I might have done the same. This is the content I live for.
I just want to live in this world forever and I will greedily take whatever August Clarke is willing to give me. These books are so close to my heart.
May 21, 2023
one thing about this book: it was absolutely worth the wait.
The Scratch Daughters starts off a while after the Halloween party. Throughout the book, we learn more about Sideways and the new coven, but also about secondary characters from the first book and Mr. Scratch and his coven. There’s a bit of conflict between Sideways and the others this time around which was very realistic.
Clarke’s writing and storytelling was again amazing! I loved how the relationships between characters felt so real. They explored gender and sexuality a little more in this book than in the first, but still in a very casual way. Sideways continued to be a very relatable narrator and I enjoyed Mr Scratch’s comments here and there. There were a bunch of pop culture references too that made me giggle a little.
Overall a lovely second instalment. It was just as good as the first book and I might’ve even liked it better. Looking forward to get my hands on the hardcover and reread it in October!
The Scratch Daughters starts off a while after the Halloween party. Throughout the book, we learn more about Sideways and the new coven, but also about secondary characters from the first book and Mr. Scratch and his coven. There’s a bit of conflict between Sideways and the others this time around which was very realistic.
Clarke’s writing and storytelling was again amazing! I loved how the relationships between characters felt so real. They explored gender and sexuality a little more in this book than in the first, but still in a very casual way. Sideways continued to be a very relatable narrator and I enjoyed Mr Scratch’s comments here and there. There were a bunch of pop culture references too that made me giggle a little.
Overall a lovely second instalment. It was just as good as the first book and I might’ve even liked it better. Looking forward to get my hands on the hardcover and reread it in October!
August 18, 2022
4.5 stars
i’ve been anticipating this sequel for almost two years and it did not disappoint. i loved it. the character dynamics were just as interesting and fun as ever. the dialogue popped. i need any possible sequel in my hands immediately.
i’ve been anticipating this sequel for almost two years and it did not disappoint. i loved it. the character dynamics were just as interesting and fun as ever. the dialogue popped. i need any possible sequel in my hands immediately.
January 2, 2023
There was way too much going on in this story and it took a while to feel invested in it. I liked that Sideways took care of other LGBTQA+ people and her dads are amazing. I just really wish we had all the Scapegracers together more because that is my favorite part of this series.
February 18, 2023
I read H. A. Clarke’s The Scratch Daughters and it was basically everything I wanted; i.e., it was super gay and had lots of Mr. Scratch in it. The story picks up several weeks after the end of the first book, and things are not going well for Sideways. Not having her soul is fucking her up. The rest of the Scapegracers are trying to balance helping Sideways get her specter back, not getting their own specters stolen, and Chett-hexing local assholes on behalf of the women they have hurt. This balancing act is not working for Sideways, who is in basically a constant dissociative state and keeps getting phantom thoughts and feelings of what Madeline is doing. The girls descend into some pretty bitter fighting and Sideways goes off half-cocked all on her own (or sort of on her own, she’s got her stolen bike and Mr. Scratch, after all) to hunt down Madeline Kline, and separately, Madeline Kline’s specter. Various things go entertainingly wrong but Sideways survives and eventually pulls it out of the bag because, while the world is full of awful people, it’s also full of good ones, and Sideways has some of the good ones on her side—in addition to her coven, she’s got her fantastic dads Boris and Julian, and a stray queer kid that she finds in the woods whose identity would be a massive spoiler. Much like the last book, the plot is eventful and witchy and fun enough, but the real fun of the book is in the characters and the general vibes. There is some very cool creepy magic and Sideways continues to lick her teeth a lot (they are her favorite bones). I had a great time and hope the third book happens in a timely fashion!
Originally posted at Sideways, Scratch, and the Scapegracers take on Chetts and Chantrys
Originally posted at Sideways, Scratch, and the Scapegracers take on Chetts and Chantrys
October 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this continuation of the scapegracers trilogy! It picks up very soon after the first book ends and gives us more insight into some new characters. Something I really love about this series is Sideways voice, I feel like they have such a clear distinctive voice that flows well and fits everything else about the book. Add in the new book devil that has taken up residence in Sideways and you’ve definitely got a unique combination.
Speaking of, I really loved Mr. Scratch. He could be a little intense and gross (the eyeball scene…) but the characterization is so well done. This is true of all the characters in this series, but Mr. Scratch is such a unique entity that really stood out.
Onto other characters, this has a lot of character development. This is especially true of Shiloh, who I wasn’t sure whether to trust at the beginning. I won’t go into more detail to avoid spoilers but it was nice to see them grow and find themselves with the help of the Pikes.
My biggest grievance with the second book of the series is the conflict between the scapegracers themselves. I missed having the four of them together for a portion of the book. Overall, though, I enjoyed the scratch daughters a lot!
Speaking of, I really loved Mr. Scratch. He could be a little intense and gross (the eyeball scene…) but the characterization is so well done. This is true of all the characters in this series, but Mr. Scratch is such a unique entity that really stood out.
Onto other characters, this has a lot of character development. This is especially true of Shiloh, who I wasn’t sure whether to trust at the beginning. I won’t go into more detail to avoid spoilers but it was nice to see them grow and find themselves with the help of the Pikes.
My biggest grievance with the second book of the series is the conflict between the scapegracers themselves. I missed having the four of them together for a portion of the book. Overall, though, I enjoyed the scratch daughters a lot!
October 23, 2024
I can’t believe that people are sleeping on this series! I think it’s one of the best witchy series that I’ve read in a really long time. It���s got everything you could possibly want in a dark witchy story: it’s got neon drenched horror vibes, it’s queer as fuck, it’s got a funky little spell book turned ink demon, and it’s got an unhinged group of teenage witches who aren’t afraid to fuck your shit up. And I loved every unhinged second of it!
I loved getting to see more of Sideways and the girls being their unhinged selves. I loved getting to see them be soft with each other and being shards of broken glass with everyone else. I also really loved that they took in Shiloh (a former witchfinder) and giving them the space they needed to just be themself. All of it was so good! The Scratch Daughters is getting five stars, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next one.
I loved getting to see more of Sideways and the girls being their unhinged selves. I loved getting to see them be soft with each other and being shards of broken glass with everyone else. I also really loved that they took in Shiloh (a former witchfinder) and giving them the space they needed to just be themself. All of it was so good! The Scratch Daughters is getting five stars, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next one.
July 9, 2023
not a ton to say about this one because i just love this series!! there's a new(ish) character in this one who kind of stole the show for me, so to speak. but i still adore sideways and all these incredibly messed up and lovable characters. seriously, disasters, all of them. bless. i think i liked the first one a bit better (i think it was 4.5 stars) but i love it so much. mr. scratch is a delight!! love love. i wish more people would read this series!!!!!!
again i'm here eagerly awaiting the next book. which, really, i don't even care how long it takes. i know i will love it. at this point, i can't even imagine clarke writing a book i don't want to hug and yell about happily as soon as i'm done reading. < 3
again i'm here eagerly awaiting the next book. which, really, i don't even care how long it takes. i know i will love it. at this point, i can't even imagine clarke writing a book i don't want to hug and yell about happily as soon as i'm done reading. < 3
April 16, 2024
Incredible character work, gritty hilarious writing, and awesome concepts for magical realism. Jing, Yates, Mr. Scratch, Shiloh, every character is so genuine even the evangelical serial killer girlboss. Only request for the next book is that these messy lesbians get their shit together and figure out who likes who. 4.5
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