The Coven of Cagliasaro

Revisiting these characters after a year feels like a bittersweet moment, as while I loved reading Sisterhood and now this sequel (of sorts), the real-life landscape has continued  to devolve into even more dangerous territory for women’s rights and women period so much that stories like these have become so important. 

The Coven of Cagliasaro lets you travel back in time over 400 years ago to witness the same cruelty and barbarity women have been subject to at the hands of men, not to mention showcasing just how the rich and powerful continue to exert authority in the dark days of European history. Despite its regal pomp and show, royalty and nobility have meant nothing more than the privilege to oppress, loot and rape those unable to defend themselves, while setting the poor against each other by fueling their already festering hate for all things different. Whether it is through religious intolerance or gender-based violence that comes part and parcel in the patriarchy, not so much different from what we’re witnessing around the world with those in power continuing to roll back on essential human rights; making women the direct target of unabashed cruelty unprecedented in its scope.

With Coven, the author narrates some damning lessons for modern society, and yet creates a beautiful story of resilience, friendship, affection and tenderness that I rarely see in fiction. The dialogue and conversations among the lead characters are full of empathy and support that develop a ton of optimism amid all the oppression. The writer patiently and poignantly creates well-meaning and inspiring situations that I enjoyed so much, while grounding the fantasy and magic elements with a sense of realism that makes one believe this isn’t an alternative history at all.

There’s plenty of intrigue as the story kept me guessing with some very interesting deceptions, but they caught me well off-guard. A ton of research has made it look like the events aren’t just partly true, even though the historical context of witch-burnings, religious inquisitions, and social inequality largely and sadly is. The witches of the coven are unlike anything we’ve read before and they are a force to be reckoned with, but they are also loving and caring people who have overcome great hardships themselves and will ensure no one else should ever have to.

Highly recommended with five shiny stars!

Muhammad Samejo