jenhurst's review against another edition

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4.0

Not quite as good as the first, but I was still engaged the whole way through. I really liked Sasha as a protagonist, the vibes, the weirdness and the world building.

lindseysv's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

4.0

quailtea's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

still love it, just wish it had been connected to the first book, would've read it all in one go. on its own it didn't add anything, got a bit repetitive. doesn't hold a candle to the one before.

oliviagwynne's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

It is a bit of an adjustment to get into again. Vita Nostra and this book are so surreal and strange and very cerebral, it can take a minute to get used to. 

Along with that, time has passed for Sasha and she is readjusting to the change and the reader experiences that readjustment too. 

The way the magic system in this is so unexplainable and unlearnable, even to the students is really cool. But is also a difficult aspect of the novel to explain 

As with book 1, the ideas and concepts are very aggressively philosophical and intellectual, to the point that it sometimes reads like word soup. But in an odd way, that is part of the appeal? 

Sasha has such an uphill battle in this book, with teachers actively working against her or refusing to give her answers 

The romance is very abrupt. The plot gives a reason for that but it still made it difficult for me to connect to it. 

It’s weird how the book almost mirrors the learning style of the institute. It was this way with book 1 as well. Everything feels pretty incomprehensible in the beginning but by the end you really feel like you start to understand things more. 

These books always finish so strong. Not as good as book 1 but a solid entry and I really hope book 3 is translated soon

sawilugo's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

bluedijon's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

As gorgeous, thought provoking, and inherently hopeful as the first. Beyond phenomenal, and such a profound idea of hope and futurity at the core.

smaksimo's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

venti's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

unfortunately just didn’t hit the same as vita nostra… beautiful prose tho 

elizafiedler's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I love this magical system so much; I really hope this isn't the end!

maxcarwile's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

4.0