Review Detail

What I Liked:
Witches Steeped In Gold is a fantasy novel with Jamaican substantial influence, diversity, and representation. It reminded me a lot of Songs of Wraith and Ruin. The story is told from two perspectives Iraya, who belongs to the obeah order, and Jazmyne, who belongs to alumbrar order. Realizing they both have the same goal to end the reign of the current doyenne, they band together to achieve it.
Jazmyne is the daughter of the current doyenne, who she feels is unjustified in her reign of power. Jazmyne grows a lot over the story, from being indecisive to realizing the true power she wields. But as she realizes this, she becomes more like her mother and less what she intended to be.
Iraya is a character who makes rash decisions but is more likable than jazmyne. Unlike her counterpart, she becomes less selfish as the novel progresses.
My favorite aspect was how we get to see both the perspectives of the Alumbrar and obeah, and there is no way to choose a side as both are good and evil. The girls believe they are ending the cycle of hatred and violence, but in the end, did they succeed?
Final Verdict:
Overall this novel is slow-paced to start; the plot is twist-driven by all the scheming and betrayals between the two opposing tribes. The book ends with a strong ending that sets you up for the sequel, a monster 700-page read, and I am very excited to see how things end.