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citrus_seasalt's review against another edition
4.0
Another massively entertaining addition to the Witchlings canon!! I unfortunately can’t gush as much about the friendship as I did in my review with the first book, since the main trio was in a miscommunication-caused conflict for a bulk of the first half (unfortunately reasonable/relatable, they also did just get close. That kind of friendship might be strong, but not entirely unbreakable). That did mean we got to spend more time with Seven only, which while that might be a bummer for some people, personally I was interested in how she’d handle her anxieties and new responsibilities. There’s still a lot that hasn’t been covered in that arc/aspect, but I expect it’s going to be wrapped up either next book or in the end of the series(whenever that may be).
The stakes were a little higher for this book, too! Now there wasn’t a risk of toadification but death. Oof. (None of the main trio dies though, don’t worry.) The conflict wasn’t as connected to the main cast as the first book’s was, but that’s not to say it was unrelated, since it went hand in hand with the theme of Spare rights this book(and also Thorn being scapegoated). Honestly, so far I think the series is going a pretty good job at both showing Seven, Thorn and Valley making Spare history and helping others like them gain visibility, while also still needing more protection for them and their coven. (I’m sure the creator being an author of color definitely helps.)
I’m also noticing a reoccurring theme of a mystery relating to the main plot! I’ve been enjoying trying to solve the solutions before the end(this one I actually was able to guess!), but if it’s going to be continued in the next book(s) I hope it doesn’t become formulaic.
Overall this was an enjoyable read, even if I think the first book is slightly better: For instance, Valley had an introduced love interest/girlfriend this book, and there wasn’t much time to know Graves as a character before that?? There are some other characters that are significant to the main cast that, while they had a role in the story, I don’t think they had the time to be as fleshed out. Anyhow. Sequels are always at a disadvantage, though, because they don’t have the privilege of being wholly original! I’m still going to be reading book 3(and, ideally, not fight a 9 year old for a library copy).
The stakes were a little higher for this book, too! Now there wasn’t a risk of toadification but death. Oof. (None of the main trio dies though, don’t worry.) The conflict wasn’t as connected to the main cast as the first book’s was, but that’s not to say it was unrelated, since it went hand in hand with the theme of Spare rights this book(and also Thorn being scapegoated). Honestly, so far I think the series is going a pretty good job at both showing Seven, Thorn and Valley making Spare history and helping others like them gain visibility, while also still needing more protection for them and their coven. (I’m sure the creator being an author of color definitely helps.)
I’m also noticing a reoccurring theme of a mystery relating to the main plot! I’ve been enjoying trying to solve the solutions before the end(this one I actually was able to guess!), but if it’s going to be continued in the next book(s) I hope it doesn’t become formulaic.
Overall this was an enjoyable read, even if I think the first book is slightly better: For instance, Valley had an introduced love interest/girlfriend this book, and there wasn’t much time to know Graves as a character before that?? There are some other characters that are significant to the main cast that, while they had a role in the story, I don’t think they had the time to be as fleshed out. Anyhow. Sequels are always at a disadvantage, though, because they don’t have the privilege of being wholly original! I’m still going to be reading book 3(and, ideally, not fight a 9 year old for a library copy).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Child death and Fire/Fire injury
lalicia_ann's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Fire/Fire injury
skylarkblue1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Loving this trend of book sequels being just as good if not better than the first book. If you loved the first book - or even just slightly liked it! - you absolutely need to get this.
Seven, Valley and Thorn are back! After facing off with the nightbeast in book 1 and succeeding, the trio are back with participating in the Golden Frog Games! A quadrennial olympic style event for all the young witches in the Twelve Towns! But tensions against Spares haven’t gone from the conclusion before, and when mysterious hexes start flying from unknown places, Seven’s powers could cause major trouble, and the nightbeast not fully being out of the picture, chaos soon starts up.
As always, the delightful trio were wonderful and loveable. The side characters were memorable and fit in really well. The diversity as well was great and normalised just like the first book!
A lot goes on in the story but it’s quite well paced out - a lot of the games, a lot of the mystery and a lot of character development!
Honestly, this series deserves so much more attention. It’s wonderful, and with so many people looking for alternatives to Harry Potter this is the absolutely perfect replacement! I would love to see this turn into a large IP with movies, games and all sorts!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Blood, and Child death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Child abuse
lettuce_read's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Death
Moderate: Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and Xenophobia
Minor: Child abuse
wynterwonderland's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Animal death, Genocide, Hate crime, Xenophobia, and Stalking
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
_lostinthetrees's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A much-anticipated return to Ravenskill, that did not disappoint, except for the fact I wish that the book was even longer! Of course, all authors need their breaks, so I will patiently await the next book. I love this series so much, and in a world that upholds authors who are intent on using their power to harm others, I'm grateful that this book series and author exists.
Also, as a continuation of book 1, I felt like this didn't suffer what a lot of sequels do; the book 2 slump. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and I love how the ending happened, even if that cliff hanger is gonna have me spinning my wheels until book 3 comes out.
All in all, I will definitely be reading anything this author writes, as well as anything Witchlings related, as well.
Also, as a continuation of book 1, I felt like this didn't suffer what a lot of sequels do; the book 2 slump. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and I love how the ending happened, even if that cliff hanger is gonna have me spinning my wheels until book 3 comes out.
All in all, I will definitely be reading anything this author writes, as well as anything Witchlings related, as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
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