I agree with reviews that state that Cackle is not a horror. Nope, not a horror. Not even that scary although in the first few chapters the book have some creepy vibes with ghost apparition, but it's just that. There's some body horror but pretty tame compared to what I've read. Cackle is the first Rachel Harrison's book that I read and I intent to read this as my 100th book read in 2024 but the fact that I find it okay maybe a little bit disappointing

Rather than a horror, Cackle is more like a cozy and low stake read with witchy elements. Funny enough, the term of witch only mentioned once in this book if I remember it correctly. Annie Crane was heartbroken. Her 10 years relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Sam, is now ended, yet Annie still cling in hope that maybe she and Sam are meant to be. I think at first Cackle is dealing with a different kind of grief. Annie was depressed and spiraling in self-loathing because she still can't get over Sam. She always think what's wrong with their relationship. It's not hard to guess that Annie also a pushover and have daddy issues. I can see how Annie always have this self doubt and think maybe she's too clingy because her Dad abandon her emotionally.

Then, come Sophie. A beautiful, wonderful, charming Sophie. She looks like an ordinary woman, yet why the Rowan citizen fear her? It didn't take a long time for Annie and Sophie to become friend. Or more like Sophie insist that she think Annie as her friend. It's also didn't take a hard guess that Sophie is a witch. But the question that still nagging me to the end is what kind of witch is Sophie? What's the history between Sophie and Rowan's citizen because all of it kinda left vague. I think Sophie's magic seems connected to nature with how she like to cooking and make one or two potions, but she also can feel when Annie was distress and curse people who mean to Annie. As for Annie, she's too apparently have power. But I also feel that her power is not clearly described and I'm not entirely sure from where her magic comes. Is it hereditary or what, I don't have slightest idea.

I said that Annie is self-loathing, constantly doubt herself, doormat and whiny. At first, I kinda tolerate her because while I never feel heartbroken, I did try to sympathize with Annie. However, this self-loathing phase going on and on about 60% mark or more, I just finally didn't give a damn. I also shout "come on girl??" when Annie get hopeful after Sam call her again despite I can see that he kinda a jerk. Sam dumped Annie first, you know! So when Annie finally come into her senses and embrace her magic, it kinda late and feel rushed. Also, while Sophie might seems like a good friend to have, I can see that she was toxic. I feel like she was too patronizing, proved by her constantly called Annie with "pet", before Annie ask her to stop. I guess, maybe Annie's fate is already doomed from the start. Sam take her for the granted, but when she finally stand up to herself, Sophie too is kinda of a toxic friend. But, eh, Annie got her happy end. If she didn't mind with how Sophie behave, then who am I to judge?

The good thing about this book is maybe Ralph, the cute spider that once Sophie's familiar but now become Annie's friend. He looks cute...if you don't have arachnophobia. I don't get it why spider? Is witch usually associated with black cat? Or maybe Sophie just built different? Otherwise, Ralph is adorable, in the furry-and-eight-legs way. I'm trying so hard to not imagine Ralph as a spider, lel. The citizen of Rowan were barely there and there's no meaningful interaction between them and Annie, except that they wary of Sophie. So scratch that cozy small town feeling, because Cackle is mostly focus to Annie's journey to heal herself. Or, out from her jerk ex-boyfriend and go to form everlasting friendship with a toxic friend that apparently also a witch. Her choice.

A cozy read, but not sure I want to recommend it if you search for a witchy read in time of Halloween or Spooktober.